Northern Cable
Encyclopedia
Northern Cable was a Canadian
cable television
provider, which operated from 1972 to 1998.
The company, based in Sudbury, Ontario
, served most of the Northeastern Ontario
region. Although CUC Broadcasting
was the largest single shareholder, the company was structured to maintain corporate control within the region. F. Baxter Ricard
, the largest local shareholder, was the company's chairman.
The company was also a major shareholder in the region's MCTV
and Mid-Canada Radio systems. In 1990, Northern sold MCTV to Baton Broadcasting, and Mid-Canada Radio to Pelmorex
. In 1991, Northern itself was acquired by CF Cable
, although it continued to operate under the Northern Cable name.
In 1997, CFCF sold its cable operations to Vidéotron
. Northern Cable was sold the following year to Regional Cablesystems, which folded the company into its own operations and branding. Regional subsequently became Persona Communications in 2001, and Persona in turn was sold to EastLink
in 2007. EastLink has, however, kept Northern Cable's former head office open as its divisional office for operations in Ontario
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
provider, which operated from 1972 to 1998.
The company, based in Sudbury, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, served most of the Northeastern Ontario
Northeastern Ontario
Northeastern Ontario is the region within the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north and east of Lakes Superior and Huron.Northeastern Ontario consists of the districts of Algoma, Sudbury, Cochrane, Timiskaming, Nipissing and Manitoulin; and the single-tier municipality of Greater...
region. Although CUC Broadcasting
CUC Broadcasting
CUC Broadcasting was a Canadian media company. Primarily a cable television distributor which operated under the name Trillium Cable, CUC was also a minority investor in other smaller cable companies, including Northern Cable and UMG Cable....
was the largest single shareholder, the company was structured to maintain corporate control within the region. F. Baxter Ricard
F. Baxter Ricard
F. Baxter Ricard was a pioneering Canadian media proprietor.In 1947, Ricard obtained a radio licence to establish CHNO in Sudbury, Ontario, the first bilingual radio station in Canada outside of Quebec. Ten years later, in 1957, he became the first commercial radio broadcaster in Canada licensed...
, the largest local shareholder, was the company's chairman.
The company was also a major shareholder in the region's MCTV
Mid-Canada Communications
Mid-Canada Communications was a Canadian media company, which operated from 1980 to 1990. The company, a division of Northern Cable, had television and radio holdings in Northeastern Ontario.-MCTV:...
and Mid-Canada Radio systems. In 1990, Northern sold MCTV to Baton Broadcasting, and Mid-Canada Radio to Pelmorex
Pelmorex Radio Network
The Pelmorex Radio Network was a system of Canadian radio stations in Northern Ontario, owned and operated by Pelmorex.-History:In 1989, Pierre Morrissette founded his own communications company, Pelmorex Media Inc., and acquired several french and english-language radio stations that were serving...
. In 1991, Northern itself was acquired by CF Cable
CF Cable
CF Cable was a Canadian cable company, which served parts of Montreal, Laval and western suburbs on the Island of Montreal. The company was owned by CFCF, a television station in Montreal....
, although it continued to operate under the Northern Cable name.
In 1997, CFCF sold its cable operations to Vidéotron
Vidéotron
Vidéotron GP is a Canadian integrated telecommunications company active in cable television, interactive multimedia development, video on demand, cable telephony, wireless communication and Internet access services. Currently, the company primarily serves Quebec, as well as the francophone...
. Northern Cable was sold the following year to Regional Cablesystems, which folded the company into its own operations and branding. Regional subsequently became Persona Communications in 2001, and Persona in turn was sold to EastLink
EastLink (company)
EastLink is a Canadian cable television and telecommunications company. In 1970, EastLink was established in Amherst, Nova Scotia, when it was issued one of the first cable licences granted by the CRTC...
in 2007. EastLink has, however, kept Northern Cable's former head office open as its divisional office for operations in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.