WATCH ABOVE: Global Calgary’s special program celebrating 60 years of broadcasting.
Global Calgary is celebrating 60 years of broadcasting!
Regular programming on our station began on October 8th, 1954.
Over the years, the station has seen numerous changes. When we launched in 1954 our call letters were CHCT-TV, but over the years the station has been known by many names including CFAC-TV, 2&7 Television and Calgary 7.
In September 2000, Calgary 7 joined Canwest and we became Global News.
Then in September of 2010, Global Calgary officially became a part of Shaw Media.
“I think its a hugely important statement that we have a station in our network group that is 60 years old,” says Shaw Media President Barb Williams. “It speaks to the importance and the role that a station like this plays in the community, and how that doesn’t go away.”
“The rest of the world has changed so much in 60 years, but every day this station is here for its community.”
WATCH: Shaw Media President Barb Williams reflects on what Global Calgary means to the community
Through the years, there has been one constant at Global Calgary: our steadfast commitment to serving the community. We are so proud to be a part of Calgary!
“We think of ourselves as needing to do two things at once. We need to be continuing to do the very best every day at what we know we do right now — and we need to be transforming for the future,” says Williams.
Gord Gillies and Barb Mitchell – Live bands and a lot of fun
Gord Gillies and Barb Mitchell were the original anchors of The Breakfast Show.
“It was so much fun! And it was a different setting in the studio – we had audiences, we had cooking, we had bands,” says Mitchell.
“It really became a staple for people to watch in the morning before they came to work.”
“We had a mandate to have music every day,” explains Gillies. “Which meant you had Roch Voisine or Amanda Marshall… and the occasional garage band from Three Hills.”
“Gord was just wonderful,” reflects Mitchell. “I didn’t have a lot of studio interview experience, and he really held my hand and guided me along the process.”
WATCH: Gord Gillies and Barb Mitchell talk about their time on The Breakfast Show
Leslie Horton – Thankful for our Global 1 helicopter
Reflecting on her 16 years with Global Calgary, traffic reporter Leslie Horton says she can’t believe how much things have changed.
The traffic veteran points to having Calgary’s only television news helicopter as one of the main things that sets our station apart.
“We’ve got the helicopter… it really does give you a good look from up above. Having the helicopter, Global 1, at our disposal – it really has been a tremendous asset and a tremendous benefit to our traffic coverage.”
“I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to do with traffic.”
Looking back at how traffic reports were done when she started, Leslie jokes “a lot of it was just talking, and we only did one hit per half hour.”
WATCH: Leslie Horton reflects on 16 years at Global Calgary
Bruce McAllister and Angela Kokott – Seven years of on-air magic
Former Morning News anchors Bruce McAllister and Angela Kokott spent a number of years at Global Calgary.
“The best part about this job… the best part was the people,” says McAllister. “The friends, the friendships that you make, the people you get to know.”
Kokott echoed her former co-anchor’s sentiments, speaking about how close they became in their seven years working together.
“You have more conversations off camera than on camera,” said Kokott.
“We are still very close. We see each other probably every four weeks or so – we get together for tea or coffee.”
WATCH: Bruce and Angela are still close friends, even after all these years
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