An Alberta public broadcast radio station is looking to raise $3 million over the next few months in the hopes of staying on the airwaves.
Alberta’s CKUA Radio says its future is in jeopardy if it can’t raise the funds by September.
“CKUA is valued by Albertans and listeners from around the world,” CEO Marc Carnes said in a news release. “The state we find ourselves in is due to a perfect storm of factors that many households and businesses are facing.”
The Edmonton-based station, which has been on the air since 1927, blames inflation, limited government funding and the post-pandemic vacancy and devaluation of the Alberta Hotel, which it owns, for its financial struggles.
Carnes says the station’s difficulties are not because of a lack of success, pointing to an increase in listeners over the last five years, and steady advertising and fundraising revenues.
CKUA Radio will begin its fundraising campaign Friday afternoon.
“CKUA needs its community more than ever,” Carnes said. “CKUA listeners must do what they did valiantly in 1997 when the Government of Alberta decommissioned the station. If the community loves CKUA Radio we need you now.”