Wide World of Sports (Canadian TV program)

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Wide World of Sports was a Canadian sports magazine series, which aired on CTV from 1964 to 1991. [1] A franchised adaptation of the American Wide World of Sports , the program initially aired a mixture of content from the American series and original Canadian content produced by CTV and its affiliates, [2] with the balance shifting much more strongly toward original Canadian content in later years. [1]

Like the American series, the Saturday afternoon program presented a package of sporting events, principally in sports such as lacrosse, boxing, skiing, auto racing, rodeo, tennis and figure skating, which did not typically receive the kind of full prime-time broadcasts that were typical in major league team sports like football, baseball or hockey. [3]

The series premiered on September 19, 1964. [4] Jim McKay, the host of the American version, was occasionally seen on the show, although Johnny Esaw served as the primary Canadian host. [5] Pat Marsden and Dan Matheson were also associated with the program as play-by-play announcers for various sports.

Esaw retired from CTV in 1990, [6] and was replaced as host by Rod Black. [7]

The show aired its final episode on December 28, 1991. It was replaced with the similar CTV Sports Presents, which was cohosted by Black and Tracy Wilson. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Ken McKee, "Out with old Wide World, in with new CTV Presents". Toronto Star , December 20, 1991.
  2. ↑ "CTV Signs 'Wide World of Sports'". Ottawa Journal , May 30, 1964.
  3. ↑ Les Wedman, "The Glass Eye". Vancouver Sun , May 11, 1964.
  4. ↑ Bob Shiels, "On Television". Calgary Herald , September 18, 1964.
  5. ↑ "New schedule starts on CJOH". Ottawa Citizen , September 5, 1964.
  6. ↑ Ken McKee, "Johnny Esaw hangs up his mike after 41 years in broadcasting". Toronto Star , February 19, 1990.
  7. ↑ Ken McKee, "'World' to widen on CTV". Toronto Star , November 20, 1990.
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