Beginning as CJUC, the station was started in 1963 by student David Shilliday and physics professor Ron Riddell.

After a decade of fundraising and planning for an actual FM radio station, CKUW's licence application was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in October 1998.

Long time shows featured on CKUW radio include Bluesday with Rockin' Ronnie, People of Interest (morning news magazine, formerly The Beat), Say It, Sista!

They are enrolled for two weeks in the month of July to produce two radio shows that broadcast live with their stories and creative input with help from CKUW staff.

It tells the stories of various individuals living in the area of Sargent and Ellice Avenue dealing with problems such as runaway children, vandalism, pregnancy.

Alumni from CKUW include former MuchMusic VJ Bradford How, CITI-FM Morning Show Host Joe Aiello, Winnipeg Free Press Columnists Jill Wilson, Ben Sigurdson, CBC Producer and DJ Sarah Michaelson (aka Mama Cutsworth), CJNU-FM announcer/operator Andy (Drew Williams) Tataryn, radio personalities Alan Cross, Andrea Collins, and former CJKR-FM Music Director Casey Norman.