2011 in Canadian television
The following is a list of events affecting Canadian television in 2011. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings.
Events
January
February
Date |
Event |
7 | Niagara News TV, a Category B regional news channel serving the Niagara Region, begins broadcasting in Niagara Falls on Cogeco Cable digital channel 556. The channel would later indefinitely suspend operations on April 18, 2011, because of "technical difficulties" cited by owner Peninsula Broadcasting Corporation's president Frank Thibault, with plans to resume operations by fall 2011.[2] |
March
April
Date |
Event |
12 | A combined 3.2 million people watch the 2011 federal leaders debate on the three main networks.[3] |
18 | Category B channel Sun News Network debuts, with Toronto independent station CKXT-DT and its Hamilton, Ottawa and London translators being effectively turned into a full-power broadcast relay of the network in Southern Ontario. |
May
Date |
Event |
2 | Mlle, a French-language Category B service aimed at women owned by Groupe TVA, launches. |
June
August
Date |
Event |
27 | The state funeral for opposition leader Jack Layton airs live on all the main television networks.[5] |
29 | The A television system, as well as Alberta-based educational/entertainment service Access rebrand as CTV Two. At the same time, CJAL-TV (channel 9) in Edmonton and CIAN-TV (channel 13) in Calgary, which both relayed Access' programming over-the-air sign off the air as Access is licensed as a satellite-to-cable undertaking. |
September
October
November
Date |
Event |
1 | Toronto station CKXT-DT (channel 52) and its Hamilton and London, Ontario transmitters shut down. CKXT's Ottawa transmitter shut down more than two months earlier on August 31. The move by owner Quebecor Media was due to a CRTC inquiry in early July on the company's usage of the CKXT signal to simulcast Sun News. |
Television programs
Programs debuting in 2011
Series currently listed here have been announced by their respective networks as scheduled to premiere in 2011. Note that shows may be delayed or cancelled by the network between now and their scheduled air dates.
Programs ending in 2011
Made for TV movies & miniseries
Deaths
Date | Name | Age | Notability | Source |
January 8 |
Peter Donaldson |
57 |
Known best for his stage work, he had recurring guest spots on Road to Avonlea, Street Legal, and Emily of New Moon, starring as John Adams in Liberty! The American Revolution. |
[6] |
March 26 |
Roger Abbott |
64 |
British-born Canadian sketch comedian, best known for his years on radio and television program Royal Canadian Air Farce (1975–2010). Also co-executive produced XPM (2003). |
[7] |
April 4 |
Wayne Robson |
Canadian television, film and stage actor best known for playing the part of Mike Hamar, an ex-con on The Red Green Show. He won Gemini Awards for And Then You Die (1987) and The Diviners (1993). |
[8] |
April 17 |
Michael Sarrazin |
70 |
Canadian film and television. Recurring role on The City. Guest spots on The Virginian, Wojeck, Street Legal, Murder, She Wrote, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. |
[9] |
June 9 |
Claude Léveillée |
78 |
Singer appearing on French television as an actor. |
[10] |
July 5 |
Gordon Tootoosis CM |
69 |
Canadian film, television, and theatre actor of Cree and Stoney descent, Order of Canada winner. In 2011, he co-starred in Blackstone, a series for APTN and Showcase. Television roles include Albert Golo on North of 60, for which he was twice nominated for a Gemini Award, and the voice of Mushom in Wapos Bay: The Series, for which he shared a Gemini Award. Guest spots include MacGyver, Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove: The Series, and Smallville. |
[11] |
September 15 |
Frances Bay |
92 |
Canadian-born American actress (Seinfeld, Happy Days, The Middle) |
[12] |
References
- ↑ "Heart-Breaking Gold Medal Game Delivers Record Audience of 6.9 Million Viewers on TSN and RDS". Canada Newswire. January 6, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Niagara News TV signs off after three months The Standard 2011-02-19
- ↑ Bill Brioux (April 20, 2011). "Canucks and Canadiens skate past Idol and Dancing with the Stars to top Canadian ratings". Toronto.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Bill Brioux (June 21, 2011). "8.7 Mil see Bruins win while MuchMusic fans go Gaga for MMVAs". Toronto.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Doyle, John (August 27, 2011). "All three major networks to carry Layton funeral". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Peter Donaldson was 'finest actor's actor'". CBC News. January 10, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Air Farce actor Roger Abbott dies". CBC News. March 27, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Cudworth, Laura (April 6, 2011). "Actor Wayne Robson's death mirrors character". London Free Press. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Howell, Peter (April 18, 2011). "Michael Sarrazin, 70, was Canada's Hollywood rebel". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Quebec mourns singer-songwriter Claude Léveillée". CBC News. June 9, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Chung, Amy (July 5, 2011). "Canadian actor Gordon Tootoosis dies at age 69". The StarPhoenix. Postmedia Network. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Frances Bay dies: Remembering comedian, classic 'Seinfeld' scene" From Los Angeles Times (September 19, 2011)