Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canada's national public broadcaster, operating English- and French-language radio, television, news, and digital services.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), operating under the bilingual public brand CBC/Radio-Canada, is Canada's national public broadcaster. It provides English-language services principally under the CBC name and French-language services under the Radio-Canada name. The corporation operates radio networks, terrestrial television networks, specialty and news channels, digital platforms, regional services, and programming for northern and Indigenous audiences. CBC was established on November 2, 1936, when the Canadian Broadcasting Act replaced the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission. Its creation followed years of debate about whether Canada should rely primarily on private, commercially oriented broadcasting or establish a publicly controlled national system. The 1929 Aird Commission had recommended broadcasting as a public service, partly in response to the strong influence of United States radio signals and concerns about Canadian cultural and political sovereignty. Advocates including Graham Spry and Alan Plaunt helped build support for a national public broadcaster. The corporation inherited stations, facilities, and network arrangements from the CRBC. In its early decades it also carried regulatory responsibilities, combining the operation of broadcasting services with oversight of private broadcasters. This regulatory role ended in 1958 with the creation of the Board of Broadcast Governors, the predecessor of the modern Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. CBC's English radio services include CBC Radio One and CBC Music. Its French radio services include Ici Radio-Canada Première and Ici Musique. Its principal television networks are CBC Television and Ici Radio-Canada Télé. The corporation also operates or participates in services such as CBC News Network, Ici RDI, Ici Explora, Ici ARTV, Documentary Channel, CBC North, and Radio-Canada Nord. Digital services include CBC.ca, Ici.Radio-Canada.ca, CBC Listen, CBC Music, Radio-Canada OHdio, and international and audio-focused offerings associated with Radio Canada International. The broadcaster's programming is produced in English, French, and, in selected domestic services, Indigenous languages. Its mandate includes providing news, information, cultural programming, educational material, entertainment, and regional representation to Canadians. Unlike its radio networks, which largely operated without advertising after 1974, television and some other services have historically supplemented public appropriations with commercial revenue. Limited advertising on secondary radio networks introduced in 2013 was discontinued in 2016. CBC has repeatedly had to balance national reach against funding, technology, and distribution costs. In the North, it used low-power transmitters and a system sometimes known as the Frontier Coverage Package to deliver limited television programming to remote communities beginning in 1967. Satellite distribution later expanded the immediacy and colour quality of northern service and enabled locally produced programming, including northern news formats. Financial pressures and the transition from analogue to digital television led to a major reduction in terrestrial infrastructure. In 2012, CBC shut down approximately 620 analogue television transmitters. The change reduced operating costs but ended over-the-air CBC and Radio-Canada access for some communities, especially where cable or satellite distribution was not readily available. The corporation argued that most affected viewers could still receive its services through cable, satellite, or other platforms. CBC remains a Crown corporation at arm's length from the federal government, with a public-service mandate and governance framework established by the Broadcasting Act. Its identity is closely associated with Canadian news, national cultural expression, bilingualism, regional coverage, sports and entertainment programming, and the representation of comm…
History
CBC's origins lie in Canada's broadcasting debates of the 1920s. Policymakers and cultural advocates were concerned that powerful American stations could dominate Canadian listening and weaken national control over the airwaves. The 1929 Royal Commission on Radio Broadcasting, commonly called the Aird Commission, recommended treating broadcasting as a public service and creating a national body able both to regulate broadcasting and to operate stations and programs. Graham Spry and Alan Plaunt, working through the Canadian Radio League, promoted the idea that public broadcasting was necessary to preserve Canadian cultural and political autonomy. National radio experimentation preceded the CBC. Canadian National Railways operated CNR Radio from 1923 to 1932, using railway-owned facilities, leased airtime, and wired distribution to connect stations. Canadian Pacific also explored a national network, but its plans were constrained by the Great Depression and its radio operations ended in 1935. In 1932, the federal government created the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission. The CRBC combined regulatory and operating responsibilities and acquired CNR Radio facilities in 1933. The CRBC was replaced on November 2, 1936, when the Canadian Broadcasting Act brought the CBC into existence. The new organization was structured as a Crown corporation and inherited the predecessor's stations and network arrangements. Leonard Brockington became its first chairman, with Gladstone Murray as general manager and Augustin Frigon as assistant general manager. CBC initially retained a regulatory role while building national coverage through owned stations, leased facilities, and private affiliates. A separate French-language radio network was launched in 1937. During the postwar period, CBC developed national radio and television services and became a major institution in Canadian public life. Its English and French operations evolved as distinct but related service units. In 1958, regulatory authority was transferred to the Board of Broadcast Governors, separating the broadcaster's operational role from broadcasting regulation. Subsequent legislation and institutional changes shaped the corporation's mandate, funding, and relationship with private broadcasters. CBC also developed methods for serving remote and northern communities. From 1967 into the mid-1970s, its Frontier Coverage Package delivered a limited selection of recorded television programs to northern communities through low-power transmitters. Programs were recorded in southern Canada, transported by air, and rebroadcast locally. Satellite distribution transformed the system during the early 1970s, allowing many northern transmitters to receive CBC Television feeds in colour and closer to real time. Northern production expanded later, including local news and current-affairs programming such as Our Ways, Northbeat, and Igalaaq. The corporation's service model broadened from conventional radio and television to specialty channels, web publishing, podcasts, streaming, and mobile listening. Radio Canada International moved away from shortwave transmission, and after 2012 its content was delivered online and through podcasts. CBC's conventional television network faced increasing distribution and infrastructure costs, particularly during Canada's transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. CBC converted only part of its transmitters in mandatory digital markets and then shut down its remaining analogue television transmitters in July 2012. The decision lowered annual costs but reduced over-the-air availability in some communities. CBC continues to operate as a federally owned Crown corporation rather than a listed company. Its public mandate is supported primarily through parliamentary appropriations, with television advertising and other commercial revenues providing supplementary income. Its role remains contested: supporters view it as essential national infrastructure for bilingualism, Canadian storytelling, regional news, and cultural sovereignty, while critics debate its funding, governance, editorial choices, market impact, and political independence. Workplace controversies, including the 2015 Jian Ghomeshi affair, have also prompted scrutiny of management practices and internal complaint procedures.
- 2016
CBC apologizes after workplace investigation
[1]CBC apologizes to Kathryn Borel and describes changes to training and procedures for handling bullying and harassment complaints.
- 2015
Ghomeshi affair prompts independent workplace review
[1]CBC ends Jian Ghomeshi's employment and commissions an independent investigation into management's handling of workplace complaints.
- 2012
Analogue television transmitters shut down
[1]CBC closes approximately 620 analogue television transmitters, reducing terrestrial coverage and operating costs.
- 2011
Digital television transition deadline
[1]Canada's mandated markets reach the deadline for replacing analogue over-the-air television transmission with digital service.
- 1974
Primary CBC radio networks become commercial-free
[1]CBC's primary radio networks discontinue regular commercial advertising.
- 1973
Satellite distribution expands northern television service
[1]Many northern transmitters are converted to receive CBC television by satellite, enabling colour and more immediate programming.
- 1967
Northern Frontier Coverage Package begins
[1]CBC begins providing limited television service to selected remote northern communities through low-power transmitters and transported recordings.
- 1958
Broadcasting regulation separated from CBC
[1]Regulatory authority moves to the newly created Board of Broadcast Governors.
- 1937
French-language radio network launched
[1]CBC establishes a separate French-language radio network, the foundation of the Radio-Canada service structure.
- 1936
CBC established
[1]The Canadian Broadcasting Act replaces the CRBC with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on November 2.
Products and positioning
Public-service broadcasting focused on Canadian news, culture, bilingual national representation, regional coverage, and broad public access.
English-language television network
CBC Television
CBC Television is the corporation's principal English-language terrestrial television network. It carries national and regional news, public affairs, drama, comedy, documentary, cultural programming, and selected live events. The network has historically relied on a combination of CBC-owned stations, affiliates, cable, satellite, and digital distribution. Its over-the-air footprint was reduced substantially during the 2011–2012 transition away from analogue transmitters.
French-language television network
Ici Radio-Canada Télé
Ici Radio-Canada Télé is Radio-Canada's principal French-language television service. It provides French-language news, current affairs, entertainment, drama, documentary, cultural programming, and regional coverage for francophone and francophile audiences across Canada.
English-language radio network
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the corporation's principal English-language radio network. Its schedule emphasizes news, current affairs, interviews, documentary storytelling, regional programming, and public-service information. The service is distributed through terrestrial radio and digital platforms and is generally operated without conventional commercial advertising.
English-language music radio
CBC Music
CBC Music is an English-language music-oriented service featuring Canadian and international music, arts coverage, interviews, live performances, and specialist programming. It is available through radio and digital listening products.
French-language radio network
Ici Radio-Canada Première
Ici Radio-Canada Première is the main French-language radio network. It combines national and regional news, public affairs, cultural programming, interviews, documentary work, and community-oriented programming for French-speaking audiences in Canada.
French-language music radio
Ici Musique
Ici Musique is Radio-Canada's French-language music and arts service. It presents music programming, performances, cultural discussion, and specialist content through broadcast and digital distribution.
News service
CBC News
CBC News is the corporation's English-language news operation across television, radio, websites, applications, and social and audio formats. It covers Canadian and international news, politics, business, science, culture, and regional affairs.
Digital platform
CBC.ca
CBC.ca is the corporation's English-language digital publishing platform. It combines breaking news, regional reporting, analysis, video, audio, cultural coverage, program information, and on-demand material.
Northern broadcasting · 1967
CBC North and Radio-Canada Nord
CBC North and Radio-Canada Nord provide radio, television, digital, and local news services for northern Canadian communities. Their programming includes regional reporting and, in selected services, content in Indigenous languages.
International digital and audio service
Radio Canada International
Radio Canada International is CBC/Radio-Canada's international-facing service. Its delivery model historically included shortwave broadcasting, while later distribution has focused on web and podcast formats and multilingual international content.
Controversies
2016
Complaint handling and criminal proceedings aftermath
Ghomeshi was acquitted of all but one of the criminal charges brought against him. The remaining charge was withdrawn after he entered a peace bond and apologized to Kathryn Borel, without an admission of guilt. CBC separately apologized to Borel for its handling of her workplace complaint and reported management and policy changes.
2015
Jian Ghomeshi workplace controversy
CBC placed radio host Jian Ghomeshi on leave and later terminated his employment after allegations involving workplace conduct became public. An independent review by Janice Rubin concluded that CBC management had not taken adequate steps after becoming aware of problematic behaviour. The review recommended changes to workplace culture, complaint handling, training, and access to an ombudsperson.
Brand decisions
2015
Commission independent workplace investigationOtherBackground
Allegations concerning host Jian Ghomeshi and the corporation's handling of employee complaints created significant scrutiny of CBC workplace practices.
Action taken
CBC commissioned an independent investigation conducted by Janice Rubin of Rubin Thomlinson LLP.
Aftermath
The resulting report criticized management's response and was followed by revised procedures, training initiatives, an ombudsperson recommendation, and the severing of relationships with senior executives Chris Boyce and Todd Spencer.
2013
Introduce limited advertising on secondary radio networksStrategyBackground
CBC sought additional revenue while operating in a changing audio market.
Action taken
CBC Music and Ici Musique introduced limited advertising of up to four minutes per hour.
Aftermath
The experiment was discontinued in 2016.
2012
End analogue television transmissionStrategyBackground
CBC faced the federally mandated digital television transition and significant infrastructure and funding pressures. Its plan did not convert all analogue transmitters in mandatory markets.
Action taken
The corporation shut down approximately 620 analogue television transmitters on July 31, reducing its television transmitter network to approximately 27 digital transmitters.
Aftermath
Some communities lost CBC and Radio-Canada over-the-air access, although the corporation argued that cable and satellite penetration meant the proportion of viewers losing practical access was limited. The decision reduced annual operating costs.
Reported annual cost reduction. (2012 onward)
Recent events
CBC sues Conservative Party over debate footage[3]
Reported:
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. sued the Conservative Party over television commercials featuring clips from a televised political debate, alleging violations of the debate hosts’ moral rights and copyright protections.
Sources3 sources
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