1961 in Canadian television

Events

• Reach for the Top broadcasts for the first time on CBUT. Four years later the show launches nationally on CBC.
• CHCH becomes an independent station after seven years of CBC network affiliation.
• October 1 - The Canadian Television Network launches as Canada's second national television network. The original affiliates are CFCN, CHAN, CJAH, CFTO, CJCH, CFCF, CJOH, and CFRN which was a former CBC affiliate.
• The CTV National News airs its first broadcast not long after the launch of CTN. The original anchors are Peter Jennings, Charles Lynch and Peter Stursberg. The show gets off to a slow start but soon becomes the network's highest rated program.

  Debuts

Ending this year

Births

• February 24 - Lynette Gillis, Actress, voice actress and singer
• September 16 - Jen Tolley, Actress, voice actress and singer

  Television shows

1950s

• '
• CBC News Magazine
• Chez Hélène
• Circle 8 Ranch
• Don Messer's Jubilee
• The Friendly Giant
• Front Page Challenge
• Hockey Night in Canada
• Maggie Muggins
• '
• Open House
• Wayne and Shuster Show

  1960s

• A Case for the Court
• Club 6
• The Nature of Things

  TV movies

Television stations

Debuts

Network affiliation changes