'It brought a real added dimension to life on the prairies': Prince Albert TV station turns 65
When CKBI television launched in 1958, a little piece of Hollywood came to Prince Albert.
“As a 20-year-old walking in and seeing all of the bright lights of the studio, the equipment. It was incredible,” station manager Janet Chenier said.
Ed and Frank Rawlinson started the television station with the goal to put the local community in the spotlight. Many employees came from radio and learned the ropes of the TV industry five days before going on-air.
“We didn’t have a lot of confidence in our ability, because we were all newbies, but it went off fabulous. It was just a great opening,” former CKBI television broadcaster Jim Scarrow said.
The chief engineer, Tom Vanes, was responsible for building and maintaining the station’s equipment. His daughter, Vilda Poole, said he devoted his life to television and helped with the installation of the tower on Red Deer Hill.
CKBI television launched in Prince Albert in 1958. (File)
“One day my father said, 'See that hill over there? That’s where I’m going to build a tower,'” Poole said.
The tower broadcasted television far and wide and reached rural areas.
“It brought a real added dimension to life on the prairies,” former CKBI television broadcaster Jim Spooner said.
In 1987, CKBI-television became a twin-stick operation with CIPA-TV, meaning it shared staff and resources. In 2002, it rebranded to CTV News Prince Albert.
“I loved it. Television was great, and it was just a fun, fun career to have,” former CTV Prince Albert broadcaster Don Mitchell said.
"There are amazing people in Prince Albert, and it was great to be able to either support them or tell their story,” Former cameraman Gord Barrnett said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.