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Les Archives de Radio-Canada

Home · Days to Remember · Eve of the Millennium

Eve of the Millennium

The CBC rang in the new millennium across all six Canadian time zones with star-studded performances, fantastic fireworks and multiple renditions of Auld Lang Syne. CBC Television's marathon 26-hour New Year's worldwide special, 2000 Today, was the most ambitious live project in the corporation's history. CBC Radio ushered in the 21st century with its 20-hour live broadcast, "Champagne, Moose and Maple Syrup."

The grid below looks at how Canadians ushered in the millennium with celebrations from Newfoundland to Vancouver. It represents the New Year's Eve 1999 broadcast schedules for CBC Television and CBC Radio One. It is in Pacific Time.
Time
Program
18:30 - 19:35
CBC Radio Special : Gearing up for the party

St. John's pub owner enjoys the calm before the storm.
19:35 - 20:00
CBC Radio Special : Kids and the new millennium

Elementary students give their predictions for the 21st century.
20:05 - 21:00
CBC Radio Special : Psychics predict the future

An astrologer and a clairvoyant look at the new millennium.
21:05 - 22:00
CBC Radio Special : Suckling pig fiasco in Vancouver

Doctor's fancy needlework saves holiday dinner.
22:05 - 23:00
CBC Radio Special : Calling home for New Year's

Homesick Canadians celebrate Y2K from Bahrain to Australia.
23:05 - 24:00
CBC Radio Special : End of a century

Returning to Duckworth Pub for millennium fete's last call.
The CBC in 1999

On April 1, 1999, the CBC was the host broadcaster marking the creation of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut.

In October 1999 Adrienne Clarkson, a veteran CBC Television personality, was installed as the 26th Governor General of Canada.

The percentage of "very satisfied" listeners rose from 38 per cent in 1998 to 45 per cent in 1999 for CBC Radio One and from 44 per cent to 47 per cent for CBC Radio Two. (Nielson Media Research/CBC Research Canadian Media Quality Rating Survey, 1999)

Ratings for CBC Television dropped in 1999 to 6.6 per cent in overall share from 8 per cent overall share in 1998. (CBC annual Report 1999-2000)

Rex Murphy did double duty for the CBC's millennium programming, hosting the online poll on CBC Television and a special four hour Cross Country Checkup on CBC Radio.