Calgary's local station, CFCN, marks six and a half decades of broadcasting on the air, as we refer to it as Calgary.

Calgary, Canada, has a rich television history, and one of its pioneering stations, CFCN, played a significant role in shaping the industry. Established on September 9, 1960, CFCN was Canada's first independent TV station, broadcasting from a new building in southwest Calgary, topped with a 173-foot antenna.

Darrel Janz, a trusted nightly presence in Calgary homes, joined the anchor desk in 1973 and held it for more than three decades. Janz admitted that he initially thought CFCN would be a short stop before Toronto, but he had no regrets about staying in Calgary. Throughout his tenure, he covered significant events such as the announcement of Calgary hosting the 1988 Winter Games and Operation Christmas Child in Bosnia.

CFCN was known for its news and current events coverage, with stalwart anchors and reporters like Gord Kelly, Peter Kent, Don Wood, Henry Viney, Russ Peake, and Ken Newan. Among the most beloved programs on CFCN was The Buckshot Show, a children's series that ran for three decades, hosted by Ron Barge and featuring sidekicks Benny the Bear and Clyde the Owl, becoming a Calgary institution.

Another popular programming included In Conversation, a talk show hosted by Marie Hotanz, which was beloved by viewers and attracted Canadian and international stars such as Pierre Burton, who appeared seven times on the show and considered it his preferred choice for interviews.

Larry Thomas, who was active at CFCN since 1973 as a news anchor, held the anchor position for over three decades. Thomas was a well-known figure in Canadian television and had a long career as a news anchor in Calgary. He was part of a very successful news team with Barb Higgins and David Spence.

Innovation was encouraged at CFCN, allowing young broadcasters like Brian Vos to experiment and try new things. Vos, who started as a videotape operator, went on to hold several positions at CFCN, including producer, director, promotions manager, and director of communications. He now maintains a public YouTube channel of archived CFCN programming.

CFCN's connection with the Calgary community was a key to its success, as demonstrated by its participation in events like the Calgary Stampede. Thompson MacDonald, former vice president of news and current affairs, praised the creativity and talent within CFCN's newsroom. CFCN committed to covering stories beyond Calgary and Canada's borders to build audience and serve the audience's interests.

In western Canada, CFCN pioneered instant replay and produced the first CFL game from the Prairies for its website. The station's history is filled with memorable moments, and its legacy as a trailblazer in Canadian television continues to influence the industry today. Despite Janz's retirement in 2023 and his passing in 2024, his influence as a journalist who inspired generations of viewers and colleagues remains undeniable.

Calgary's local station, CFCN, marks six and a half decades of broadcasting on the air, as we refer to it as Calgary.