CFWD-DT, virtual channel 78 (Digital UHF channel 35) is a TVA owned-and-operated station that is licensed to Windsor and serves Ontario (except for Districts of Kenora and Rainy River, which are served by sister station CKSB-DT Winnipeg, and the Ottawa area, which is served by affiliate CHOT-DT GatinHull). It was previously known as CBEFT. But it still remains as Detroit-Windsor's only French station.
History[]
Early years[]
CFWD-DT launched in July 16th, 1976 as CBEFT, on UHF channel 78, it was a full-time satellite of CBFT in Montreal serving Franco-Ontarians in Metro Detroit. It was the second highest channel in Canada, behind CITY-TV on channel 79. Both stations moved to different channels in 1982. CBEFT moved to channel 54, while CITY moved to 57. It became the one of the first non-English stations in Metro Detroit.
In mid-1980s, it became a rebroadcaster for CBLFT Toronto. It became part of the Ontario-Outaouais network. However, in 1991, in a cost-cutting measure, both licenses were merged into CBOFT Ottawa.
Eventual transition to digital and TVA.[]
In 2011, when most Windsor stations converted to digital, as CBEFT remained analog for another year. During the transition, it went to channel 35, although the cutting of channels 52-69 was meant for digital. However, budget cuts came to Canada, as the CBC announced to close the rest of their analog transmitters, including CBEFT. However, the CRTC rejected this and told CBC to sell all their transmitters. In June 15, 2012, TFO bought all the French-language analog transmitters in Ontario, but rejected CBEFT. Three days later, Groupe TVA, inc. bought CBEFT, and announced it will convert it and 12 others directly to digital on August 1.
On that day CBEFT closed its analog signal, and immediately dropped Radio-Canada affiliation, signed on to digital as CFWD-DT, a TVA owned-and-operated station and reverted its display channel as early-era 78
Transmitters[]
In August 21, 2012, CFWD-DT applied for transmitters for eight Ontarian cities, including Toronto. Two weeks later, the CRTC so far approved the Hamilton-Toronto and Thunder Bay transmitters.
| City | Call sign | Channel | First Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton/Toronto | CFWD-DT-1 | Digital: 14 (UHF)
Virtual: 52 (PSIP) |
September 11, 2012 |
| Thunder Bay | CFWD-DT-2 | Digital: 7 (VHF)
Virtual: 7 (PSIP) |
September 11, 2012 |
| Sudbury | CFWD-DT-3 | Digital: 19 (UHF)
Virtual:19 (PSIP) |
January 3, 2013 |
| Sault Ste. Marie | CFWD-DT-4 | Digital: 19 (UHF)
Virtual: 20 (PSIP) |
January 3, 2013 |
| Timmins | CFWD-DT-5 | Digital: 7 (VHF)
Virtual: 54 (PSIP) |
January 3, 2013 |
| North Bay | CFWD-DT-6 | Digital: 2 (VHF)
Virtual: 29 (PSIP) |
January 3, 2013 |
| London | CFWD-DT-7 | Digital: 19 (UHF)
Virtual: 19 (PSiP) |
March 16, 2013 |
| Cornwall | CFWD-DT-8 | Digital: 9 (VHF)
Virtual: 9 (PSIP) |
March 24, 2013 |
| Sarnia | CFWD-DT-9 | Digital: 35 (UHF)
Virtual: 35 (PSIP) |
March 24, 2013 |
| Kingston | CFWD-DT-10 | Digital: 21 (UHF)
Virtual: 21 (PSIP) |
March 24, 2013 |
| Penetang | CFWD-DT-11 | Digital: 10 (VHF)
Virtual: 10 (PSIP) |
March 24, 2013 |
| Kitchner | CFWD-DT-12 | Digital: 29 (UHF)
Virtual: 29 (PSIP) |
October 9, 2013 |
| Peterborough | CFWD-DT-13 | Digital: 39 (UHF)
Virtual: 39 (PSIP) |
October 9, 2013 |