In the ensuing 31 years, CKCU has continued to be a pioneer in community broadcasting, carrying out our mandate of providing an alternative to commercial radio and the CBC as a voice for the many Ottawa communities not served by the mainstream media.

CKCU is licenced by the CRTC as a community-based campus radio station. This is a uniquely Canadian model which means that we are an integral part of the Carleton University community, but also serve many other groups within our broadcast range.

CKCU is a Registered Charity funded by Donors like you, the students of Carleton University and members of the community, and by Program Sponsorships. In 1978, CKCU held its first annual Funding Drive, asking listeners to support community radio. Since then, Ottawans have pledged more than $1 million and helped make CKCU the largest listener-supported radio station in Ottawa-Carleton.

CKCU Radio does not playlist. Each programmer at CKCU is responsible for choosing the music used within their program.

Why is our station called "CKCU"?
C - means that we're a Canadian station.

K - the second letter has to be one of: D,F,H, I, J, or K. We don't know why "K" was chosen.

CU - would refer to Carleton University, where our studios are located.