CKUL-FM
 | |
| City | Halifax, Nova Scotia |
|---|---|
| Branding | Mix 96.5 |
| Slogan | 80s...90's...Now! |
| Frequency | 96.5 MHz (FM) |
| First air date | August 30, 1990 as CIEZ-FM |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 185.1 meters (607 ft) |
| Class | C1 |
| Callsign meaning | C KUL (sounds like "Cool" for former branding) |
| Owner | Newcap Radio |
| Sister stations | CFRQ-FM |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website |
www |
CKUL-FM (96.5 MHz) is a Canadian radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The station is owned by Newcap Radio and airs an adult contemporary radio format branded as Mix 96.5. Newcap Radio also owns active rock station 104.3 CFRQ-FM. CKUL-FM competes with CIOO-FM.
CKUL's studios and offices are located on Kempt Road in Halifax, while its transmitter is located on Washmill Lake Drive in Clayton Park.
History
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) gave its approval for a new FM station in Halifax on March 5, 1990.[1] The station signed on the air on August 30 of that year as "96.5 Sun FM," under the original call letters CIEZ-FM. It originally had an easy listening format. Over time, the station eliminated instrumentals and became a soft adult contemporary outlet.
In 2003, the station switched to adult hits, branded as "FM 96.5." On November 1, 2004, the station rebranded as "96.5 Kool FM," and adopted its current call sign. The adult hits format evolved into classic hits over the years.
The station was operated for several years as a joint venture between Newcap Radio and CHUM Limited (later purchased by CTVglobemedia), as part of their five-station "Metro Radio Group" local marketing agreement, later disbanded by order of the CRTC. In 2007, both companies received approval to convert their remaining AM stations in the market, CFDR and CJCH respectively, to the FM band, which would give each company two wholly owned FM stations in the Halifax market, the maximum permitted under current CRTC regulations.
Newcap later acquired CTV's share of CKUL.[2] At the same time, it announced the sale of CFDR to Rogers Radio, which changed it to CFLT-FM.
On August 26, 2013, at Noon, after playing "Thank You for Being a Friend" by Andrew Gold, CKUL-FM flipped to adult album alternative (AAA), branded as "Radio 96.5." The first song played in the AAA format was "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons.[3][4]
On February 25, 2016, at 4 p.m., after playing "Electric Love" by Borns, CKUL-FM flipped to Hot AC, branded as "Mix 96.5." The first song played on "Mix" was "Adventure of a Lifetime" by Coldplay. The format change occurred a month after former CKHZ-FM program director Dan Barton joined Newcap to program CKUL.[5][6][7]
Unlike its competitor CIOO, CKUL plays a significant percentage of songs recorded in the 1980s and 90s, aiming at a slightly older female audience.
Former logos
Footnotes
External links
- Mix 96.5
- CKUL-FM history – Canadian Communications Foundation
- Query the REC's Canadian station database for CKUL-FM
Coordinates: 44°38′47″N 63°39′37″W / 44.64639°N 63.66028°W