CKEZ-FM, Z97.9, New Glasgow
Stingray Group Inc.
| Station | Year | Freq. | Power | Owner/Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CKEZ-FM | 2018 | 97.9 | 100,000 | Stingray Group Inc. |
| CKEZ-FM | 2018 | 97.9 | 100,000 | Newcap Inc. |
| CKEZ-FM | 2014 | 97.9 | 100,000 | Hector Broadcasting Co. Ltd. |
2012
On May 9, the CRTC approved the application by Hector Broadcasting Company Limited for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in New Glasgow/Pictou County. The new station would operate at 97.9 MHz (channel 250C1) with an average effective radiated power of 46,720 watts (maximum ERP of 100,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 246.3 metres). The new station would offer a blend of classic rock and classic hits with some contemporary rock. It would provide 125 hours of local programming per broadcast week, including 7 hours of pure news. Local programming would include newscasts, weather, sports, and spoken word features such as The Country Crier, lost and found, movie information and a swap and shop feature that would provide listeners with an opportunity to buy, sell or trade items. The station would primarily target men 18 years of age and over. Hector committed, by condition of licence, to devote at least 40% of its category 2 (Popular Music) musical selections during each broadcast week to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety.
2014
In June CKEZ-FM was testing its signal on-air. This followed a number of technical delays. Studios and offices were co-located with sister station CKEC-FM at 84 Provost Street in New Glasgow. Classic Rock 97.9 launched September 22 at 7:00 a.m.
2018
On July 12, the CRTC approved the application by Newcap Inc. for authority to acquire the assets of CKEC-FM and CKEZ-FM from Hector Broadcasting Limited.
On October 23, the CRTC approved an application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, on behalf of Newcap Inc. and its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, for authorization to effect a change in the ownership and effective control of various radio and television broadcasting undertakings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, so that effective control of the undertakings would be exercised by Eric Boyko (Stingray Digital Group Inc.). Stingray took ownership of the stations just a few days later.
In November, CKEZ rebranded from Classic Rock 97.9 to Z97.9. The format remained Classic Rock.
The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.