1946
By the end of the year the CBC had chosen five sites for television stations and the CNR and CPR were working on a microwave relay system. The corporation had proposed two stations for Montreal and one each for Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton. TV programs from the U.S. would be piped into Canada via the Hamilton station. The first station would likely be in Montreal and there would be two outlets in that city because of the two distinct languages - English and French. One difficulty for the establishment of a Toronto outlet would be the use of 25 cycle power service which presented several technical issues. Ontario Hydro had plans for conversion to 60 cycles current to be implemented within a "few years".
1952
There were some 146,000 television sets in Canada at this time, and in the Toronto area, rooftop antennas were pointed toward Buffalo to receive the only available TV signal in the region - WBEN-TV Channel 4 - owned by the Buffalo Evening News.
Television did not come to Canada until September 6 when the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation launched CBFT-TV in Montreal. That station broadcast in English and French. The CBC would open Toronto's first station two days later -CBLT-TV. It was the country's first English-language television station and the country's second TV station. Before officially signing on the air, CBLT conducted its first test broadcast on August 22, at 2:30 p.m. - the opening of the 73rd edition of the Canadian National Exhibition. Test programs continued from the C.N.E. throughout its run (to September 6). Using a temporary antenna, CBLT's tests featured live programs at various times of the day. CBLT got its call sign by adding a "T" to the end of the existing CBC AM station's (CBL) call letters.
CBLT-TV Channel 9 officially opened on Monday, September 8. Before the official launch though, CBLT was on the air this date with pictures of four bank robbers (Edwin Alonzo Boyd, Leonard Jackson, Steve Suchan and William Jackson) who sawed their way out of the death row cell block at the Don Jail. At 7:15 p.m., CBLT broadcast "Let's See", a review of the evening's programs followed at 7:30 by "News Magazine". The station's opening ceremonies took place at 8:00 p.m.
The first broadcast got off to a rather shaky start when the station identification slide was shown inverted (upside down and backwards). The opening ceremonies included a message from Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and an hour-long entertainment program that featured Glenn Gould, Don Harron, Barbara Hamilton and Jan Rubes. There was a half hour of music from the Leslie Bell Singers then good luck greetings from CBC Montreal. Before signing off for the night at 10:30, the station repeated the earlier news broadcast, read by the "voice of doom", Lorne Greene.
Among the other staff members on hand for opening night: Norman Jewison, David Greene, Harvey Hart, Sydney Newman, Murray Chercover (studio director), Norman Campbell, Ross McLean, Percy Saltzman and Mavor Moore. Toronto Mayor Allan Lamport was a special guest. Don Robertson joined CBLT from CBC Edmonton. He was one of 26 technicians hired to help with the launch of CBLT. Stuart Griffiths was the station's first program director.
Norm Marshall and Larry O'Brien shared broadcast duties for the first televised Grey Cup football game, which aired on CBLT.
On September 29, Johns Hopkins Science Review started airing on CBLT and Montreal's CBFT as the first U.S. network (DuMont) show regularly scheduled by the CBC stations.
The first educational program was telecast October 3 in a televised debate between two high school teams at Toronto. It was the first of eight such unsponsored Friday evening half hour programs to air on CBLT. Other televised programs for schools were being studied by the CBC, the Toronto Board of Education and the National Advisory Council on School Broadcasting. The CBC was also planning religious programs.
1953
At 10 p.m., January 19, network television service came to the Toronto area with the inauguration of a 66-mile microwave radio-relay system between Buffalo, N.Y. and Toronto. The system delivered American network programming obtained by the CBC for telecasting over CBLT. The first program, "Studio One", from CBS, went on the air at 10 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m. on May 14, CBLT, CBFT (Montreal) and the not yet on-air CBOT (Ottawa) were linked by a 340-mile microwave relay system. For the record, CBOT signed on the air on June 2.
A September report on television viewing for the three Canadian stations on the air showed an audience increase where there was competition from American border stations. The report showed that about a third of the audience in the Toronto-Hamilton-Niagara area now looked at CBLT while two-thirds still favoured US stations. Until now, the percentage had been about 1/4 viewing the Canadian station. The most popular shows on CBLT: Holiday Ranch (Canadian), Wrestling, and Playbill (Canadian).
Importation of more American network programs improved audiences of Canadian television stations where there was competition from U.S. border stations. A November ratings report showed sets-in-use figures were down slightly in the Toronto area but up slightly in Montreal and Ottawa. The most popular programs in the Toronto-Hamilton-Niagara area on CBLT: NHL Hockey (Canadian), Dennis Day Show, Jackie Gleason Show, Toast of the Town and Kraft Theatre. The latest estimate for television receivers in Canada was 445,000 sets. The major number of sets - 222,500 - was in the Toronto-Hamilton-Niagara area, within range of CBLT and Buffalo's WBEN-TV.
1956
Newscaster Rick Campbell left CBLT when he was appointed by the government of Burma to establish a national radio network and film board.
On August 27, CBLT moved from channel 9 to channel 6 and increased effective radiated power from 25,600 watts video to 100,000 watts video and 50,000 watts audio. The station had been operating on channel 9 on a temporary antenna for the past three months while a new three bay bat-wing Canadian General Electric antenna was put on its 450 foot Jarvis Street tower. The antenna was 491 feet above ground level in downtown Toronto. The new transmitter was also from Canadian General Electric, and was a 5 kW air cooled unit with 35 kW water-cooled amplifier.
1965
CBLT-TV had a listed effective radiated power of 99,500 watts video and 53,500 watts audio.
1967
On April 14, CBCU-TV opened at Chapleau.
CBLAT-1 Manitouwadge and CBLGT Geraldton signed on the air on October 15.
On December 2, CBLAT-2 was opened at White River.
CBLAT-3 Wawa was launched on December 8.
1968
On May 16, CBLAT-4 opened at Marathon.
A re-allocation of some TV channels in Southern Ontario was approved. CBLT would have to move from channel 6 to channel 5 so that two new stations could be added in the London-Kitchener and Belleville-Kingston areas – both using channel 6.
1969
On March 18, CBLT was authorized to add a transmitter at Beardmore. It would broadcast on channel 9 with a transmitter power of 5 watts (non-directional). The new transmitter would receive programming off-the-air from CBLAT.
1970
CBLAT-5 Beardmore went on the air January 30.
1971
CBEC-TV Elliot Lake was opened on October 8.
On October 29, CBLT was authorized to move from channel 6 with effective radiated power of 99,500 watts video and 9,950 watts audio, to channel 5 with ERP of 77,000 watts video and 7,700 watts audio. Antenna height would remain 444 feet but the station would switch from a non-directional signal to a directional pattern.
1972
On August 1, CBCO-TV-1 opened at Moosonee.
CBLT moved from channel 6 to channel 5 with 77,000 watts video and 7,700 watts audio (444 feet directional) on September 11.
On December 22, CBLAT-6 signed on at Hornepayne.
1973
Peter Emmerson joined CBLT from CKVR Barrie for weather and anchor work. Elwood Glover, host of "Luncheon Date" departed for CKEY Radio.
On December 14, most of Toronto’s FM and TV stations (including CBLT) were authorized to transmit from the new CN Tower once its construction was completed.
1974
Bill Lawrence joined the CBLT staff.
1975
Peter Emmerson left for CJOH-TV in Ottawa.
Valerie Elia joined CBC Toronto.
1976
CBLT began testing from the CN Tower on May 24. With the start of its broadcast day on May 31, CBLT was now officially broadcasting from the tower, located at 301 Front Street West. Effective radiated power was now 84,000 watts video and 16,800 watts audio with antenna height of 1,520 feet.
CBLT's Studio 6 on Jarvis Street was completely rebuilt. Pat Newman, senior engineer for Toronto projects was in charge. New equipment included a audio console, intercom system, cameras, production switcher and colour monitors.
1977
With the launch of the new Fall season, CBLT stopped using its call sign and became identified simply as CBC Toronto.
On December 19, CBLCT Fraserdale signed on.
1979
In a review of television licences in the Toronto region, the CRTC suggested for CBLT that local scheduling should reflect a strictly regional service. It also determined resistance from the CBC to get detailed financial data for CBLT.
News anchor Valerie Elia left CBLT for the new CFMT Television in Toronto.
1980
Sharon Dunn was a news anchor at CBLT.
Ivan Fecan became CBLT's program director. He had been news director at CITY-TV.
1981
On January 16, CBCQ-TV-1 opened at Temagami.
Fraser Kelly joined CBLT from CFTO-TV to host the new news program, Newshour.
The CRTC issued short-term renewals to television stations in the Toronto area, again complaining that the stations had failed to develop quality Canadian programs, particularly drama, musicals and children's shows. CBLT's licence was renewed for two years and nine months. Bilingual production facilities in Sudbury to cover northern Ontario remained a priority. The CBC was commended for programming and closed-captioning efforts.
1982
News anchor Jan Tennant left CBLT for Global.
Valerie Elia returned to CBLT from CFMT-TV.
1983-84
Henry Kowalski left CBLT to be producer of CTV's national news.
1984
CBCC-TV was opened at Hearst on March 27.
Sharon Dunn was anchor of CBLT's "Nightfinal" newscast.
Don Martin replaced Earl McRae as sportscaster on "Nightfinal". McRae was assigned to reporting and other duties.
Susan Harada, seen on CBC's "Newshour", became an anchor on CBLT's "Newsfinal".
Valerie Elia left "Newshour".
1984-85
Ona Fletcher joined CBLT Morning from the Bermuda Broadcasting Corp.
1985
Leslie Jones left CBLT as morning news co-host, for Global news.
Ona Fletcher became news anchor at CBLT.
Ken Daniels joined CBLT sports. He had been with CJCL-AM.
1986
On January 27, CBCE-TV opened at Little Current.
News anchors were Hilary Brown, Fraser Kelly and Ona Fletcher. Ken Daniels and Don Martin did sports. Fraser Kelly left the station.
CBLT's first program director passed away November 7. Stuart W. Griffiths was 68.
Fraser Kelly left CBLT's "Newshour".
Brian Yasui was a reporter at CBLT.
1986-87
Elizabeth Stanis was named co op sales coordinator at CBLT.
1987
Ernest (Ernie) Leslie Bushnell died on April 30 at age 86. In November of 1933, he was hired to be program director at the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, which became the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation three years later. As head of the CBC's English-language broadcasting, he oversaw the launch of CBLT in 1952. In 1958, after the resignation of A. Davidson Dunton as chairman, the CBC was re-organized with J. Alphonse Ouimet as president and Bushnell as vice president. At the end of 1959, he left the CBC to prepare his successful bid for Ottawa's second television station - CJOH-TV (went on the air in 1961).
Alex Frame, CBLT's program director for four years, became CBC Radio's head of current affairs.
1987-88
Howard Bernstein left for CBC Radio's Sunday Morning. He had been CBLT's news chief.
Jim Byrd replaced Alex Frame as CBLT's program director. He had been director of TV for CBNT St. John's.
Slawko Klymkiw became producer of news and current affairs at CBLT. He had been with CBWT Winnipeg.
1988
CFPL-TV London and CKNX-TV Wingham dropped their CBC affiliation. As a result, the Corporation opened transmitters at the following locations on August 31 (officially on September 4): CBLN-TV London, CBLN-TV-1 Kitchener, CBLN-TV-2 Sarnia, CBLN-TV-3 Chatham, CBLN-TV-4 Wingham, and CBLN-TV-5 Wiarton.
In addition to Hilary Brown and Ona Fletcher, Susan Harada and Jim Wycks were also news anchors. Bruce Dowbiggin was now in the sports department. Reporter Kelly Crowe joined from CFTO and Robert Fisher left for Global.
Diane Harrington became CBLT's Queen's Park reporter, replacing Robert Fisher who moved to Global. Harrington had held the same post with the Toronto Star.
1988-89
Rudi Carter was appointed program director, replacing Jim Byrd who returned to Newfoundland as CBC regional director.
1989
Jay Mowat was appointed senior news producer for CBC at Six, replacing Cynthia Kinch who moved to The National.
Naomi Loeb returned to CBLT. Jim Wycks left for PBS in the U.S. Christina Pochmursky left.
1990
Barb Ondrusek was now doing sports. Jeffrey Kofman and Naomi Loeb left.
1991
Paul Hunter and Noelle Richardson were now part of the news anchor team. Brandan Connor was doing sports. Beth Harrington and Justin Smallbridge did entertainment. Anchor Hilary Brown left the station on May 24.
1992
Approval was given for CBLT to add a transmitter at Normandale (CBLN).
Bill Cameron became a news anchor at CBLT. He had been with the national TV network. Steve Paikin left for TV Ontario.
1993
CBLT closed its Hamilton news bureau. Staffers Stu Patterson and Bob Cole were moved to the Toronto newsroom.
Wei Chen left CBLT for CTV's Canada AM.
1994
CBLT made its last telecast from historic Studio One on March 18. Following that broadcast, "Midday" moved to the new Broadcast Centre. CBLT's first broadcast in 1952 was from Studio One. Only network master control remains in the Jarvis Street studios. It will be relocated to the Broadcast Centre by the end of the year. CBC Radio had been operating from the new facility since last year.
CBLN-TV-6 Normandale was opened on June 6.
News anchors now included Ron Izawa and Jeffrey Kofman.
Private affiliate CKVR-TV received permission to disaffiliate from the CBC. As a result, the network had to fill in the gap that would result from the loss of the Barrie station. The Corporation received approval for rebroadcast transmitters of CBLT at Barrie (channel 16 with effective radiated power of 180,000 watts), Huntsville (the former CKVR low-power rebroadcast transmitter, upgraded to full power - channel 8 with ERP of 43,000 watts) and Parry Sound (channel 18 with power of 50 watts).
1995
Bill Walker died on June 25. He joined CBLT in 1954 from CKRC Radio in Winnipeg where he had been morning man.
On September 1, CKVR Barrie disaffiliated from the CBC network, and CBLT opened rebroadcasters CBLT-TV-1 Barrie, CBLT-TV-2 Huntsville, and CBLT-TV-3 Parry Sound.
Bill Cameron, host of CBLT's evening newscast, moved to the morning anchor position at CBC Newsworld as of September 11. The morning broadcast originated in Halifax. Cameron succeeded Henry Champ who returned to Washington for Newsworld.
John Northcott was doing entertainment reports. Suhana Meharchand was now a news anchor at CBLT.
2000
As of this year, CBLT operated the following rebroadcast transmitters: CBLAT-1 Manitouwadge, CBLAT-2 White River, CBLAT-3 Wawa, CBLAT-4 Marathon, CBLAT-5 Beardmore, CBLAT-6 Hornepayne, CBLGT-TV Geraldton, CBLN-TV London, CBLN-TV-1 Kitchener, CBLN-TV-2 Sarnia, CBLN-TV-3 Chatham, CBLN-TV-4 Wingham, CBLN-TV-5 Wiarton, CBLN-TV-6 Normandale, CBLT-TV-1 Barrie, CBLT-TV-2 Huntsville, CBLT-TV-3 Parry Sound, CBET Windsor.
Reporter Adam Vaughan left for CITY-TV in February.
On September 29, CBLT produced its last local newscast (for now). As a result, weatherman Bill Lawrence retired and anchor Suhana Meharchand moved to Newsworld. On October 2, a new national/regional newscast (Canada Now) began airing at 6:00 p.m. The national portion came from Vancouver and was hosted by Ian Hanomansing. Carole MacNeil hosted the regional portion from Toronto at 6:30 p.m.
2002
On August 24 after years of not being used, the old CBC TV/FM tower at 354 Jarvis Street was toppled to make room for a new building.
The CBC purchased the MCTV CBC affiliated stations in Northern Ontario from CTV Inc. CFCL-TV-3 Kapuskasing (on the air since January 30, 1958), CFCL-TV-2 Kearns (August 15, 1958), CHNB-TV North Bay (October 15, 1971), CJIC-TV Sault Ste. Marie (November 19, 1954), CKNC-TV Sudbury (October 8, 1971) and CFCL-TV Timmins (July 1, 1956), became rebroadcasters of CBLT.
The call signs were changed as follows: CFCL-TV-3 Kapuskasing became CBLT-9, CFCL-TV-2 Kearns = CBLT-8, CHNB-TV North Bay = CBLT-4, CJIC-TV Sault Ste. Marie = CBLT-5, CKNC-TV Sudbury = CBLT-6 and CFCL-TV Timmins = CBLT-7.
2003
CBLT was given approval to add rebroadcast transmitters at Elliot Lake, Little Current, Attawapiskat, Chapleau, Fraserdale, Fort Albany, Hearst and Moosonee. These transmitters were radiocommunication distribution undertakings, which rebroadcast the programming of the former MCTV stations. Transmitters were also approved for Temagami and Fort Hope. These transmitters were radiocommunication distribution undertakings, which rebroadcast the programming of the CBC Northern Television Service.
2004
On January 30, CBLT was granted a transitional digital television licence. The digital undertaking would operate from the CN Tower on channel 20VL with an effective radiated power of 38,000 watts.
2005
CBLT began digital operations on channel 20 from the CN Tower. The inaugural weekend schedule on March 5 and 6 included a premiere of the Nature of Things: Nature Bites Back – The Case of the Sea Otter. CBC HD then broadcast highlights from past and upcoming HD projects, including Hockey: A People's History (still in production). HD programming is based on the regular network schedule, with HD and wide-screen programming simulcast when available.
2009
On May 12 the CRTC renewed CBLT's licence, including the following rebroadcast transmitters: CBLT-DT Toronto, CBCC-TV Hearst, CBCE-TV Little Current, CBCO-TV-1 Moosonee, CBCQ-TV-1 Temagami, CBCU-TV Chapleau, CBEC-TV Elliot Lake, CBLAT-1 Manitouwadge, CBLAT-2 White River, CBLAT-3 Wawa, CBLAT-4 Marathon, CBLAT-5 Beardmore, CBLAT-6 Hornepayne, CBLCT Fraserdale, CBLDT Fort Albany, CBLET Attawapiskat, CBLGT Geraldton, CBLHT Fort Hope, CBLN-TV London, CBLN-TV-1 Kitchener, CBLN-TV-3 Sarnia, CBLN-TV-3 Chatham, CBLN-TV-4 Wingham, CBLN-TV-5 Wiarton, CBLN-TV-6 Normandale, CBLT-1 Barrie, CBLT-2 Huntsville, CBLT-3 Parry Sound, CBLT-4 North Bay, CBLT-5 Sault Ste. Marie, CBLT-6 Sudbury, CBLT-7 Timmins, CBLT-8 Kearns and CBLT-9 Kapuskasing.
Written by Bill Dulmage - Updated January, 2010
