CKBI began broadcasting as 10BI in 1930 on 250 metres. In 1934, 10BI became a commercial station, adopting the call signCKBI and moving to 1210 kilocycles. CKBI has been operating at its current frequency of 900 kHz since 1941, coupled with the enactment of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA). 900 AM is a Canadian and Mexican clear-channel frequency. CKBI and XEWMexico City are the Class A stations on this frequency.
CKBI was a network affiliate of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission from 1932 until 1936. It was an affiliate of CBC Radio until 1944 and then CBC Radio's Dominion Network from 1944 until 1962. At that point, CKBI became an independent station. During the 1970s it was owned by Central Broadcasting, Ltd., with studios on 10th Street in Prince Albert.
