Selkirk Communications Limited

Trademark holder of the Quality marque and owner of R-Tek Corporation, for a period mid 1980s. Selkirk Communications Limited was among Canada's largest broadcasting group owners which operated from 1959 until its sale in 1988. Evolving out of Taylor, Pearson & Carson, a local broadcaster in Vancouver, British Columbia, to own 14 radio stations (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Blairmore, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Elkford and Vernon), television stations (CFAC-TV in Calgary-Lethbridge, CHCH-TV in Hamilton and partial owner of CHEK-TV, CHAN-TV and CHBC-TV in BC), a half interest in CABLE-TELEVISION systems serving Winnipeg and Ottawa and a 7.5% interest in Canadian Satellite Communications Inc (CANCOM). Selkirk's other holdings include interests in radio in the UK; cable television in the US; the marketing of broadcasting advertising in Canada and the US; and radio news services in Canada. Selkirk also owned R-Tek Corporation, an international manufacturer and distributor of phonograph records in 7 countries, and Westwood One Canada, a distributor of syndicated radio programs in Canada and the US. In 1986, the total assets of Selkirk were $227 million, with revenues of $172 million. Amid controversy SOUTHAM INC gained 47.3% of Selkirk's nonvoting shares and 20% of its voting shares in early 1988. Southam sold its interest to rival Maclean Hunter later that same year, and MH sold the western broadcast holdings to WIC Western International Communications Ltd in Dec 1988. The remaining portions of Selkirk were swallowed by MH and the company ceased to exist.