Wide World of Sports (Canadian TV program)

Wide World of Sports was a Canadian sports magazine series, which aired on CTV from 1964 to 1991.^[1] A franchised adaptation of the American Wide World of Sports, the program initially aired a mixture of content from the American series and original Canadian content produced by CTV and its affiliates,^[2] with the balance shifting much more strongly toward original Canadian content in later years.^[1]

Like the American series, the Saturday afternoon program presented a package of sporting events, principally in sports such as lacrosse, boxing, skiing, auto racing, rodeo, tennis and figure skating, which did not typically receive the kind of full prime-time broadcasts that were typical in major league team sports like football, baseball or hockey.^[3]

The series premiered on September 19, 1964.^[4] Jim McKay, the host of the American version, was occasionally seen on the show, although Johnny Esaw served as the primary Canadian host.^[5] Pat Marsden and Dan Matheson were also associated with the program as play-by-play announcers for various sports.

Esaw retired from CTV in 1990,^[6] and was replaced as host by Rod Black.^[7]

The show aired its final episode on December 28, 1991. It was replaced with the similar CTV Sports Presents, which was cohosted by Black and Tracy Wilson.^[1]