{"id":4265,"date":"2024-12-06T09:06:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T14:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/?p=4265"},"modified":"2024-12-06T09:06:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T14:06:21","slug":"chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-4265-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview","title":{"rendered":"CHRO-TV Television Station in Ottawa: A Historical Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>CHRO-TV is a renowned television station licensed in Pembroke, Ontario, serving Canada\u2019s capital as part of the CTV 2 network. <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\">Ottawa Future<\/a> dives deeper into the history of this iconic analog channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a29703d76fa7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a29703d76fa7\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-4265-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview\/#The_First_Broadcast\" title=\"The First Broadcast\">The First Broadcast<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-4265-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview\/#Changes\" title=\"Changes\">Changes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-4265-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview\/#%E2%80%9CCHRO-TV_Seeks_to_Leave_CBC%E2%80%9D\" title=\"&#8220;CHRO-TV Seeks to Leave CBC&#8221;\">&#8220;CHRO-TV Seeks to Leave CBC&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-4265-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview\/#Baton_Broadcasting_and_MCTV\" title=\"Baton Broadcasting and MCTV\">Baton Broadcasting and MCTV<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-4265-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa-a-historical-overview\/#Notable_Programming\" title=\"Notable Programming\">Notable Programming<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_First_Broadcast\"><\/span>The First Broadcast<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The historic date was August 19, 1961, when CHRO-TV first aired as CHOV-TV, an affiliate of CBC Television, Canada\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The launch of CHOV-TV marked a new era in Ottawa\u2019s information landscape. Until then, television stations were accessible only to residents of large cities. Newspaper coverage from that time highlights the event\u2019s massive public interest. CHOV-TV quickly became one of Ottawa\u2019s most popular television stations, playing a pivotal role in informing the public and enriching the city\u2019s cultural life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-15.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-15.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-15-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Changes\"><\/span>Changes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expanded Coverage: Lavigne began adding retransmissions in other communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technological Innovation: By 1965, he owned the world\u2019s largest private microwave transmission network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expansion Efforts: In 1974, Lavigne acquired the financially troubled CHOV-TV, rebranding it as CHRO-TV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s logo and program schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-16.png 800w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-16-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-16-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-16-696x522.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CCHRO-TV_Seeks_to_Leave_CBC%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;CHRO-TV Seeks to Leave CBC&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1986, the Ottawa Citizen published an article by CHRO-TV staff writer Doug Johnson titled <em>&#8220;CHRO-TV Seeks to Leave CBC.&#8221;<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s shows, rock video programs, country music, news, and interview segments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Baton_Broadcasting_and_MCTV\"><\/span>Baton Broadcasting and MCTV<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s operations to prevent Baton Broadcasting from gaining an unfair advantage in Ottawa\u2019s market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <em>The New RO<\/em> and integrated into the NewNet system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On August 2, 2005, the station was rebranded as A-Channel, owned by Bell Media\u2019s subsidiary. The gradual relaunch began in 2008, and on May 30, 2011, A-Channel was renamed CTV 2. Its morning show was rebranded as <em>CTV Morning Live.<\/em> By the 2018-2019 season, the network transitioned to the new CTV brand under CTV 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-17.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-17.png 1020w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-17-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-17-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/image-17-696x388.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Notable_Programming\"><\/span>Notable Programming<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CHRO-TV and later CTV 2 featured a diverse array of programming, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Family-Friendly Content: Movies and a selection of family-oriented series.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local News: Coverage of Ottawa and surrounding areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>American Late-Night Shows: Such as NBC\u2019s <em>The Tonight Show<\/em> and <em>Late Night.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sports Events: Including National Hockey League\u2019s Ottawa Senators games.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classic Sitcoms and Dramas: Traditional favourites from the U.S.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Special Coverage: Such as the 2010 Winter Olympics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, CHRO-TV\u2019s programming evolved, offering diverse content. Today, CTV 2 continues to provide varied programming, available on digital platforms for convenient viewing across devices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CHRO-TV is a renowned television station licensed in Pembroke, Ontario, serving Canada\u2019s 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\u2019s national [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":488,"featured_media":3494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1115],"tags":[3956,3961,3955,3962,3957,3964,3958,3959,3960,3502,3963],"moimportance":[29,30,33],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[18],"class_list":{"0":"post-4265","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-it-sphere","8":"tag-baton-broadcasting-and-mctv","9":"tag-cbc-3","10":"tag-chro-tv-3","11":"tag-chro-tv-television-station-in-ottawa","12":"tag-ctv-2-3","13":"tag-favorite-programs","14":"tag-financial-crisis","15":"tag-first-broadcast","16":"tag-genres-of-television-station","17":"tag-history-of-ottawa","18":"tag-new-era-in-the-information-field","19":"moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","20":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","21":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","22":"motype-eternal","23":"moformat-vlasna"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/488"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4265"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4269,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4265\/revisions\/4269"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4265"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4265"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4265"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}