CBKT-DT

CBKT-DT, CBC-TV, Regina

Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

StationYearChannelNetwork AffiliateOwner/Info
CBKT-DT20119.1 (9)CBCCanadian Broadcasting Corp.
CBKT-TV19699CBCCanadian Broadcasting Corp.
CHAB-TV19689CTVMoffat Broadcasting Ltd.
CHAB-TV19629CTVCHAB Ltd.
CHAB-TV19599CBCCHAB Ltd.

1959

CHAB Limited, owner of CHAB-AM, opened CHAB-TV on July 7.

1962

On August 25, CHAB-TV switched network affiliation from CBC to CTV. 

CHAB Ltd. launched CHRE-TV in Regina on December 21. It was a semi-satellite of CHAB-TV Moose Jaw. The transmitter was located northeast of Regina on a 735-foot tall tower. Both stations were CTV affiliates.

1965

Sid Boyling, CKY Radio (Moffat Broadcasting Ltd.) Winnipeg’s former general manager moved to Moose Jaw to become GM for Jack Moffat’s (CHAB Limited) CHAB-TV and CHRE-TV. He replaced the departing Gary Johnson. Boyling had in the past, operated CHAB for many years, before the stations were sold to Jack Moffat.

At this time, CHAB-TV operated on channel 4 with effective radiated power of 48,000 watts video and 25,000 watts audio. CHRE-TV broadcast on channel 9, with an ERP of 140,000 watts video and 75,000 watts audio.

1967-68

Jack Moffat, pres and GM of CHAB Ltd., sold controlling interest in CHAB-AM-TV and CHRE-TV to Jim Pattison Enterprises, subject to BBG approval.

1968

Moffat Broadcasting Ltd. announced that Randall L. Moffat and his sister, Donna M. Pryor, had exercised an option to buy the controlling interest of their uncle, Jack. D. Moffat, in CHAB Ltd. (CHAB-AM-TV Moose Jaw and CHRE-TV Regina). Federal approval was required. Jack Moffat had previously announced the sale of the company to Jim Pattison Enterprises Ltd subject to first refusal rights of minority interests. Moffat Broadcasting owned CKLG-AM-FM Vancouver and CKY Winnipeg, of which Randall was president, and CKXL Calgary, of which Donna was president. The company also had a part interest in CHED Edmonton.

On May 30, Moffat Broadcasting received approval to acquire the Moose Jaw and Regina stations but would have to find another purchaser for CHRE-TV and CHAB-TV within a year or the licenses would be automatically revoked. Both stations were CTV affiliates and the network was owned by its affiliated stations. Moffat already owned 50% of CJAY-TV in Winnipeg, another CTV station. No person or company could control more than one CTV station. Moffat agreed to transfer its rights, powers and obligations as a CTV member to G. Ross Snead for one year. He would act as a representative of CHAB Ltd. on the CTV board during this period.

1969

On July 18, CHAB Ltd. had its application to sell CHAB-TV and CHRE-TV to Western Broadcast Management Ltd. denied. The CRTC instead approved the sale of the stations to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

On September 13, CHAB-TV and CHRE-TV became CBKMT Moose Jaw and CBKRT Regina, and was known as “9&4”. The CTV affiliation moved to CKCK-TV in Regina and CKMJ-TV in Marquis (Moose Jaw). The local supper-hour news on 9&4 was renamed from Our World to Evening News. The CBC received approval to operate a rebroadcast transmitter at La Ronge to receive programming on a delayed basis. It would broadcast over channel 12 with a power of five watts.

1970

The CBC announced plans for a Saskatoon television outlet which was expected to be operational by September of 1971. It would rebroadcast the programs of CBC Regina. Plans called for a small control centre and modest office facility in Saskatoon. The CBC filed an application with the CRTC for the Saskatoon transmitter and it was approved later in the year. It would operate on channel 11 with an effective radiated power of 325,000 watts video and 65,000 watts audio. It would broadcast a non-directional signal from a 786 foot tower.

A transmitter was also approved for Stranraer on channel 9 with ERP of 35,200 watts video and 7,050 watts audio, transmitting a directional signal from a 765 foot tower.

The La Ronge transmitter went on the air on February 27.

1971

The CBC was authorized to add a transmitter at Fort Qu’Appelle to receive the programs of CBKRT Regina. It would operate on channel 5 with a power of five watts.

The Fort Qu’Appelle transmitter began broadcasting on July 1.

CBKST Saskatoon and CBKST-1 Stranraer signed on the air October 17.

A rebroadcast transmitter was approved for Willow Bunch to receive the programming of CBKMT Moose Jaw, operating on channel 10 with effective radiated power of 19,800 watts video and 4,000 watts audio. It would transmit a directional signal from an 820 foot tower.

1972

The Willow Bunch transmitter began operations on April 4.

1973

Approval was given to change the La Ronge transmitter (CBTA-TV-2) from a Frontier Coverage Package station (receiving programs on a delayed basis) to a retransmitter of CBKMT Moose Jaw. The station would also produce some local programming. A new antenna site would be used.

1977

The CBC received approval to acquire the CKOS-TV rebroadcast transmitters at Hudson Bay and Norquay.

1978

On July 31, CBKRT Regina became CBKT and CBKMT Moose Jaw became CBKT-1.

1980

The Gravellbourg transmitter began operations on March 13.

1981

On December 30, the Patuanak transmitter signed on.

1983

In October, the CBC Regina studios and offices moved from 1840 McIntyre Street to 2440 Broad Street. The facility was to have opened in 1979-80. The new building accommodated both English and French radio and television studios. The CBC Saskatchewan broadcast centre included TV studios of 3,500 and 1,800 square feet, a packaging studio, two automated on-air booths and central equipment room. There were also seven remote electronic field production units, three electronic editing suites, six quad VTR’s, three telecine chains, character generators and electronic slide store units. The radio facilities included nine studios, multi-track mixing consoles, 16 listening/editing rooms and automated switching systems.

1984

On January 11, the CRTC renewed CBKT-TV’s licence until September 30, 1985. The licence for CBKT-TV-1 Moose Jaw was renewed for the same term

1986

Evan Purchase became director of TV at CBC Regina. He had been manager of radio at CBC Windsor (ON).

1989

CBKT operated the following rebroadcast transmitters: CBKT-1 Moose Jaw, CBKT-2 Willow Bunch, CBKT-3 Fort Qu’Appelle, CBKGT Gravelbourg and CBKPT Patuanak.

1990

On March 28, CBKT was authorized to delete CBKPT Patuanak from its list of rebroadcasters. It would now operate as a transmitter of CBKST Saskatoon.

1991

The CRTC approved the CBC’s application to change the program source of CBKST to originate from the studios of CBKT Regina. While CBKST would no longer produce any locally-originated programming, the CBC would continue to operate CBKST as a contributing bureau and maintain master control facilities in Saskatoon allowing the station to continue to broadcast station identification (including call sign channel designation and location) as required by the Department of Industry, as well as public service announcements, occasional specials and commercial messages.

1995

On January 31, the CRTC approved the application to amend the licence for CBKDT-1 Palmbere Lake by increasing the power from a transmitter power of 8.9 watts to an effective radiated power of 420 watts. The CBC indicated that the power increase would improve the quality of the signal received at CBKDT-2 La Loche and extend coverage to the unserved community of Turnor Lake.

CBC cut 20 jobs at its Saskatchewan operations – 17 in English radio and TV and three in SRC’s French language operations.

On February 16, the CRTC approved the CBC’s application to amend the licence for CBKDT Buffalo Narrows, by increasing the effective radiated power from 321 watts to 810 watts. The CBC indicated that the power increase would improve service and extend coverage in the Buffalo Narrows area.

2000

As of 2000, CBKT Regina operated the following rebroadcast transmitters: CBKT-3 Fort Qu’appelle, CBKGT Gravelbourg, CBKT-1 Moose Jaw, and CBKT-2 Willow Bunch.

2002

On May 31, the CRTC revoked the licence of CJFB-TV Swift Current. Swift Current Telecasting Co. Ltd. had informed the Commission that, as of May 31, it would cease the operation of CJFB-TV Swift Current (on air since December 23, 1957) and its transmitters CJFB-TV-1 Eastend, CJFB-TV-3 Riverhurst and CJFB-TV-2 Val Marie. CJFB-TV and its transmitters were affiliated with the CBC.

On the same date, CBKT Regina received approval to operate new transmitters at Riverhurst (Channel 10 – 390 watts video) and Swift Current (channel 5 – 13,300 watts video). CFJB-TV-1 Eastend and CJFB-TV-2 Val Marie would be closed as the CBC already had transmitters in these areas.

When the CBC took over CJFB-TV, the call sign was changed to CBKT-4. CFJB-TV-3 became CBKT-5.

On October 10, CBKT was authorized to add transmitters in Warmley (CFSS-TV – ch 3 – 56,000 watts video – on air since November 30, 1979), Wynyard (CHSS-TV – ch 6 – 11,000 watts video – on air since January 19, 1962) and Yorkton (CKOS-TV – ch 5 – 54,600 watts video – on air since June 19, 1958). The transmitters were owned and operated by CTV Television Inc. as CBC affiliated stations. Following negotiations with CTV, the CBC agreed to purchase the transmitters in order to provide the full CBC television network service to these communities.

CFSS-TV became CBKT-7, CHSS-TV became CBKT-8 and CKOS-TV became CBKT-6.

On December 9, CBKT-TV was authorized to operate transmitters in Cypress Hills (channel 2 – 2,450 watts), Ponteix (ch 3 – 10,500 watts) and Shaunavon (ch 7 – 4,500 watts). These transmitters used to be authorized to rebroadcast programming of CBC affiliate CJFB-TV Swift Current. The CRTC revoked CJFB-TV’s licence after being informed the station would cease operations as of May 31, 2002.

2003

On June 16, CBKT was granted authority to operate transmitters in Fond du Lac (CBKAT-2 – channel 10 – 823 watts – on air since October 4, 1977), Stony Rapids/ Black Lake (CBKAT-3 – ch 7 – 702 watts – on air since November 1, 1977) and Uranium City (CBKAT – ch 15 – 8 watts – on air since October 30, 1968). These transmitters had operated as radiocommunication distribution undertakings, rebroadcasting the programming of the CBC Northern Television Service.

On the same date, the CBC was authorized to operate the following transmitters: Norquay (CKOS-TV-2 – channel 13 – 15,000 watts – on air since April 1, 1977 – would become CBKT-9) and Hudson Bay (CKOS-TV-1 – ch 9 – 420 watts – on air since April 1, 1977 – would become CBKT-10). These transmitters had operated as radiocommunication distribution undertakings, offering programs from CKOS-TV Yorkton. CKOS-TV was previously licensed to CTV. In 2002, CKOS-TV was purchased by the CBC and added to the licence of CBKT Regina, as a transmitter of the Regina station. It was now no longer necessary to hold a separate RDU licence for Norquay and Hudson Bay.

2005

On June 3, a decrease in effective radiated power for CBKT-6 Yorkton was approved. Power would go from 54,600 watts to 50,200 watts and there would be an increase in the antenna height from a new tower.

2006

CBKT transmitter list to date: CBCP-TV-1 Shaunavon, CBCP-TV-2 Cypress Hill, CBCP-TV-3 Ponteix, CBKAT Uranium City, CBKAT-2 Fond du Lac, CBKAT-3 Tony Rapids/Black Lake, CBKGT Gravellbourg, CBKT-1 Moose Jaw, CBKT-10 Hudson Bay, CBKT-2 Willow Bunch, CBKT-3 Fort Qu’Appelle, CBKT-6 Yorkton, CBKT-7 Warmley, CBKT-8 Wynyard, CBKT-9 Norquay, CBKT-4 Swift Current and CBKT-5 Riverhurst.

For the record, CBKST Saskatoon operated the following transmitters: CBCS-TV-1 Meadow Lake, CBKBT Beauval, CBKCT Ile-à-la-Crosse, CBKDT Buffalo Narrows, CBKDT-1 Palmbere, CBKDT-2 La Loche, CBKPT Patuanak, CBKST-1 Stranraer, CBKST-10 North Battleford, CBKST-11 Greenwater Lake, CBKST-12 Big River, CBKST-13 Spiritwood, CBKST-14 Tisdale, CBKST-2 La Ronge, CBKST-3 Leoville, CBKST-4 Stanley Mission, CBKST-5 Montreal Lake, CBKST-6 Pinehouse Lake, CBKST-8 Southend, CBKST-9 Prince Albert, CKBI-TV-4 Nipawin.

2009

On May 12 the CRTC renewed CBKT’s licence, including the following rebroadcast transmitters: CBCP-TV-1 Shaunavon, CBCP-TV-2 Cypress Hill, CBCP-TV-3 Ponteix, CBKAT Uranium City, CBKAT-2 Fond du Lac, CBKAT-3 Stony Rapids/Black Lake, CBKGT Gravelbourg, CBKT-1 Moose Jaw, CBKT-10 Hudson Bay, CBKT-2 Willow Bunch, CBKT-3 Fort Qu’Apelle, CBKT-6 Yorkton, CBKT-7 Warmley, CBKT-8 Wynyard, CBKT-9 Norquay, CBKT-4 Swift Current an No Call Sign Riverhurst.

Barry Burgess died at age 63. He spent 35 years with CBC, 25 of them in Saskatchewan, before retiring in 2002.

2010

On August 9, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CBKT and its transmitters to March 31, 2011.

2011

On March 24, the CRTC approved the application by the CBC to amend the licence for CBKT-TV to add a post-transition digital transmitter to serve the population of Regina. The transmitter would operate on channel 9 with an average effective radiated power of 33,600 watts (maximum ERP of 60,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 207.2 metres).

On March 29, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CBKT-TV until August 31, 2012. The Commission 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 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 CRTC also noted that pursuant to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-69, it did not intend to renew authorizations to operate transitional digital transmitters included in these licences, beyond August 31, 2011.

The CRTC approved an amendment to the technical parameters of CBKT Regina in order to change the technical parameters of CBKST Saskatoon. This technical amendment was submitted subsequent to the Corporation’s request filed on July 14, for authority to maintain certain analogue transmitters in mandatory markets. The application reflected a reduction in effective radiated power from 325,000 watts to 10,000 watts. The reduction in ERP would also reduce potential interference to CFRE-DT Regina once it became operational. All other technical parameters remained unchanged. CBKST would operate at the existing CBC broadcast site and use its existing antenna. It would rebroadcast the full signal of CBKT-DT Regina after August 31.

August 31 was the deadline for the conversion of analog to digital for television stations in mandatory markets. CBKT made the switch on that date, using channel 9 for digital (virtual 9.1) – the same channel it had used for analog broadcasting.

Jill Spelliscy, the managing director of CBC Saskatchewan, retired. Her successor was John Agnew who was regional director of radio & television with CBC Yellowknife.

Former CBC Vancouver Regional Operations Manager Marc Turenne died at age 54. He began his CBC career in Regina, transferring to Vancouver in the late 1980s, where he stayed for 17 years. He then moved to Winnipeg and began a home inspection company.

Paul Dederick, a 20-year veteran and executive producer of CBC News Saskatchewan, was promoted to managing editor at CBC Regina.

2012

On July 17, the CRTC announced that effective 1 August 2012, it would revoke the broadcasting licences for CBIT Sydney and CBKST Saskatoon and their transmitters. The Commission also approved the request to amend the licences for 23 English- and French-language television stations operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in order that reference to all analog transmitters be deleted. The CBC planned to cease operation of all these transmitters on 31 July 2012. The licences for the following transmitters were removed from the CBKT-DT licence: CBCP-TV-2 Cypress Hill, CBKAT-2 Fond du Lac, CBKT-3 Fort Qu’Appelle, CBKGT Gravelbourg, CBKT-10 Hudson Bay, CBKT-1 Moose Jaw, CBKT-9 Norquay, CBCP-TV-3 Ponteix, CBKT-5 Riverhurst, CBCP-TV-1 Shaunavon, CBKAT-3 Stony Rapids/Black Lake, CBKT-4 Swift Current, CBKAT Uranium City, CBKT-7 Warmley, CBKT-2 Willow Bunch, CBKT-8 Wynyard, and CBKT-6 Yorkton. The licences for the following CBKST transmitters were revoked: CBKBT Beauval, CBKDT Buffalo Narrows, CBKST-11 Greenwater Lake, CBKCT Ile-à-la-Crosse, CBKDT-2 La Loche, CBKST-2 La Ronge, CBKST-3 Leoville, CBCS-TV-1 Meadow Lake, CBKST-5 Montreal Lake, CBKST-15 Nipawin, CBKST-10 North Battleford, CBKDT-1 Palmbere Lake, CBKPT Patuanak, CBKST-6 Pinehouse Lake, CBKST-9 Prince Albert, CBKST-8 Southend, CBKST-13 Spiritwood, CBKST-4 Stanley Mission, and CBKST-1 Stranraer. CBKST Saskatoon operated as a retransmitter of CBKT Regina. It did not originate any local programming.

On August 9, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CBKT-DT until August 31, 2013.

2013

On May 28, the CRTC renewed CBKT-DT’s licence for a five year term, to August 31, 2018.

Costa Maragos, the face of CBC-TV in Saskatchewan, retired at the end of March. He had been with CBC for 31 years and an anchor for the supper hour TV newscast for 23 years

The story continues elsewhere…
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