An object of the present invention is to provide a radio receiver and a method for detecting carrier waves which make it possible to detect carrier waves for an IBOC type hybrid broadcast reliably. A radio receiver for receiving carrier waves for hybrid broadcasts which are arranged so as to be adjacent to and located on both sides of carrier waves for analog broadcasts in frequency bands includes a tuner for tuning to a broadcast frequency, and a controller for setting a center frequency of shift frequency in a range where carrier waves for an analog broadcast can be detected and allowing the tuner to tune to the set shift frequency.