CKUW-FM
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| Broadcast area | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
|---|---|
| Branding | 95.9 CKUW |
| Slogan | OPEN PLAYLIST • OPENS MINDS |
| Frequency | 95.9 MHz (FM) |
| Format | campus radio |
| ERP | 450W |
| Callsign meaning |
Canadian |
| Owner | The Winnipeg Campus/Community Radio Society |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | CKUW-FM |
CKUW-FM is the campus radio station at the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The station broadcasts on 95.9 FM with 450 watts of power.
Beginning as CJUC, the station was started in 1963 by David Shilliday and physics professor Ron Riddell. In 1968 the call letters were changed to CKUW to mark the founding of the University of Winnipeg. At that time the station operated as a closed circuit station broadcasting to Lockhart Hall lounges, the Buffeteria and the Bulman Students Centre. Despite the small presence on campus CKUW had a disproportionate effect on the local music scene, including spawning local music magazine Stylus and launching the career of many local media personalities.
After a decade of fundraising and planning, CKUW's licence application was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in October 1998.[1] Test broadcasts started on April 27, 1999, and the official kickoff broadcast started on April 30. First was a short speech by station manager Rob Schmidt, and the first song was "That's Entertainment" by The Jam.
Local cultural programs are a large part of the schedule, and a quarter of CKUW's programming consists of spoken word shows covering local news, the entertainment scene, and community/social justice issues.
Long time shows featured and famous on CKUW radio include Bluesday with Rockin' Ronnie, People of Interest (morning news magazine, formerly The Beat), Say It, Sista! (feminist news), Black Mask (anarchist viewpoints), Stylus Radio (based on the University of Winnipeg music magazine, Stylus), The Ultra Mega Sports Show (sports commentary), and Antennas to Heaven (political satire). CKUW also airs some popular syndicated talk-radio shows from around North America, such as Democracy Now! and Alternative Radio.
CKUW broadcasts at 95.9 MHz with 450 watts of power. Its transmitter and antenna are on top of #7 Evergreen Place in Osborne village in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The station operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week with all the programming being done by volunteers. A coverage map of how far the station broadcasts shows in this photo at this link: http://ckuw.ca/index.php/coverage
Philosophy
CKUW operates on a grass roots control, meaning that everybody, including volunteers have voice and creative input to what goes on air. Its programming is a reflection of the true interests and concerns that the members want to create that is not aired on mainstream radio. Many of the music played and opinions expressed on community radio sometimes can't fit in mainstream radio due to content restrictions. This philosophy is what sets apart campus radio from mass media
Fundraising
CKUW is volunteer driven and runs as a non profit organization. The station receives its core funding through a student levy at the University of Winnipeg. The levy is responsible for just over half of the stations budget and only covers basic operations.
To fulfill the budget, an annual FUNDrive radio-athon (similar to a telethon) is held once a year in February, in the week before Louis Riel Day. During that time all shows ask for the listener's support by donating money to CKUW. By donating a certain pledge level, they receive incentives for their support. Programmers will often talk about the benefits that CKUW offers to the community while airing specialty programming, such as live bands or special guests.
The purpose of the drive is to generate money for the station to buy new equipment, produce new programs for the community (Radio Camp, Radio Drama), and to facilitate workshops on radio programming. A small amount of funding also comes from advertising and member fees. Students pay $10 while community members pay $20.
Community programs
Radio Camp is a community radio project that CKUW organizes and sponsors every year for kids 12 and under to introduce them to community radio. They are enrolled for two weeks in the month of July to produce two radio shows that broadcast live with their stories and creative input with help from CKUW staff. The purpose is to introduce alternative media to a younger audience while having fun with radio as well.
CKUW Radio Drama is a fairly new community radio program that was implemented in early 2008. A radio drama is a story that is made for radio through the use of script and sound to convey action and dialogue. Funded by the Manitoba Arts Council, the radio drama, “At the Monarch’s Convenience” takes place in downtown Winnipeg’s West End with the fictional Monarch’s Convenience Store as the backdrop in the story. It tells the stories of various individuals living in the area of Sargent and Ellice Avenue dealing with problems such as runaway children, vandalism, pregnancy. The characters find a way to deal with the situations in a “beautiful, moving, and worth their time and effort”.[2] The director of CKUW's Radio Drama is Jason Hooper. A group of writers consisting of students, outside community members and CKUW volunteers help to write and produce the show.
The station also sponsors many events that are held within the downtown Winnipeg area that reflect the station's philosophy, such as live music shows, art shows, festivals, and annual charity walks.
Committees
To keep CKUW and campus radio standards in line, there are various committees the station has made, such as the Board of Directors and Programming Committee.
The Board of Directors is elected by the volunteers to manage the long term issues of the station. The group consists of one university representative, one student union representative, three elected student representatives and four elected community representatives. The diversity of the group helps to give well rounded views from different sides to come to a fair decision. They meet once a month to discuss various issues, plan events, and implement new ideas concerning the station. An Annual General Meeting of CKUW is held once a year for all members to attend and vote on new policies, bylaws, and new members on to the Board of Directors.
The Programming Committee is a group that helps to monitor station programming by listening to various shows. They evaluate different shows based on their radio presence, technical skills, and overall interest of programming. They also help to ensure that all programmers are following guidelines of CKUW and the CRTC.
CKUW alumni
Alumni from CKUW that have used their radio experience in the job field include former MuchMusic VJ Bradford How, 92.1 CITI-FM Morning Show Host Joe Aiello, Winnipeg Free Press Columnist Jill Wilson, CBC Producer and DJ Sarah Michaelson (aka Mama Cutsworth), radio personality Alan Cross and Power 97 CJKR-FM Music Director Casey Norman.
Famous moments and specials
Some famous moments and specials that have aired live on CKUW include:
- Amy Goodman of Democracy Now praised CKUW for being the first campus radio station in Canada to air the show.
- The creation of CKUW’s Radio Drama that went to air February 2008
- Antennas to Heaven hosting two hours of Christmas music in July 2006
- Radio Schitzophrenio interview with Gerald Casale of Devo in early 2008
- The kickoff to FUNDrive in February 2008 on its first day had an eight-piece musical marching band walk into its studio. They were marching around the downtown Winnipeg area previously.
References
External links
- CKUW-FM
- Radio Camp
- Monarch's Convenience radio drama
- CKUW-FM history at Canadian Communications Foundation
- Query the REC's Canadian station database for CKUW-FM
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Coordinates: 49°52′51″N 97°08′57″W / 49.88083°N 97.14917°W