You’re driving through the Henday, scanning for the game, and you hit 630 AM. Static. Maybe a loop of a voice telling you to move up the dial. It's frustrating. If you’ve been an Edmonton radio listener for more than a minute, that "630" number is basically hardwired into your brain. But things changed recently. Now, if you want the Oilers, the Elks, or just the morning news with your coffee, you need to find 880 CHED listen live options because the old home is officially a ghost town.
Honestly, the move caught a few people off guard. Why mess with a 70-year legacy?
It wasn't just a random corporate whim. Corus Entertainment basically swapped the furniture into a bigger house. By moving the CHED brand to the 880 AM frequency (which used to be iNews880), they actually grabbed a signal that doesn't get pushed around as much by Edmonton's tall buildings and North Saskatchewan River valley interference. It’s a better "stick," as the radio geeks say.
How to find 880 CHED listen live right now
If you’re sitting at a desk or holding a phone, you don’t even need an AM receiver. The easiest way to get the stream is through the Global News Edmonton radio player. It’s a clean interface, though it does hit you with an ad before the live audio kicks in.
Most people use the Radioplayer Canada app or TuneIn. Both work fine. If you’re a "Hey Google" or "Alexa" person, it’s even simpler. Just tell your smart speaker to "Play 880 CHED." It usually pulls from the Global News feed instantly.
Digital streaming vs. the AM dial
There’s a weird myth that streaming is always better. Kinda true, but kinda not.
If you’re watching a live Oilers game, the 880 CHED listen live digital stream is almost always behind the "real-time" broadcast on the AM frequency. We're talking anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds of delay. If your neighbor is listening to a physical radio and screams because Leon Draisaitl just scored, you’re going to be sitting there wondering what happened for a full minute.
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For the best experience during sports:
- Use a physical AM radio for zero lag.
- Use the website stream for the highest audio fidelity.
- Use the app for listening on the go or while commuting on the LRT.
The current lineup: Who are you actually hearing?
The frequency changed, but the voices stayed. Mostly. Stacey Brotzel still handles the "This Morning" slot from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. She’s got that high-energy vibe that works when you’re barely awake.
Then you’ve got Shaye Ganam. He’s the powerhouse of the mid-morning slot. He does a simulcast with Calgary’s QR, so you get a broader Alberta perspective, which some locals find annoying and others find useful for knowing what’s happening at the Legislature.
- Morning Drive: Stacey Brotzel (5:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
- Mid-Morning: Shaye Ganam (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Midday: Courtney Theriault (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
- Afternoon: Bryn Griffiths (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Sports: Bob Stauffer and the Oilers Now crew (Starting at 5 p.m.)
Bob Stauffer is basically the king of the evening block. If you want to know who the Oilers are scouting in some obscure European league, he’s your guy. He has been the flagship voice for the team since 1995. The station recently renewed that contract through the 2026–27 season, so he isn’t going anywhere.
Why 880 is better than 630 (Technically speaking)
The old 630 AM transmitter was a "directional" antenna. That means it literally aimed the signal in certain directions to avoid interfering with other stations on the same frequency in different cities. 880 AM is different. During the day, it's non-directional.
It pumps out 50,000 watts in every direction equally.
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This means if you’re out in Spruce Grove or over in Sherwood Park, you’re getting a much more consistent signal than you used to. At night, it does have to get a bit more "directional" to satisfy international clear-channel rules, but it’s still a massive upgrade for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
Common problems with the live stream
Sometimes you click that play button and... nothing. Or it loops the same 10-second clip of a car dealership commercial.
If you’re having trouble with the 880 CHED listen live stream, it’s usually a cache issue on your browser. Try opening it in an Incognito or Private window. If that works, clear your cookies.
Another weird quirk: if you’re using a VPN and it’s set to a different country, the stream might block you because of NHL or CFL broadcasting rights. Those blackout rules are annoying, but they’re strictly enforced. Set your VPN to Canada, or better yet, just turn it off while you’re listening to the local news.
The future of CHED on the AM dial
Let’s be real. AM radio is a tough business in 2026. Many car manufacturers are even trying to stop putting AM tuners in electric vehicles because the motors create electromagnetic interference.
But CHED has staying power because of local "appointment" listening. You don't tune in for the music; you tune in because there's a snowstorm and you need to know if the yellow school buses are running. You tune in because the Oilers are in the playoffs.
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That local connection is something Spotify or a national podcast can't replicate. Whether it’s the annual Santas Anonymous drive or the bi-weekly "Your Province, Your Premier" segment, 880 CHED remains the town square for Edmonton.
Actionable ways to stay connected
If you want to make sure you never miss a beat, don't just rely on your memory of where the dial is.
First, go to the Global News website and "Pin" the 880 CHED player to your browser tabs. It stays there in the corner, ready to go. Second, if you're on a smartphone, use the "Add to Home Screen" feature on the mobile site. It creates a little icon that acts just like an app but doesn't take up as much space.
Lastly, if you're a sports fan, follow the 880 CHED X (formerly Twitter) account. They post the exact times for the "Faceoff Show" and "Oilers Overtime" because those start times jump around depending on when the puck drops in the Eastern Time Zone.
Keep your radio tuned to 880, and if you're still hitting 630 out of habit, maybe put a sticky note on your dash for a week. You’ll get used to the new home soon enough.
To get the most out of your listening experience, you should:
- Download the Radioplayer Canada app for stable mobile listening.
- Set a shortcut on your smart speaker by saying "Alexa, play 880 CHED."
- Bookmark the Audio on Demand page if you miss a specific interview with Stacey or Shaye; they usually upload clips about 20 minutes after they air.