WZNT

Last updated

WZNT
Broadcast areaPuerto Rico
Frequency 93.7 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingZeta 93
Programming
Format Spanish Tropical
Subchannels HD2: Regional Mexican "La Privada"
Ownership
Owner
WTCV, WVEO, WVOZ-TV, WZMT, WIOB, WODA, WNOD, WRXD, WZNA, WMEG, WEGM
History
First air date
1959;66 years ago (1959)
Former call signs
WITA-FM (1959–1970)
WJIT-FM (1970–1975)
WSRA (1975–1978)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 74552
Class B
ERP 50,000 watts
HAAT 801.0 meters (2,628.0 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 18°25′55″N66°57′15″W / 18.43194°N 66.95417°W / 18.43194; -66.95417
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website zeta93.fm
La Privada HD2

WZNT (93.7 FM), branded on-air as Zeta 93, is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Tropical format. [2] Licensed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, it serves the entire commonwealth through one of the strongest FM signals on the island. [3] The station is owned by the Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) [4] and forms part of SBS Puerto Rico’s multi-media cluster that includes radio, television, and digital platforms. [5]

Contents

Zeta 93 is widely considered one of the most influential salsa and tropical music stations in the Caribbean, [6] known for its long-running on-air personalities, concerts, and cultural events.

History

WZNT traces its origins to 1959 as WITA-FM, originally programmed with popular and contemporary music. [7] Over the decades, it underwent several call sign and format changes as Puerto Rico’s radio landscape evolved.

Early years (1959–1978)

Launch of Zeta 93 (1978–present)

In 1978, the station became WZNT and launched the Zeta 93 brand. [11] It focused on salsa, bolero, and tropical rhythms, becoming a flagship station during Puerto Rico’s salsa boom.

By the 1980s and 1990s, Zeta 93 was among the island’s top-rated stations, [12] known for premieres of major salsa artists, exclusive interviews, and festival sponsorships.

Digital and HD Radio Era

WZNT adopted HD Radio in the 2010s, [13] adding an HD2 subchannel dedicated to Regional Mexican under the brand La Privada. [14]

The station also began streaming through the SBS-owned LaMusica app, expanding its global audience. [5]

Format

Zeta 93 broadcasts salsa, merengue, bachata, tropical pop, and talk segments centered on Puerto Rican culture. [15]

Programming

Zeta 93 features several popular local shows and personalities:

Longtime and notable hosts

Several well-known personalities have appeared on Zeta 93. [17]

Events

Zeta 93 organizes and sponsors major cultural events:

Salsa Awards and Festivals

Community involvement

The station participates in charity drives and relief efforts. [20]

HD Radio

Coverage and technical details

With 50,000 watts ERP and an 801 m HAAT, WZNT provides islandwide coverage. [3]

Ownership

WZNT is part of the Spanish Broadcasting System radio group. [4]

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WZNT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "WZNT Facility Record". FCC.
  3. 1 2 "WZNT-FM Coverage Map". Radio-Locator.
  4. 1 2 "SBS Puerto Rico Radio Stations". Spanish Broadcasting System.
  5. 1 2 "LaMusica – WZNT Zeta 93". LaMusica.
  6. ↑ "Zeta 93 celebra su legado en la salsa". Primera Hora. 2019.
  7. ↑ Puerto Rico Radio History. University of Puerto Rico Press. 1998.
  8. ↑ Historia de la Radio en Puerto Rico. 1982.
  9. ↑ "Cambios en la radio puertorriqueña". El Mundo. 1970.
  10. ↑ "La música en evolución". El Nuevo Día. 1975.
  11. ↑ "Zeta 93 – 40 años de salsa". LaMusica.
  12. ↑ "Zeta 93 lidera ratings tropicales". El Vocero. 1994.
  13. ↑ "HD Radio Guide – Puerto Rico". HD Radio.
  14. 1 2 "La Privada HD2". LaMusica.
  15. ↑ "Zeta 93 Programación". LaMusica.
  16. ↑ "Nación Z domina las mañanas". Metro Puerto Rico. 2022.
  17. ↑ "Figuras de Zeta 93 celebran aniversario". Telemundo PR. 2021.
  18. ↑ "Día Nacional de la Salsa". LaMusica.
  19. ↑ "Festival de la Salsa reúne a miles". El Nuevo Día. 2023.
  20. ↑ "SBS y Zeta 93 apoyan a comunidades afectadas". Univision Puerto Rico. 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.