What was the primary entertainment medium in Canada before the rise of NFB and CBC?

The primary entertainment medium in Canada before the rise of the National Film Board (NFB) and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was commercial broadcasting from the United States. During the early to mid-20th century, American radio and television programs dominated the media landscape in Canada. This influx of U.S. content significantly influenced Canadian culture and viewing habits, as many Canadians turned to American shows for entertainment.

The establishment of NFB and CBC in the late 1930s and early 1960s, respectively, marked a pivotal shift toward creating and promoting Canadian content, aiming to reflect Canadian culture and values in media. While theatre, printed newspapers, and public speeches certainly played important roles in Canadian entertainment, they did not have the same broad, pervasive influence that American broadcasting had at the time. The significant presence of U.S. programming laid the groundwork for a greater emphasis on developing a distinct Canadian entertainment identity through institutions like the NFB and CBC later on.