CHRO-TV is a renowned television station licensed in Pembroke, Ontario, serving Canada’s capital as part of the CTV 2 network. Ottawa Future dives deeper into the history of this iconic analog channel.
The First Broadcast
The historic date was August 19, 1961, when CHRO-TV first aired as CHOV-TV, an affiliate of CBC Television, Canada’s national public broadcaster. Owned by Gordon Archibald, who also owned CHOV radio, the station was immediately thrust into the spotlight due to a labour conflict as its staff unionized.
The launch of CHOV-TV marked a new era in Ottawa’s information landscape. Until then, television stations were accessible only to residents of large cities. Newspaper coverage from that time highlights the event’s massive public interest. CHOV-TV quickly became one of Ottawa’s most popular television stations, playing a pivotal role in informing the public and enriching the city’s cultural life.
Changes
In 1976, a financial crisis led to CHOV radio shutting down for six days. The following year, the station was acquired by J. Conrad Lavigne, a Canadian media pioneer and magnate, who introduced several significant changes:
- Bilingual Broadcasting: In 1956, Conrad Lavigne launched CFCL-TV in Timmins, Ontario, which aired both English and French CBC programming. This station operated until 2002.
- Expanded Coverage: Lavigne began adding retransmissions in other communities.
- Technological Innovation: By 1965, he owned the world’s largest private microwave transmission network.
- Expansion Efforts: In 1974, Lavigne acquired the financially troubled CHOV-TV, rebranding it as CHRO-TV.
In 1980, CHRO-TV became part of Mid-Canada Communications (Canada) Corp., a media company active from 1980 to 1990. While most stations in this network operated under the MCTV brand, CHRO-TV retained its original name despite using MCTV’s logo and program schedule.
“CHRO-TV Seeks to Leave CBC”
In 1986, the Ottawa Citizen published an article by CHRO-TV staff writer Doug Johnson titled “CHRO-TV Seeks to Leave CBC.” The station aimed to break away from CBC, double its local programming, and hire 30 additional staff members. According to President Paul Marlow, CHRO-TV aspired to become an independent station dedicated to serving Ottawa Valley residents.
At the time of publication, the application for independence had been submitted, but no response had been received from the broadcasting regulator after three weeks. Marlow emphasized that independence would offer viewers a broader range of programming, including children’s shows, rock video programs, country music, news, and interview segments.
However, the process did not yield the expected results. Instead, Baton Broadcasting was granted a license to launch a new independent station in Ottawa. Subsequently, Standard Broadcasting sold CJOH-TV to Baton Broadcasting for $85 million and withdrew its independent license application in 1987. The license application was refiled in 1989 but was later withdrawn due to ownership changes.
Baton Broadcasting and MCTV
In 1990, Baton Broadcasting acquired MCTV stations, eventually becoming the sole corporate owner of CTV. At the time, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) mandated strict oversight of CHRO’s operations to prevent Baton Broadcasting from gaining an unfair advantage in Ottawa’s market.
In 1997, CHUM Limited acquired CHRO, which had lacked a transmitter in Ottawa until the CHUM acquisition. On September 7, 1998, CHRO was rebranded as The New RO and integrated into the NewNet system.
On August 2, 2005, the station was rebranded as A-Channel, owned by Bell Media’s subsidiary. The gradual relaunch began in 2008, and on May 30, 2011, A-Channel was renamed CTV 2. Its morning show was rebranded as CTV Morning Live. By the 2018-2019 season, the network transitioned to the new CTV brand under CTV 2.
Notable Programming
CHRO-TV and later CTV 2 featured a diverse array of programming, including:
- Family-Friendly Content: Movies and a selection of family-oriented series.
- Local News: Coverage of Ottawa and surrounding areas.
- American Late-Night Shows: Such as NBC’s The Tonight Show and Late Night.
- Sports Events: Including National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators games.
- Classic Sitcoms and Dramas: Traditional favourites from the U.S.
- Special Coverage: Such as the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Over the years, CHRO-TV’s programming evolved, offering diverse content. Today, CTV 2 continues to provide varied programming, available on digital platforms for convenient viewing across devices.