CBC Radio One

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Image:Cbc radio one.gif CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming. It is available to ninety-eight percent of Canadians, and is also available overseas through Radio Canada International and also over the Internet.

A modified version of CBC Radio One, with local content replaced by additional airings of national programming, is also available on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 137. It airs on both Sirius Canada and the U.S. based service.

Contents

History

CBC radio began in 1936, and is the oldest branch of the Corporation. In 1949, the facilities and staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland were transferred to CBC upon Newfoundland and Labrador's entry into Canadian confederation.

Beginning in 1944, the CBC operated two English language radio services, the original network became the Trans-Canada Network and a new network, the Dominion Network was established with CJBC in Toronto as its flagship.

With the exception of CJBC, all 35 stations on the CBC Dominion Network were privately owned affiliates, its programming tended to be lighter than that of the Trans-Canada Network and carried more American programming in its schedule. As well, the Dominion Network operated only in the evenings freeing affiliates to air local programming during the days.

In 1962, the Dominion Network was dissolved and within a few years CJBC became a French-language station broadcasting the programming of Radio-Canada.

In 1960, the CBC began running distinct programming on its FM stations, which were previously simulcasts of the AM stations. This was discontinued in 1962, but resumed in 1964.

CBC Radio stopped running commercial advertising in 1974. In 1975, the FM network was branded CBC Stereo, and the AM service was designated CBC Radio.

In the 1990s, many of the CBC's AM stations moved to FM, meaning that the old distinction between the AM "Radio" network and the FM "Stereo" network was no longer accurate. As a result, in 1997 the services were rebranded with CBC Radio becoming CBC Radio One and CBC Stereo becoming CBC Radio Two. By 2007, four of Radio One's remaining AM stations, CBX Edmonton, CBK Saskatoon, CBW Winnipeg and CBR Calgary will have FM transmitters to simulcast the AM programming. [1]

See also La Première Chaîne and Espace musique, the CBC's French language equivalents to CBC Radio One and Two.

CBC Radio One today

CBC Radio One promotional spots are generally announced by Canadian actress Shauna MacDonald, also known as "Promo Girl". Until fall 2005, promos ended with one of two slogans: either "Because sometimes a picture needs a thousand words" or "Hear the big picture".

Some CBC Radio One programs, such as Definitely Not the Opera and As It Happens, also air on some stations associated with American Public Media. Some CBC-SRC programs are relayed on Radio Canada International for listeners abroad.

From August 15, 2005, until the first week of October, 2005, the CBC workers who were members of the Canadian Media Guild were locked out by CBC management. During that time, regular programming was replaced by re-runs of previous shows, shows from other broadcasters (such as the BBC), and at least one "scab" production, Vinyl Tap, hosted by Canadian musician Randy Bachman. [2]

CBC Radio One stations

Two CBC Radio One stations, CBN in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and CBU in Vancouver, British Columbia, operate shortwave relay transmitters, which use the call signs of CKZN and CKZU respectively.

Both transmitters broadcast 1 kW ERP signals on a frequency of 6160 kHz, and are difficult to receieve in their intended target areas due to increased terrestrial noise from modern electrical and electronic systems.

Some have suggested that CBC/Radio-Canada create a new high power shortwave digital radio service for more effective coverage of isolated areas. However these coverage plans will be slowed by CBC/SRC near-term plans for new ATSC televsion and digital AM radio transmitters.

CBC Radio One schedule

Most schedules include hourly news readings that run from 6-12 minutes on the top of the hour except for major programming like the 6pm news show and Cross Country Checkup. Some mid-day programs include only brief 90-second "information updates".

The Radio One feed on Sirius Satellite Radio has no local programming, and repeats other shows in time slots that would normally occupied by local programming. It carries the first feed of The World at Six at 6 PM Atlantic Time (5 PM Eastern Time), and also carries The World at Six in its last airing at 6 PM Pacific Time.

In the summer months of July and August, some programming is temporarily shortened and/or replaced by special summer series. During the CBC's recent labour dispute, most of the following schedule was temporarily replaced by a mix of repeat airings of recent CBC programs, BBC World news programming and music from the CBC service Galaxie.

Weekdays

Saturdays

  • Note: The brief National Research Council Time Signal airs at 1:00 PM Eastern time across the network. Also, due to scheduling issues created by time zone differences, stations in the Maritime Provinces air repeats of Bunny Watson at 6 p.m., followed by The World This Weekend at 7, Madly Off in All Directions at 7:30 and an abbreviated one-hour version of Vinyl Tap at 8. In Nunavut, Bunny Watson is heard at 7:00 and followed by the one-hour abbreviated broadcast of Vinyl Tap. Note that Bunny Watson no longer airs on other CBC Radio One stations outside of these regions.

Sundays

Some Sunday scheduling may vary from station to station, as Cross Country Checkup airs live across Canada at 4 p.m. Eastern time.

External links