Wide World of Sports is a Canadian sports magazine series, which aired on CTV from 1964 to 1991.Ken McKee, "Out with old Wide World, in with new CTV Presents". Toronto Star, December 20, 1991. 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,"CTV Signs 'Wide World of Sports'". Ottawa Journal, May 30, 1964. with the balance shifting much more strongly toward original Canadian content in later years.
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 commonly receive the kind of full prime-time broadcasts that were typical in major league team sports like football, baseball or hockey.Les Wedman, "The Glass Eye". Vancouver Sun, May 11, 1964.
The series premiered on September 19, 1964.Bob Shiels, "On Television". Calgary Herald, September 18, 1964. Jim McKay, the host of the American version, was occasionally seen on the show, although Johnny Esaw served as the primary Canadian host."New schedule starts on CJOH". Ottawa Citizen, September 5, 1964. 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,Ken McKee, "Johnny Esaw hangs up his mike after 41 years in broadcasting". Toronto Star, February 19, 1990. and was replaced as host by Rod Black.Ken McKee, "'World' to widen on CTV". Toronto Star, November 20, 1990.
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.
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