Whistler Resort TV, channel 2 on the Whistler Cable system, is marking its first anniversary by crossing the Rockies and becoming a network.
Banff Resort TV comes to the airwaves of Banff and Canmore, Alberta on Nov. 1.
Don McQuaid, president of Whistler-based Resort Television Network, said Banff Resort TV will provide visitors to the Alberta resort the same sort of comprehensive resort information as Whistler Resort TV. Airing on channel 12 of the Monarch Cable system, Banff Resort TV will provide dining, nightlife, activities, weather and ski reports, shopping and special event programming.
The network expansion will give RTN a combined annual audience of more than 7 million resort guests in the Whistler and Banff areas.
McQuaid also announced that RTN has brought on Sean Brawley as director of business development. With 11 years of experience as a restaurant operator and franchise owner. Brawley’s strengths are in building relationships with customers and staff and designing and implementing franchise models. He also has a background in Web site design.
While Banff Resort TV gets up and running for its first season, Whistler Resort TV will be refining its programming this winter to include hosted shows that will lead resort guests on an informative tour of Whistler. Jamie Maw, senior food writer for Vancouver Magazine, will be touring Whistler’s finest restaurants while Judy Szabo, arts and fashion columnist for the Whistler Question, will be focusing on Whistler’s shopping experiences.
Brawley said the addition of Maw and Szabo marks a change in programming, away from strictly commercial loops to hosted information segments.
A weekly update of Whistler’s nightlife scene, What’s On In Whistler, will also return for the winter, starting Dec. 5.
A recent survey conducted by Custom Fit Communications Group found Whistler Resort TV to be the most frequently viewed media source of the multi-day Whistler visitor. According to the survey, 86 per cent of resort guests will turn to channel 2 on more than three occasions during their stay in Whistler.
