CHCO-TV
CHCO-TV is an independent community television station serving Charlotte County in New Brunswick, Canada.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
CHCO-TV is a community television station based in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, serving Charlotte County and nearby communities. The station began broadcasting on March 13, 1993, when it launched on Fundy Cable channel 4. It later developed from a cable-based community outlet into an independently operated low-power television station, becoming the first community LPTV station in New Brunswick to operate independently of a cable television provider. The station received Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission licensing in November 2005 and began terrestrial operation on UHF channel 26 in 2006. This transition gave CHCO-TV a broadcast presence beyond its original cable distribution arrangement and established channel 26 as its principal over-the-air identity. Its programming and production activities are centered on local and community-oriented television, with additional production facilities in Harvey and on Grand Manan. CHCO-TV's distribution has expanded over time. It is available over the air in Saint Andrews, through Rogers Cable channel 126 in Charlotte County, through Bell Fibe TV channel 26 across New Brunswick, and through Bell Satellite channel 539 in other areas. The station was added to Bell's satellite service in 2012 and became available on Rogers cable channel 126 in 2018. An earlier channel change took place in 2010, when CHCT-TV moved from cable channel 10 to channel 9. The station operates in a media environment where local community television has faced structural pressure from changes in distribution technology. Fibre-optic networks and digital cable systems contributed to the closure of nearly 30 community channels in New Brunswick, including outlets in neighboring St. Stephen and St. George. Against that backdrop, CHCO-TV has remained a locally focused and locally operated broadcaster. It is described as the only locally owned and operated television station in New Brunswick, giving it a distinctive position within the province's broadcasting landscape. CHCO-TV's brand is consequently associated less with national-scale entertainment or commercial programming than with local access, community representation, regional production, and distribution across multiple television platforms. Its facilities in Saint Andrews, Harvey, and Grand Manan support coverage of communities across Charlotte County and help maintain a local production presence despite the consolidation of many community channels elsewhere in the province.
History
CHCO-TV originated as a community cable channel in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick. It launched on March 13, 1993, on Fundy Cable channel 4, providing a local television outlet for Saint Andrews and the wider Charlotte County area. Its original identity was therefore closely tied to cable distribution and community access rather than to a conventional commercial broadcast network. A major institutional step came in November 2005, when the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission licensed the station. CHCO-TV subsequently began operating on UHF channel 26 in 2006. The move established the station as an independent low-power television broadcaster and distinguished it from community channels operated directly by cable companies. CHCO-TV became the first community LPTV station in New Brunswick to operate independently of a cable television provider. The station continued to adjust its distribution arrangements during the following decade. On August 18, 2010, CHCT-TV moved from cable channel 10 to channel 9. In 2012, CHCO-TV was added to Bell's satellite service on channel 539, giving viewers outside its immediate terrestrial and cable area another means of receiving its programming. In 2018, the station became available on Rogers Cable channel 126 in Charlotte County. It is also carried on Bell Fibe TV channel 26 throughout New Brunswick. CHCO-TV's physical and editorial footprint extends beyond its Saint Andrews base. The station has production facilities in Harvey and on Grand Manan, allowing it to maintain links with several communities in the region. Its service is available over the air in Saint Andrews and through cable, fibre, and satellite platforms, combining local terrestrial broadcasting with broader provincial distribution. The station's development took place during a period of significant change in New Brunswick's community television sector. The adoption of fibre-optic technology and digital cable contributed to the shutdown of almost 30 community channels in the province, including outlets in nearby St. Stephen and St. George. These changes reduced the number of locally focused television services operating under traditional community-channel arrangements. Within that environment, CHCO-TV retained a distinct independent model. It is identified as the only locally owned and operated television station in New Brunswick. Its continued role is based on local production, community programming, and regional availability rather than on national network scale. The station's history illustrates the transition from cable community television to independent low-power broadcasting and the continuing importance of locally produced media in smaller Canadian communities.
- 2018
Rogers cable carriage
[1]The station became available on Rogers Cable channel 126 in Charlotte County.
- 2012
Bell satellite distribution
[1]CHCO-TV was added to Bell's satellite television service on channel 539.
- 2010
Cable channel change
[1]CHCT-TV moved from cable channel 10 to channel 9 on August 18.
- 2006
UHF channel 26 operation
[1]CHCO-TV began operation on UHF channel 26 as an independent community low-power television station.
- 2005
CRTC licensing
[1]The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission licensed the station in November.
- 1993
Community television launch
[1]CHCO-TV launched on March 13 on Fundy Cable channel 4 in Saint Andrews.
Products and positioning
An independent, locally owned and operated community broadcaster focused on serving Charlotte County and surrounding New Brunswick communities.
Community television station · 2006
CHCO-TV Channel 26
The station's principal television service is an independent community broadcaster operating on UHF channel 26. It serves Saint Andrews and Charlotte County with locally oriented programming and is distributed through over-the-air transmission as well as selected cable, fibre, and satellite systems.
Television programming · 1993
Local community programming
CHCO-TV produces and distributes community-focused television for communities in Charlotte County and nearby parts of New Brunswick. Its production network includes facilities in Saint Andrews, Harvey, and Grand Manan, supporting regional coverage and locally relevant programming.
Brand decisions
2012
Expansion to satellite distributionStrategyBackground
The station sought to extend access beyond its local over-the-air and cable footprint.
Action taken
CHCO-TV was added to Bell's satellite service on channel 539.
Aftermath
Viewers outside the immediate local area gained another way to receive the station.
2006
Transition to independent low-power broadcastingStrategyBackground
After beginning as a cable community channel, CHCO-TV pursued licensed independent broadcasting and a terrestrial UHF service.
Action taken
The station began operating on UHF channel 26 following its 2005 CRTC licensing.
Aftermath
CHCO-TV became the first community LPTV station in New Brunswick to operate independently of a cable provider.
Recent events
- 2018
CHCO-TV becomes available on Rogers Cable channel 126[1]
Other
The station became available on Rogers Cable channel 126 in Charlotte County.
- 2012
CHCO-TV added to Bell satellite service[1]
Other
Bell added CHCO-TV to its satellite television service on channel 539, extending the station's reach beyond its local cable and terrestrial footprint.
- 2006
CHCO-TV begins UHF channel 26 operation[1]
Product generation
CHCO-TV began operating on UHF channel 26, expanding beyond its original cable-only distribution model.
- 2005
CHCO-TV receives CRTC licensing[1]
Regulation
The station was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in November 2005, formalizing its status as a licensed broadcaster.
- 1993
CHCO-TV launches on Fundy Cable[1]
Other
CHCO-TV began broadcasting on March 13, 1993, using Fundy Cable channel 4 as a community television service.
Sources2 sources
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