Newton Cable

Newton Cable was a small cable provider in Canada serving communities in Northern Toronto from its offices in Downsview, Ontario.

Newton Cable, or Newton Cable Communications Ltd, was founded in the late 1960s and originally known as Willowdowns Cable. The Newton family got a grant of a cable television (CATV) licence by the Department of Communications (DOC) for parts of Downsview and Willowdale.

The cable system covered a geographic area with Sheppard Avenue as its southern border, Steeles Avenue its northern border, Bathurst Street its eastern border, and Dufferin Street its western border. The main offices, production studio, and head end was originally located at 979 Alness Street and later located at 78 Martin Ross Avenue.

By the early 1990s, cable television operators gradually came under increased pressure from satellite operators and local telephone companies, which sought to compete in the delivery of video and other data services. Cable TV operators, having a strategic advantage in network architecture, responded by beginning to invest heavily to make their systems two-way capable, in part through the use of fibre optic cables and optical transmission systems to allow the delivery of services such as video-on-demand, internet, and more.

But these significant changes away from traditional CATV services, and the requirement of heavy new investment, prompted the owners to sell Newton to one of the multiple system operators (MSOs) in Canada. After much speculation, the business was sold in 1992 to Rogers Cable.

Newton, like most local cable TV providers, encouraged the community in which they were based in to join in. Community members could suggest new show ideas or get involved in shows currently on the air. Newton also offered free technical courses to all members of the community, allowing everyone from students to business executives a chance to learn how to operate television production equipment. After many hours of hands on training, these people were able to operate camera, audio and editing equipment, as well as being able to set up lighting for sets. This was a great opportunity for people to learn these skills, but many volunteers also went on to work in the film and television industry both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

Newton also had close relationships with high schools located in the North York area. Schools such as Newtonbrook Secondary School would put together shows to be aired.

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