Donald Brinton spoke the first words on Edmonton's first television station in 1954: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to CFRN-TV, at the sign of the totem pole, Channel 3, Edmonton." Though he started as a newscaster and host, it was as an executive with CanWest Global Communications that he became a force in bringing quality Canadian programming to viewers. This industry leader shares a few thoughts about broadcasting then and now and the lessons he's learned.
Career highlight: "I had a dream summer job in Yellowknife in 1950. By day, I ran an experimental station testing how vegetables grow in permafrost. Nights and weekends, I was operator/announcer at CFYK, a one-room volunteer community radio station. It was my introduction to broadcasting and I was hooked!"
His vision for Canadian television: "I have always envisioned a popular and marketable Canadian content. I hear my old mentor Izzy Asper [founder of CanWest Global] on the future of Canadian content: 'We can do better!' "
What he has learned: "Show respect for your staff, both as professionals and as valued people in their personal lives."
Tips to the next generation: "If I were manager of a TV station today, I would hire IT people with their fingers on the pulse of broadcasting online and on social media."
Proudest moment: "Being a recipient of the Order of Canada, class of 2016."
We at New Trail welcome your comments. Robust debate and criticism are encouraged, provided it is respectful. We reserve the right to reject comments, images or links that attack ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation; that include offensive language, threats, spam; are fraudulent or defamatory; infringe on copyright or trademarks; and that just generally aren’t very nice. Discussion is monitored and violation of these guidelines will result in comments being disabled.