# 1989 in Canadian television

This is a list of Canadian television related events from 1989.

## Events

| Date | Event |
| January 3 | Children's animated series Babar based on the books by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff makes its debut on CBC Television. |
| January 19 | The Raccoons, Canada's long running animated series for children is shown in Ireland once again with the series itself screening on Network 2 on its long running children's block Dempsey's Den. The series will also continue airing on RTÉ until September 10, 1993. |
| March 12 | The last new Wayne and Shuster special airs after 31 years. Reruns of the show would continue to air on CBC Television for years after the final special. |
| March 12 | Juno Awards of 1989 |
| March 17 | Unionized employees of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation embark on a strike. |
| March 22 | 10th Genie Awards |
| May 5 | Babar has been sold to Singapore with the series being broadcast on Channel 5 at 6:30pm. |
| July 31 | CBC Newsworld Canada's first all-news channel launches. Its French counterpart Réseau de l'information would launch 6 years later. |
| September 14 | The very first regular episode of the Canadian sketch comedy TV series The Kids in the Hall transmits in Canada for the very first time on CBC Television. |
| September 27 | CBC Television's The Raccoons and The Beachcombers move to their new Wednesday Night slot. |
| December 5 | 1989 Gemini Awards |

### Debuts

| Show | Station | Premiere Date |
| Babar | CBC Television | January 3 |
| The Struggle for Democracy | CBC Television | January 8 |
| Street Cents | CBC Television | March 15 |
| Prisoners of Gravity | TVOntario | August 21 |
| Denver, the Last Dinosaur | YTV | September 3 |
| Count Duckula | YTV | September 4 |
| The Kids in the Hall | CBC Television | September 14 |
| Jackpot | Global | September 18 |
| Talkabout | CBC Television | September 18 |
| Windfalls | Knowledge Network | September 24 |
| Degrassi High | CBC Television | November 6 |
| Fashion File | CBC Television | Unknown |

### Ending this year

| Show | Station | Cancelled |
| Night Heat | CTV | January 5 |
| Degrassi Junior High | CBC Television | February 27 |
| Definition | CTV | March 10 |
| Learning the Ropes | CTV | March 31 |

### Changes of network affiliation

| Show | Moved from | Moved to |
| Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends | Knowledge Network | TVOntario |

## Television shows
### 1950s

* Country Canada (1954–2007)
* Hockey Night in Canada (1952–present)
* The National (1954–present)
* Front Page Challenge (1957–1995)

### 1960s

* CTV National News (1961–present)
* Land and Sea (1964–present)
* Man Alive (1967–2000)
* Mr. Dressup (1967–1996)
* The Nature of Things (1960–present, scientific documentary series)
* Question Period (1967–present, news program)
* The Tommy Hunter Show (1965–1992)
* W-FIVE (1966–present, newsmagazine program)

### 1970s

* The Beachcombers (1972–1990)
* Canada AM (1972–present, news program)
* the fifth estate (1975–present, newsmagazine program)
* Live It Up! (1978–1990)
* Marketplace (1972–present, newsmagazine program)
* Polka Dot Door (1971-1993)
* You Can't Do That on Television (1979–1990)
* 100 Huntley Street (1977–present, religious program)

### 1980s

* Adrienne Clarkson Presents (1988–1999)
* Bumper Stumpers (1987–1990)
* The Campbells (1986–1990)
* CityLine (1987–present, news program)
* CODCO (1987–1993)
* The Comedy Mill (1986–1991)
* Danger Bay (1984–1990)
* The Journal (1982–1992)
* Just For Laughs (1988–present)
* Midday (1985–2000)
* My Secret Identity (1988–1991)
* Night Heat (1985–1989)
* On the Road Again (1987–2007)
* The Raccoons (1985–1992)
* Street Legal (1987–1994)
* Super Dave (1987–1991)
* Switchback (1981–1990)
* Talkabout (1988-1990)
* T. and T. (1987–1990)
* Under the Umbrella Tree (1986–1993)
* Venture (1985–2007)
* Video Hits (1984–1993)

## TV movies, miniseries and specials

* Champagne Charlie
* The French Revolution
* It's a Razorbacks Christmas Barbeque
* Looking for Miracles
* Love and Hate: The Story of Colin and JoAnn Thatcher
* The Paper Wedding (Les Noces de papier)
* Pray for Me, Paul Henderson
* The Railway Dragon
* Les Tisserands du pouvoir - French version
* Where the Spirit Lives

## Births

* Nick Nemeroff - Canadian stand-up comedian (died 2022)