Fairchild TV

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Fairchild TV
Fairchild TV logo used for the website.
Fairchild TV Studio in Richmond Hill
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNational
HeadquartersAberdeen Centre, Richmond, British Columbia
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Programming
LanguageCantonese
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
OwnerFairchild Group (80%)
TVB (20%)
Sister channelsFairchild TV 2
Talentvision
History
LaunchedDecember 23, 1993; 32 years ago (1993-12-23)
ReplacedChinavision
Links
WebsiteFairchild TV (in Cantonese) Fairchild TV (in English)
Fairchild TV
Traditional Chinese新時代電視
Simplified Chinese新时代电视
Literal meaningNew Era Television
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXīnshídài diànshì
Wade–GilesHsinshihtai tienshih
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingSan1si4doi6 din6si6

Fairchild TV or FTV (新時代電視), is a Canadian Cantonese language exempt specialty channel.[1] It is owned by Fairchild Group, with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB holding a 20% minority stake. Fairchild TV has studios in the Greater Toronto Area (Richmond Hill, Ontario) and Greater Vancouver (inside Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, British Columbia).

The channel's origins can be traced to the Cantonese broadcasting service, Chinavision Canada was rebranded as Fairchild TV in 1993 when Thomas Fung purchased Chinavision.[2]

History

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Early History

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The predecessor of Fairchild Television was Chinavision, a Toronto-based company. In 1983, the Canadian Television Commission (CRTC) announced that it was considering issuing a national Chinese pay television license. Four organizations competed for the license, including World View Television, which had been granted a regional minority pay television license in British Columbia in 1982, and Chinavision, founded by Francis Cheung. Chinavision won the license in 1984 and began broadcasting in the same year. At that time, it broadcast seven days a week, eight hours a day (17:00 to 01:00 the next morning).[3]

Given that Chinavision was in its infancy at that time, the authorities believed that the Vancouver area could not support two competing Chinese television stations. Therefore, they added a clause to the license of Chinavision restricting it from broadcasting in British Columbia for two years after its launch, so that World Television (later reorganized into Cathay Television in 1985) could maintain its status as the only Chinese television station in British Columbia.[4] The authorities later lifted the broadcasting restrictions on Chinavision in 1987, and the station was able to receive broadcasts in British Columbia from then on. Chinavision at that time was dedicated to rebroadcasting programs from Hong Kong's Asia Television, while Cathay Television was dedicated to rebroadcasting programs from Hong Kong's TVB.

The financial situation of Chinavision has been poor since its launch. By 1992, it was in debt of about 8 million to 10 million Canadian dollars.[5] In the same year, the Ontario court ordered the creditors to take over the company changed the management.[6]

Fairchild Takeover

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In 1992, Vancouver-based Chinese businessman Fung Wing-fat's Fairchild Group, together with Television Broadcasts International Ltd, announced a joint investment of $9.25 million to acquire the assets of Chinavision and $3.8 million to acquire Cathay Television.[7][8][9] The two transactions were approved by the CRTC in October[10] and December of 1993 respectively,[11] and the two stations were subsequently reorganized: the national television license originally belonging to Chinavision was reorganized into Fairchild Television, while the regional television license originally belonging to Cathay Television was reorganized into Talentvision.[2] After the reorganization, Fairchild Television began to broadcast terrestrial television programs, but also produced some local programs.

In addition, Fairchild TV, after its reorganization, also implemented separate broadcasting in Toronto and Vancouver, with different program schedules in the two cities, and the news departments in the two cities also operated independently. However, this arrangement actually violated the terms of the station's national television license, and CFMT (the predecessor of OMNI), a multicultural television station in Toronto under Rogers Communications Group, filed a complaint with the CRTC in 2000. The authorities then ordered Fairchild TV to stop separate broadcasting and switch to national broadcasting in 2001.[12] After the national broadcasting was implemented on July 2 of the same year, except for the advertising period, the content of the Vancouver signal was the same as that of the Toronto signal, only delayed by three hours due to the time difference between the two cities, and the production and broadcasting of news programs were also changed accordingly. (See Fairchild TV News).

In 2003, the station applied to the CRTC for a license renewal and also requested the authorities to amend the license terms to allow partial broadcasting. The application was approved in 2004, and the news program resumed partial broadcasting in the fall of the same year.[13]

Operations

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The signal of Fairchild TV’s main channel is currently divided into two versions: Eastern Canada and Western Canada. The differences between the two before 2001 were quite significant, with different program schedules and news reports that were basically unrelated. Since the implementation of nationwide simulcasting in 2001, the two signals have been largely the same, except that the Western Canada version is broadcast 3 hours later than the Eastern Canada version to match the 3-hour time difference between the East and West coasts (so the program schedules of the two are exactly the same when calculated in local time). After the licensing terms were amended in 2004, the first half hour of evening news reports (19:00-19:30) was also broadcast separately in Vancouver and Toronto, and some providers would provide both Eastern and Western Canada versions of Fairchild Television for the convenience of viewers.

Throughout most of 2010s, Fairchild TV signed on at 6:00 a.m. everyday and signed off at 4:00 a.m every Tuesdays-Saturdays, 4:30 am on Sundays, and 3:55 am on Mondays.[14][15][16] On October 2, 2022, Fairchild TV switched to a 24-hour schedule.[17]

More than 475,000 Chinese Canadians across Canada watch Fairchild Television each day, roughly 30% of the whole Chinese population in Canada.

Until August 31, 2020, Fairchild TV operated two standard definition television channels: Fairchild TV in Cantonese and Talentvision in Mandarin. Both stations use programming from Vancouver and Toronto. On May 23, 2013, Fairchild TV launched two High Definition (HD) channels: Fairchild TV 2 HD in Cantonese and Talentvision 2 HD in Mandarin (ceased operations in July 2016). On September 1, 2020, Fairchild TV and Talenvision were upgraded to High Definition. Fairchild TV 2 "HD" signage was removed and renamed Fairchild TV 2.

Fairchild TV's logo used from 1993 to 2013.

Programs

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Fairchild TV broadcasts local (Canadian) and overseas (Asian) programming in the Cantonese language. It also serves as an overseas station of Hong Kong television station TVB. Due to that, Fairchild TV broadcasts TVB programmes, although at a time delay of up to one year due to obtaining overseas broadcasting rights. It has also broadcast programs from other Hong Kong television stations including ATV (previously), ViuTV, and additionally feature popular Mainland Chinese programmes. Fairchild TV also organises annual events, such as the Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant, Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant, New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition, New Talent Singing Awards Toronto Audition and Calgary New Talent Singing Awards (discontinued). These programs are broadcast live nationally. Many of the contestants from these contests have gone on to hosting television shows on Fairchild TV and some earn fame in Asia. Most notable are Bernice Liu (廖碧兒), Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣), and Leanne Li (李亞男), they were former Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant and Miss Chinese International Pageant winners, and Jacky Chu, Elva Hsiao and Jade Kwan of New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition.

Current local programming list

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Weekly/daily programs

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  • Morning Exercise 最緊要運動
  • Timeline Magazine 時代雜誌
  • What's On 熒幕八爪娛
  • Magazine 26 26分鐘見證實錄
  • Media Focus 傳媒對焦
  • Chatting Platform 時事評台
  • Vibe Loop 潮流無限Loop
  • News Talk 時事直擊

Annual events

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Current artistes & presenters

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Name Active at FTV since Associated city Currently hosting Previously hosted Notables
Mary Lo
盧玉鳳 		1995 Vancouver Chinese New Year Countdown Hit Music Zone

Leisure Talk

Also, DJ at AM 1470
Mandy Chan

陳敏愷

2001 Vancouver Chinese New Year Countdown Leisure Talk

Missy Missy

In Search of Tasty Cuisines

Also, DJ at AM 1470
Leo Shiu
蕭嘉俊 		2001 Toronto Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant What's On

Leisure Talk

New Talent Singing Awards Toronto Audition 2000 Finalist

Formerly host of TVB's Entertainment News Channel from 2005 to 2006

Nina Chai

齊雅荃

2011 Vancouver What's On 2011 Super10 Finalist
Suiki Zhang

張穗琪

2014 Vancouver What's On VANtastic

Snapshots

Missy Missy

In Search of Tasty Cuisines

Food Buzzing

Also hosts Talentvision's Urban Life
Rick Lam

林峰

2015 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

Entertainment Circle Also, DJ at AM 1430
Brian Chiu

趙穎䝼

2016 Vancouver Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant Also, DJ at AM 1470
Steven Yang

楊智

2016 Vancouver What's On Food Buzzing
Cantius Lee

李其璋

2016 Toronto Vibe Loop What's On 2016 Project Boyz Power Finalist
Rachel Wong

黃萃華

2016 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

Entertainment Circle Those Days•These Songs Singing Contest 2 Second-Runner Up

Formerly Video Editor & Production Assistant at Fairchild TV News

Cynthia Fu

符善婷

2018 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

Entertainment Circle 2017 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Second-Runner Up
Vicky Wu

吳曉鈴

2021 Vancouver What’s On In Search of Tasty Cuisines 2020 Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant Second-Runner Up

Also hosts Talentvision's Urban Life

Athena Chen

陳玥彤

2021 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

2021 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Second-Runner Up

Formerly Host of Talentvision's Urban Life

Albert Cheung

章志文

2022 Toronto Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Former TVB Actor & Host

Also, DJ at AM 1430

Marco Kou

顧樂恒

2022 Vancouver What's On Radio Idol 2015 Winner

Also, DJ at AM 1470

David Ruan

阮駿龍

2024 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

Those Days•These Songs 2 Singing Contest Winner
Fion Yung

容羨媛

2025 Vancouver What's On Former TVB Host of "Scoop"
Kelvin Leung

梁溢駿

2025 Vancouver What's On 2024 Sunshine Nation Singing Contest Winner
Claudia Lam

林映說

2025 Vancouver What's On 2024 Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant Finalist
Yammie Leung

梁日苗

2025 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

2024 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Finalist
Natalie So

蘇芷晞

2025 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

2024 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant First-Runner Up
Juvally Chan

陳靖如

2025 Toronto What's On

Vibe Loop

2024 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant Winner
Kenneth Lee

李祉昊

2025 Toronto Vibe Loop 2024 Sunshine Generations Singing Contest Winner
Victoria Tam

譚昕婷

2025 Toronto Vibe Loop 2024 Sunshine Generations Singing Contest's Best Showmanship Award
Alvis Kwok

郭文熙

2025 Toronto Vibe Loop Those Days•These Songs 2 Singing Contest Finalist

Notable former presenters

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The following is a list of former Fairchild Television presenters that are currently affiliated with other media outlets.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Waging a war over a large, wealthy, educated audience; Fairchild TV and CFMT are battling it out to deliver the news to Canada's Chinese community". Toronto Star, February 28, 1999.
  2. ^ a b "新時代電視 Fairchild TV". www.fairchildtv.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  3. ^ Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). "ARCHIVED - Licence applications - World View Television Limited, Wah Shing Television Ltd., MTV Broadcasting System Inc". crtc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  4. ^ "Page 8". chinesetimes.lib.sfu.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  5. ^ "Page 2". chinesetimes.lib.sfu.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  6. ^ "Page 2". chinesetimes.lib.sfu.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  7. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.fairchildgroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  8. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.fairchildgroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  9. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.fairchildgroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  10. ^ Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). "ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 93-644". www.crtc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  11. ^ Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). "ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 93-730". www.crtc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  12. ^ Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). "ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2001-271, Subject: Complaint resolution - CFMT-TV vrs Fairchild TV - Unauthorized operation of Fairchild TV specialty service as two regional feeds". crtc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  13. ^ Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) (2004-07-30). "ARCHIVED - Fairchild Television - Licence renewal". www.crtc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  14. ^ "新時代電視 Fairchild TV". www.fairchildtv.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-02. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  15. ^ "新時代電視 Fairchild TV". www.fairchildtv.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  16. ^ "新時代電視 Fairchild TV". www.fairchildtv.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  17. ^ "新時代電視 Fairchild TV". www.fairchildtv.com. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
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