CBU (AM)

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CBU (690 AM) is Vancouver’s CBC Radio One station, delivering public radio and talk programming. It also broadcasts on 88.1 FM (CBU-2-FM) in Vancouver, with HD Radio subchannels for CBCV-FM and CBU-FM.

Where and what you hear
- Studios: 700 Hamilton Street, Downtown Vancouver
- AM transmitter: Steveston, Richmond; FM transmitter: Mount Seymour
- Coverage: Metro Vancouver and much of British Columbia’s coast; the 690 AM signal can be heard in Nanaimo and Gibsons
- Type: Non-commercial public radio; owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

History in brief
- First air date: 1925 as CNRV on 1100 kHz (and later 1130 kHz)
- Call signs used: CNRV, CRCV, CBR, CKZU, and finally CBU
- Moved to 690 kHz in 1952; power increased to 50,000 watts in 1967 to reach a large area
- 2017 fire damaged the Steveston transmitter; 2018 power was reduced to 25,000 watts
- FM simulcast began in 2008 on 88.1 FM (CBU-2-FM); HD Radio added later

Programming
- Local shows: The Early Edition (morning) and On the Coast (afternoon) originate from Vancouver
- BC Today (lunch) is simulcast on CBC Television’s CBUT-DT
- Weekend programs include North by Northwest and Hot Air
- Most CBC Radio One content from Vancouver is broadcast province-wide to CBC stations across British Columbia

Notes
- 690 AM is a clear-channel frequency
- CBU forms part of a network that includes sister stations such as CBU-FM and CBUF-FM across the Lower Mainland and beyond