Timeline of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

1901-1939

1901

First transatlantic wireless signal from Cornwall to Newfoundland.

1902

First wireless telegraphy station at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.

1905

Canada's first Wireless Telegraph Act.

1913

Radio Telegraph Act includes voice transmission.

1919

First broadcasting licence issued to XWA Montreal (later CINW).

1922

First licensing of private commercial stations.

1923

Canadian National Railway starts radio service to trains.

1924

CN Radio opens its first stations (Ottawa and Moncton) and gradually develops service on about 15 stations.

1927

First national broadcast: July 1, Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.

1929

Aird Commission recommends setting up a nationally owned company to operate a coast-to-coast system.

1930

Canadian Radio League is organized.

First Canadian television experiments are conducted.

1932

First Parliamentary Committee on Broadcasting. Canadian Broadcasting Act creates the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC).

1933

The CRBC acquires CN Radio facilities, improves coverage and continues program development.

1936

November 2, the Canadian Broadcasting Act replaces the CRBC with a Crown Corporation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC takes over CRBC staff and facilities (eight publicly owned or leased stations and 14 private affiliates).

1937

Opening of the French station CBF Montreal.

New transmitters in Toronto and Montreal increase national coverage to 76% of the population from 49%.

The North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (Havana Treaty) gives Canada better frequencies (ratified 1941).

1938

Farm broadcasts begin on the French radio network.

1939

Full coverage of the six-week visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Declaration of war: a CBC reporting unit goes overseas, and all departments begin special wartime broadcasts.

Farm broadcasts begin on the English radio network.

1940s

1940

Low-power relay transmitters installed for remote communities.

First provincial school broadcasts begin in Nova Scotia and B.C.

The CBC symbol showing radio waves and a map of Canada is adopted.

1941

Formal opening of CBC News Service. Special broadcasts include Winston Churchill's speech from the House of Commons in Ottawa.

1942

A total of 43 hours of French and English programs are broadcast daily, compared with 10 in 1936. Special broadcasts include the opening of the Alaska Highway.

1943

Establishment of English School Broadcasts Department.

1944

The basic national network is renamed the Trans-Canada Network. The Dominion Network is formed, linking CJBC Toronto with 34 private stations to offer an alternative lighter service.

1945

Official opening of CBC International Service, later becomes Radio Canada International in 1972.

1946

Opening of first CBC FM stations in Toronto and Montreal.

First fishermen's broadcasts in the Maritimes.

1947

CBC presents a 15-year plan for the development of television in Canada.

1948

First issue of the weekly program guide CBC Times.

1949

CBC acquires the facilities and staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland, as the province joins the Confederation.

1950s

1950

First issue of the program guide La Semaine à Radio-Canada.

Special coverage of the 1950 Red River Floods

1951

Massey Commission endorses regulatory role of CBC.

Special coverage of the four-week visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

1952

Opening of Canadian TV service (CBC): CBFT Montreal (bilingual) September 6, CBLT Toronto (English) September 8.

CBC supplies radio programs to Canadian troops in Korea.

First Canadian urban cable TV is launched in Guelph, Ontario.

1953

Opening of CKSO-TV in Sudbury, first private television station in Canada and first CBC TV affiliate.

CBFT Montreal begins full French service with opening of English station CBMT.

CBC is host broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

1955

First telecast of the opening of Parliament.

CBC Television is available to 66% of the population.

1956

Special coverage includes the Hungarian uprising, the Suez Crisis, and the Springhill mining disaster.

1957

The Fowler Commission on Broadcasting recommends transferring regulatory authority from CBC to a separate body.

Major political coverage includes the five-hour federal election telecast and the first opening of Parliament by a reigning monarch.

1958

New Broadcasting Act establishes the Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG) to regulate all Canadian broadcasting.

First coast-to-coast live TV broadcast with completion of the microwave network from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.

Opening of Calgary delay centre for western time zones.

CBC Northern Service (radio) is established.

1959

The microwave network is extended to Newfoundland.

Special programs include the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

1960s

1960

BBG recommends licensing second TV stations in major cities and invites applications for Canada's first private network.

Opening of the CBC shortwave service to the High Arctic.

Experimental bilingual FM network links Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. (Suspended temporarily in 1962)

1961

CTV Network begins broadcasting.

CBC issues proposals for satellite use in Canada.

1962

The Trans-Canada and Dominion networks are consolidated.

1963

CBC hosts the three-week Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference.

1964

The FM network resumes in English, adding Vancouver by tape; local French FM continues in Montreal.

CBC Corporate Headquarters now to CBC Building in Ottawa, now called the Edward Drake Building

1965

The Fowler Committee on Broadcasting recommends a new regulatory and licensing authority.

Government announces colour TV policy.

First regular CBC stereo broadcasts from a single station in Winnipeg.

1966

Colour TV introduced in Canada.

1967

CBC is host broadcaster for Expo 67 in Montreal and Pan American Games in Winnipeg.

First taped television in the North.

1968

New Broadcasting Act confirms CBC's role of providing the national service and establishes the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC) as the regulatory and licensing authority, including cable systems. Government issues White Paper on satellite communications.

Pre-release facilities are installed for Atlantic time zones.

First televised national debate among Canadian political party leaders: a CBC/CTV coproduction.

1969

Radio-Québec is established.

CBC discontinues tobacco advertising.

1970s

1970

CRTC introduces Canadian content regulations (60% overall) for public and private TV.

TVOntario is established.

The Report of the Special Senate Committee (Davey) on Mass Media is published.

The CRTC issues network licences to CBC for the first time.

1971

Canadian content regulation (minimum 30%) in force for AM radio music.

First French-language private TV network (TVA) opens.

Experimental radio and TV from the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

1972

CRTC invites proposals for future development of pay television.

Anik satellite launched: CBC rents three channels for radio and TV network distribution.

Special coverage includes Canada-Russia hockey series.

CBC's International Service is renamed Radio Canada International (RCI).

1973

First live TV to the North, via Anik satellite.

Official opening of La Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal.

Government issues a position paper entitled Proposals for a Communications Policy for Canada.

Access Alberta is established.

1974

Introduction of new CBC symbol based on "C" for Canada, designed by Burton Kramer.

Opening of French FM stereo network.

CBC discontinues most radio advertisements.

Government announces Accelerated Coverage Plan to extend CBC radio and TV to small unserved communities.

Global Television Network opens.

1975

English FM stereo network opens.

1976

CRTC becomes Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

CBC is host broadcaster for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

1977

CRTC hearings on pay TV.

CBC designs and installs broadcast facilities in the Canadian House of Commons at Speaker's request.

1978

CRTC denies pay TV applications.

First TV production facilities in the North (Yellowknife).

CBC is host broadcaster for Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

1979

Clyne Committee publishes report on implications of telecommunications for Canadian sovereignty.

Start of live TV coverage of House of Commons via satellite and cable.

1980s

1980

B.C. Knowledge is established.

1981

CBC introduces closed captioning on Canadian TV programs.

CBC is asked to manage the installation of a telecommunications system (OASIS) in Parliamentary offices.

Government announces a three-year CBC trial of Canadian teletext system (Telidon).

1982

The Report of the Applebaum-Hébert Committee is released.

Opening of Cancom to provide remote communities with additional TV services by satellite.

1983

Government creates Broadcast Program Development Fund.

Opening of first pay TV (general channels).

1984

CBC stereo networks start 24-hour broadcasting and supplementary cable distribution.

CBC is host broadcaster for the 12-day papal visit.

First pay TV specialty channels open.

Federal-provincial committee publishes report on future of French-language TV in Canada.

CBC and other broadcasters join TV5, a European French-language satellite service.

1986

Federal Task Force on Program Review (Nielsen) publishes recommendations on culture and communications.

Opening of 2nd private French TV channel (Quatre Saisons) in Montreal.

The Federal Task Force on Broadcasting Policy (Caplan/Sauvageau) publishes its recommendations.

A commemorative postage stamp is issued for CBC's 50th anniversary.

1987

The CRTC licences 10 new specialty channels: nine on basic cable at the option of cable distributors (CBC All-News Channel (CBC Newsworld), Vision TV, YTV, MeteoMedia: Weather Now, TV5, Le Canal Famille, Musique Plus, Le Réseau des sports, MétéoMedia: Mété-Instant), and one pay TV service (Family).

The CRTC also authorizes distribution of The Sports Network (TSN) and MuchMusic on basic cable.

1988

The CBC Broadcast Centre Development Project in Toronto gets Cabinet approval in April, and work starts in October.

The International French-language channel TV5 starts broadcasting in Canada in September.

Cabinet approves CBC licence to operate an English all-news channel.

1989

The CBC English all-news channel, Newsworld, is launched on July 31.

The CRTC holds hearings to consider CBC's application for an all-news channel in French. This first proposal is rejected.

The French private channel Le Réseau des Sports goes on air September 1.

1990s

1990

CBC publishes its vision for the future in a document entitled Mission, Values, Goals and Objectives.

CBC Engineering plays a proactive role in the development of Digital Audio Broadcasting.

CBC closes eleven regional stations as a result of budget cuts.

1991

CBC Toronto consolidates its operations into one downtown location, the new state-of-the-art Canadian Broadcasting Centre.

Bill C-40 on broadcasting receives royal assent on February 1 and is proclaimed Law on June 4.

1992

CBC develops a new identification program.

CBC introduced a simplified version of the iconic gem symbol, designed by Gottschalk + Ash.

1994

CBC is host to the Commonwealth Games in Victoria.

CBC, in partnership with Power Broadcasting Inc., launches two new specialty channels to the United States: Trio and Newsworld International.

1995

CBC's French language all-news channel, Réseau de l'information (RDI), is launched on January 1.

CBC establishes its web presence at CBC.ca and at Radio-Canada.ca.

CBC is granted a licence to operate a new digital audio music service called Galaxie.

1996

CBC TV boasts an all-Canadian prime-time schedule.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage presents its report on the future of CBC in a multi-channel universe.

1997

The CRTC approves CBC's applications to transfer CBF (French) and CBM (English) in Montreal, CBV (French) in Quebec City and CBL (English) in Toronto from the AM to the FM band.

The English Information Radio service is rebranded Radio One and the stereo music service, Radio Two. French Radio services are now called Première Chaîne and Chaîne culturelle.

Galaxie, the first pay, satellite and cable delivered audio service, is launched.

CBC files applications for six new specialty services: Le Réseau des Arts, Le Réseau de l'économie, Le Réseau de l'histoire, Land & Sea, Télé classique and The People Channel.

1998

The International Olympic Committee awards CBC, in partnership with NetStar, broadcast rights to the next five Olympic Games.

CBC makes a presentation to the CRTC's review of television policy in Canada, the first such review in 17 years.

On September 28, CBC Radio opens a station in Victoria, the last provincial capital to get a CBC Radio station.

The CRTC opens competition in the satellite delivery of radio and television services by giving Shaw Direct a licence.

1999

The CRTC holds public consultation sessions in 11 cities to find out what Canadians think about the CBC, its role, its programming and its direction.

CBC is the host broadcaster for the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg.

2000s

2000

The Y2K project team ensures that CBC/Radio-Canada does not experience technological problems on January 1.

CBC/Radio-Canada and Corus Entertainment Inc. partner on a new digital music service.

Radio de Radio-Canada opens a new station in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

Newsworld International and Trio are sold to USA Networks

CBC Radio 3 launches three websites geared to new music and youth culture: 120seconds.com, newmusiccanada.com and justconcerts.com.

The Nature of Things celebrates 40 years on CBC television.

2001

Three specialty services are launched in partnership with the private sector: ARTV, The Documentary Channel and Country Canada.

The Centre de l'information in Montreal, a state-of-the-art facility for gathering and producing news for Télévision de Radio-Canada and RDI, is opened.

2002

CBC/Radio-Canada celebrates the 50th anniversary of public television in Canada with various events, including a historic visit by Queen Elizabeth II to the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and, in partnership with Via Rail, a special anniversary train travelling across the country.

All analogue distribution services are now converted to digital technology.

Country Canada becomes wholly owned by CBC/Radio-Canada and changes its name to CBC Country Canada.

Hockey Night in Canada and La Soirée du hockey launch their 50th season on CBC Television et la Télévision de Radio-Canada.

2003

State-of-the-art broadcast centres open in downtown Edmonton and Quebec City.

CBC/Radio-Canada is named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2004.

As It Happens celebrates 35 years on CBC Radio.

2004

Ottawa operations move to the new state-of-the-art CBC Ottawa Broadcast Centre.

The Prairie Aboriginal Content Unit is created to develop First Nations storytelling content for both Radio and Television.

The Chaîne culturelle, Radio de Radio-Canada's music channel, is re-launched as Espace musique.

Radio Canada International adds a ninth language, Portuguese for Brazilians, to its line-up.

2005

Radio Canada International celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The CRTC approves SIRIUS Canada's satellite radio application, a partnership between CBC/Radio-Canada, Standard Radio Inc., and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. SIRIUS Canada's 100-channel line-up is announced, featuring six from CBC/Radio-Canada.

CBC Radio 3 celebrates millionth podcast download.

Télévision de Radio-Canada and CBC Television jointly aired an important documentary on the 1995 Quebec referendum called Point Break/Point de Rupture.

2006

CBC/Radio-Canada is the host broadcaster of the XVI International AIDS Conference, which is held in Toronto.

HDTV service launches in Quebec City and Vancouver.

The daily program Virginie, which has run on Télévision de Radio-Canada since 1996, broke the record for most episodes ever produced as part of a French-language television drama series: 1221.

Radio de Radio-Canada's Première Chaîne marked Jacques Languirand's 35th year on air by treating listeners to a major documentary on this legendary communicator, man of the theatre, and host of the program Par 4 chemins.

2007

Bernard Derome hosted his 22nd election night special on Télévision de Radio-Canada; since 1972, he has anchored 11 federal elections, eight provincial elections and three referendums.

Jacques Bertrand and the entire Macadam tribus team celebrated the 10th anniversary of this offbeat radio program on Première Chaîne that mixes humour and serious discussion, reality and fiction, rap and electronica, animal life and the human condition, as well as News and views.

3.7 million: Viewership to the first episode of CBC Television's Little Mosque on the Prairie.

300,000: Number of subscribers to Sirius Canada Satellite Radio as of January 1, 2007 (six of Sirius Canada's 11 Canadian channels are provided by CBC/Radio-Canada).

CBC Records brings home two Juno awards in the Classical music category.

CBC Television captures the first ever television Broadcaster of the Year Award at the prestigious New York Festivals.

2009

CBC cuts 800 jobs

2010s

2010

CBC kicks off one year to its 75th anniversary

2011

CBC/Radio-Canada celebrates its 75th anniversary.

2012

CBC cuts $115 millon from its budget

bold was sold to Blue Ant Media

2013

CBC sold the rights of Hockey Night in Canada to Rogers Communications

2014

CBC cuts 657 jobs and cuts $130 millon from its budget