CHUM touts Speakers Corner as ‘the original reality show.’ Launched by Citytv Toronto in 1990, the concept was simple but revolutionary: anybody passing by the CHUMCity Building could enter a video booth and record a brief message. City producers would choose the best ones and air them back-to-back on the weekly Speakers Corner program.

The show’s reach was probably best illustrated after members of a young local indie pop band called Barenaked Ladies crowded into the booth in 1991 to perform their song Be My Yoko Ono. Not only is the piece regarded today as the band’s first music video, it also catapulted them into the public consciousness and helped launch one of Canada’s most successful recording careers.

CHUM has since expanded Speakers Corner into seven other markets.