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Discover the history of CBC/Radio-Canada through a look at the major milestones of each decade. From the 1920s, when the need arose for a Canadian presence on the radio - to counter the American influence and protect Canadian culture, to the present day, when CBC/Radio-Canada is recognized as one of this country's greatest cultural institutions, learn how Canada's national public broadcaster has become a leader in producing and distributing distinctive Canadian content.

1920-1939

Canadian radio began with the first licences for private commercial radio stations in 1922. However by the late 1920s, many Canadian radio listeners were tuning their dials to American stations. This, along with the rudimentary development of Canadian radio, led the federal government, in 1928, to establish a royal commission to advise on the future of broadcasting in Canada.

1940

The national public broadcaster really takes off in this decade. On January 1, 1941, CBC News Service is formally opened; Radio-Canada's News division is also created.

Several special radio broadcasts took place in the 1940s including Winston Churchill's speech from the House of Commons in Ottawa. By mid decade, a number of private radio stations were affiliated with the national network and a total of 43 hours of French and English programs were being broadcast daily, compared with 10 hours just a few years earlier in 1936.

As the next decade approaches, television is on the horizon and CBC/Radio-Canada is preparing for it. In 1947, the Corporation presented a 15-year plan for the development of television in Canada.

1950

This was the decade of television. In 1952, the first CBC and Radio-Canada television stations, CBLT-Toronto and CBFT-Montréal, began broadcasting. By 1955, CBC/Radio-Canada's television services were available to 66 per cent of the Canadian population.

With the inauguration of Canadian television, work continued on the regulatory framework for Canadian broadcasting. In 1951, the Massey Commission endorsed the regulatory role of the national public broadcaster. However, in 1957, the Fowler Commission on Broadcasting recommended transferring regulatory authority to a separate body. This took place in 1958, when a new Broadcasting Act established the Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG) to regulate all Canadian broadcasting.

The 1950s celebrated several programming firsts - for both television and radio - as well as ongoing technological development.

1960

The 1960s included several important technological advances such as the opening of shortwave service to the High Artic (1960), the presentation of proposals, by the national public broadcaster, for satellite use in Canada (1961) and the introduction of colour television in 1966!

In this decade, the regulatory framework was refined and the Canadian Radio-television Commission (CRTC) established as the regulatory and licensing authority. In 1968 the new Broadcasting Act also confirmed CBC/Radio-Canada's role of providing the national service.

1970

Canada made history in this decade by launching the world's first national domestic satellite. Put into orbit in 1972, the Anik A1 satellite gave CBC/Radio-Canada the ability to beam television signals to the Canadian North for the first time in history.

Canadian content rules for television and radio were also introduced in the early 70s. In 1970, the CRTC established a "minimum 60 per cent" Canadian content rule for public and private television broadcasters in Canada. The following year, the Commission introduced Canadian content regulations for AM radio stations - a minimum of 30 per cent was now required.

In 1976, the world's athletes came to Montréal and CBC/Radio-Canada was host broadcaster for the summer Olympic Games. The following year, Canada's national broadcaster played the same role for the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

1980

The 1980s saw tremendous growth in the number of private and specialty channels. In 1983, the first "general interest" pay TV channels began operation in Canada, among them the movie network, First Choice and SuperChannel.

Later came the "specialty" pay channels. CBC Newsworld was officially launched on July 31, 1989 providing Canadians with their own dedicated 24-hour news channel. It was designed for on-the-go viewers, offering frequent news updates and magazine style programming.

Canada's national public broadcaster also celebrated its 50th anniversary in this decade. To mark this milestone, a commemorative postage stamp was issued in 1986.

1990

From the last episode of the series Street Legal - Eric Peterson as Leon Robinovitch, Cynthia Dale as Olivia Novak, C. David Johnson as Charles "Chuck" Tchobanian. November 1994

Despite the difficulties, CBC/Radio-Canada must continue to move forward in what is by now becoming an environment of unprecedented program choice for Canadians. In 1990, the Corporation published its vision for the future in a document called Mission, Values, Goals and Objectives.

The Corporation continues to push ahead in the multi-channel universe, and in 1997 files applications for six new specialty services. The Corporation re-brands both its English and French radio properties to CBC Radio One, CBC Radio 2, Première Chaîne (Espace musique follows in 2004); all proceed to earn success with listeners.

CBC/Radio-Canada also goes on to become known as "Canada's Olympic network", winning the broadcast rights for seven Olympic Games.

2000

Canadians are immersed in digital media and their national public broadcaster is right there with them! Today, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where and when audiences want their content.

This decade has included a long list of programming successes for CBC/Radio-Canada's television, radio, and Web platforms. In 2008, CBC/Radio-Canada made history with its coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games - for instance, this was the first time that Canadians could watch the Games live from their computer screens.

As of mid-2009, the national public broadcaster is undergoing a transformation from a television and radio broadcaster with an Internet presence, to an integrated content provider that leverages television, radio and the Web.

These are however difficult economic times. The Corporation is faced with severe financial constraints and managing the many challenges that come with this. Nonetheless, CBC/Radio-Canada continues its journey to become the most important creator and distributor of Canadian content across all media platforms.

2010 - Present