CKCW-DT
A CTV television station serving Moncton, New Brunswick, and the wider New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island market.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
CKCW-DT is a Canadian television station based in Moncton, New Brunswick. It operates as part of the CTV Television Network and the CTV Atlantic regional system, serving viewers in New Brunswick and, through a repeater in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The station is owned and operated by Bell Media, which also controls the broader CTV network and its Atlantic regional operations. The station began broadcasting in 1954 under the ownership of Fred A. Lynds and his company, Moncton Broadcasting, which was associated with CKCW radio. In its first years, CKCW was a CBC Television affiliate for central and northern New Brunswick. It also participated in the Lionel Television System, a regional grouping of stations whose promotional identity included Lionel the Lobster as a mascot. CKCW's network affiliation changed during a major Maritime television realignment in 1969. On September 21 of that year, CHSJ-TV in Saint John, the predecessor of today’s CBAT-DT, established a Moncton rebroadcaster. This allowed CKCW-TV to leave the CBC affiliation and join CTV. CKCW subsequently established CKLT in Saint John as a full-time satellite, creating a linked operating structure between the two stations. Some CKCW transmitters in northern New Brunswick continued carrying a mixed CBC and CTV schedule for several years because the CBC had not yet completed its own replacement coverage. That transitional arrangement ended in October 1976. In 1972, CKCW and CKLT were acquired by CHUM Limited and incorporated into the Atlantic Television System, an early predecessor of CTV Atlantic. Around the same period, CKCW added a Charlottetown repeater, extending CTV service to Prince Edward Island. This gave the island its first CTV access and made CKCW an important component of the network’s regional coverage in Atlantic Canada. For many years, CKCW maintained a more substantial local-programming operation. Since the mid-1990s, however, it has functioned largely as a semi-satellite of CJCH-DT in Halifax, the CTV Atlantic flagship. Its continuing local role has primarily involved news inserts, regional coverage, local advertising, and the distribution of CTV programming to communities in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. CKLT-DT in Saint John is treated operationally as a full-time satellite of CKCW, although it remains separately licensed. CKCW-DT maintains studios at the intersection of Halifax and George Streets in Moncton and a bureau in Charlottetown. Its principal transmitter is located on Wilson Road in Hillsborough. Like many Canadian over-the-air television operations, the station has undergone a gradual reduction in analog transmission facilities as cable, satellite, and other broadcast distribution services have become more important. Bell Media sought permission to discontinue selected low-use analog repeaters, citing maintenance and electricity costs, limited incremental viewership, and the continued availability of the station through cable and direct-to-home satellite services. The station remains an active CTV outlet and a regional news and programming presence in Atlantic Canada. Its identity is closely tied to CTV Atlantic rather than to a separately marketed national consumer brand, but its call sign continues to identify the Moncton-based service and its historical role in the development of television coverage across New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
History
CKCW-DT began broadcasting in 1954 in Moncton, New Brunswick. It was established by Fred A. Lynds and Moncton Broadcasting, a company connected with CKCW radio. The station initially served as a CBC Television affiliate for central and northern New Brunswick and participated in the Lionel Television System, a regional television arrangement whose public identity included Lionel the Lobster. The station’s place in the Canadian television landscape changed during the Maritime affiliation realignment of 1969. On September 21, CHSJ-TV in Saint John established a Moncton rebroadcaster, allowing CKCW-TV to switch from CBC to CTV. CKCW then established CKLT in Saint John as a full-time satellite. Because the CBC needed additional time to build replacement transmitters in northern New Brunswick, CKCW facilities in Campbellton, Upsalquitch, and Newcastle carried a combined CBC and CTV schedule until October 1976. In 1972, CHUM Limited acquired CKCW and CKLT and brought them into the Atlantic Television System. That system became an important predecessor of the modern CTV Atlantic regional operation. CKCW also established a Charlottetown repeater, extending CTV service to Prince Edward Island. The expansion made CKCW a central link between the CTV network and communities across New Brunswick and the island. The station historically produced more local programming than it does today. Since the mid-1990s, it has operated largely as a semi-satellite of CJCH-DT in Halifax. Its local role has consequently focused on news inserts, regional reporting, advertising, and the transmission of network programming. CKLT-DT in Saint John is regarded operationally as a full-time satellite of CKCW even though it retains a separate licence. CKCW-DT’s Moncton studios are located at Halifax and George Streets, and the station maintains a Charlottetown bureau. Its main transmitter is located on Wilson Road in Hillsborough. The station’s technical footprint has changed as Canadian broadcasters have reduced reliance on older analog transmitters. In 2016, Bell Media received approval to remove the CKAM-TV analog repeater in Upsalquitch, arguing that it served only a very small audience and imposed disproportionate maintenance and electricity costs. Bell also applied to delete other analog facilities during its licence-renewal process. In 2019, the CRTC authorized the closure of two additional transmitters associated with the CKCW service group. These decisions reflected the growing importance of cable, direct-to-home satellite, and other distribution systems in maintaining access to CTV programming. CKCW-DT continues as the Moncton-based CTV outlet within CTV Atlantic, with a regional service area encompassing New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
- 2019
Additional transmitter closures approved
[2]The CRTC approves Bell Media’s closure of two further transmitters associated with the CKCW service group.
- 2016
Analog repeater deletion approved
[1]The CRTC approves Bell Media’s request to delete the CKAM-TV analog repeater in Upsalquitch.
- 1990
Local operation becomes increasingly integrated with CTV Atlantic
[1]By the mid-1990s, CKCW operates largely as a semi-satellite of CJCH-DT in Halifax, retaining local news inserts and selected local functions.
- 1976
Mixed CBC-CTV transmission ends in northern New Brunswick
[1]The station’s northern New Brunswick repeaters stop carrying the transitional mixed CBC and CTV schedule after the CBC completes additional coverage facilities.
- 1972
Acquisition by CHUM Limited
[1]CKCW and CKLT are acquired by CHUM Limited and incorporated into the Atlantic Television System, a predecessor of CTV Atlantic.
- 1972
CTV service extended to Prince Edward Island
[1]CKCW signs on a Charlottetown repeater, bringing CTV service to Prince Edward Island.
- 1969
CKCW switches from CBC to CTV
[1]Following the establishment of a CHSJ-TV rebroadcaster in Moncton, CKCW-TV changes its network affiliation to CTV.
- 1954
CKCW begins broadcasting
[1]The Moncton station launches under Fred A. Lynds and Moncton Broadcasting and initially operates as a CBC Television affiliate.
Products and positioning
A regional CTV broadcast outlet anchored in Moncton, with a service footprint spanning New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and a programming model centered on CTV Atlantic network content, local news, and regional distribution.
Regional television network
CTV Atlantic
The regional CTV Atlantic service links stations in the Maritime provinces, including CKCW-DT in Moncton. It supplies network programming and regional news, while CKCW contributes local inserts and serves as the principal CTV outlet for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Television station · 1954
CKCW-DT local service
The station provides CTV programming, local and regional news content, advertising, and over-the-air transmission from its Moncton operation. Its current service is integrated with CTV Atlantic and includes coverage of communities in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Brand decisions
2019
Further transmitter closuresStrategyBackground
Bell Media continued consolidating its terrestrial transmission infrastructure as audiences increasingly accessed television through cable, satellite, and other distribution platforms.
Action taken
The CRTC authorized the closure of two additional transmitters associated with the CKCW service group, with completion scheduled by December 3, 2021.
Aftermath
The decision further streamlined the station group’s analog transmission network without ending CKCW’s CTV service in its principal markets.
2016
Reduction of analog transmission facilitiesStrategyBackground
Bell Media reviewed CKCW-related analog transmitters as part of licence-renewal proceedings. The company stated that the facilities had limited audiences, produced no incremental revenue, and were expensive to operate and repair.
Action taken
Bell Media applied to delete multiple analog repeaters, including the CKAM-TV facility in Upsalquitch. The CRTC approved the Upsalquitch deletion.
Aftermath
CKCW programming remained available in the affected area through cable and satellite distribution, while the station’s over-the-air analog footprint was reduced.
Recent events
- 2019
CRTC authorizes closure of additional CKCW-related transmitters[2]
Regulation
The CRTC granted Bell Media permission to close two additional transmitters associated with the station group. The approved closures were to be completed by December 3, 2021.
- 2016
Bell Media receives approval to discontinue the Upsalquitch analog repeater[1]
Regulation
The CRTC approved Bell Media’s request to delete the CKAM-TV analog repeater associated with CKCW. Bell cited very limited viewership, high operating and maintenance costs, and the availability of CKCW programming through cable and satellite distribution.
- 2016
Bell Media applies to remove multiple analog transmitters associated with CKCW[1]
Regulation
As part of its regular licence-renewal applications, Bell Media sought permission to delete several analog transmitters, including facilities associated with CKCW. The company argued that the transmitters generated no separate revenue, attracted little incremental viewing, and were costly to maintain.
Sources3 sources
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