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A weekend in 1939
In 1939, throngs flooded the streets to greet their King and Queen, adventurous travellers took flight on new cross-country passenger planes, and young soldiers bravely marched off to war.
The day's schedule below is a composite of regular CBC programming and specials that were broadcast in 1939. A 1939 CBC Program Schedule was used as the basis for the following grid. Most of the programs listed below were nationally broadcast; others were heard only on local stations such as CBL in Toronto, CBO in Ottawa and CBY, also in Toronto.
The day's schedule below is a composite of regular CBC programming and specials that were broadcast in 1939. A 1939 CBC Program Schedule was used as the basis for the following grid. Most of the programs listed below were nationally broadcast; others were heard only on local stations such as CBL in Toronto, CBO in Ottawa and CBY, also in Toronto.
Time
Program
07:45 - 08:00
Reveille Rhythms
08:15 - 08:30
Song for Saturday
08:30 - 09:00
Musical March Past
09:00 - 10:00
The Breakfast Club
This popular NBC entertainment show was based in Chicago and featured an orchestra, soloists, interviews and humour. The show ran from 1933 to 1968. The show host, Don McNeill, ran for president in 1948 on the Laugh Party ticket.
This popular NBC entertainment show was based in Chicago and featured an orchestra, soloists, interviews and humour. The show ran from 1933 to 1968. The show host, Don McNeill, ran for president in 1948 on the Laugh Party ticket.
10:00 - 10:30
Canadians across the country send their loyal greetings to the King and Queen.
10:30 - 10:45
The Charioteers
11:00 - 12:00
Leonard Brockington, chairman of CBC, opens CBA radio outside Sackville.
12:00 - 12:15
Just Mary
12:15 - 12:30
The News - Canadian Press
12:30 - 13:00
Concert Melodies
14:00 - 14:15
Ray Kinney's Orchestra
14:15 - 16:30
CBC Radio Special : Grey Cup Game
The Ottawa Roughriders play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the Grey Cup.
The Ottawa Roughriders play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the Grey Cup.
16:30 - 16:45
Saturday Musicale
16:45 - 17:15
BBC News
17:30 - 18:30
Prime Minister Mackenzie King addresses the country on the eve of the outbreak of the Second World War.
18:45 - 19:00
High School Forum : The happy barbarian?
High-school students debate who was happier: civilized man or the barbarian?
High-school students debate who was happier: civilized man or the barbarian?
19:00 - 19:30
Light Up and Listen Club
19:30 - 20:00
Passengers on the first Trans-Canada Airlines flight from Vancouver to Ottawa describe their experience.
20:15 - 20:30
Wayne King's Orchestra
20:30 - 21:00
Hawaii Calls
This ambitious two-part program traced Hawaii's 161-year history, presented in song and music by NBC. The program was broadcast around the world by members of the International Broadcasting Union. The IBU was formed in 1925 by broadcasters around the globe who sought to share legal, programming and technical expertise.
This ambitious two-part program traced Hawaii's 161-year history, presented in song and music by NBC. The program was broadcast around the world by members of the International Broadcasting Union. The IBU was formed in 1925 by broadcasters around the globe who sought to share legal, programming and technical expertise.
23:45 - 24:00
The News – the Canadian Press
Until the Second World War, the CBC didn't have its own staffed news service. Instead, CBC announcers broadcast bulletins prepared by the Canadian Press and the Toronto Daily Star.
Until the Second World War, the CBC didn't have its own staffed news service. Instead, CBC announcers broadcast bulletins prepared by the Canadian Press and the Toronto Daily Star.
The CBC in 1939
In 1939, CBC Radio redefined its infant self and widened its scope from music and American imports to include original news and information programming.
The three-year-old corporation ambitiously covered King George VI's Royal Tour to much acclaim. High-powered stations linked the country together and the dream of creating a truly national radio network was finally realized.
The year ended with a sombre coda - the announcement of the Second World War. As Canada braced for war, CBC journalists hunkered down and prepared to tell the most important story of their lives.
In 1939, CBC Radio redefined its infant self and widened its scope from music and American imports to include original news and information programming.
The three-year-old corporation ambitiously covered King George VI's Royal Tour to much acclaim. High-powered stations linked the country together and the dream of creating a truly national radio network was finally realized.
The year ended with a sombre coda - the announcement of the Second World War. As Canada braced for war, CBC journalists hunkered down and prepared to tell the most important story of their lives.
