Public broadcasting in Brandon began in 1928 with establishment by Manitoba Government Telephones of radio station CKX based in a small building on the grounds of the old Brandon City Hall along with tall metal tower from which radio signal was broadcast to surrounding area. CKX only broadcast few hours each evening, mostly re-broadcasting programming developed at the larger CKY studios in Winnipeg but some local content. In 1929, programs included the inauguration ceremony for a new President of Brandon College, Sunday church services, speeches at annual convention of the United Farmers of Manitoba, a talk by the superintendent of the Brandon Experimental Farm, and performances by a Salvation Army band.
Brandon city councillors were supportive of CKX but they did not want the station on city hall grounds. They offered CKX city-owned space across Eighth Street. Negotiations dragged into 1941 with agreement to construct a new studio designed by provincial architect Gilbert Parfitt. It was a 2,400-squre-foot brick building with a full concrete basement.
In 1948, the Manitoba government acted on instructions from the federal government to divest itself of any broadcast holdings. CKX Radio was sold to Western Manitoba Broadcasters Limited, a consortium of businessmen led by John Boyd Craig. The company vacated the building on Ninth Street in 1953 when it moved into a new television and radio broadcasting facility at 2940 Victoria Avenue. In January 1955, CKX became Manitoba’s first independent television station when it launched CKX Television. It had a range of about 70 miles in all directions from Brandon. Eventually, through a microwave connection, CKX Television operated as an affiliate with the CBC national network but, as of 1972, it also offered CTV programming. It had rebroadcast transmitters at Foxwarren (1962), Melita (1963), and McCreary (1981). The first colour broadcast occurred in 1966.
CKX Television ceased operations on 2 October 2009 after CTV declined to renew its broadcast license and a deal to sell the station for $1 fell through. A collection of materials relating to CKX is held at the S. J. McKee Archives at Brandon University.
Employee
Period
Title(s)
Lorne Avery Chapple (1920-2000)
?-?
News Director
Ronald Frederick “Ron” Thompson (1943-2011)
?-?
Weatherman
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: CKX Radio Building (220 Eighth Street, Brandon)
Memorable Manitobans: John Boyd Craig (1901-1992)
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 11 December 2025
