📍 🇨🇦 Canada
CKUA Radio Network
About CKUA Radio Network
CKUA Radio Network has a legitimate claim to a piece of Canadian broadcasting history: it started transmitting from the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton in 1927, making it the country’s first public broadcaster. That’s not a marketing line. It’s nearly a century of continuous radio, now based in downtown Edmonton and on 94.9 FM, with fifteen rebroadcast transmitters covering much of Alberta and a studio added at Calgary’s National Music Centre in 2016.
What keeps it interesting is the format. CKUA runs on donor funding and plays what it wants, which in practice means genuinely eclectic programming rather than the rotation you’d get from a commercial station. Community radio here means something specific: no shareholder pressure to stick to proven chart formulas, so the music and talk programming can go places commercial radio won’t.
If you’re outside Alberta, the free online stream is the way in. It runs at 96 kbps in AAC, which is decent quality for streaming. The station’s website at ckua.com has the player and details on supporting the station if you want to keep it going.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I listen to CKUA Radio?
Stream online at ckua.com or tune to 94.9 FM in Edmonton. CKUA also broadcasts across Alberta through fifteen rebroadcasters, so check the website to find your local frequency.
Is CKUA Radio free to listen?
Yes, CKUA is free to listen. It's a donor-funded community station, so it relies on listener support rather than ads.
What kind of music and programming does CKUA play?
CKUA plays eclectic programming across many genres. The station is known for community-focused content that goes well beyond the standard commercial radio format.
What language is CKUA Radio broadcast in?
English. CKUA broadcasts in English from its studios in Edmonton and Calgary.
When was CKUA Radio founded?
CKUA began broadcasting in 1927 and was Canada's first public broadcaster. It started on the University of Alberta campus and now operates from downtown Edmonton.
What bitrate and format does CKUA's online stream use?
CKUA streams at 96 kbps in AAC format, so it works on most devices and internet connections.
Does CKUA have a presence outside Edmonton?
Yes. CKUA operates fifteen rebroadcasters across Alberta and added a studio in Calgary's National Music Centre in fall 2016.
Station info
Country
🇨🇦 Canada
Bitrate
96 kbps
Format
AAC
Language
english
Status
🟢 Live