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CBC-2

Summary

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 CRTC

History edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

  1. ^ a b "Cost warning given on 2nd CBC channel". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. October 13, 1978. p. P14. ProQuest 386982213.
  2. ^ a b "Foes, fans ready for hearings on CBC's second network". The Globe and Mail. January 10, 1981. p. 18. ProQuest 386655770.
  3. ^ a b "CBC-2 hearing set for Jan. 14". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. November 26, 1980. p. 20. ProQuest 386663442.
  4. ^ a b Stephens, Robert (January 14, 1981). "CBC seeking 2nd network on television". The Globe and Mail. p. 8. ProQuest 386845472.
  5. ^ a b Stevens, Geoffrey (December 2, 1980). "Worth fighting for". The 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.
  8. ^ Drury, Linda (July 1988). "Cultural persuasions: a case study of the regulation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation" (PDF). Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  9. ^ "CRTC denies licence for CBC-2". Calgary Herald. May 28, 1981. p. D1. Retrieved November 9, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.