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For 82 years, the CKUA Radio Network has delivered unique programming
to Alberta's radio waves.
It began in 1927 with a dream: to take the University to the people
via the new medium of radio. With a couple of the University of
Alberta's engineering students, 2 windmill towers, some old iron
poles and a little creative book-keeping, a $700 grant was
transformed into Canada's first public broadcaster. The CKUA Radio
Network signed on November 21st, 1927, with a 500-watt signal.
On May 23rd, 1929, the 1st Canadian school broadcast was
made from CKUA, fulfilling the original goal set 2 years prior,
and starting a tradition of excellence in distance education that
continues today through CKUA's relationship with Athabasca University.
Since its inception, CKUA has lived in a climate of change. In
1945 AGT began operating CKUA and moved the station from
the University campus to downtown Edmonton. CKUA went on air in
1948 with Alberta's first FM station. ACCESS assumed
ownership of CKUA in 1974 and the construction of transmitters
in Calgary and Lethbridge soon followed. CKUA's unique sound had
begun to resonate across Alberta's airwaves. CKUA was privatized
in 1994, subsequently, a combination of commercials, corporate sponsorships
and listener donations still fund the station's day to day operating
costs.
Presently, CKUA AM-FM is capable of reaching 85 percent of Albertans
through 17 transmitters across the province and around the globe
via the World Wide Web. CKUA remains steadfast in its commitment
to offer exposure to Alberta musicians, writers and performers,
and to enrich the arts and cultural life of the province. Over
40 programs are featured on CKUA spanning many music genres
and topic areas.
CKUA, together with the support of the business community and our
devoted listeners and volunteers, continues to face and overcome
obstacles and challenges. We are proud to continue to offer quality
programming, developing roots across Alberta and the world.
Since the first days of broadcasting, some of Alberta's finest
personalities and musicians have stood on the shoulders of CKUA
and reached for the stars. Great names in radio who have made their
debut on CKUA include Art Ward, Bryan Hall, Robert Goulet, Joni
Mitchell, Amos Garrett, k.d. lang, Jann Arden, Oscar Lopez, P.J
Perry and Tommy Banks.
CKUA continues to contribute to Canadian Broadcasting with an eclectic
array of entertainment and information. Comprehensive coverage
of Alberta's arts and culture community, provocative public affairs
and news programs, a massive music library and passionate, knowledgeable
announcers make CKUA's programming unique across the globe.
Over the past 8 decades, CKUA has had the privilege of offering
music ranging from classical, jazz, folk, blues and world beat.
CKUA has shared many firsts with the province of Alberta including,
the first Western Canada football play by play in 1928, the
first Edmonton outlet for a national network broadcast in 1930,
and the first station in Alberta with FM Technology. It is with
this pioneering spirit that we approach the years and broadcasts
yet to come.
CKUA RADIO - Original Radio.
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