Televison Time Line

  • picture was transmitted through a wire

    a still picture was transmitted through a wire.
    Moving images were not successfully sent for another 65 years
  • 1st moving images

    1st moving images were transmitted between Washington, DC and New York City.
  • canadian first national broadcast

    July 1 - first national broadcast covering the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.
    New transmitters installed in Montréal and Toronto.
    National radio coverage increased to 76 per cent of the population from 49 per cent.
  • 200 TV

    200 TV sets in the U.S.
  • Canada's national public broadcaster was born

    The Canadian Broadcasting Act replaced the CRBC with a Crown Corporation, and Canada's national public broadcaster was born.
  • Radio-Canada's CBF station began

    Radio-Canada's CBF station began broadcasting the program Le réveil rural, a show dedicated to economic information intended for rural inhabitants.
  • the Radio Corporation of America

    the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) broadcast the first televised Presidential speech, delivered by F.D. Roosevelt.
  • CBC began farm broadcasts

    CBC began"farm broadcasts".
    •CBC/Radio-Canada provided full coverage of the six-week visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
    •In March, CBF launched the soap opera Un homme et son péché based upon the popular Claude-Henri Grignon novel. The soap opera ran for 22 years.
    •Regular broadcasting began of the Montréal Canadians' hockey games from the Montréal Forum.
    •With the declaration of World War II, CBC/Radio-Canada sent a team of announcers and technicians to accompany the Canad
  • an image of radio waves and a map of Canada.

    •The national public broadcaster adopted its first emblem - an image of radio waves and a map of Canada.
    •Residents of remote communities benefit from radio service as low power relay transmitters were installed for their benefit.
  • basic national radio network was renamed the Trans-Canada Network

    •The basic national radio network was renamed the Trans-Canada Network and the Dominion Network was also formed, linking CJBC Toronto with 34 private stations to offer an alternative lighter service.
  • It would later become Radio Canada International in 1972.

    •The official opening of CBC/Radio-Canada's International Service. It would later become Radio Canada International in 1972.
    •The Radio-Canada network counted seven private affiliated radio stations in Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Sherbrooke, New Carlisle, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Rouyn, Hull, and Québec City.
  • in Manitoba, provided the first French language network station

    •Creation of the radio station Radio Saint-Boniface, in Manitoba, provided the first French language network station outside of the Province of Québec.
  • 1 million TV sets in the U.S.

    1 million TV sets in the U.S. and Community Antenna Television was introduced in mountainous rural areas of Pennsylvania. This became what we now know as cable TV.
  • Programs recorded onto film

    Television was mostly “live” as programs were broadcast as they were being performed. Programs recorded onto film were very poor quality.
  • The first issue of the weekly program guide CBC Times

    •The first issue of the weekly program guide CBC Times was published, to help Canadians keep track of programming.
  • Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland

    •The national public broadcaster acquired the facilities and staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland, as the province joined Confederation.
  • First issue of the radio program guide La Semaine à

    First issue of the radio program guide La Semaine à
    •First issue of the radio program guide La Semaine à Radio-Canada.
    •Special broadcast coverage of the Manitoba floods.
  • Special coverage

    Special coverage
    •Special coverage of the four-week visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
  • Canadian troops in Korea.

    Canadian troops in Korea.
    •Radio programming made available to Canadian troops in Korea.
  • The first private television station,

    The first private television station,
    •The first private television station, also the first CBC Television affiliate, opened in Sudbury, Ontario.
  • Commonwealth Games came to Vancouver

    Commonwealth Games came to Vancouver
    •Commonwealth Games came to Vancouver and CBC/Radio-Canada played host broadcaster for this international event.
  • First telecast

    First telecast
    •First telecast of opening of Parliament.
  • Special coverage of the Hungarian uprising

    Special coverage of the Hungarian uprising
    •Special coverage of the Hungarian uprising, the Suez crisis and the Springhill Mine disaster.
  • the first opening of Parliament

    the first opening of Parliament
    •Major political coverage included a five-hour federal election telecast and, the first opening of Parliament by a reigning monarch.
  • CBC Northern Service (radio) was established

    CBC Northern Service (radio) was established
    •First coast-to-coast live television broadcast with completion of the microwave network from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
    •Opening of the Calgary delay centre for western time zones.
    •CBC Northern Service (radio) was established.
  • Microwave network extended to Newfoundland

    Microwave network extended to Newfoundland
    •Special coverage of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
    •Microwave network extended to Newfoundland.
  • applications for Canada's first private network

    applications for Canada's first private network
    •The Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG) recommended licensing second TV stations in major cities and invited applications for Canada's first private network.
  • television signals anywhere in the world

    Satellite broadcasting was introduced and made it possible to send and receive television signals anywhere in the world.
  • Trans-Canada and Dominion

    Trans-Canada and Dominion
    •Trans-Canada and Dominion networks are consolidated.
  • a new regulatory and licensing authority

    a new regulatory and licensing authority
    •The federal Government announced its policy on colour television.
    •The Fowler Committee on Broadcasting recommended a new regulatory and licensing authority.
  • Games in Winnipeg.

    Games in Winnipeg.
    •The first broadcast of taped television in the North.
    •CBC/Radio-Canada acted as host broadcaster for Expo 67 in Montréal and the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg.
  • The federal Government issued a White Paper

    The federal Government issued a White Paper
    •The first televised national debate among Canadian political party leaders: co-produced with CTV.
    •The federal Government issued a White Paper on satellite communications.
  • moon landing

    moon landing
    Satellite broadcasting allowed people around the world to watch the images transmitted from the moon landing
  • Tobacco advertising

    •Tobacco advertising was discontinued on CBC/Radio-Canada airwaves.
  • The first CRTC-issued

    The first CRTC-issued
    •The first CRTC-issued network licences for CBC/Radio-Canada.
  • future development of pay TV

    future development of pay TV
    •The national public broadcaster's International Service was renamed Radio Canada International (RCI).
    •The CRTC invited proposals for the future development of pay TV.
  • Canadian Government issued

    Canadian Government issued
    •First live television service to the North, via Anik satellite.
    •Official opening of La Maison de Radio-Canada in Montréal.
    •Canadian Government issued a position paper entitled Proposals for a Communications Policy for Canada.
  • The federal Government announced its Accelerated

    •The federal Government announced its Accelerated Coverage Plan to extend CBC/Radio-Canada's radio and television services to small, un-served communities.
    •Introduction of new emblem (insert link) for the national public broadcaster, based on "C" for Canada.
    •Opening of French FM stereo network.
    •CBC/Radio-Canada discontinued most radio commercials.
  • English FM stereo

    English FM stereo
    •The English FM stereo network was opened.
  • home use became available.

    A practical videotape recording system for home use became available.
  • CRTC Hearings began on pay television in Canada

    CRTC Hearings began on pay television in Canada
    •CRTC Hearings began on pay television in Canada.
    •The Corporation designed and installed broadcast facilities in the House of Commons at the Speaker's request.
  • CRTC

    CRTC
    •CRTC denies pay TV applications.
  • start of live television

    start of live television
    •The start of live television coverage of House of Commons via satellite and cable TV.
  • CBC/Radio-Canada introduced closed

    CBC/Radio-Canada introduced closed
    •CBC/Radio-Canada introduced closed captioning on Canadian television.
  • The opening of Cancom

    The opening of Cancom
    •The opening of Cancom, a network service to provide remote communities with television services by satellite.
  • instead of cable systems

    Consumers could subscribe to direct delivery of programming to their homes, instead of cable systems or conventional broadcast programming
  • federal Government created the Broadcast

    federal Government created the Broadcast
    •The federal Government created the Broadcast Program Development Fund
  • CBC/Radio-Canada stereo networks began 24-hour broadcasting.

    CBC/Radio-Canada stereo networks began 24-hour broadcasting.
    •The national public broadcaster was host broadcaster for the 12-day papal visit.
    •CBC/Radio-Canada stereo networks began 24-hour broadcasting.
    •Federal-provincial committee publishes report on future of French-language TV in Canada.
  • Network and MuchMusic on basic cable.

    Network and MuchMusic on basic cable.
    •The CRTC licensed 10 new specialty channels: nine on basic cable at the option of cable distributors and one pay TV service.
    •The CRTC also authorized the distribution of The Sports Network and MuchMusic on basic cable.
  • paving the way for the launch of CBC Newsworld in 1989.

    paving the way for the launch of CBC Newsworld in 1989.
    •Cabinet approved CBC's licence to operate an all-news channel, paving the way for the launch of CBC Newsworld in 1989.
    •The CBC Broadcast Centre Development Project in Toronto received cabinet approval in April and work began a few months later, in October.
  • CBC Toronto consolidated

    CBC Toronto consolidated
    •CBC Toronto consolidated its operations into one downtown location, the new state-of-the-art Canadian Broadcasting Centre.
  • Victoria, British Columbia

    Victoria, British Columbia
    •CBC/Radio-Canada is host broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia.
    •In partnership with Power Broadcasting Inc., CBC/Radio-Canada launches two new specialty channels for the American market: Trio and Newsworld international.
  • 1 billion TV

    Over 1 billion TV sets worldwide.
  • January 1st, Radio-Canada launched its all-news

    •The Corporation established its Web presence through CBC.ca and at Radio-Canada.ca.
    •On January 1st, Radio-Canada launched its all-news channel, Réseau de l'information de Radio-Canada (RDI).
  • high-definition television

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the broadcast standards for high-definition television (HDTV).
  • Television boasted an all-Canadian prime-time schedule.

    Television boasted an all-Canadian prime-time schedule.
    •CBC Television boasted an all-Canadian prime-time schedule.
    •The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage presented its report on the future of the CBC in a multi-channel universe.
  • new digitial audio music service, Galaxie

    new digitial audio music service, Galaxie
    •CBC/Radio-Canada launches a new digitial audio music service, Galaxie.
  • 1996 in Atlanta and 1998 in Nagano, Japan.

    1996 in Atlanta and 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
    •The International Olympic Committee awarded Canada's national public broadcaster, in partnership with NetStar, broadcast rights for the next five Olympic Games; this was in addition to the previous two Games, 1996 in Atlanta and 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
    •The CRTC's licensing of Star Choice, opens up competition in the delivery of satellite radio and television services.
    •For the first time in 17 years, CBC made a presentation before the CRTC on its review of television policy in Canada.
  • Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba
    •CBC/Radio-Canada is host broadcaster for the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  • 40 years on CBC Television.

    40 years on CBC Television.
    •David Suzuki's The Nature of Things celebrated 40 years on CBC Television.
  • Hockey Night in Canada and La Soirée

    Hockey Night in Canada and La Soirée
    •Hockey Night in Canada and La Soirée du hockey launched their 50th season.
    •Le Centre de l'information in Montréal, a state-of-the-art facility for gathering and producing news for Télévision de Radio-Canada and RDI, was opened.
  • receiving digital signals by 2007.

    The FCC mandated that TV manufacturers must equip all new TVs with tuners capable of receiving digital signals by 2007.
  • CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated the 50th anniversary of public

    CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated the 50th anniversary of public
    •CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated the 50th anniversary of public television in Canada with various events, including an historic visit by Queen Elizabeth to the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and, in partnership with VIA Rail, a special anniversary train that travelled across the country.
  • Happens celebrated 35 years on CBC Radio

    Happens celebrated 35 years on CBC Radio
    •As It Happens celebrated 35 years on CBC Radio.
    •CBC/Radio-Canada opened new state-of-the-art broadcast centres in Edmonton and Québec City.
  • Aboriginal Content Unit was created

    Aboriginal Content Unit was created
    •The Prairie Aboriginal Content Unit was created to develop First Nations storytelling content for both radio and television.
    •A new CBC/Radio-Canada broadcast facility was opened in Ottawa.
  • brought together radio, television and digital platforms,

    brought together radio, television and digital platforms,
    •Radio-Canada brought together radio, television and digital platforms, keeping pace with audience desires to consume their content when and how they want.
  • CBC/Radio-Canada was host broadcaster for the XVI

    CBC/Radio-Canada was host broadcaster for the XVI
    •The daily program Virginie, which had run on Télévision de Radio-Canada since 1996, broke the record for most episodes ever produced (1221) as part of a French-language television drama series.
    •CBC/Radio-Canada was host broadcaster for the XVI International AIDS Conference, held in Toronto, Ontario.
  • 3.7 million people tuned in to CBC Television

    3.7 million people tuned in to CBC Television
    •3.7 million people tuned in to CBC Television to watch the first episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie, a comedic look at a small Muslim community interacting with the other residents of a little prairie town.
    •As of January 1st, Sirius Canada Satellite Radio had achieved 300,000 subscribers (six of Sirius Canada's 11 Canadian channels are provided by CBC/Radio-Canada).
    •CBC Television captured its first ever television Broadcaster of the Year Award at the prestigious New York Festiv
  • CBC announced its integration of radio, television and digital media.

    CBC announced its integration of radio, television and digital media.
    •CBC announced its integration of radio, television and digital media.
    •The Beijing Olympics were brought to Canadians by the national public broadcaster, who made history by launching the most robust online Olympic experience in Canadian history: CBC/Radio-Canada's websites featured 13 broadband video streams with thousands of hours of live and on-demand event coverage. Through a partnership with Bell, Bell Mobility subscribers were able to receive live streaming video and on-demand hig
  • wireless internet capabilities for handheld devices.

    The FCC mandates no more broadcasting by antennae, only by digital. The transmission frequencies are sold to improve wireless internet capabilities for handheld devices.
  • CBC Television marked two important milestones

    CBC Television marked two important milestones
    •CBC Television marked two important milestones - one, the first time that a Canadian-only prime-time schedule had beaten a predominantly American prime-time schedule, and two - that CBC Television had become the second-most-watched network in Canada.
    •Télévision de Radio-Canada also successfully maintained its prime-time market share of 19.9 per cent, despite the many reality shows and speciality channels available to viewers.
    •Four million monthly visitors came to Radio-Canada.ca and