Vancouver radio stations run the gamut from talk and oldies to alternative rock and alternative everything else. If you're just visiting Canada, definitely sample CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Company, radio. Better than just about anything else, it will give you a crash course on the Canadian perspective.
In Vancouver, you can listen to either the CBC am station, CBC Radio One, with its fascinating interviews, letters from listeners, music, new and excellent local information. Or, for a more classical Canadian take on the world, try CBC Radio Two, "Classics. And Beyond."
CBC Radio Two features concerts, Sunday Afternoon at the Opera, Monday Night Playhouse along with news, business, sports, weather, and public interest programming.
Somehow listening to CBC gives one a sense of all those Canadians who live or lived in remote, lonely places and for whom CBC represents or represented a lifeline, a link to and connection with the outside world.
Here is a list of Vancouver radio stations, a link to their sites, and a brief description of what each features.
CBC Radio
88.1 fm or 690 am - CBC Radio One provides national news, popular culture programming and content focused on life in British Columbia. Local programs include Early Edition and On the Coast.
105.7 fm - CBC Radio Two focuses on the arts and culture with an emphasis on classical music, opera and jazz and some programming devoted to popular music. World Report news updates are heard every hour.
FM Stations
89.3 fm Vancouver Tourist Radio This station broadcasts information about Vancouver and things to do in Vancouver all day long. It's great for visitors.
90.1 fm - CJSF broadcasts from Simon Fraser University and provides an alternative to the music, news coverage and cultural programming heard on mainstream stations.
90.9 fm - CBUX is a French language station that carries Radio-Canada's Espace Musique network in Vancouver. Programs focus on classical, jazz, world and Francophone music.
93.1 fm - CKYE broadcasts ethnic music and talk radio, the majority of which is heard in Hindi and Punjabi. Topics range from world news and social issues to popular culture. Includes some English, Serbian, Hungarian and Polish programming.
93.7 fm - JR-FM is Vancouver's station for current country hits. Play lists include artists such as Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks and Tim McGraw.
94.5 fm - The Beat is a one-time urban and R&B station that now leans towards current Top 40 pop hits.
95.3 fm -
Z-95 - Virgin Radio features an Adult Top 40 format that includes artists such as Christina Aguilera, Pink, Nickelback, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day.
96.1 fm -
CHKG is a multicultural station that broadcasts multilingual programming focusing on a wide variety of cultures, primarily Chinese
96.9 fm -
Jack FM plays a variety of rock and pop hits, mostly from the seventies, eighties and nineties, along with some more current selections.
97.7 fm - CBUF is French language station that broadcasts the programming of Radio-Canada's La Premiere Chaine news and information network in Vancouver.
99.3 fm -
The Fox is currently the only place on the dial for modern and alternative rock, along with harder classic rock and metal. There are also shows focusing on punk and independent music.
100.5 fm -
The Peak: World Class Rock
101.1 fm -
Rock 101 is Vancouver's classic rock station and home of the popular Bro Jake Show, heard weekday mornings.
101.9 fm -
CiTR Broadcasting from the University of British Columbia and operated by students and community volunteers, offers an eclectic selection of music, news, arts and sports programming.
102.7 fm -
CO-OP is a community radio station established in 1975 by Vancouver activist groups. It broadcasts public affairs, a wide variety of music, social and cultural content, as well as multilingual programming.
103.5 fm -
QMFM plays an assortment of soft rock and pop favorites by artists such as Elton John, Madonna, Sarah McLachlan and Santana.
104.9 fm -
104.9 fm Greatest Hits of All Time.
AM Stations
650 am - CISL ALL TIME FAVOURITES - a pop adult standards station with an eclectic mix of music from the past seven decades. From Sinatra to Michael Buble covers the music that everyone can sing along to. For baby boomers and zoomers ( people over 50), the only music station left on AM. Broadcast home of the W.H.L. Vancouver Giants Hockey Team and several lifestyle talk shows from gardening to home improvement and Holistic health. Veteran D.J. Dave McCormick hosts the midday show.
730 am -
All Traffic All The Time broadcasts continuous traffic reports.
980 am -
CKNW is the top-rated station in Vancouver. It features news and talk radio programs with well-informed local hosts focusing on current events and sports.
1040 am -
Team1040 a sports station that broadcasts Vancouver Canucks and BC Lion's games. Sports talk shows include the locally hosted Pratt and Taylor, as well as syndicated American programs like the Jim Rome Show.
1130 am -
News1130 is an all-news with traffic and weather reports every ten minutes.
1320 am -
CHMB has been the voice of Vancouver's Canadian community since 1973.
1410 am -
Talk 1410am is a talk radio station that focuses on local issues, relationships, health and lifestyle. Carries syndicated programming such as Dr. Laura, Dr. Joy Browne and Coast to Coast.
1600 am -
Radio India broadcasts in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English. Programming includes news, talk shows and music from the genres of Bollywood, bhangra and pop.