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| Type | Proposed television channel |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Availability | National |
| Owner | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ( Government of Canada) |
Launch date | Never aired |
Fate | Applications denied by the CRTC |
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.
History
In the late 1970s, the 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 Télé-2, would have potentially bumped U.S. 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 (owner 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 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. On weekends, the schedule would air between 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. [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] citing concerns over funding, audience erosion, and the services' limited reach. [8] The commission sought to have the original CBC television network be completed first. [9]
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
- ^ a b "Cost warning given on 2nd CBC channel". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. October 13, 1978. p. P14. ProQuest 386982213.
- ^ a b "Foes, fans ready for hearings on CBC's second network". The Globe and Mail. January 10, 1981. p. 18. ProQuest 386655770.
- ^ a b "CBC-2 hearing set for Jan. 14". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. November 26, 1980. p. 20. ProQuest 386663442.
- ^ a b Stephens, Robert (January 14, 1981). "CBC seeking 2nd network on television". The Globe and Mail. p. 8. ProQuest 386845472.
- ^ a b Stevens, Geoffrey (December 2, 1980). "Worth fighting for". The Globe and Mail. p. 6.
- ^ CRTC Decision 81-353 (May 27, 1981). Canada Gazette.
- ^ Stephens, Robert (May 28, 1981). "CRTC rejects CBC's proposal for second television network". The Globe and Mail. p. 1.
- ^ Drury, Linda (July 1988). "Cultural persuasions: a case study of the regulation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation" (PDF). Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ "CRTC denies licence for CBC-2". Calgary Herald. May 28, 1981. p. D1. Retrieved November 9, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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