About Spence Caldwell
Lived 1909 – 1983 (aged 73–74). Spence Caldwell was a Canadian businessperson, known for CTV Television Network.
Spencer Wood Caldwell (1909 – December 10, 1983) was a Canadian broadcasting pioneer and the founder of CTV.
Amongst his notable achievements are as manager of the Dominion Network, S.W. Caldwell Ltd. (a TV and radio programme and equipment distributor), an advertising agency created to air Canadian advertisements into the broadcasting of CBS TV show Westinghouse Playhouse. Caldwell was one of the first to apply for a television station licence to the Board of Broadcast Governors, but was turned down. After being turned down for a television station, Caldwell applied for a licence to create Canada's first private television network. With the licence approved, Caldwell created CTV, Canada's first commercial TV network. Caldwell was the first President of CTV and was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Caldwell was killed in a road accident with a transport truck near his home in Caledon, Ontario.
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Spence Caldwell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Spence Caldwell?
Canadian television executive
When was Spence Caldwell born?
Spence Caldwell was born in 1909 in Regina.
When did Spence Caldwell die?
Spence Caldwell died on 10 December 1983 in Caledon, Ontario.
What was Spence Caldwell's occupation?
Spence Caldwell was a businessperson.
What was Spence Caldwell known for?
Spence Caldwell was known for CTV Television Network.
What nationality was Spence Caldwell?
Spence Caldwell was Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Spence Caldwell. https://biography.guide/spence-caldwell/
MLA: "Spence Caldwell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/spence-caldwell/.
Chicago: "Spence Caldwell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/spence-caldwell/.
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