CKND-DT

Noticing an ad in the Winnipeg papers by the CRTC calling for hearings on an additional TV station in the city, Peter Liba, executive assistant to the Manitoba Liberal Party leader, Israel Asper, drew the ad to his attention.

They considered Winnipeg could not sustain a fourth station. At that time there were three stations vying for the Winnipeg audience: CBWT-TV (CBC); CKY-TV (CTV); and KCND-TV an Independent, just across the U. S. border in Pembina, North Dakota, relying for its survival almost exclusively on Winnipeg advertisers.

A decision was made to try to buy the Pembina station which was owned by Gordon McLendon in Texas. After months of negotiation, the final straws that broke the stalemate were the facts that a new Winnipeg station would likely block out the Pembina signal, and that Revenue Canada might not allow Winnipeg advertisers to deduct their U.S. expenditures. McLendon agreed to sell. 

For the record, in 1970 KCND-TV advertised the fact it had Winnipeg studios and offices at 2031 Portage Avenue. Print ads also had slogans like this: KCND-TV – Winnipeg-Pembina – Contributing to the community of Winnipeg.

uCanWest (partners Asper, Liba, Paul Morton, Seymour Epstein and others) filed an application for the Winnipeg station in 1973. At the hearing, the CRTC was impressed with the elimination of the border station and CanWest got the approval over two other applicants (Communications Winnipeg Co-Op Inc. and Western Manitoba Broadcasters Ltd. – owner of CKX Brandon).

The CRTC decided on September 19 that CanWest Broadcasting Ltd. could operate the new station in Winnipeg. It would operate on channel 9 with an effective radiated video power of 325,000 watts (directional). The two competing applications were denied but the CRTC was impressed with the one filed by Western Manitoba Broadcasters and felt an arrangement should be reached in which Western could participate in the ownership and direction of CanWest. It was a condition of CanWest’s licence that Western Manitoba Broadcasters Ltd. be 
permitted to (upon CRTC approval) acquire either directly or indirectly, a significant number of the shares of CanWest, and participate in the management or direction of CanWest.

CKND-TV was a success, both with its audience and financially.

On June 9, the soon to launch CKND-TV received permission from the CRTC to increase effective radiated power from 164,000 watts to 222,500 watts, and to relocate the transmitter.

CanWest bought property that was formerly a Safeway grocery store on St. Mary’s Road and moved the old KCND operations to that Winnipeg location.

On September 1st, with Don Brinton (formerly vice president and general manager of CFQC-TV Saskatoon) at the helm, CKND-TV (Channel 9, Cable 12) signed-on as KCND-TV (Channel 12) signed-off.

With similar call letters (KCND vs CKND) and after the opening ceremonies, CKND-TV carried the Jerry Lewis Telethon from Las Vegas.

Similarities prevailed as CKND-TV continued the most popular shows from KCND but also added were unique programs with Winnipeg and regional flavour.

On November 18th hockey telecasts of the new World Hockey League “Winnipeg Jets” began, and continued through their graduation to the NHL.

CKND-TV was a success, both with its audience and financially.

The CRTC approved the extension of Toronto’s Global Television Network to include CKND-TV, for news.

CKND-TV had its licence renewed for a three year term and was to submit a new promise of performance by March of 1979. The CRTC expected the station to produce 24 hours a week of local programming (its original plan of 33 ½ hours was termed unrealistic) and to follow through on extension of service to the Interlake and Dauphin areas.

On April 12, CKND was denied a rebroadcast transmitter (channel 2, 100,000 watts) at Minnedosa. CanWest Broadcasting Ltd. failed to enter an agreement with Western Manitoba Broadcasters Ltd. (CKX-TV Brandon) to ensure protection of local service.

CKND-TV began broadcasting 24 hours a day on October 1.

Peter Liba was named vice president of CanWest Broadcasting as well as station manager for CKND.

On June 21, approval was granted for the transfer of control of CanWest Broadcasting Ltd. from Integrated Communications Ltd., a company controlled by Paul Morton, to CanWest Capital Corp., a company controlled by I.H. Asper and G.W. Schwartz. This transaction would take place through the purchase by CWC of 57.4% of CWBI from Integrated and 6.45% of CWBL from Asper. All of 
these shares would then be purchased by CanWest Communications Holding Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CWC. As a result, ultimate control would rest with Asper and Schwartz.

CKND’s application for a rebroadcast transmitter (channel 13, 73,300 watts) at Rembrandt was denied on September 9.

The CRTC approved applications involving Canwest Broadcasting Ltd. and Global Communications Ltd. which would transfer the controlling interest, by share redemption in Canwest, from I Asper and G. Schwartz, to I. Asper.

On January 11, the CRTC renewed CKND-TV’s licence until September 30, 1985.

CKND-TV introduced a 30 minutes 6:00 p.m. newscast – “CKND News – 6:00 Report” – with anchor Linden Soles and sports director Brian Swain. The station’s existing 10:30 p.m. newscast was renamed “CKND News – 10:30 Report”. Jim Farrell and Marjorie Salki continued as co-anchors of that broadcast. Joe Pascucci took over sports and Stan Kubicek handled weather.

Doug Fraser was named associate editor at CKND. He had been news director at CFAC-TV Lethbridge.

CKND expanded its Sunday “First News” from 15 to 30 minutes. Reporter Dawna Friesen joined Don Marks as co-anchor.

Judy Waytiuk replaced Andy Arnott as CKND’s news director. Waytiuk had been with CBWT as news director for 12 years.

A half-hour news magazine – Eyes West – was now airing on CKND-TV. The bi-weekly show, a tri-production of CKND and the CanWest STV stations in Regina and Saskatoon, dealt with topics of concern to western Canadians.

The National Edition of Global News – renamed The World Tonight – was now airing on CKND-TV.

Peter Liba became president of CKND Winnipeg and Sask West Television in Regina/Saskatoon.

Stan Thomas was appointed vice-president of programming for CKND-TV and Sask-West Television.

Don Brinton was named president and CEO of CanWest Broadcasting, CanWest Pacific Television Inc., and Western Approaches Ltd. He moved to Vancouver from Winnipeg where he had headed the launching of CKND-TV in 1975. Peter M. Liba, executive vice president, succeeded Brinton as president of CKND-TV and SaskWest TV.

Elaine Ali was appointed assistant general manager. Don Hornby was appointed to the newly created post of director of operations. He had been operations manager.

Shelley Stuart was appointed program manager. 

Elaine Ali was appointed assistant general manager. 

Don Hornby was appointed to the newly created position of director of operations. 

Robert A. (Bob) Milton became retail sales manager, reporting to general sales manager Brian Zilkey.

Robert Milton was named retail sales manager. He had been retail sales supervisor.

Stan Schmidt was appointed general sales manager. Mark Driesschen was named producer. He had been with STV Saskatoon.

David Mintz was named deputy chairman, president and CEO of Global Communications Ltd. and chairman of Canvideo Television Sales. Roger Hone became vice president of national marketing. Don Brinton was named deputy chairman.

Effective August 1, Peter Viner replaced Donald Brinton as chief executive officer of Global Canwest Television.

Brian Swain, 53, died on March 10. After starting at CKX in Brandon, he became sports director of CKND-TV in 1977. He later became CKND’s news anchor and for two years was co-anchor with his daughter Diana.

CanWest Global chairman and CEO, I.H. Asper, was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada. He was cited for his achievements as founder of CKND-TV and in building CanWest into an international broadcasting company. On October 29, Asper was inducted into the CAB’s Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.

On March 10, the CRTC announced an amendment for CKND-TV concerning the airing of infomercials. In addition to the 12 minutes of advertising material permitted by subsection 11(1) of the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987, the licensee may broadcast more than 12 minutes of advertising material in any clock hour in a broadcast day, in order to broadcast infomercials as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1994-139 and in accordance with the criteria contained in that public notice, as amended.

Gene Principe left CKND for Global Ontario.

As CanWest Global had spread to other provinces across Canada, all stations under the CanWest umbrella adopted the “Global” signature and became the Global Television Network.

CanWest Global Communications named Leonard Asper as chief operating officer. He added that responsibility to his executive vice president duties and would be responsible for the CanWest Entertainment division and TV3 Ireland.

Peter Liba, CanWest Global Communications executive vice president and executive director, became Manitoba’s newest Lieutenant-Governor, effective in February. Liba was honored in 1998 as the Western Association of Broadcasters Broadcaster of the Decade and by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in November when he was inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Leonard Asper was named President/CEO of CanWest Global Communications at the age of 35. He had been executive VP and COO. He was also now Chairman of the Global Television Network and other CanWest Global subsidiaries. At the end of August, CanWest President Peter Viner became Vice-Chairman, based in Toronto. He had been working out of the Winnipeg office.

Tim Jones, operations manager at Global Winnipeg became business and operations manager of the new CanWest Global Broadcast Centre in Winnipeg.

On May 15th, the CRTC announced a one-year licence renewal, effective September 1st 2009, for all of CanWest’s Over-The-Air stations, including CKND-TV, “….to give these broadcasters some flexibility during the current period of economic uncertainty.” Group-based licence renewals would then be addressed in the spring of 2010. The Commission also stated that it recognized the impracticability of imposing any conditions relative to 1-1 ratios between Canadian and non-Canadian programming in the ensuing year, given the programming commitments that were already in place.

The Commission would however continue to explore various regulatory measures “…to ensure that English-language television broadcasters devote an appropriate proportion of their expenditures to Canadian programming.”

A religious program on Global Manitoba did not contain abusive commentary nor violence. The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council said a viewer complained that Jack Van Impe Presents promoted hate and fear with predictions about the end of the world and said that the show should carry a viewer advisory alerting parents to the violent and misleading nature of the content. The CBSC reviewed two episodes and found that they did not violate any broadcast codes it administers.

On August 13, the CRTC approved the application by Canwest Television GP Inc. (the general partner) and Canwest Media Inc. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Canwest Television Limited Partnership, to amend the broadcasting licence for the television programming undertaking CKND-TV Winnipeg to add a digital transmitter (CKND-DT) in order to serve the population of Winnipeg. CKND-DT would operate on channel 40 with an average effective radiated power of 14,900 watts (maximum ERP of 25,100 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 131.2 metres). The Commission noted that this transmitter would operate on a channel that was different than the one allotted in the Department of Industry’s DTV Allotment Plan. The licensee stated that the associated transmitter CKND-TV currently transmitted from a leased tower site that was owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC tower was loaded to capacity, prohibiting the addition of another antenna. Accordingly, the licensee would operate the antenna for CKND-DT from its own tower, located at Canwest Place. Despite CKND-DT operating at its maximum allowable power, the Commission noted that there would be a reduction in coverage as compared to CKND-TV.

On October 22, the CRTC approved an application by Shaw Communications Inc., on behalf of Canwest Global Communications Corp., for authority to change the effective control of Canwest Global’s licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, which would henceforth be exercised by Shaw. This change would be effected through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shaw known as 7316712 Canada Inc. Upon the closing of the proposed transaction, Shaw, through its wholly-owned subsidiary 7316712 Canada, would become the sole owner of restructured Canwest and of CWI, and would acquire control of all broadcasting undertakings currently controlled by Canwest Global. Shaw ascribed a total value of $2.005 billion for the acquisition of all broadcasting assets controlled by Canwest Global and initially proposed a tangible benefits package in the amount of $23 million.

Events leading up to the October 22, 2010 decision: On October 6, 2009, Canwest Global, along with its operating subsidiary Canwest Media Inc. and certain other subsidiaries, filed for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985 c. C-36, as amended. At the beginning of November, Canwest Global, with the assistance of RBC Capital Markets, initiated an equity solicitation process to identify potential new Canadian investors. On February 19, 2010, after arm’s length negotiations between Shaw, Canwest Global and the Ad Hoc Committee (comprised of holders of over 70% of the 8% senior subordinated notes issued by Canwest Investments Co., due 2012), Canwest Global’s board approved Shaw’s offer. On March 31, Shaw filed an application with the CRTC for approval of its acquisition of effective control of the conventional and specialty television undertakings indirectly owned by Canwest Global. Under that original offer, Shaw was to subscribe for Class A Voting shares representing a 20% equity and 80% voting interest in Restructured Canwest for a minimum $95 million in the aggregate. On May 3, Shaw acquired from Goldman Sachs & Co. affiliates 29.9% of the voting shares and 49.9% of the common non-voting shares in the capital of CWI. On May 4, Shaw advised the CRTC that, pursuant to an amendment to the March 31 application, Shaw’s indirect equity interest would be 100% of Restructured Canwest. Shaw also advised that, in addition to acquiring the shares of CWI indirectly held by Canwest Global, it would acquire, by way of an option, the remaining shares in the capital of CWI, held by Goldman Sachs entities, immediately following Commission approval of the application. On May 18, Canwest Global filed an application for authority to effect a multi-step corporate reorganization for restructuring purposes, as contemplated in the document entitled “Plan of Compromise, Arrangement and Reorganization”, of the Canwest Global licensed broadcasting subsidiaries pursuant to the CCAA, resulting in the issuance of new broadcasting licences. On July 28, at the end of the CCAA Proceedings, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice rendered an Order approving the Plan.

On October 27, Shaw Communications announced it had reached the final stage in its purchase of Canwest’s television operations. There would be a gradual shift of branding to Shaw Media, and the company would gradually retire the Canwest name. Shaw would also close the Canwest corporate headquarters in Winnipeg. Shaw announced a new management team for the broadcasting division. It would be headed by Paul Robertson, who previously served as president of Shaw-controlled Corus Entertainment’s television division and oversaw the purchase of the Canwest assets.

On December 16, CKND-DT began broadcasting from Canwest Place on channel 40.

BNN executive producer Mike Omelus moved to Global News as Eastern regional director. He would oversee all editorial and production teams at Global Maritimes, Global Montreal, and Global Winnipeg’s newsrooms.

On March 29, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for a number of conventional television and transitional digital television stations until August 31, 2011.The Commission said it would consider the applications for renewal of the broadcasting licences for the major English-language private conventional television ownership groups, by taking into account the determinations set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-167. These applications were announced in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2010-952 and would be heard at a public hearing to be held on 4 April 2011 in Gatineau, Quebec. Shaw Television G.P. Inc. (the general partner) and Shaw Media Global Inc.(the limited partner), carrying on business as Shaw Television Limited Partnership (The limited partner changed name on 3 December 2010 from 7509014 Canada Inc. to Shaw Media Global Inc.). The CRTC noted that it did not intend to renew authorizations for full-power analog transmitters operating in the mandatory markets or on channels 52 to 69 outside the mandatory markets beyond August 31, 2011. By that time, the Commission expected licensees to have the necessary authority to broadcast in digital. In addition, the Commission imposed the following condition of licence on the stations that operated in mandatory markets or on channels 52 to 69 outside the mandatory markets: Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, the licensee shall not transmit analog television signals after 31 August 2011 in mandatory markets designated as such by the Commission in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2011-184 or transmit television signals on channels 52 to 69. The Commission also noted that, pursuant to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-69, it did not intend to renew, beyond 31 August 2011, authorizations for the transitional digital transmitters included in the broadcasting licences of the licensees set out in the appendix to this decision.

On July 27, the CRTC renewed the licences of CKND-DT and its transmitter CKND-TV-2 Minnedosa, until August 31, 2016.

The deadline for the conversion of analog television to digital in mandatory markets was August 31. CKND-TV made the transition early – on August 29. Analog channel 9 was switched off and CKND-DT continued operations on digital channel 40 (virtual channel 9.1). The digital transmitter had been on the air since the previous year.

Kate Gajdosik left her CTV British Columbia weekend backup Weather job to return to Manitoba where she became the new Weather Specialist at Global Winnipeg.

Tim Jones, Station Manager/General Sales Manager at Global Winnipeg, retired after a 35-year career at Global. He began with CanWest Global in 1977 and served in positions such as Operations and Production Manager at Global Winnipeg, Executive Producer of the Jets NHL hockey package, overseeing the start-up of the CanWest’s Specialty television broadcast centre in Winnipeg and then becoming Director of Operations until the channels were combined with the former Alliance Atlantis assets in Toronto. His last day was September 30. The new Station Manager/News Director at Global Winnipeg was Brent Williamson, most recently Global Regina’s News Director. Before Regina, he spent 11 years at Global Winnipeg. Jon Lovlin moved into the Managing Editor’s chair.

Lauren McNabb, a reporter with Global National, returned to her home province as Global Winnipeg’s senior reporter and host of Focus Manitoba, the station’s weekly public affairs program.

Ryan Ellis became news director at Global Regina Jan. 16. He moved from Global Edmonton to succeed former ND Brent Williamson who moved to Global Winnipeg as its new Station Manager/News Director.

Elaine Ali, Senior VP, CTV Owned and Operated Stations – after 36 years in television – retired from CTV early in 2012. She began her career as an accounting clerk at CKND-TV Winnipeg. Later, she was President of the Women’s Television Network in Winnipeg and also served as VP/GM at CKY-TV Winnipeg.

Senior Global News team changes: Boston Kenton, the Senior Director, National News and Global Vancouver Station Manager, was promoted to VP, BC and National News; Mike Omelus, the Eastern Regional Director responsible for Global Maritimes, Global Montreal and Global Winnipeg, was promoted to Senior Director, Southern Alberta; Tim Spelliscy, the Regional Director, News, AB and Station Manager at Global Edmonton, was promoted to Senior Director, Edmonton and Prairie Region; and Ward Smith was promoted from News Director/Station Manager at Global Toronto to Senior Director, Eastern Region. Boston continued responsibility for all national and foreign news operations, including the Ottawa Bureau and The West Block, as well as all BC news operations, including CHBC/Global Okanagan; Omelus moved to Calgary and was responsible for all Global News operations in Calgary and Lethbridge, and would work with Shaw on community engagement strategies and develop models for delivering Global News to new markets; Spelliscy continued to oversee operations at the Edmonton production centre, and had new responsibilities for Global Saskatoon, Global Regina and Global Winnipeg; and Smith remained in charge of Global Toronto as well as Global Montreal and Global Maritimes, as well as the Network Resource Centre based in Toronto. Moving to Vancouver and reporting to Boston was Jeff Bollenbach, the Station Manager/News Director at Global Calgary. He would work preparing the new BC regional 24/7 news channel (BC-1) for its anticipated launch on March 1.

Laura Lewandoski left Global Winnipeg for City Winnipeg. She had been producer of morning news content at Global. At City, she was content manager.

On June 10, the CRTC approved the application by Shaw Television Limited Partnership1to amend the licence for CKND-DT Winnipeg in order to add a digital transmitter to replace its existing analog transmitter CKND-TV-2 Minnedosa. The new transmitter CKND-DT-2 Minnedosa would operate on channel 9 with a maximum effective radiated power of 30,500 watts (average ERP of 17,900 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 374 metres).

On March 23, the CRTC approved an application by Shaw Communications Inc. on behalf of Shaw Media Inc. and its licensed subsidiaries, for authority to effect a multi-step corporate reorganization by transferring all of Shaw Communications’ shares in Shaw Media to Corus Entertainment Inc. or one of its subsidiaries. Since the creation of Corus in 1999, the Commission had regarded the two companies to be effectively controlled by J.R. Shaw and this reorganization wouldn’t change that. The deal was expected to close on April 1.

In early April, Corus Entertainment completed its $2.65 billion acquisition of Shaw Media. Corus now had 45 specialty TV services, 15 conventional TV channels, 39 radio stations, a global content business, and a portfolio of digital assets.

Bob Washington passed away at the age of 82 on December 10. He worked at CKRC-AM, hosted Bowling for Dollars on CKND-TV and was heard on CJOB before he retired. Bob was also the voice of K-Tel in their television commercials.