CHBC-DT

CHBC-DT is a Canadian television station serving Kelowna and the wider Okanagan region of British Columbia. It broadcasts on virtual channel 2 and is owned and operated by Corus Entertainment through the Global Television Network. The station’s principal transmitter is located on Blue Grouse Mountain in the Regional District of Central Okanagan, with additional transmitters historically serving communities including Vernon and Penticton. CHBC began broadcasting on September 21, 1957, as a CBC Television affiliate. It was established by three local radio interests—CKOV-AM in Kelowna, CKOK in Penticton and CJIB in Vernon—to provide television service to a geographically difficult market characterized by mountains and dispersed communities. At sign-on, television ownership in the region was limited, and the station initially relied on film, kinescope recordings and a single borrowed studio camera while its equipment orders were completed. Network programs were initially received with delays, but a microwave connection to the CBC in 1960 improved program delivery. CHBC gradually expanded its technical capabilities, introduced videotape production in 1964 and moved into colour broadcasting during the 1960s and early 1970s. The station developed a strong local identity during the 1970s and 1980s. It participated in BCI-TV, a programming and advertising arrangement with CFJC-TV in Kamloops, and carried CTV programming supplied through an arrangement with Vancouver station CHAN-TV. In 1987, CHBC adopted the community-focused positioning “The Okanagan’s Very Own CHBC.” The strategy emphasized local news, advertising and participation across the communities within its coverage area, helping the station distinguish itself from the many distant signals distributed by cable systems. Ownership changed several times. Western International Communications ultimately acquired full control after purchasing the interests associated with Selkirk Communications. WIC’s assets were later divided among Canwest, Corus and Shaw-related interests, and CHBC became a Canwest property in 2000. After CBC decided not to renew the affiliation, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approved CHBC’s disaffiliation in 2005. The station switched from CBC to Canwest’s CH television system on February 27, 2006, and later operated within the E! system after that brand launched in 2007. In 2009, Canwest announced that it was reviewing the future of its E! stations. Rather than close or sell CHBC, the company converted it to a Global owned-and-operated station on August 31, 2009. Since then, CHBC has functioned largely as a semi-satellite of Vancouver sister station CHAN-DT: much of its network schedule, advertising infrastructure and production workflow are shared, while Okanagan-focused news remains the station’s principal distinct service. Its news branding changed from CHBC News to Global Okanagan News in 2013 and later adopted Global News program titles. Local production has been reduced over time. The station introduced a virtual set in 2010 and began high-definition local newscasts in 2011. In August 2024, Corus ended local studio production in Kelowna as part of corporate cost reductions. Newscasts are now produced from CHAN’s Vancouver facilities, with contributions from Okanagan reporters and a single anchor, and are scheduled as shorter bulletins at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. The changes generated criticism from employees, residents and local political figures concerned about the station’s local relevance and regulatory commitments. CHBC remains an active regional broadcast outlet, combining Global network programming with locally gathered news for the Okanagan market.

CHBC-DT signed on in Kelowna on September 21, 1957, as a CBC affiliate. Its founding ownership came from three local radio stations: CKOV-AM in Kelowna, CKOK in Penticton and CJIB in Vernon. The station was created to provide television coverage across the central Okanagan, where mountainous terrain made signal distribution difficult. Repeaters were established soon after launch in Vernon and Penticton. Early operations were technologically constrained. CHBC initially used kinescope recordings and 16 mm film to receive network programs, often with delays relative to other Canadian CBC outlets. Local programs, commercials and community features were produced live, while film was processed first by a local photo laboratory and later in-house. A microwave connection to the CBC in 1960 improved network delivery. The station acquired videotape equipment in 1964, began carrying network programming in colour in 1966 and completed its transition to colour production and transmission in 1971. During the late 1960s, CHBC and CFJC-TV in Kamloops cooperated through BCI-TV, a combined programming and advertising structure covering the British Columbia Interior. CHBC also carried CTV programming supplied through an arrangement with Vancouver station CHAN-TV. Ownership evolved during the 1970s and 1980s as interests connected to CKOK, CKOV and CJIB were transferred to CHAN and Selkirk Communications. Western International Communications later acquired full control of CHBC after purchasing Selkirk’s stake. CHBC strengthened its local-market identity in the 1980s. Under president and general manager Ron Evans, the station promoted itself as “The Okanagan’s Very Own CHBC,” expanded local programming and advertising, and increased engagement with the many communities in its coverage area. The strategy helped the station compete with numerous distant television signals carried by cable operators. WIC’s television assets were reorganized in the late 1990s and early 2000s. CHBC and CHAN were sold to Canwest in 2000. When the CBC declined to renew CHBC’s affiliation, the station applied to the CRTC for permission to leave the network. Approval was granted in February 2005, and CHBC changed affiliations in February 2006, joining Canwest’s CH system. It retained its call-letter identity rather than adopting the CH name on air, although non-local programming was associated with the CH brand and subsequently with E!. Canwest’s financial difficulties led to further change. In 2009, the company examined strategic options for its E! stations and reduced CHBC’s local production. The station ultimately became a Global owned-and-operated outlet on August 31, 2009. Shaw Communications acquired Canwest’s broadcasting assets in 2010, and CHBC thereafter operated within the Global Television Network, now a division of Corus Entertainment. Its schedule became closely aligned with CHAN-DT in Vancouver, while Okanagan newscasts remained its principal local distinction. The station introduced a Vancouver-controlled virtual set in 2010 and launched high-definition newscasts in 2011. Its local news titles were changed to Global Okanagan News in 2013 and later to Global News program brands. Long-serving anchor Rick Webber retired in 2019 after three decades on air. In August 2024, Corus implemented major cost reductions affecting CHBC. Local newscasts ceased to be produced from the Kelowna facility and moved to CHAN’s Vancouver studios. The revised service uses local reporters, shorter half-hour bulletins and a single anchor, Coleen Christie. Employees and community figures criticized the reduction, questioning whether the new arrangement would preserve meaningful Okanagan coverage and satisfy the station’s licence obligations. CHBC nevertheless continues to operate as an active Global station serving the Okanagan.

• 2024

  Local production is centralized

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  Corus moves CHBC newscast production from Kelowna to CHAN-DT’s Vancouver facilities and reduces the bulletin schedule.

• 2019

  Rick Webber retires

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The station’s principal news anchor retires after approximately 30 years on air.

• 2012

  Digital transition completed

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The main Kelowna transmitter and repeaters in Penticton and Vernon switch to digital broadcasting.

• 2010

  Virtual news set introduced

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CHBC adopts a virtual set controlled from CHAN-DT’s Vancouver master-control facilities.

• 2009

  Conversion to Global

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CHBC becomes a Global owned-and-operated station.

• 2006

  Switch to the CH system

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CHBC changes affiliation from CBC Television to Canwest’s CH system.

• 2005

  CRTC approves CBC disaffiliation

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The regulator approves CHBC’s request to end its CBC affiliation after the network declines to renew the agreement.

• 1987

  The Okanagan’s Very Own CHBC campaign

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CHBC adopts a strongly local positioning and expands community programming and advertising activity.

• 1964

  Videotape production begins

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The station acquires its first videotape machine, expanding its ability to produce local programs and commercials.

• 1960

  Microwave network connection added

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CHBC begins receiving CBC programming through a microwave link rather than relying only on delayed film and kinescope distribution.

• 1957

  CHBC signs on

  [1]CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The station begins broadcasting from Kelowna as a CBC affiliate.

A regional Global station combining national network programming with Okanagan-focused news, weather, community reporting and advertising.

• Television news · 1957

  Global Okanagan local news

  CHBC’s principal differentiated service is local and regional news for Kelowna and the Okanagan. Coverage includes community affairs, regional events, weather and stories reported by journalists in the valley. Since 2024, the bulletins have been produced from CHAN-DT facilities while retaining contributions from local reporters.

• Broadcast television · 2009

  Global Television Network programming

  CHBC carries the Global network schedule, including national news and entertainment programming. The station operates largely as a semi-satellite of Vancouver sister station CHAN-DT, with closely aligned schedules and shared production infrastructure.

• Broadcast advertising · 1957

  Television advertising

  The station provides commercial airtime for businesses seeking reach across Kelowna and the Okanagan. Advertising operations have historically been integrated with broader Global and sister-station sales arrangements.

• 1987The Okanagan’s Very Own CHBC

  Okanagan Valley

  CHBC adopted a community-centered brand platform emphasizing its local roots, regional reporting and involvement in the communities reached by its signal.

  Outcome. The positioning was associated with increased local programming, advertising and community activity, and was credited with strengthening the station’s market identity.

  Source

• 2024

  Centralize local-news productionStrategy

  Background

  Corus introduced corporate cost reductions affecting local television operations.

  Action taken

  Production moved from CHBC’s Kelowna facilities to CHAN-DT’s Vancouver studios, with local reporters contributing and the schedule reduced to half-hour bulletins.

  Aftermath

  The change reduced local production capacity and prompted criticism from employees, residents and Kelowna city councillor Mohini Singh regarding local relevance and compliance with licence obligations.

  Source

• 2009

  Convert CHBC to a Global stationStrategy

  Background

  Canwest reviewed the future of its E! owned-and-operated stations and concluded that maintaining a separate conventional television network was not central to its long-term strategy.

  Action taken

  Canwest converted CHBC into a Global owned-and-operated station on August 31, 2009.

  Aftermath

  CHBC became closely aligned with CHAN-DT’s schedule and operations while retaining Okanagan-specific local news.

  Source

• 2006

  Leave CBC Television and join the CH systemStrategy

  Background

  CBC did not intend to renew CHBC’s affiliation agreement after its expiry, prompting the station to seek regulatory approval for disaffiliation.

  Action taken

  Following CRTC approval, CHBC switched to programming supplied by Canwest’s CH television system.

  Aftermath

  The move ended CHBC’s long CBC affiliation and placed it within Canwest’s secondary television operation, later branded E!.

  Source

1. 1CHBC-DTen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Global Okanaganglobalnews.ca