When CBC Newsworld launched in 1989

When viewers first tuned in to CBC Newsworld on July 31, 1989, they sawa slew of technical hiccups. Satellites losttheir signals, audio crackledin and out, and hosts clumsily stumbled through their first demanding day.

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That applied only to those who could actually get the channel. Due to a disagreement with cable companies in Nova Scotia, Alberta and Quebec, Newsworldwasn't universally available.

But, for the first time in this country, Canadians hadtheir own dedicated 24-hour news channel. Designed for on-the-go viewers, Newsworld offeredfrequent news updates and magazine-style programming. The network hadan exhilarating if imperfect debut, as shown in this local Halifax television report.

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The CRTC had granted CBC the licence for the news cable station in 1987, but it took two years to get off the ground.

Newsworld debuted at 6 a.m. on Day 1 with a taped recording of the national anthem and prepared speeches by CBCpresident Pierre Juneau, CBC-TV vice president Denis Harvey, information programming chief Trina McQueen and Newsworld chief Joan Donaldson.

'It faltered, it fumbled. But it didn't fall'

Toronto Star media critic Antonia Zerbisias observed, in a column that ran the day after the launch:"And so, CBC Newsworld took its first clumsy steps yesterday. But it kept on its feet, doggedly determined to keep going through audio failures, technical hitches, and satellite snafus. It faltered, it fumbled. But it didn't fall."

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Toronto Star reporter Greg Quill similarly remarked: "It was not a slick, well-rehearsed debut, by any standard. Newsworld's first day was riddled with technical glitches, confused performances, incomplete reports, muddled audio and video connections and long, irritating silences." But Quill also noted that Newsworld offered an important service and he expected the technical problems to soon be resolved.

CBC Newsworld's first year of programming included a current events program titledCanada Live, the cross-country news programThisCountry,Newsworld Morning,Business WorldandFashion File.

In 2009,CBC Newsworld was rebranded as CBC News Network.