CBU (AM)

Infobox Radio Station


name = CBU
airdate = 1925
frequency = 690 kHz (AM)| city = Vancouver, British Columbia
area = South Coast
format = public broadcasting
owner = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
erp = 50,000 watts
branding = CBC Radio One
slogan =
class = B
website = [http://www.cbc.ca/bc/ CBC British Columbia]
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns = CNRV (1925-1933)
CRCV (1933-1936)
CBR (1936-1952)

CBU is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts the programming of the CBC Radio One network in Vancouver, British Columbia. The station broadcasts at 690 AM. A shortwave relay, CKZU rebroadcasts CBU's signal to remote areas of British Columbia.

History

The station was launched in 1925 as CNRV "The Voice of the Pacific" on AM 1030, owned by the Canadian National Railway radio network.

CNRV was acquired by the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission in 1933, becoming CRCV and changed frequency to 1100. In 1936, the CBC was created, taking over the CRBC's operations, and CRCV became CBR.

The station moved to AM 1130 in 1941 (see Canadian allocations changes under NARBA), and to 690 in 1952 when the call sign was changed to its current CBU. Power was increased from 10,000 watts to its present 50,000 watts in 1967 with a transmitter site move to the Steveston shoreline.

In 1947, an FM simulcast was launched on CBU-FM. Distinct programming on the FM station was aired for the first time in 1964.

In early 2008, the CRTC approved CBU's application for a simulcast of its programming on the FM band. On October 10, 2008, CBU began its FM simulcast on 88.1 FM as CBU-2-FM with an ERP of 19.5 kW.

hortwave relay

By 1946, CBR operated a shortwave relay for remote areas of British Columbia using the call sign CBRX and operating on a frequency of 6160kHz (in the 49m band). The call sign changed to CBUX in 1952 when the AM station became CBU.

In 1965, the call sign changed to CKZU, recognizing that the "CB" prefix was assigned to Chile.

Local programming

CBU's local programs are "Early Edition" in the mornings and "On the Coast" in the afternoons. It also originates the lunch-hour program "BC Almanac", broadcast provincewide to Radio One's stations in Victoria (CBCV-FM), Kelowna (CBTK-FM), Prince Rupert (CFPR) and Prince George (CBYG-FM) and their rebroadcasters.

Rebroadcasters

CBU has the following rebroadcasters:

* CBU-1-FM - Abbotsford - 101.7 [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2004/db2004-404.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-404] ]
* CBUE-FM - Hope - 101.7
* CBRU-FM - Squamish - 98.3 [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2006/db2006-275.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-275] ]
* CBXK - Pemberton - 1240
* CBYF-FM - Chilliwack - 91.7 - and its rebroadcaster
** CBYH-FM - Harrison Hot Springs - 96.7 [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/1984/DB84-413.HTM Decision CRTC 84-413] ]

* CBYW-FM - Whistler - 100.1

Community-owned rebroadcaster:
* CKHI-FM - Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories - 105.1

On July 8, 2008, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation applied to add an FM transmitter at Vancouver to broadcast its programming service Radio One originating from CBU Vancouver in order to adequately serve the population of Vancouver. [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2008/pb2008-59.htm#2 Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-59] ] That application to operate at 88.1 FM was approved on September 5, 2008. [ [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2008/db2008-252.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-252] ]

Shortwave relay CKZU

CBU is rebroadcast on shortwave on the following station:

* CKZU-SW - Richmond - 6160 kHz (in the 49m band), 1,000 watts

Former CBU personalities

* Anne Petrie, former host of CBU radio program "3's Company".

ee also

* CBC Regional Broadcast Centre Vancouver

References

External links

* [http://www.cbc.ca/bc/ CBC British Columbia]
* [http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=56&historyID=21 CBU (AM) history at Canadian Communications Foundation]
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