Foster Hewitt Limited

Foster Hewitt Limited. This pioneering Canadian production company was founded in 1952 by legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt, the iconic voice of Hockey Night in Canada. The firm was instrumental in the early development of sports and entertainment television in Canada, producing landmark programs and pioneering technical innovations in live television. Its operations were central to the growth of CBC Television's sports coverage and it later became a key program supplier for the emerging CTV Television Network before ceasing operations in 1978.

History

The company was established by Foster Hewitt following his monumental success as the radio voice for the Toronto Maple Leafs and his pioneering television broadcasts from Maple Leaf Gardens. Initially, it focused on producing Hewitt's own televised hockey broadcasts for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which held a national monopoly on television. A major early venture was the production of the popular music program The Big Revue for CBC Television in 1952, showcasing Canadian talent like Sylvia Murphy. The company's expertise in outside broadcasting was solidified through its work on major sporting events, including the Stanley Cup Finals and the Grey Cup. Following the launch of the CTV Television Network in 1961, the firm became a vital program supplier, producing numerous series for the new network. Key personnel included Hewitt's son, Bill Hewitt, who also became a renowned hockey broadcaster. The company ceased independent operations in 1978, with its production assets and library acquired by CTV Television Network.

Notable productions

Foster Hewitt Limited produced a wide array of programming that defined early Canadian television. Its most famous production was the television version of Hockey Night in Canada, where Hewitt's "He shoots, he scores!" call became a national catchphrase. In entertainment, the company produced the early CBC variety show The Big Revue and the long-running CTV music program The Tommy Hunter Show, which featured guests like Gordon Lightfoot and Anne Murray. For CTV, it also produced the popular game show Tiny Talent Time, which launched from CHCH-TV in Hamilton, Ontario, and the sitcom The Trouble with Tracy. In sports, beyond hockey, the company produced broadcasts of Canadian Football League games, professional wrestling from Maple Leaf Gardens, and coverage of events like the Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack. Their technical unit was also hired for major special events broadcasts, including political conventions and visits by dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II.

Legacy and impact

The legacy of Foster Hewitt Limited is deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian broadcasting. The company helped transition Foster Hewitt's iconic radio persona to the television age, cementing hockey's central place in Canadian culture. Its work as an independent producer for the CTV Television Network provided crucial content that helped the network compete with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, fostering a more diverse broadcasting landscape. The company's pioneering use of mobile television units and microwave relay technology set standards for outside broadcasting of live sports across Canada. Many individuals who worked for the company, such as Bill Hewitt and producer Mickey McTague, went on to have influential careers in the industry. Its production catalog, though some of it is now considered a product of its time, remains a significant part of Canada's television heritage, studied by historians of media in Canada.

See also

* Foster Hewitt * Hockey Night in Canada * CTV Television Network * Canadian Broadcasting Corporation * Maple Leaf Gardens * Bill Hewitt * The Tommy Hunter Show * Canadian television

Category:Defunct television production companies of Canada Category:Companies based in Toronto Category:1952 establishments in Ontario Category:1978 disestablishments in Ontario