Western Broadcast was formed In 1981 to represent the interests WlC’s radio properties. The company’s mandate was to be a full service representative company and to that end, representation was extended beyond WIC holdings to a number of other major market radio stations.
In 1984, WlC’s major holding, BCTV, left All Canada Radio & Television {a subsidiary of Selkirk) to move its representation to WBS, thus becoming the founding client for a new television division. A mandate to be a competitive full service representation firm was extended to the new television as well, and in 1985, CKRS/CFRS Jonquiere/Chicoutimi, 47, CFMT – Southern Ontario and WCAX-TV Burlington, Vermont (serving English Montreal) all joined the emerging television division.
In 1987, the radio division of WBS merged with Standard to create a new company – Integrated Media Sales, leaving WBS as purely a television representation firm. At that point, Keith Morrison replaced Vic Menage as President & CEO.
As WIC expanded its television holdings, via the purchase of some of Selkirk’s assets, was expanded as a consequence with the representation of 2&7 (CICT and CISA) Calgary/Lethbrldge and CHBC-TV (BCI-TV) Okanagan/Kamloops. A subsequent purchase of Aalarcom brought representation of lTV Edmonton and CKRD Red Deer to WBS and moved its status to third or fourth largest television representative company in Canada.
On September 1, 1991, WBS completed negotiations through which it acquired the television division of AIl Canada and emerged finally as the largest television marketing company in Canada. Stations included in the movement from AIl Canada to WBS at that time included; CKSA/ClTL Lloydminster, CKX Brandon, CHMI Winnipeg, CFGS, Ottawa/Hull, CKRN/CFVS Rouyn, CFPL London and CHCH-TV Toronto/Hamilton.
From an original staff of thirteen people In 1961, WBS now employed sixty-one people in three offices – Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver and billed close to $2000,000,000 in television airtime by 2005.
Written by Keith Morrison, 2007