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| ==News operation== | ==News operation== | ||
| ] with former owner ] as of May ], a month after CTVglobemedia became defunct.]] | |||
| CTV Montreal produces 19 newscasts each week. CFCF also houses CTV's National Montreal News Bureau. | CTV Montreal produces 19 newscasts each week. CFCF also houses CTV's National Montreal News Bureau. | ||
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CFCF-DT (now identified on air as CTV Montreal, previously identified as CFCF-12) is a CTV-owned and operated station located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Until August 30, 2011, CFCF broadcasted an analogue signal on channel 12 at a maximum ERP of 325 kW.
History
Canadian Marconi Company (1961–1972)
CFCF-TV was founded by the Canadian Marconi Company owner of CFCF radio (AM 600, later CINW on AM 940 before its closure in 2010; and FM 106.5, now CKBE-FM at 92.5) after several failed attempts to gain a licence, beginning in 1938, and then each year after World War II. In 1960, it finally gained a licence, and began broadcasting on January 20, 1961 at 5.45pm. It was the second privately-owned English-language station in Quebec; CKMI-TV in Quebec City had signed on four years earlier.
The station was originally located above the Avon Theatre. The first night on-air was fraught with problems. A power failure interrupted the opening ceremony, and later on, police raided the downstairs ballroom, with sirens blazing and a number of arrests made. The station's newscast, Pulse News, faced a few problems because of the noise from the ballroom. CFCF-AM-FM-TV moved into their own facilities at 405 Ogilvy Avenue in Montreal's Park Extension neighborhood on May 19.
Channel 12 joined CTV as a charter affiliate on October 1. However, its relationship with CTV was somewhat acrimonious over the years, in part because it felt CTV's flagship station, CFTO-TV in Toronto, had too much influence over the network. This rivalry even dated to preferred alliances with American networks, with CFCF-TV preferring NBC (due to CFCF-AM's long-time co-affiliation with NBC Radio) and CFTO-TV preferring ABC (as ABC was an original junior partner owner of CFTO-TV, and John Bassett, Baton's owner, had trained with ABC's Detroit and New York affiliates). Both stations had some ties with CBS, notwithstanding CBS' relationship with CBC/Radio-Canada for news.
Multiple Access (1972–1979)
In 1972, because of new foreign ownership guidelines implemented by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), CFCF-TV (owned by General Electric Canada through Canadian Marconi/The General Electric Company (UK), Ltd.) and its sister stations CFCF-AM, CFQR-FM and CFCX-SW were sold to computer and telecommunications company Multiple Access Ltd., owned by the Bronfman family.
Multiple Access bought the stations after the CRTC refused to approve purchase offers by Baton Broadcasting (after other CTV partners rejected this sale, and Baton's not wanting to purchase the radio operations only—and due historical rivalries between Baton and CFCF), and by CHUM Limited (because of indecision over which radio stations would be sold to meet radio ownership limits in Montreal). Multiple Access also was co-owner of CITY-TV in Toronto (with CHUM) during this time. (Both Baton and CHUM-CITY became CTVglobemedia, which was later in turn became Bell Media, the current owner of CFCF).
CFCF Inc. (1979-1990s)
In 1979, Multiple Access sold the stations and its production company, Champlain Productions, to CFCF Inc., headed by Jean Pouliot. Later on, the station began broadcasting a 24/7 schedule full of classic TV shows and movies on late nights, because of the popularity of VHS and Betamax VCRs by that time. As of today, the station now airs mostly infomercials on late nights.
This came after a deal by Baton (this time a willing partner) to purchase Multiple Access Montreal operations fell through. CHUM successfully purchased Multiple Access' Toronto operations (its share of CITY-TV).
CFCF Inc., expanded to include the assets of CF Cable TV, acquired by Pouliot in 1982, went public in 1985.
In 1986, CFCF gained a sister station: CFJP-TV, the flagship station of Pouliot's new French language network, Television Quatre-Saisons (TQS, now V). CFCF's profits were used to fund the ailing TQS. Two years later, the radio stations were sold to Mount-Royal Broadcasting, and moved out of the CFCF building a year later.
CanWest Global and Videotron (1990s)
Financial relief came to the company in the 1990s, thanks to CanWest Global. CanWest Global invested money into the station, in exchange for applying to the CRTC to operate a Global repeater station in Montreal. However, CanWest Global changed its mind, citing tax problems. It did, however, allow CFCF to carry some Global programs; it was already airing some programming from Citytv. This would not be the end of Global's influence at the station.
In 1997, TVA sold an interest in CKMI to Canwest. The two companies announced plans to turn CKMI into a Global station, along with a CKMI repeater in Montreal and a large studio complex in Montreal. Pouliot was scared by the prospect of new competition and decided to sell his assets to Vidéotron. However, Vidéotron also owned TVA, which retained a half-interest in CKMI. This would have resulted in one company having a significant stake in all of the private stations in Montreal—CFCF, CKMI, CFJP and TVA flagship CFTM-TV.
As a result, Vidéotron sold CFCF to Western International Communications (WIC), who also owned CHAN and CHEK in British Columbia, CHCH in Ontario and several stations in Alberta. Over the next few years, CFCF would limit its carriage of CTV programming to little more than its contractually-required 40 hours per week, relying on WIC's library of programming to fill out the schedule, due in large part to the historical tensions between WIC and Baton Broadcasting, the new owners of the CTV network. Meanwhile, TQS was sold to Quebecor, and later to Cogeco and Bell Globemedia (which later became CTVglobemedia and now known as Bell Media).
CTV (2001-present)
CanWest bought WIC's television assets in 2000. However, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) would not allow CFCF to be twinsticked with CKMI because Montreal's Anglophone population was too small (though it allowed CanWest to keep CJNT-TV, a multicultural station WIC had bought a year earlier). The station was placed under trusteeship, and had to be sold in short order. In 2001, amid all these wranglings over ownership, Bell Globemedia, owner of CTV, bought the station. With the opening of the Fall 2001 television season, CFCF officially adopted the CTV schedule and all non-CTV shows were dropped. The station also adopted a new golden call letter logo similar to all other CTV owned stations, as well as similar promo and newscast graphics. After 40 years of being master of its own house to a large degree, CFCF lost much of that independence and maneuverability through the CTV/Bell Globemedia deal.
With the exception of local newscasts, which all CTV stations have, CFCF's program schedule is identical to every other CTV station. On October 3, 2005, the unique "CFCF" name used for the station ID and its local news, CFCF News (formerly known as Pulse News until the Bell Globemedia purchase), was abolished and simply renamed "CTV" and "CTV News". So strong was the "Pulse" brand-name that even years after it was eliminated, many viewers still refer to the newscast as "Pulse". This renaming to "CTV News" was done at all affiliates across the country — to provide a common brand for the entire network. In 2003, CTV Montreal moved to 1205 Papineau Avenue in the eastern part of downtown, and the master control operations were moved to 9 Channel Nine Court, the home of CTV flagship CFTO-TV in Toronto. The area has now become Montreal's (and French Canada's) main media district; CBC, Global, RDS, V and TVA are all within several blocks.
By 2005, Bell Globemedia was considered to be a non-core asset by parent company BCE (Bell Canada Enterprises) and was sold to a group of investors, which includes the Thomson family. The Bell Globemedia group (made up of the entire CTV Network, as well as the Globe and Mail newspaper and a variety of other channels and media assets) was renamed "CTVGlobemedia" in late-2006. In April 2011 BCE bought full ownership of CTVGlobemedia and changed the name to "Bell Media".
The new media giant also acquired CHUM Limited's holdings in 2006, including the A-Channel stations, MuchMusic and a variety of other specialty channels. But the CHUM deal has also raised serious questions about the high degree of media concentration in Canada. This new conglomerate now owns more than one TV station in several Canadian markets — increasing the worry about job losses and cutbacks.
CFCF has always been the number one, top-rated television station for Anglophone Quebecers. As well, a significant number of bilingual Francophones also watch CFCF — for both programming and news — although CFTM (TVA), CFJP (V) and CBFT (Radio-Canada) are the obvious market leaders for Quebec's French community.
CFCF's schedule is now identical to flagship CTV station CFTO-TV in Toronto, with the only minor difference being Dr. Phil and The Dr. Oz Show switching their respective time slots. The Dr. Oz Show airs weekdays at 3:00 p.m (5:00 p.m on CFTO) and Dr. Phil airs on weekdays at 5:00 p.m (3:00 p.m on CFTO).
Until March 10, 2009, CFCF aired a local 6AM morning newscast, First News, pre-empting the first half hour of Canada AM; anchored by Herb Luft, it was cancelled in favor of an early start for Canada AM, which will now be seen in its entirety starting at 6AM. Morning news briefs have also been cancelled. Luft will continue his role as reporter for the station. These cancellations are a part of continuing cutbacks made by CTV due to the economic crisis. Another cut was Telethon of Stars (1977–2009) that aired during the first weekend of December, consecutively, for 32 years. As of December 2010, Telethon of Stars can only be seen through the Internet (via an 8-hour webcast), with no television equivalent aired.
On August 5, 2009, CTV camera operator, 44-year-old Hugh Haugland was killed after a helicopter crash near Mont-Laurier about 240 kilometres from Montreal, Haugland was shooting footage of the destruction left behind by a tornado that touched down in the area on August 4, 2009. The other person killed in the crash was Roger Belanger, a veteran pilot and local businessman who was in his 60s.
Most recently, the station began airing promos for Bell Media's secondary television network, CTV Two, despite the fact that CTV Two stations are only available on satellite, with no Quebec locations.
Availability
On cable, CFCF is seen on Vidéotron channel 11 in the Montreal area (channel 7 in SD and channel 607 in HD on digital cable), Charter Plattsburgh channel 13 and Comcast Burlington channel 21; it is also seen on Bell TV via channels 205 (SD) and 1031 (HD), Shaw Direct via channel 312, and on Bell Fibe via channels 205 (SD) and 1205 (HD). Most cable distributors in Quebec also carry CFCF, as it is the only CTV station in the province. Despite having only one transmitter, its signal reaches all the way to the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions, and also decently covers the Champlain Valley region in Vermont and New York.
Before 1997, when CHCH and CITY launched rebroadcast transmitters in the Ottawa region, local cable companies there carried CFCF as well. Because CHCH and CFCF were sharing some programs, CFCF was removed from these systems, except for Rogers Cable.
Programming
The station now airs all of the standard CTV schedule. In the past, some children's programming was pre-empted, because of provincial regulations on advertising; the station now carries CTV's few remaining children's programs with public service announcements during ad breaks. As well, CFCF did not carry either Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy! when these were part of the standard CTV schedule; both were picked up by CBC nationally in fall 2008.
As with most Canadian stations, the prime-time schedule is usually synchronized with the original American airings of the same programs because all major stations serving the Plattsburgh/Burlington area -- WPTZ, WVNY, WFFF-TV and WCAX -- are available on cable in Montreal. CFCF's ratings do generally top all of those stations, as well as the regional CBC Montreal station.
News operation
CTV Montreal produces 19 newscasts each week. CFCF also houses CTV's National Montreal News Bureau.
One of its most famous anchors, Bill Haugland, is now retired; his last show aired on November 30, 2006. Bill worked at CFCF for more than 40 years. He covered major stories in the 1960s and 1970s before becoming the lead anchor at CFCF in the late-1970s. Bill was an institution and in a special "Farewell to Bill" show broadcast on his final day, he was heralded by colleagues, viewers and former prime ministers alike. Another veteran newscaster, Brian Britt, who replaced Bill Haugland in 2006 when he retired, retired in July 2008, and was then fully replaced by Todd van der Heyden. Britt's last broadcast was on July 24, 2008. On May 11, 2011, it was announced that long time late night news anchor Debra Arbec left the station to become the main anchor at CBC Montreal. Various other anchors filled in the void for the remainder of May and then June 2011. CTV reporter/former CJAD & CJFM news announcer Catherine Sherriffs became Arbec's permanent replacement on July 4, 2011. On December 2, 2011, lead anchor Todd van der Heyden announced he would step down at the end of the month to become an anchor at CTV News Channel in Toronto. Weekend anchor Paul Karwatsky was announced as interim anchor to replace Van der Heyden while a permanent anchor is found, beginning in 2012. During the evening, on January 18, 2012, it was made official that Karwatsky will occupy the permanent co-anchor position, along side Mutsumi Takahashi.
News/station presentation
Newscast titles
- Pulse News (1961–2001)
- CFCF News (2001–2005)
- CTV News (2005–present)
Station slogans
- More to See
- Taking you to the Stars (1981/82)
- It's All Happening Right Here (1983/84)
- Twelve's the One (1984/85)
- Just Look! Look What's Here on 12. (1985/86)
- More On 12.
- Stand Up and Tell'em Montreal's Great! (1986–1989)
- Great Things Going On. (1989–1993)
- 10, 20, 30 Years...It Seems Like Yesterday (1991, 30th anniversary celebrations)
- The 1 2 Watch. (1993–1997)
- Montreal's 1 2 Watch, CFCF 12. (1997–2001)
- Montreal's One To Watch, CTV. (2001–2005; used as a slogan only, no jingle)
- Montreal's Watching CTV. (2005–2008)
 | This list related to film, television, or video is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |
News team
Anchors
- Mutsumi Takahashi - weekdays at noon and weeknights at 6 p.m.
- Paul Karwatsky - weekdays at noon and weeknights at 6 p.m. (permanent basis as of January 18, 2012)
- Catherine Sherriffs - weeknights at 11:30 p.m.; also reporter
- Tarah Schwartz - weekends at 6 p.m.; also reporter and weekday fill-in anchor
Weather team
- Lori Graham - lead weather specialist; weekdays at noon, and weeknights at 6 and 11:30 p.m.
- Lise McAuley - weather specialist; weekends at 6 and 11:30 p.m., also weekday fill-in
- Randy Renaud - weather specialist; fill-in (also an announcer at CHOM)
Sports team
- Randy Tieman - lead sports anchor/reporter
- Brian Wilde - sports anchor/reporter
- André Corbeil - sports anchor/reporter
- Paul Graif - sports anchor/reporter
- Ted Bird - columnist
Reporters
- Annie DeMelt - general assignment reporter (currently on maternity leave until 2012)
- Laura Casella - general assignment reporter
- Derek Conlon - general assignment reporter
- Kevin Gallagher - general assigment reporter
- Stephane Giroux - legislative affairs reporter
- Kevin Gould - online reporter
- Nadine Ishack - "Sunday Bite" feature reporter
- Maya Johnson - general assignment reporter
- Tania Krywiak - general assignment reporter
- Anne Lewis - general assignment reporter (currently on extended medical leave)
- Amy Luft - online reporter
- Rob Lurie - general assignment reporter
- Christine Long - entertainment reporter "What's On"
- Mose Persico - feature reporter "Mose at the Movies"; host "Reel to Real" & "Entertainment Wrap" featurettes
- Camille Ross - general assignment reporter
- Aphrodite Salas - general assignment reporter
- Mark Shaloub - general assignment reporter
- Cindy Sherwin - general assignment reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Caroline van Vlaardingen - investigative/consumer reporter "On Your Side"; also fill-in anchor
Digital television and high definition
The station began providing a High-Definition feed to Videotron and Bell Fibe on December 1, 2009 and in September 2010 respectively. It signed-on over the air on temporary pre-transition channel 51 on January 28, 2011.
On August 31, 2011, the deadline for the analogue television shutdown and digital conversion, CFCF shut down its analog signal and temporary digital transmitter just after its late night newscast and began its final full power digital transmission on channel 12.
References
- ^ Library and Archives Canada (2005-08-07). "Description of archived material: CFCF (Montreal) fonds". Retrieved 2007-12-02.
- DuImage, Bill (2007-10). "Radio Station History: CINW(CFCF)-AM, Montreal, Corus Entertainment Inc". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Chouinard, Yvon (2004-08). "Biographies: Pouliot, Jean Adelard (1923–2004)". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Canadian Newswire (2004-08). "Canada loses one of its broadcasting pioneers". Channel Canada. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - CFCF-TV: "CTV Montreal Cancels First News", 3/10/2009.
- http://blog.fagstein.com/2010/12/01/no-telethon-on-cfcf/ End of Telethon of stars
- CTV camera operator killed in helicopter crash 8/5/2009. CTV.ca
- CFCF-TV: "Condolences for the Haugland and Belanger families" 8/5/2009. CTVMontreal.ca
- Statement on the Death of CTV Cameraman Hugh Haugland CTVglobemedia press release via Canada NewsWire, August 5, 2009,
- http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120118/mtl_paul_120118/20120118/?hub=MontrealHome
- CFCF Pulse Newsbreak 1995
- CTV Montreal News (Opening/Recap/Closing) - September 17th, 2010
- Digital on air YouTube, January 28, 2011
- http://digitaltv.gc.ca/eng/1282825334983/1282825604404
External links
- CTV Montreal
- Canadian Communications Foundation - CFCF-TV History
- CFCF at TV Hat
- CFCF-TV in the REC Canadian station database
- Template:TV Fool
| Broadcast television in the Montreal market | |
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| Local stations in French (DTV) | |
| Local stations in English (DTV) | |
| Defunct | |
| Cable television | |
| CTV stations in Canada | |||||
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| Owned-and-operated stations |
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| Independently-owned affiliates | |||||
| Secondary carriers | |||||
| See also | |||||