CKCU-FM

CKCU Radio Carleton is Canada's oldest community-based campus radio station. On May 22, 1973, Carleton University Association Inc. was granted a licence from the CRTC to operate a carrier current AM station, operating on 670 kHz with power of only 16 watts. Its first broadcast at 93.1 FM on November 14, 1975, when it played Joni Mitchell's You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio.[2] CKCU broadcasts live 24 hours a day to a 100 km radius on FM 93.1.[2]

CKCU airs over 100 different shows each week, including programs in 14 languages. The schedule includes both general and specialty music programs, public affairs and spoken word programming, and features many shows with a topical or international flavour. Some shows feature live in-studio performances by local artists. CKCU actively supports, sponsors and promotes local independent musicians, venues, concerts and festivals.

Volunteers from the campus and community program and host all shows. Often dubbed the mighty 93 by devotees, CKCU has a freeform format that allows the hosts to pick all the music played, and has many community programs.[2][3]

The listener-supported station has an annual funding drive in late October and early November, to raise money for its annual operating budget.[2] In 2018, this raised over $140,000. Further money is raised from university student levies, along with revenue from advertisers and sponsors. The station self-produces much of the advertising material it carries, giving the advertising a campus flavour popular with listeners.

Each March break and several times during the summer, CKCU runs a unique Radio Camp for kids ages 10–14. The camp has been growing in popularity since 2001 and features a live two-hour kids broadcast.[4]

CKCU-FM was included amongst other architecturally interesting and historically significant buildings in Doors Open Ottawa.

On July 3, 2020, a construction mishap knocked down the tower at CKCU-FM's building. The mishap severed the link between the studio and the transmitter site rendering the station silent. [5] The station was back on the air a month later<ref>https://charlatan.ca/2020/08/05/ckcu-returns-to-air-after-longest-ever-broadcast-disruption/<ref>. In the interim CKCU-FM audio was available to listen online over the internet.

• The Back 40 - A program of traditional country, western, and bluegrass music.
• Black & Blues - A traditional program focused on blues music and offerings from the 1960s.
• Canadian Spaces - A folk/roots/acoustic music show which has aired since 1980s with a rotating panel of hosts.
• The Deep Blue - Longtime techno, house and trance show featuring a continual mix of new releases and mixes from guests in and around the city every Friday evening / Saturday morning 12:00-2:00 AM.
• In a Mellow Tone - A jazz program heard every Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00 PM.
• Jump Into Sports - A weekly program dedicated to sports talk radio. Includes debates and special features on a regular basis.
• An Indian Morning - Hosted by Harsha Dehejia and Kishore Sampat, the show focuses on the music of India, including folk, classical and devotional and film music.
• Interzone - An overnight show with electronic influences. Expect psytrance, drum and bass, techno, hip hop, industrial, breaks and others. Also find out what interesting electronic events are happening in and around the Ottawa area.
• Special Blend - A collection of morning shows which airs weekdays from between 7:00 to 10:00 AM. The shows follow a talk/music format with a focus on current affairs, particularly news stories of local interest as well as showcases of new and local music releases.
• Lost in Bass - A house and techno program airing early Tuesday mornings with a focus on new releases and exclusive sets from local talent.
• Night Shift - An overnight show featuring nocturnal selections of electronic music.
• Night Trax - A bi-weekly fix of all things 70's, plus classic stand-up comedy, Canadian content, fresh releases and intriguing stories every other Wednesday mornings 12:00-2:00 AM.
• CKCU Literary News - An internet-based broadcasting service of CKCU-FM, with featured content from various local and international sources.
• Reggae in the Fields - hosted by Junior Smith, Saturdays, 3:00–5:30 PM. Canada's longest-running reggae-focused radio program.
• Swing Is in the Air - A bi-weekly swing and mainstream jazz program.
• This Island Earth - A world music program heard every Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM EST and hosted by the This Island Earth Collective, a group of rotating hosts.
• Turn Up The Radio- A program focused on a variety of sounds including metal, reggae, jazz, rock, soul, covers and more.
• Vintage Love- A late night reggae show packed with selections of dancehall, soul, funk, ska and R&B among others.
• Whatever's Cool With Me - A general music show featuring new releases, special playlist compilations and audience requests.

• Ian Mendes
• Jeremy Gara
• Ken Rockburn
• David Mowbray
• Jeff Green
• Jason Moscovitz
• Rob Braide
• Geoff Pevere
• Chuck Rubin
• Neil Bregman
• Max Wallace
• Adrian Harewood
• Mike Ross
• John Marshall
• Michael Giunta
• Nadine Gelineau
• Casey Kenny

• CKCU-FM
• CKCU-FM history – Canadian Communications Foundation
• CKCU-FM in the REC Canadian station database

45.3833°N 75.6979°W / 45.3833; -75.6979