CHBC News – History

HISTORY CHBC – TV, KELOWNA

1957

CHBC-TV went on the air on September 21, 1957 covering the central Okanagan valley. Initially from channel 2 with 3,700 watts in Kelowna, where the studios and main transmitter were located, followed three weeks later by the repeater transmitters at Vernon (ch. 7 – 310 watts) and Penticton (ch.13 – 300 watts). The repeaters were necessary due to the mountainous terrain. The station was owned by the three radio stations in the valley, CKOV Kelowna, CKOK Penticton and CJIB Vernon.

There were only 500 homes with television receivers in September of 1957, but a year later that number had risen to 10,000 homes. The station ordered two studio cameras, but supplies were limited due to so many TV stations coming on the air in North America. The result was that they had to make do with a single camera; on loan, for almost a year before the order was filled. The station relied on 16 mm film developed first by a local photo lab and then in-house.

1960

The arrival of the microwave brought live CBC Network programming. The station had been a CBC affiliate since sign-on, with all network programs received on kinescope or 16mm film, with regular shows running a week late and a one-day delay of the National News.

In those early days all local programs were live, such as “Kids Bids”, “The three R’s” and “Romper Room”. As technical facilities expanded shows such as “Let’s Visit”, “Midday”, “Focus” and “Okanagan Magazine” became regular features.

1964

The first video tape machine arrived, greatly aiding in local production of both programming and commercials.

1966

Colour TV arrived via the network, and the station gradually added colour equipment over the years, as well as telecine and videotape.

1970

When CTV service came to the Okanagan, CHBC co-operated with the installation, and worked out a “protective service” for local advertisers to avoid Vancouver sales competition with cut ins for local CHBC advertisers.

1971

In June, colour studio cameras completed the change to full colour.

1970 – 1980’s

During these years, ownership of the station gradually changed. General Manager Roy Chapman purchased CKOK’s one third ownership, which he later sold to BCTV, Vancouver. Selkirk Holdings of Toronto bought CJIB Vernon and along with it, its one third interests. CKOV Kelowna sold its on third equally to BCTV and Selkirk, making it a 50/50 split ownership. When Maclean Hunter took over Selkirk in 1989, WIC Western International Communications, the parent of BCTV bought the shares of the former Selkirk to own 100% of CHBC-TV.

Roy Chapman, a co-owner of CKOK Penticton was General Manager of CHBC from July 1957 until his death in 1974. Dick Sharp, former Advertising Manager of the Penticton Herald also joined the station in July of 1957 as Sales Manager and became Assistant General Manager in the mid 1960’s. He became President and General Manager on the death of Roy Chapman. He retired in 1985. Former Sales Manager, Ron Evans took over as President.

1986

CHBC-TV made a commitment to become “The Okanagan’s Very Own, CHBC” and differentiate the company from the forty TV signals being distributed by cable in the market. A direction was set to produce quality local programs and commercials, as well as being more involved than any other media in the fifty-five communities served by the station. The company has been recognized and rewarded over the years for this direction with increased ratings. In 1995 we alone won 13 TVB Retail Commercial Competition Awards, one CAB Gold Ribbon Award for promotions, 3 CanPro Gold Awards for Eco Watch, Okanagan Magazine and Weather Bears Food Bank Promotion, as well as the RTNDA award for the best newscast in Canada for the medium-sized markets!

1998

The Griffiths family holdings in WIC Western International Communications Ltd. Were sold, subject to CRTC approval, to Shaw Communications Inc. and CanWest Global Communications Corp.

1999

Following months of negotiation, agreements were filed with the CRTC on the split of WIC assets between CanWest Global, Corus Radio (formerly Shaw Radio), and Shaw Communications.

2000

Following an April hearing in Vancouver, in July, the CRTC announced the approval of the purchase of WIC Television by CanWest Television, which included CHBC-TV Kelowna.

February 27, 2006

CHBC losses their CBC affiliation and is programmed with Canwest CH programming carried by CHCH Hamilton, RDTV Red Deer and CHEK Victoria

September 7, 2007

Canwest brands all CH stations, including CHBC as E! Everything Entertainment bringing the successful E! brand to Canada.

February 5, 2009

Canwest announces all E! stations will be sold, closed or re-branded.

August 31, 2009

CHBC is rebranded as Global Okanagan, Home of the CHBC NEWS.

Sept 9, 2009

CHBC’s master control is decommissioned and commercial insertion is from the centralized master control in Calgary.

November 25, 2009

The new CHBCNEWS.CA website is launched bringing the 5:30 newscast to the web along with full mobile capability.

July 7, 2010

The CHBC NEWS takes on a complete new look with the virtual news set and robotic HD cameras.

October 27, 2010

Canwest’s conventional stations across Canada and 19 specialty stations are taken over by Shaw Communications and rebranded as Shaw Media.

Starting with a staff of 12 in 1957, the current 37 employees take pride in their station’s local community support and commitment to truly be “The Okanagan’s Very Own” CHBC NEWS on Global Okanagan.