September 18, 2014
CTV Edmonton today celebrates 60 years of delivering unmatched programming and trusted news coverage to Edmontonians across the region. Leading up to its “diamond” anniversary, CTV Edmonton kicks off celebrations with a series of retrospective stories slated to air each Thursday for six weeks on CTV News at Six beginning this Thursday, September 18.
Reporter Dave Ewasuk takes viewers through historical, behind-the-scenes footage and on-air moments captured during the station’s early days as Channel 3, CFRN-TV. CTV Edmonton also welcomes viewers to take a trip down memory lane as it presents Return to Popcorn Playhouse, a special live-audience look back at the original CTV Edmonton children’s program Popcorn Playhouse with Klondike Eric, airing Friday, October 24.
“We have immense pride in our place in Edmonton’s history, and are honoured to be welcomed into the homes of viewers across Edmonton and the surrounding region,” said Lloyd Lewis, Vice-President, CTV Edmonton and CTV Two Alberta. “We are delighted to celebrate 60 years of telling the stories that matter most to Edmontonians, and look forward to marking similar milestones in the future.”
CTV Edmonton’s look back at its long and storied history also features special online and social media content including never before seen and behind-the-scenes footage of the station through the years, available at edmonton.ctvnews.ca.
Launched on October 17, 1954 by broadcast pioneer Dr. G.R.A “Dick” Rice, CFRN was Edmonton’s first television station and the second station operating in Alberta. Beginning with a single live camera, its telecasts first appeared on Edmonton’s Channel 3 as the sole signal available in the region. Home to beloved programs Noon Show and Eye on Edmonton, CFRN also fed the first network program in Alberta, the official opening of the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in May, 1957.
In 1988, CFRN was sold to Electrohome Ltd., which later merged with Baton Broadcasting in 1997. The station was finally acquired by CTV Inc. in 1999.
