CBYT-TV, Corner Brook
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
| Station | Year | Channel | Network Affiliate | Owner/Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBYT-TV | 1959 | 5 | CBC | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |
1959
CBYT-TV signed on the air July 6.
1964
CBNT signed on the air in St. John’s.
1965
CBYAT Deer Lake signed on the air on July 12. CBYT channel 5 operated with an effective radiated power of 197 watts video and 98.5 watts audio. At this time, the CBC also operated CFSN-TV (channel 8) at Harmon Field. It had an ERP of 294 watts video and 147 watts audio. CBYT-4 Port-aux-Basques opened on December 22.
1966
By this time, CBYT channel 5 operated with an effective radiated power of 197 watts videoand 98.5 watts audio.
1968
On September 15, television viewers in the Maritimes and Newfoundland began seeing CBC network programs an hour earlier. Because of time zone differences these viewers had long been seeing programs at a later hour than other parts of the country. The network was now showing its programs at local times, corresponding whenever possible, to scheduling elsewhere in Canada. The change was thanks to video tape recording equipment for television, with instant replay for programs – colour and black & white. The CBC Halifax video tape centre was the key point for the operation with microwave facilities being used during the night hours to feed programs from Toronto for showing the following day. The national newscast produced live in Toronto for transmission directly via closed circuit microwave to Halifax for viewers in the Maritimes and Newfoundland who would now see it at 11 p.m. Atlantic Time and 11:30 Newfoundland Time. A second edition of the newscast was then transmitted an hour later (11 p.m. Eastern Time) for viewing in Central Canada.
1969
The CBC received approval to operate a rebroadcast transmitter at Irishtown, on channel 7 with power of 5 watts – directional, with antenna height of 739’. It would receive programming over-the-air from CBYT.
1971
The Bonne Bay transmitter received permission to move from channel 13 to channel 2, increase effective radiated power from 3,070 watts video and 610 watts audio, decrease antenna height from 203 feet to 188 feet (from a new site). The antenna pattern would remain directional. CBYT-3 Bonne Bay opened on March 12.
1973
CBYAT Deer Lake (channel 12) was authorized to increase power from 246 watts video and 123 watts audio (directional) to 510 watts video and 51 watts audio (directional) and decrease antenna height from 425 feet to 287 feet.
1974
When CBYT had its licence renewed, the following rebraodcast transmitters were also renewed (this list may not represent all of CBYT’s transmitters as some licences may have been renewed on other dates): CBYT-1 Stephenville, CBYT-2 Irishtown, CBYT-4 Port-aux-Basques, and CBYAT Deer Lake.
1976
The following CBYT transmitters had their licences renewed: CBYT Corner Brook, CBYT-1 Stephenville, CBYT-2 Irishtown, CBYT-3 Bonne Bay, CBYT-4 Port-aux-Basques, CBYT-5 St. Andrews and CBYAT Deer Lake.
1980
By this time, CBYT operated with an ERP of 10,600 watts video and 2,120 watts audio. Studios and offices were located at 162 Premier Drive.
1984
On January 11, the CRTC renewed CBYT-TV’s licence until September 30, 1985.
1988
At CBYT’s licence renewal hearing, concerns were expressed by the public that the station could be subject to further programming (local programming had already been cut by some 6 hours a week in recent years) and the possibility of closure of the station. The CBC responded that it has no intention of ceasing the production of locally-originated programming at CBYT.
1991
Local news programming came to an end on CBYT Corner Brook due to budget cuts. CBNT would now provide coverage of the Corner Brook area and the Newfoundland west coast using reporters and staff located in Corner Brook. CBYT did not become a rebroadcaster of CBNT. It maintained master control in Corner Brook, allowing it to continue to broadcast station identification, public service announcements, occasional specials, and commercial messages.
1993
On July 19, the CBC was authorized to change the program source for CBYT-3 Bonne Bay, CBYT-6 Cow Head, CBYT-7 Trout River, CBYT-8 Portland Creek, and CBYT-9 Hawkes Bay, from CBYT Corner Brook to the CBC Northern Television Services and CBNT St. John’s. The CBC said the provision of signals by satellite would improve technical quality while reducing costs.
1995
By this time, CBYT operated the following rebroadcast transmitters: CBYT-1 Stephenville, CBYT-2 Irishtown, CBYT-4 Port-aux-Basques, CBYT-5 St. Andrews, CBYT-10 Harbour Le Cou, CBYT-11 Rose Blanche, CBYT-12 Gillams, CBYT-13 Lark Harbour, CBYT-14 York Harbour and CBYAT Deer Lake. CBYT broadcasts 10 hours of programming per week from CBNT St. John’s and 125 hours of programming from the CBC’s English-language television network.
2000
On November 16, CBYT-1 Stephenville was granted an increase in effective radiated power from 11,600 watts to 12,010 watts. The CBC stated that, following a change in the transmitting antenna, this amendment was required to maintain the coverage area of CBYT-1.
2002
On July 5, CBNT St. John’s was given approval to add the following transmitters: CBYT Corner Brook, CBYT-1 Stephenville, CBYT-2 Irishtown, CBYT-4 Port-aux-Basques, CBYT-5 St. Andrews, CBYT-10 Harbour Le Cou, CBYT-11 Rose Blanche, CBYT-12 Gillams, CBYT-13 Lark Harbour, CBYT-14 York Harbour and CBYAT Deer Lake. CBYT no longer had any local component and fully simulcast CBNT so there was no need for CBYT and its transmitters to be licensed separately from CBNT. The licence for CBYT and its transmitters was revoked on September 5.
2009
The CRTC approved a change in the authorized contours of CBYT-TV-5 St. Andrews. The changes include a decrease in average effective radiated power from 515 to 414.7 watts, a decrease in maximum ERP from 1,000 to 880.4 watts, and a decrease in antenna height (EHAAT) from 35.0 to 22.7 metres. The antenna system had to be replaced and modifications to the tower had to be made following a severe windstorm which damaged the equipment in the spring.
2018
Prowse Jerrett (92) died on March 2. Jerrett was one of the earliest employees at CBYT Corner Brook, CBC’s first full time operation in Newfoundland, joining the staff in 1960. He worked as an announcer/operator hosting various radio programs, the midday television news and interviews with local, national and international celebrities. He was best remembered for his work at the weather board on the suppertime “Here and Now” program, until his retirement in 1985.
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