is an
FM Radio network in
Canada , owned and operated by the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Focused mainly on
Classical Music and
Jazz , it currently brands itself "Canada's National Music Network".
The CBC's FM network was launched in
1946 , but was strictly a simulcast of the
AM Radio network until
1960 . In that year, distinct programming on the FM network was launched for the first time. This was briefly discontinued in
1962 , but resumed again in
1964 .
On
November 3 ,
1975 , the FM network was rebranded , to distinguish it from the AM network, known as ''CBC Radio''. However, in the
1990s many of the old AM stations moved to FM as well, so in
1997 the CBC rebranded the networks as the current
CBC Radio One and '''CBC Radio Two'''.
For much of its history, its programming focus was on arts and culture, primarily consisting of programs devoted to
Opera ,
Classical Music and
Jazz . Some programming devoted to Canadian
Pop and
Indie Rock music was also aired, via the Saturday night
CBC Radio 3 simulcast and predecessors such as ''
RadioSonic '', as well as ''
Brave New Waves ''.
In 2006, speculation arose that CBC Radio Two programming would undergo a format and branding change, similar to that which its French counterpart ,
2007 . These changes, which took effect
March 19 , resulted in a tighter focus on music — still primarily classical but also including jazz, world music, and live music of all types. The 2007 revamp resulted in a subtle name change from Radio ''Two'' to Radio ''2''.
Radio 2 is not as widely available across Canada as Radio One. While Radio One is available in most communities across Canada regardless of size, Radio 2 for the most part is available only in larger cities. Radio 2 also has a more consistent national schedule than Radio One, with only limited regional programming, such as a daily calendar of local arts and culture event listings.
On satellite, Radio 2's programming can also be heard on
Bell ExpressVu and
Star Choice . Unlike Radio One and Radio 3, Radio 2 is not carried by
Sirius Satellite Radio , in part because the network relies largely on foreign classical and jazz music, and would not satisfy the CRTC's definition of a "Canadian" channel as required for
Sirius Canada .
Although most programming on CBC Radio Two is exclusive to the network, some programming is shared with other CBC networks. Some specialty programs, including ''
The Vinyl Cafe '' and the Sunday night edition of ''
Tonic '', are also aired on CBC Radio One in different time slots.
As of March 2007, Radio 2 now carries a separate news service from Radio One.
: Due to live performances on ''Saturday Afternoon at the Opera'' (e.g. the
Metropolitan Opera ), regional programming airs during the 11:00 a.m. to noon hour (''Connections'' in the Maritimes, ''The Performance Hour'' from 11:30 to 12:30 in Newfoundland). The remainder of the Saturday schedule is pushed back an hour, with the final hour of ''Nightstream'' dropped.
During the 2005
Canadian Media Guild Lockout , the normal schedule was temporarily replaced by continuous music from
Galaxie , except for short news updates at the top of the hour from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.
