Baton Broadcasting System
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The Baton Broadcasting System (BBS) was a Canadian system of television stations located in Ontario and Saskatchewan. It was owned by Baton Broadcasting.
Most BBS stations maintained primary affiliation with one of Canada's major networks. Although BBS stations shared some programming as a distinct station group, including the soap opera Family Passions, BBS was a supplementary affiliation and not a separate television network. Most BBS stations were primary affiliates of CTV. However, some BBS stations were private affiliates of the CBC as twinstick operations with CTV stations in the same markets (eg. MCTV).
In communities where a Baton-owned CBC station was the sole station in the market, Baton disaffiliated the stations from the CBC. CFPL and CKNX became independents, but CHRO was reaffiliated with CTV. CHWI was opened by Baton in 1993 as an independent station.
The BBS brand was suggested by a consulting company, as a so-called "backup" for Baton Broadcasting if its acquisition spree failed to gain control of CTV. A logo was created for the system, adapted from the CFTO "multicoloured iris" logo with the station call letters positioned beneath.
BBS was folded in 1997, when Baton Broadcasting became the sole corporate owner of CTV. The network's CBC affiliates and independents were all sold either to CHUM Limited, becoming NewNet stations, or to the CBC itself, becoming repeaters of other stations. CTV no longer owns any stations that are affiliated with other Canadian networks.
List of BBS stations
- London, Ontario - CFPL (CBC until 1988, independent 1988-97)
- North Bay, Ontario - CKNY (CTV), CHNB (CBC)
- Ottawa, Ontario - CJOH (CTV)
- Pembroke, Ontario - CHRO (CBC until 1991, CTV 1991-97)
- Prince Albert, Saskatchewan - CIPA (CTV), CKBI (CBC)
- Regina, Saskatchewan - CKCK (CTV)
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - CFQC (CTV)
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - CHBX (CTV), CJIC (CBC)
- Sudbury, Ontario - CICI (CTV), CKNC (CBC)
- Timmins, Ontario - CITO (CTV), CFCL (CBC)
- Toronto, Ontario - CFTO (CTV)
- Wheatley, Ontario - CHWI (independent)
- Wingham, Ontario - CKNX (CBC until 1988, independent 1988-97)
- Yorkton, Saskatchewan - CICC (CTV), CKOS (CBC)