Real People in a Newscast!

A look back at various radio stations

Real People in a Newscast!

Postby cart_machine » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:05 pm

Around Your Radio Dial
By DICK DIESPECKER [Province, Sat., Sept. 27, 1952]
One of the smartest and most unusual news programs on the air in Vancouver these days is This Happened Today on CKWX. Conceived by news-editor Bert Cannings, who also nursed it through its first stages, This Happened Today covers the local, national and international scene, not only with straight news dispatches, but wherever as possible, and as often as possible, with tape recording from the actual scene of the news or comments by the person involved in the news. Large fires or accidents have been featured on This Happened Today, with comments by CKWX news personel from the spot.
The recent California earthquake was described for CKWX listeners by a radio station newsman from one of the cities affected. Vancouver listeners also heard an eye-witness account of the Port Arthur elevator explosion, Two weeks ago, Bert Cannings attempted to contact Marshall Tito in Yugoslavia for a telephone interview. He did not succeed but did manage to get Tito’s secretary Vasucolic on the program.
Most of the writing and direction is done by Eric McLeod, with the narration done by CKWX ace news commentator Neil Nisbet.
The program is the only one of its kind in Canada. It is entirely different from CBC’s News Roundup in that it concentrates whenever possible on local news, using as a background the highlights of national and international events. It also uses a good deal more actuality material, tape recorded in advance, than any other such programs. It is
certainly one of the most interesting programs on the air in Vancouver and reflects great credit on Mr. Cannings and CKWX. Much credit should also go to the show’s sponsor, McGavin Bakeries, for having the courage to take on something as unusual as this program. Many sponsors are willing to take on straight broadcasts but are afraid of anything more elaborate or more expensive. This Happened Today is, without any doubt, the best and most original news program to appear on the Vancouver scene in 1952.
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