CFRE-DT

Last updated

CFRE-DT
Channels
Branding
Programming
Affiliations Global
Ownership
Owner
CFSK-DT
History
First air date
September 6, 1987(37 years ago) (1987-09-06)
Former call signs
CFRE-TV (1987–2011)
Former channel number(s)
Analogue: 11 (VHF, 1987–2011)
Independent (1987–1997)
Call sign meaning
Regina
Technical information
Licensing authority
 CRTC
ERP 17.3 kW
HAAT 300.0 m (984 ft)
Transmitter coordinates 50°35′45″N105°4′10″W / 50.59583°N 105.06944°W / 50.59583; -105.06944
Links
Website Global Regina

CFRE-DT (channel 11) is a television station in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, part of the Global Television Network. The station is owned and operated by network parent Corus Entertainment and maintains studios on Hoffer Drive and McDonald Street on the northeast side of Regina; its transmitter is located near Louis Riel Trail/Highway 11, northwest of the city.

Contents

CFRE-DT and CFSK-DT (channel 4) in Saskatoon were authorized and built together, signing on September 6, 1987, after a multi-year licensing process prolonged by the federal cabinet's unusual decision to remand a decision of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for reconsideration. The two stations, owned by CanWest, were known as STV and had identical non-local programming, with split local news for each city. In 1997, when the CanWest Global System was transformed into the present Global Television Network, the STV brand was dropped in favor of Global. Global Regina airs a three-hour local morning newscast as well as 90 minutes of local evening news, which is presented from studios in Winnipeg using a Regina-based production staff.

Prehistory

In 1984, three groups responded to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) call for applications to bring an additional television service to Saskatchewan. CanWest Capital Corporation, owner of the Global Television Network in Ontario and CKND-TV in Winnipeg, triggered the call with its bid, which proposed a station to be known as SaskWest in the planning phase and as STV on the air. Allarcom Limited, owner of CITV in Edmonton, and Saskatchewan Television Network, a consortium of Harvard Communications (owner of CKCK-TV, locally known as "CKTV") and private stations in Yorkton, Prince Albert, and Swift Current. [2] Their proposals were as follows:

One of the main problems facing the applicants at the outset was the availability of an additional channel at Regina. STV intended to broadcast on channel 13 in Regina, to be made available by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation building a new transmitter site at Belle Plaine and consolidating channels used for broadcast in Regina and Moose Jaw, [3] [7] but the federal government canceled the funding that was to be used to build the facility; the CRTC postponed a hearing for the applications, [8] and the tower project was formally cancelled in early 1985. [9]

Saskatchewan Television Network merged its bid with Allarcom in April 1985. One notable condition of the combined application is that the proposed service would not be available on broadcast TV in Saskatoon, only in Regina. [10] By contrast, SaskWest's application had only changed the proposed channel for Regina, from 13 to 11. [11]

Hearings opened in Regina on June 18, 1985, with the SaskWest bid being presented to the CRTC first. [12] The Harvard–Allarcom bid was modified, in a move that frustrated CanWest chairman Izzy Asper but answered complaints from commissioners, to specify a more independent news service from CKCK-TV and a commitment to start over-the-air broadcasting within five years, but it would otherwise mostly consist of programming from CITV. [13] [14] Asper considered the final Harvard–Allarcom proposal inadequate under the definition of a "third service", while backers of the Harvard–Allarcom bid questioned whether Saskatchewan's TV advertising market could support the station established in the SaskWest/STV plan. [15]

On September 12, 1985, the CRTC awarded the third-service licences to SaskWest based on its experience operating CKND, CanWest's financial resources, and its promised local programming. At the time, STV was slated to launch by September 1, 1986. [16] Harvard and Allarcom moved to challenge the ruling in the Federal Court of Appeal [17] and appealed to the federal cabinet with Harvard believing that any downturn in the profits from CKCK-TV could cause the company to fall into "financial jeopardy" because, despite being diversified into real estate, insurance, and oil and natural gas, the broadcasting division was responsible for more than half its total revenues. [18]

The federal cabinet, agreeing with Harvard, remanded the applications to the CRTC for reconsideration on November 8, overturning the commission's initial decision. The decision was based on two questions: whether Regina and Saskatoon were combined or separate TV markets and whether they could support the introduction of a third television service. [19] The news was a disappointment to SaskWest and its backers, faced with a setback in construction plans, who immediately suspected political lobbying had something to do with the ruling; [20] Harvard chairman Fred Hill was noted for his closeness with the Conservatives, then in federal government. [21] MPs representing Saskatoon admitted they had been lobbied by several groups; [22] the entire 14-member Saskatchewan delegation to Parliament supported the Harvard appeal. SaskWest campaigned publicly as well as with the CRTC to rally support for its bid. [23] Several provincial politicians bucked their federal parties to support SaskWest, including in the New Democratic Party [24] and the Progressive Conservatives. [25]

A second round of hearings opened in Regina on February 11, 1986. [26] The primary topic of contention was whether existing stations such as CKCK-TV could withstand the introduction of a new service. SaskWest cited the profits CKCK-TV had reported to the CRTC in recent years, [27] while Harvard and Allarcom believed a downturn in the economy was already occurring and hurting the stations. [28] The CRTC in April ruled in favor of SaskWest and reaffirmed its original decision, noting that although Regina and Saskatoon were indeed separate markets, the stations there could economically withstand a new competitor. [29] [30]

Construction and launch

Logo used at launch when the station was known as STV STV-CFRE-TVLogo1987.jpg
Logo used at launch when the station was known as STV

After winning the second decision from the CRTC, SaskWest began the process of constructing the Regina and Saskatoon stations, each to be known as STV. [31] This was the first time a Canadian broadcaster had built two stations simultaneously. [32] In Regina, this included a tower near Lumsden, while the Saskatoon station would broadcast from the CBC's tower. [33]

STV launched in both Regina (CFRE-TV 11) and Saskatoon (CFSK-TV 4) on September 6, 1987. [34] In 1994, master control for STV-Saskatoon was centralized in Regina, essentially combining the stations outside of their local programming, once a fibre-optic link was completed between the two cities. [35]

In 1997, the STV name was discontinued when the Global Television Network brand was expanded throughout Canada. [36]

News operation

When STV launched, it aired local news at noon and 6 and 10:30 p.m., the late news airing seven nights a week. The 10:30 slot allowed STV to air The World Tonight from Global in Toronto. [37] [38] [39] The World Tonight was discontinued in November 1991, when a nightly sports highlights and talk show, Sportsline, replaced it. [40] In 1994, the early news was reformatted as 555 Live, though this primarily consisted of an elongated tease into the 6 p.m. news half-hour. [41] The 6 p.m. half hour moved to 5:30 p.m. in 2001 when Global National launched. [42] Sportsline was retitled Global Sports at the same time and continued on the air until 2005, when it and its counterparts at other western Canadian Global stations were canceled. The nightly sports talk show was incorporated into an expanded hour-long late local newscast. [43] The hour-long late newscasts in Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg were split in 2007 into the 10 p.m. Prime News and the 11 p.m. Evening News. [44]

On November 28, 2011, Global Regina expanded into morning news by debuting a three-hour morning newscast. [45] The move was part of a multi-market morning news expansion that included the establishment of similar programs in Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and the Maritimes. [46] Prime News and News Final were consolidated into the hour-long News Hour Final in 2012. [47]

Global evening newscasts in Saskatchewan and Manitoba use the company's multi-market content production model. Beginning in 2021, the newscasts for Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg were presented from Winnipeg using production staff based in Regina. [48]

Notable former on-air staff

Technical information

Subchannel

Subchannel of CFRE-DT [50]
Channel Res. Aspect Short nameProgramming
11.1 1080i 16:9 CFRE-HD Global

Analogue-to-digital conversion

On August 10, 2011, three weeks before Canadian television stations in CRTC-designated mandatory markets were slated to transition from analogue to digital broadcasts, CFRE flash cut its digital signal into operation on VHF channel 11. [51] It was the first station in Regina to broadcast a digital or high-definition signal. [52] On June 13, 2019, the CRTC approved a request by Corus to shut down CFRE-TV-2 in Fort Qu'Appelle. [53]

References

  1. ↑ "Ownership Chart 32H – CORUS – TV & Discretionary Services" (PDF). Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. May 27, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Three apply for TV licence". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. August 23, 1984. p. B3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Powers, Ned (September 1, 1984). "CanWest outlines TV proposal". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. B7. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Powers, Ned (October 20, 1984). "Bids for TV service on the table". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C7. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Bell, Denise (September 18, 1984). "Group of private broadcasters proposes provincial TV network". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A15. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Powers, Ned (September 18, 1984). "Network emphasizes programming". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. B1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (October 11, 1984). "Television company offers to sell shares to public". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Third local channel hearings cancelled". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. October 30, 1984. p. A10. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (February 20, 1985). "TV broadcasters will apply for licence despite no tower". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A16. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Two vie for TV licence". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. April 19, 1985. p. B1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (April 27, 1985). "SaskWest Television pushes local content". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. B9. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (June 19, 1985). "SaskWest opens bidding for third TV network". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A5. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (June 20, 1985). "Joint venture makes last minute changes to proposal". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A9. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Humphries, Kim (June 20, 1985). "Allarcom vows to co-operate with CFQC, CBC". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. D2. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (June 21, 1985). "Network contestants blast each other's plans". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A4. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ Schroeter, Edward (September 13, 1985). "SaskWest wins right to set up new TV stations". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (October 18, 1985). "CRTC decision on TV network to be appealed". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (November 5, 1985). "Third TV station 'could put Harvard in jeopardy'". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Zakreski, Dan (November 9, 1985). "Third TV station placed on hold". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (November 9, 1985). "Regina TV decision sent back to CRTC". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (February 13, 1986). "Both sides are critical of tactics at CRTC hearings". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C4. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ Laghi, Brian (November 14, 1985). "MPs acknowledge lobby in TV station review". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (November 19, 1985). "Saskwest hits back". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Saskwest wants cabinet documents". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. November 23, 1985. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ Laghi, Brian (January 17, 1986). "Three disagree with Lane: PC MLAs again back SaskWest". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ Laghi, Brian (February 8, 1986). "Third TV station hearings set for Regina". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (February 12, 1986). "SaskWest says even with new station CKCK-TV's profits will still be high". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. D1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ Laghi, Brian (February 12, 1986). "CRTC told profits are threatened by third stations". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "SaskWest gets nod". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. April 17, 1986. p. A1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ McConachie, Doug (April 17, 1986). "Third TV station approved for city". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A1. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ Smishek, Erica (June 26, 1986). "New TV station plans local identity". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. B11. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ Johnstone, Bruce (August 29, 1987). "STV hopes viewers put new station in top spot". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. B10. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ McIntyre, Gordon (November 29, 1986). "Construction in offing for new TV station". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ "Station opening happy day for former city broadcasters". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. September 8, 1987. p. 20. Retrieved March 2, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ Pilon, Bernard (September 23, 1993). "STV trims 15 Saskatoon jobs". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A9. Retrieved March 3, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "CanWest to operate as Global Television Network". The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario, Canada. August 16, 1997. p. B8. Retrieved March 3, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ Schroeter, Ed (August 13, 1987). "Regina's new TV station signs on Sept. 6: 'A new voice' in Saskatchewan". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C12. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ "Imaginative mix of programs". The Leader-Post (Advertisement). Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. September 5, 1987. p. A10. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "Global TV news plans to include Sask., Man". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Canadian Press. August 29, 1987. p. E6. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ Stephanson, Ardith (November 8, 1991). "Tuning In". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. B3. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ Fuller, Cam (February 5, 1994). "Takin' a stand on good lookin' news". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C2. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ Lyons, Murray (August 3, 2001). "Convergence clears way for new-look news reports". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. A3. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ Hamilton, Ian (August 24, 2005). "'Global Sports' out the door". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C2. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ "Global news changes slot". Star-Phoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. September 6, 2007. p. C3. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "Regina morning shows take flight: TV networks bolster local programs". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. November 26, 2011. p. 19. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ Shaw Media. "Global News Redefines Morning Television in Toronto with the Morning Show Featuring the Return of Liza Fromer" (Press release). Newswire.ca. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  47. ↑ Shaw Media (May 30, 2012). "Global News Boosts Local Programming Across the Country" (Press release). Broadcaster. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014.
  48. ↑ Thiessen, Connie (February 4, 2021). "Global restructures Manitoba & Saskatchewan news operations". Broadcast Dialogue. Archived from the original on January 18, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  49. ↑ Bentley, George (December 26, 1987). "Regina's television faces: Sitting in the anchor chair". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C2. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ "RabbitEars TV Query for CFRE". RabbitEars . Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Digital Television". Office of Consumer Affairs. Archived from the original on November 19, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  52. ↑ Matte, Andrew (August 11, 2011). "Global first with HD in Regina". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. p. C1. Retrieved March 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  53. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision 2019-209". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. June 13, 2019. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
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