Winnipeg has a new multilingual community radio station with the launch of U Radio 88.7 FM (CHEB-FM).
Run by not-for-profit community broadcaster U Multicultural Inc., the station started testing in October. It’s now broadcasting programming in English and French; producing programs in five Indigenous languages, including Cree, Inuktitut, Ojibwe, and Dakota; in addition to airing shows in Swahili, Arabic, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Tagalog.
“This station exists because of community,” said Taya Rtichsheva, Founder and Executive Director of U Multicultural, in an announcement. “We are deeply grateful to our media colleagues in the community media sector, to organizations, and to community members who supported our application to the CRTC and helped us launch this truly unique local service. U Radio reflects Winnipeg’s voices, cultures, and lived experiences in a way no other station does.”
Programming includes local talk shows, community affairs programs, French-language children’s programming, and locally-produced music content.
The CRTC approved U Multicultural’s application for an FM licence in February 2024. The organization was previously operating online under the U Radio banner.
