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A Saturday in 1961
In 1961, Saturdays were eventful days for CBC audiences. On TV, the highlight of every Saturday was Hockey Night in Canada, followed by a late-night musical treat from "our pet" Juliette. And on the radio, listeners could enjoy a competitive teen quiz show, get leading-edge fitness advice, or learn about the lives of classical music composers.
The radio and TV grids below were compiled from CBC Times, giving you a picture of a typical Saturday for the CBC in the autumn of 1961.
The radio and TV grids below were compiled from CBC Times, giving you a picture of a typical Saturday for the CBC in the autumn of 1961.
Time
Program
09:00 – 12:00
Regional Programming
09:05 – 10:00
Music in the Morning
10:15 – 10:30
This 15-minute program for pre-school-age children debuted in 1961, airing six days a week. It featured songs, stories, poems and games to stimulate young minds.
10:30 – 11:00
Two Toronto high schools face off in this 1961 radio quiz show.
11:00 – 11:15
World Church News
11:15 – 11:30
On CBC Radio's Sports College, Lloyd Percival predicts what man will look like in the year 2000.
12:00 – 12:15
The BBC News
12:15 – 12:30
Saturday Farm Broadcast
13:00 – 13:15
News/weather
13:15 – 13:30
Movie Scene
13:30 – 13:45
Time for French
On this 15-minute program, host/teacher Gerard Arthur provided basic French language instruction for English-speaking Canadians.
On this 15-minute program, host/teacher Gerard Arthur provided basic French language instruction for English-speaking Canadians.
13:45 – 14:00
Chansonettes
This radio show featured a variety of French musical recordings, introduced by host Jacques Desbaillets.
This radio show featured a variety of French musical recordings, introduced by host Jacques Desbaillets.
14:00 – 17:30
Metropolitan Opera
17:30 – 18:00
Christian Frontiers explores the question of whether or not it's a sin to park in a no-parking zone.
18:00 – 18:30
News, Weather and Sports
19:00 – 20:00
French-Canadian composer Jean Papineau-Couture discusses his early days and musical background.
20:00 – 20:30
Drama in Sound
22:30 – 23:00
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
CBC in 1961
On November 2, 1961, the CBC celebrated its 25th anniversary. By this date, CBC radio could reach almost 98 per cent of Canada's population, and CBC television could reach more than 94 per cent of the population. Altogether the CBC employed a staff of more than 7,000 and operated at a cost of just over $59,000,000 in public funds — or, according to CBC Times, "about one cent per day per Canadian."
In a 1961 address to Quebec's Richelieu Club, CBC president Alphonse Ouimet outlined the goals and philosophical aims of the CBC going forward. "We believe in certain basic principles which determine our philosophy of programming. The CBC believes people have an innate curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and a receptivity with regard to the world about them… Its programs must not fall short of the legitimate aspirations of viewers and listeners," he said. "Whether it be in the political, social, artistic or cultural realm, the CBC programmer's constant endeavour is to attain scientific accuracy and intellectual integrity."
1961 also saw the introduction of the CBC's first major competitor in the television realm. The privately owned, English-language CTV television network (originally called the Canadian Television Network) opened in 1961. This occurred after a federal inquiry determined that the CBC shouldn't have a monopoly on television in Canada.
On November 2, 1961, the CBC celebrated its 25th anniversary. By this date, CBC radio could reach almost 98 per cent of Canada's population, and CBC television could reach more than 94 per cent of the population. Altogether the CBC employed a staff of more than 7,000 and operated at a cost of just over $59,000,000 in public funds — or, according to CBC Times, "about one cent per day per Canadian."
In a 1961 address to Quebec's Richelieu Club, CBC president Alphonse Ouimet outlined the goals and philosophical aims of the CBC going forward. "We believe in certain basic principles which determine our philosophy of programming. The CBC believes people have an innate curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and a receptivity with regard to the world about them… Its programs must not fall short of the legitimate aspirations of viewers and listeners," he said. "Whether it be in the political, social, artistic or cultural realm, the CBC programmer's constant endeavour is to attain scientific accuracy and intellectual integrity."
1961 also saw the introduction of the CBC's first major competitor in the television realm. The privately owned, English-language CTV television network (originally called the Canadian Television Network) opened in 1961. This occurred after a federal inquiry determined that the CBC shouldn't have a monopoly on television in Canada.
