History:
The CKUA Radio Network was founded in 1927 on the University
of Alberta campus in Edmonton. CKUA is Canada's first educational
broadcaster and Canada's first public broadcaster.
Since
its inception, CKUA has grown from a one room, low wattage
radio station staffed by exceptionally dedicated amateur radio
enthusiasts, into a full fledged radio and Internet broadcast
network staffed by world class broadcast and business professionals.
CKUA
has evolved from a government of Alberta operation to a public
not-for-profit foundation, with a limited commercial license.
CKUA is financially supported by listener donations, program
sponsorships, and subscriptions; and through corporate partnership.
Broadcast Capabilities:
CKUA's radio signal is carried province-wide on AM and FM through
a network of 17 transmitters, strategically located throughout
Alberta. CKUA also broadcasts in Canada on Starchoice Satellite
and around the world through
ckua.com.
Recent Achievements:
• Six time winner of the Western Canadian Music Award for
Media Person of the Year - Peter North, CKUA Music Director (2001-2006)
• Three time winner of the Prairie Music Award for Media Outlet
of the Year (2003, 2001, 2000)
• Western Canadian Music Alliance - Media Outlet of the
Year Award for Western Canada (2003)
• Jazz Broadcaster of the Year Award to Bill Coull, host
of Afternoon Edition and Coull Jazz. (January, 2003)
• Alto Award to Lisa Robinson, host of Travel Treasures
for Media Excellence in Tourism Reporting (November, 2001)
• Five time winner of The Alberta Recording Industry Award
as Radio Station of the Year, through the 1990's and into 2000
• University of Alberta 90th Anniversary as Builder of
Alberta (1998)
• Emerald Award: Outstanding Achievement in Environmental
Programming for The Ecofile program (1996)
• Alberta Chamber of Resources with a Media Award to Cheryl
Croucher, producer and host of Innovation Alberta (02)
• Prairie Music Award as Media Outlet of the Year (01,
00, 99)
Unique Programming:
CKUA is recognized as the voice of Alberta artists, musicians
and cultural enthusiasts. Each week, CKUA broadcasts over 168
hours of eclectic and entertaining programming that, in keeping
with tradition, includes educational based music and informational
series. Blues, Jazz, Classical, Celtic, Folk, Contemporary and
Alternative music all make up CKUA's broadcast day. This broad
spectrum of music is drawn from CKUA's internationally renowned
music library. Comprised of more than a quarter million CD's
and LP's, the library contains in excess of 1.5 million musical
selections.
On-line:
In 1996 CKUA began broadcasting on the Internet, carrying its
entertaining message of life long learning to people everywhere.
In April of 2000 CKUA redesigned its website and currently enjoys
over 4,500,000 hits and 86,000 visitors per month, from around
the globe.
