CBC-2

CBC Television 2 and Télé-2 were proposed second television services to be operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)/Société Radio-Canada (SRC). These were to have been the Canadian equivalents to BBC Two in the United Kingdom, itself the second television channel of the BBC.

CBC-2
Télé-2
TypeProposed television channel
Country
Canada
AvailabilityNational
OwnerCanadian Broadcasting Corporation (Government of Canada)
Launch date
Never aired
Fate
Applications denied by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

History

In the late 1970s CBC-SRC created a plan that would make two additional channels available to Canada's 3.5 million cable subscribers.[1] These two channels, CBC-2 and Tele-2, would have potentially bumped US commercial stations carried on the cable system, because at the time, there was a lack of extra channel capacity on most cable systems.[1]

The CBC-SRC made a formal application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in August 1980 for a licence to create a network that would replay programming in English and French (Télé-2), with the formal hearing taking place over three days,[2] beginning on January 14, 1981.[3] The two new services would commence broadcasting in January 1982.[3] In response to the application, the CRTC received 82 interventions, of which 25 individuals or organizations would make in-person presentations.[2]

Among those opposed to the creation of the networks were Canwest Broadcasting (owners of CKND-TV), four Progressive Conservative MPs, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), B.C Television Broadcasting System Ltd., and the Ontario government.[4] Among the supporters of the application were various arts groups.[4]

The networks would air Monday thru Friday between 6:45 pm and 11:05 pm. On weekends the schedule would air between 6:30 pm and 11:30 pm.[5] Operational costs in the first year for both networks would be C$27.5–30 million.[5]

The corporation had proposed that CBC-2 would:

  • be non-commercial
  • be a basic, must-carry service
  • feature programming from CBC and provincial educational broadcasters
  • feature regional programming broadcast to a national audience
  • feature arts and culture, drama,news

License denial

In CRTC Decision 81-353,[6] the governing body denied the CBC's applications.[7]

Further reading

Printed documents, reference information (not available electronically)

  • A Better CBC Television Service. 1986.
  • Johnson, A.W. (1981). "CBC-2 and Tele-2". CBC documents.

References
  1. "Cost warning given on 2nd CBC channel". Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. October 13, 1978. p. P14.
  2. "Foes, fans ready for hearings on CBC's second network". The Globe and Mail. January 10, 1981. p. 18.
  3. "CBC-2 hearing set for Jan. 14". Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. November 26, 1980. p. 20.
  4. Stephens, Robert (January 14, 1981). "CBC seeking 2nd network on television". The Globe and Mail. p. 8.
  5. Stevens, Geoffrey (December 2, 1980). "Worth fighting for". Globe and Mail. p. 6.
  6. CRTC Decision 81-353 (May 27, 1981). Canada Gazette.
  7. Stephens, Robert (May 28, 1981). "CRTC rejects CBC's proposal for second television network". The Globe and Mail. p. 1.



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