Industry News

IT WAS JULY 29th … when the CBC’s prairie powerhouse CBK-540 signed on with 50,000 watts from Watrous, Saskatchewan, as the only CBC radio outlet between Winnipeg and Vancouver… When Jack Paar (pictured) began his five-year run as host of NBC-TV’s “Tonight Show”… When Jim Hartz was named to join Barbara Walters as co-host of the Today show on NBC…. …and when millions around the world watched on television as Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were wed in London. ALL the milestones for July 29th INSIDE.

Famed for bringing musicians like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis into the public eye, the Order of British Columbia rightly recognizes Red’s importance to Vancouver’s music scene.

Program Director Adam West says these are exciting times as he introduces 4 new young talents for Energy 108

It’s the date of birth of radio announcer Bill Goodwin and TV announcer Art Hannes, producer Dick Ebersol and CBS anchorman Scott Pelley. Judy Garland recorded her iconic ‘Over the Rainbow,’ Regina got Saskatchewan’s 1st TV station, Toronto’s Crew Cuts had their only #1 song hit, Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut, Kathie Lee Gifford (pictured) made her last appearance on TV’s ‘Live with Regis & Kathie Lee’, and Rosemary Clooney had a #1 hit with ‘Come On-a My House.’ Obits include radio announcing heavyweights Truman Bradley and Jackson Beck, actress Eileen Brennan and radio’s first Lone Ranger, George Seaton. Details of these and scores more milestones for July 28th INSIDE.

IT WAS JULY 27th .. when Moose Jaw radio station CJRM signed on with 500 watts at 665 KHz. It was later moved to Regina and became CKRM …. When Steve Allen (pictured) began a local late-night TV talk show in New York City that the following year went national on NBC-TV as ‘The Tonight Show’ …. When a summer replacement series “Dean Martin Presents The Bobby Darin Amusement Company” debuted on NBC-TV… .. and when NBC-TV removed the daily Dinah’s Place from its programming roster. The move brought Dinah Shore’s 23-year association with the Peacock Network to a close. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

As Canada’s beloved Tragically Hip arrive in Alberta for four concerts over the span of a week, a new radio station has launched featuring an all-Tragically Hip format.

CBC News correspondent Duncan McCue replaces Rex Murphy, who stepped down last September after 21 years.

IT WAS JULY 26th .. when the Abe Burrows Show premiered on CBS radio, as the comedy writer got his own 15 minute program… When UBC radio station CiTR was approved for operation on 650 KHz via AM carrier current, to cover the Point Grey campus only…. When the ABC-TV daytime soap General Hospital taped its 7,000th episode… ..and when legendary radio personality Don Percy (pictured) did his last morning show on Vancouver’s oldies station CISL AM 650, before returning to Winnipeg. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

The original name of the television outlet was to be CKTV, but in the summer of 1956, Armstrong announced its new identity — CHEK-TV. Broadcast standards of the day required six-character call letters, starting with CH, CJ or CK. Armstrong said they chose CHEK “because it lends itself to promotional ideas — for instance: ‘Check Channel 6 tonight.’”

Jack Braverman, 'one of the best I've ever hired' says former radio man Mel Cooper....