Major Milestones
2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s | 1940s | 1920-1939
1920-1939
Canadian radio began with the first licenses for private
commercial radio stations in 1922. However by the late 1920s, many
Canadian radio listeners were tuning their dials to American
stations. This, along with the rudimentary development of Canadian
radio, led the federal government, in 1928, to establish a royal
commission to advise on the future of broadcasting in Canada.
In 1929, the Aird Commission recommended the creation of a
nationally owned company to operate a coast-to-coast broadcast
system and in 1932 the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC)
was created.
Later, in 1936 the Canadian Broadcasting Act replaced the CRBC with
a Crown Corporation and Canada’s national public broadcaster was
born.
History of CBC/Radio-Canada
Discover the history of CBC/Radio-Canada through a look at the major milestones of each decade. From the 1920s, when the need arose for a Canadian presence on the radio - to counter the American influence and protect Canadian culture, to the present day, when CBC/Radio-Canada is recognized as one of this country’s greatest cultural institutions, learn how Canada’s national public broadcaster has become a leader in producing and distributing distinctive Canadian content.
