City | Vancouver, British Columbia |
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Broadcast area | Metro Vancouver |
Branding | Z95.3 |
Slogan | "Vancouver's Best Mix" |
Frequency | 95.3 MHz (FM) |
First air date | May 23, 1991 |
Format | Hot AC |
ERP | 71.3 kilowatts |
HAAT | 686 metres |
Class | C |
Transmitter coordinates | 49°21′27″N 122°57′14″W / 49.357365°N 122.953776°WCoordinates: 49°21′27″N 122°57′14″W / 49.357365°N 122.953776°W |
Callsign meaning | C K Z Z95.3 |
Owner | Newcap Radio |
Sister stations | CISL, CHLG-FM |
Webcast | Listen live |
Website | z953.ca |
CKZZ-FM (95.3 FM, "Z95.3") is a Canadian radio station in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia. It broadcasts at 95.3 MHz on the FM band with an effective radiated power of 71,300 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour, and its studios are located in Richmond. The station has had a hot adult contemporary format since 2004, and is owned by Newcap Radio.
On February 19, 1990, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) initiated a call for applications for a new commercial FM radio station in Vancouver on the frequency 94.5 MHz. Six companies submitted proposals to the commission for approval. On June 20, 1990, the CRTC approved South Fraser Broadcasting's application for the frequency. On November 1, 1990, the CRTC approved South Fraser's application to amend the frequency to 95.3 MHz due to potential interference with CJJR-FM.
CKZZ, known on-air with the moniker "Z 95.3", signed on air at 8 a.m. on May 23, 1991, and ran commercial-free until May 27. The first song played was Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll) by C&C Music Factory. Founded by South Fraser and controlled by Michael Dickinson, it shares studio and office space with sister station CISL AM 650. The station's format was authorized by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as dance music, and quickly gained popularity among younger audiences in the market. CKZZ was a top-rated station, constantly remaining in the Top 3 most listened-to stations in the market.