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CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Friday marks exactly half a century since the CN Tower opened, instantly becoming a symbol of the local skyline.
But it's more than just a building, an icon and a tourist attraction. It's where some of Toronto's TV and radio station transmitters are located, spreading a wide signal over the city and beyond.
I've posted this before, but in July 1976, U.S. TV Guide published a story on the famous symbol, noting how it was improving reception for then antenna-only local viewers. Anyone remember when ghosting was a problem in those pre-HDTV days?
- markow202
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
An amazing structure! Seeing many buildings around the world, theres nothing like the CN Tower and yes, the most interesting antenna.
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Both the CN Tower and SkyDome (Rogers Centre) have aged very well. They still look modern and not their age. I thought it was interesting last night for the Jay's game the roof was partially opened. There was a chance of a quick rain shower and they wanted to be able to close the roof super quick if rain was coming.
- Ida Spencer
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
I remember it well! Niagara Co-Axial, the little cable company that served our neighbourhood was moving channels on the fly to try and accomodate the stronger signals. After a few hours they put the channels back in their original spots, which left us with giant ghosting on CFTO. (It would later be called on the carpet for making channel conversions without clearing them with the Department of Communications or CRTC!)
This was a huge signal boost for CITY. It was now available to viewers outside its original footprint. Cable companies in Hamilton, Grimsby, and Georgetown weren't allowed to carry it. The CRTC's reasoning was CITY was licenced to serve Toronto. However, it was allowed on systems serving in Burlington, St Catharines and Niagara Falls. (Presumably it was ok in Niagara because of the proximity to Buffalo.)
CITY actually sent out antenna plans for anyone who asked:
Last edited by Ida Spencer (June 26, 2026 1:54 pm)
- markow202
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Ida Spencer wrote:
I remember it well! Niagara Co-Axial, the little cable company that served our neighbourhood was moving channels on the fly to try and accomodate the stronger signals. After a few hours they put the channels back in their original spots, which left us with giant ghosting on CFTO. (It would later be called on the carpet for making channel conversions without clearing them with the Department of Communications or CRTC!)
This was a huge signal boost for CITY. It was now available to viewers outside its original footprint. Cable companies in Hamilton, Grimsby, and Georgetown weren't allowed to carry it. The CRTC's reasoning was CITY was licenced to serve Toronto. However, it was allowed on systems serving in Burlington, St Catharines and Niagara Falls. (Presumably it was ok in Niagara because of the proximity to Buffalo.)
CITY actually sent out antenna plans for anyone who asked:
Thats interesting documentation thanks for sharing that. Moses Znaimer I heard was always boasting how his station was on the very top of the tower.
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Wow, that engineer who signed that City TV document, Ron Reid, was at the station forever. I've heard he was not the easiest guy to get along with, but he certainly knew what he was doing.
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Thread Starter- Shorty Wave
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Wow, that engineer who signed that City TV document, Ron Reid, was at the station forever. I've heard he was not the easiest guy to get along with, but he certainly knew what he was doing.
He sure was there forever! I’m pretty sure he was there well into the 2000s, when I left Citytv the first time! He was indeed a bit prickly but I got along with him, fortunately!
- mace
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
In 1972, even with one of those outdoor flytrap style UHF antennas, CITY was non existent in Oakville. When my parents got their 40' tower with rotor, the antenna always had to be pointed directly at the CN Tower to get a watchable picture on CITY. CFTO, CBLT TVO and Global were all fine with the antenna pointed towards Buffalo.
- Evuguy
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Antenna elevations back when NTSC was still broadcasting.
- markow202
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Antenna elevations back when NTSC was still broadcasting.
Yes, this was the original antenna and elevation setup. I believe at this time, CH 57 on top that area is now vacant, and I know Master FM new antenna is now where CH 5 was once located.
- BringBackFreeFormFM
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Re: CN Tower, Toronto's De Facto Main TV & Radio Antenna, Hits 50
Antenna elevations back when NTSC was still broadcasting.
Yes, this was the original antenna and elevation setup. I believe at this time, CH 57 on top that area is now vacant, and I know Master FM new antenna is now where CH 5 was once located.
Not quite!
CityTV was originally UHF Ch 79.