Telewest

Telewest is a Canadian broadcast television network operated by Telus Communications. The network mainly operates in the Western provinces, with a bias towards British Columbia, but has stations across Canada.

History
After the success of CTV, it was decided to create a regional commercial television network in Canada, similar to Great Britain’s ITV. In 1969, this system was tested in British Columbia, with the franchise being awarded to Pattison Television, branded as the Television West System. There were initially two main stations (CKTW-TV channel 3 in Vancouver and CKVI-TV channel 12 in Victoria), and several repeaters across the province. After a planned franchise for Alberta failed to materialize, it was ultimately decided that this “Canadian ITV” would not happen. However, Television West continued to operate, more in the vein of an independent station at first; later on, the Global network would be formed with a similar structure, but centred towards Ontario.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the system expanded across Western Canada and the territories. Television West rebranded as Telewest in 1981. In 1996, the network was acquired by Telus Communications, and later started operating stations in Ontario for the first time.