Canadian Radio and Television Annual, 1950

[cart_machine]

Does anyone have a copy of this book? I see it is on Google in snippet form (drat).

I don't know if it lists everyone in the business at that time, but it's pretty comprehensive. For example, there's a full list of management and disc jockeys at CJOR and bios of some of them.

cArtie.

[YesterDaze]

There was actually a 1950 Canadian publication with television in the title? Several years before any Canadian TV station existed?

[Jack Bennest]

JB - I can find no trace of it in Alibris under Wheeler, T.J., the author. Next time you go to the VPL
ask the staff. If it is anywhere it's in the Library. The amount of old stuff is incredible. I have spent days and weeks there and think the library should offer a sleep suite for researchers.

JCB

ps - love to see the bios of staff

[Neumann Sennheiser]

Another fascinating publication (and extremely hard to find) is Starship Radio 73 put out in that year by the people behind the Bob Hamilton radio report.
In 1972, they sent out a questionnaire to hundreds of radio stations in nearly every market size in the United States asking for as much detailed information as possible from each broadcaster polled including station talent lineups (along with each individual's bio), format and technical information, market facts, pictures, etc.
Hamilton received a lot of response and the next year published it in a soft-cover book format. Also included were weekly top 20 lists and industry/world news synopses, features on the recording and music distribution business of the time, lists of promotions, contests and other bits that stations were doing across the country, informational articles on things like the FCC and Arbitron, and feature pieces on individual stations.
It was planned (hoped) to release the guide every year and even develop a second publication for Canada.
This never happened of course, for two main reasons; the work put into the first was so herculean that no one could imagine keeping it up for even a second edition, never mind year after year, and secondly; due to the very transient nature of the business, the information was already largely out of date by the time of publication.
I do have a copy of the 1973 book, very beat up, broken, duct taped and with a few pages missing but it's historical value makes for absolutely fascinating reading.
I've never seen a copy of the book for sale anywhere and I've only ever seen one other in existence, however, as free copies were sent out to many stations in both the US and Canada (those subscribing to the weekly Hamilton Radio Report) I'm betting there must be a few copies still out there, likely stored away in a box in some dark cabinet in the basement of some radio station behind a locked door with a sign reading "Caution, Beware of the Leopard!"

[jon]

There was actually a 1950 Canadian publication with television in the title? Several years before any Canadian TV station existed?

Even more intriguing is one reference I googled that said it was published by the CBC!

[jon]

Ah, found it. McGill University apparently has a copy. But they list the publisher as the CAB, not the CBC.

I used worldcat.org to locate it.

Not sure if McGill will loan it out, but you might want to try an Inter-Library Loan (ILL) through your local library. But, be warned: some libraries now charge for ILL. For example, I tried to borrow a book from UBC's library through the Edmonton Public Library, but UBC wanted $15 from epl before they would send it.

[Justaprairieguy]

I have a copy of the Canadian Radio and Television Annual 1950 which I literally saved from the garbage. It is among my prized radio souvenirs!

The book credits TJ Wheeler as editor and publisher, Jean Orpwood as data editor and was printed by the Goodfellow Printing Company Limited of Oshawa, Ontario.

The 295-page publication is extremely detailed about the broadcast industry at the time.

Here’s a listing of the general contents:

THE PATTERN OF RADIO
- The Massey Royal Commission
- Department of Transport
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- CBC Report
- Canadian Association of Broadcasters
- News in Radio
- The Voice of Canada
- Associations

STATIONS AND NETWORKS
- Stations by Call Letters
- By Frequencies
- Shortwave
- Frequency Modulation
- Stations by Provinces
- Network Program Summary
- Trans-Canada, Dominion and French Networks
- Radio in French Canada
- Commercial Network Schedules
- Sustaining Network Programs
- Education by Radio

BROADCAST EQUIPMENT AND ENGINEERING
- Radio in Review
- Manufacturers’ Association
- Institute of Radio Engineers
- Canadian Radio Technical Planning Board
- Broadcast Equipment Directory
- Chief Engineers of Stations

MUSIC IN RADIO
- Performing Rights Organizations
- Music Publishers
- Phonograph Record Makers
- Record Librarians of Stations
- Musical Groups with Regular Network Time
- Disc Jockeys
- Musicians’ Union Locals

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF RADIO
- Program producers
- Talent Agencies
- Script Services
- Recording and Transcriptions Services
- Radio Advertising Agencies
- Radio Accounts
- Station Representatives
- Research Services

TELEVISION
- Plans in Project
- Department of Transport Requirements
- The Cost of TV
- Radio Awards
- Canada’s Role in UN Radio

WHO’S WHO IN RADIO
- In Memoriam
- Pioneers of Broadcast Radio
- Biographies and Listings of over 3000 Men and Women in Broadcasting and its Affiliated Industries in Canada
- Association of Canadian Radio Artists, Toronto and Montreal
- L’Union des Artistes Lyriques st Dramatiques

LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS
- The Radio act
- Broadcasting Act and Order-in-Council
- Political and Controversial Broadcasting
- Broadcasting Regulations
- CBC Commercial Policy and Continuity Acceptance
- Procedure for Handling Food and Drug Continuity
- CBC By-Laws
- Broadcasts Requiring Special Clearance
- Supplementary CBC Regulations Bulletins


As for listing everyone in the business at the time, I know the original owner of my book is not listed and he was the morning host and program manager of CFQC in Saskatoon in 1950.
Cartie, I would be happy to meet you for a coffee and show you the book, but that will prove to be a problem as I don’t think we live in the same province.

Any questions, post them here and I’ll see what my book says.

[Mike Cleaver]

I would be interested to see what it has on CKOV, Kelowna and CJOC, Lethbridge.
What size of book are we talking about here?
How many pages?
Could you scan it or have it scanned?
So much Canadian radio history has been lost because the current owners don't care.
It would be wonderful if you are willing to share this with those interested.

[Justaprairieguy]

The book itself is only 8 ¼ ” by 10 ½”, 295-pages, plain blue hard cover with silver lettering.

I also have the 1947-48 Canadian Radio Yearbook which is essentially the same publication. Both are very detailed about the Canadian broadcast industry and both have station and supplier ads throughout the publication. These are great pieces of history from the post-war era of Canadian radio.

So, Mike, by your request here are the listings for CKOV and CJOC exactly as listed in the 1950 Canadian Radio and Television Annual.

Kelowna - CKOV

Frequency: 630 kcs.
Power: 1000 watts
Time Zone: Pacific
Representative: All Canada USA: Weed & Co.
Network Affiliation: CBC Trans-Canada
Founded: 1931
Licensee: Okanagan Broadcasters Ltd.
Man, Dir.: J.W.B. Browne
Stat. Mgr.: J.W.B. Browne
Comm. Mgr.: J.W.B. Browne
Prod. Mgr.: J.C. Thompson
Ch. Eng.: J. F. Weber
Continuity Ed.: K. Carlson
Prom. Ed.: G.C. Hansen
News Ed.: J.D. Bews
Sports Ed.: D. Reid
Farm Ed.: K. Shepherd
Woman’s Ed.: Marion E. Bews
Record Librarian: A.E. Vipond
News: PN
Transc. Serv.: Thesaurus, Lang-Worth, World
Transc. Facilities: 78-33 1/3-Tape
Remote Facilities: To all points where wires available
Oper. Schedule: 6:30am-12:00 midnight
Member: C.A.B. and B.B.M
Studio Address: Radio Bldg.
Studio Phone: 200 and 496
Transmitter Address: Okanagan Mission, BC
Transmitter Phone: 771
Base Rate: $50


Lethbridge - CJOC

Frequency: 1220 kcs.
Power: 5000 watts
Channel: Clear
Time Zone: Mountain
Representatives: All Canada; USA: Weed & Co.
Network Affiliation: Trans-Canada
Founded: 1926
Licensee: Lethbridge Broadcasting Ltd.
Pres. & Man. Dir.: H.R. Carson
Mgr.: Wm. M. Guild
Comm. Mgr.: Cameron A. Perry
Prod. Mgr.: George A. Brown
Ch. Eng.: Robert A. Reagh
Continuity Ed.: Anne Tessari
News Ed.: W.H.S. Skelton
Sports Ed.: H.J. Harris
Record Librarian: Don Thomas
Disc Jockeys: R. Robison, H. Gibson, D. Thomas
News: PN
Transc. Serv.: Thesaurus, Lang-Worth
Transc. Facilities: Lateral & vertical, 78 and 33-1/3
Remote Facilities: Wherever lines available
Oper. Sched.: 6:00am-12:00pm; Sundays, 8am
Member: C.A.B. & B.B.M.
Studio Address: 1015 Third Ave. S.
Studio Phone: 3161
Transmitter Address: Boxburn, Alta.
Transmitter Phone: 3161-6
Base Rate: $60

[Jack Bennest]

Could you check CKOK Penticton?

Thanks

[Justaprairieguy]

I think I’ve started something here! CKOK, sure no problem Jack.


As listed, from 1950:

Penticton - CKOK

Frequency: 800 kcs.
Power: 250 watts
Time Zone: PST
Representatives: Radio Representatives; USA: Donald Cooke Inc.
Founded: 1948
Licensee: CKOK Limited
Pres. & Gen. Mgr.: Harry O. Watts
Comm. Mgr.: Jean Griffiths
Ch. Eng.: Jim English
Continuity Ed.: Jeff Ajello
News Ed.: Vince Duggan
Sports Ed.: Dave Roegle
Disc Jockeys: Ed Weber, Vaughn Bjerre
News: PN
Transc. Serv.: Standard
Remote Facilities: On application
Oper. Sched.: 6:45am-11:00pm
Member: C.A.B. & B.B.M.
Studio Address: 152 Main St.
Studio Phone: 900
Transmitter Address: Skana Lake
Transmitter Phone: 682-R-3
Base Rate: $30

[Mike Cleaver]

Wow!
Thanks a lot, justaprairieguy!

You posted:

Kelowna - CKOV

Frequency: 630 kcs.
Power: 1000 watts
Time Zone: Pacific
Representative: All Canada USA: Weed & Co.
Network Affiliation: CBC Trans-Canada
Founded: 1931
Licensee: Okanagan Broadcasters Ltd.
Man, Dir.: J.W.B. Browne
Stat. Mgr.: J.W.B. Browne
Comm. Mgr.: J.W.B. Browne
Prod. Mgr.: J.C. Thompson
Ch. Eng.: J. F. Weber
Continuity Ed.: K. Carlson
Prom. Ed.: G.C. Hansen
News Ed.: J.D. Bews
Sports Ed.: D. Reid
Farm Ed.: K. Shepherd
Woman’s Ed.: Marion E. Bews
Record Librarian: A.E. Vipond
News: PN
Transc. Serv.: Thesaurus, Lang-Worth, World
Transc. Facilities: 78-33 1/3-Tape
Remote Facilities: To all points where wires available
Oper. Schedule: 6:30am-12:00 midnight
Member: C.A.B. and B.B.M
Studio Address: Radio Bldg.
Studio Phone: 200 and 496
Transmitter Address: Okanagan Mission, BC
Transmitter Phone: 771
Base Rate: $50


By 1961, when I started there, Big Jim (JWB Brown) had retired and his son Jim Brown Jr. had assumed the Managing Director and Manager positions.
Jack and Marion Bews were still there, Jack as News Director and Marion had become Jim's "Girl Friday."
A.E. Vipond, listed as Librarian was now Chief Engineer.
Many names there of others who went on to do a lot of work in BC radio, including Fred Weber.
All of those discs from the Transcription Services still resided in large cupboards built along one side of Studio "A."
The station was still a CBC affiliate in '61, carrying network newscasts and some evening programming, sandwiched in between religious programming.
Sunday was pretty much all religion, all the time, except for local news at 8am and 12noon.
The location, listed as "Radio Building" probably refers to the second floor Pandosy Street location where the station was located in '61.
The transmitter location was the same.
Hours of operation in '61 were 6am to 1am daily except Sunday when the station signed off at midnight for studio and transmitter maintenance.

Thanks again for this!

[Mike Cleaver]

Re: CJOC
Justaprairieguy posted:

Lethbridge - CJOC

Frequency: 1220 kcs.
Power: 5000 watts
Channel: Clear
Time Zone: Mountain
Representatives: All Canada; USA: Weed & Co.
Network Affiliation: Trans-Canada
Founded: 1926
Licensee: Lethbridge Broadcasting Ltd.
Pres. & Man. Dir.: H.R. Carson
Mgr.: Wm. M. Guild
Comm. Mgr.: Cameron A. Perry
Prod. Mgr.: George A. Brown
Ch. Eng.: Robert A. Reagh
Continuity Ed.: Anne Tessari
News Ed.: W.H.S. Skelton
Sports Ed.: H.J. Harris
Record Librarian: Don Thomas
Disc Jockeys: R. Robison, H. Gibson, D. Thomas
News: PN
Transc. Serv.: Thesaurus, Lang-Worth
Transc. Facilities: Lateral & vertical, 78 and 33-1/3
Remote Facilities: Wherever lines available
Oper. Sched.: 6:00am-12:00pm; Sundays, 8am
Member: C.A.B. & B.B.M.
Studio Address: 1015 Third Ave. S.
Studio Phone: 3161
Transmitter Address: Boxburn, Alta.
Transmitter Phone: 3161-6
Base Rate: $60

By the time I arrived there in May of '67, one day after the Great Blizzard, which paralyzed Southern Alberta for three days, the only staffer still left of those on the list was the late, great William H. S. Skelton, known as Bill Skelton on air, responsible for talking me into becoming a newsman when I had arrived as a disc jockey.
Studios were still in the same location with the same studio gear, except two cart machines had been added to the main control room.
The station was running 6am to 1am daily, except Sunday when it signed off at midnight.
The transmitter location was the same but the station now was ten thousand watts.
The transcription service discs had long since vanished but the production control room still had two disc cutters!

[Justaprairieguy]

I’m glad this has brought back some memories for you Mike! I just checked the bio listings in the directory and one person you mentioned is in the book.

Here’s the entry:

SKELTON, Wm. Herbert Scoresby; News ed,. CJOC, Lethbridge, Alta.;
b. Lethbridge, 1920, single; 43-48, Lethbridge Herald reporter; 48, CJOC.

[cart_machine]

Cartie, I would be happy to meet you for a coffee and show you the book, but that will prove to be a problem as I don’t think we live in the same province.

Coffee?! It must be obvious we are not in the same province.

Congrats for rescuing more of our history.

The things which interested me in the book .. and Google has a couple of earlier editions in snippets as well .. are the short career bios of some (former) Vancouver people. Gord Lansdell could certainly use material like that for his Vancouver broadcasters web site, especially in the case of people he doesn't list.

Kelowna - CKOV
<snip>
News: PN
Transc. Serv.: Thesaurus, Lang-Worth, World

Damn. I wish I had those Lang-Worth transcriptions. Actually, I'd love to find someone that could get me dubs from the later Langlois production music library.

Someone will have to explain to me exactly what 'Press News' was. Most of the stations in the book seem to have subscribed to it.

cArtie.