SCRP
From Scrapeipedia
SCRP is a television and radio broadcaster based in The Town of LaRue. It is the sole television broadcaster in Camembert County.
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History
The history of SCRP can be traced back to 1932 and the founding of the LaRue Merchant, the first daily newspaper distributed in The Town of LaRue. Founded by Abraham Kentwall, the Merchant became massively successful in its first few years, but lost readership to the better established LaRue Listener which was launched in 1901. Eventually, the distribution battle (known locally as The Daily War) resulted in the folding of the Merchant and it's finances and personnel being redistributed to a new radio network, SCRP.
Officially launched on October 9, 1940, SCRP began broadcasting relays of programming from the United States. It was an immediate success throughout the region and rose in popularity throughout the 1930s. The region was largely unaffected by the economic turmoil of the time period due to it's diverse economy.
1940s
SCRP gained national attention during the Second World War due to its aggressive reporting of the conflict. One broadcast in particular, concerning the D-Day invasion, sparked widespread attention to the small town station. This attention drew interest from the CBC, Canada's largest broadcaster. Kentwall, a stern conservative and capitalist, declined the government owned company offer of purchase.
National attention waned afterwards and the network continued broadcasting throughout the county.
1950s
The company continued relay broadcasting through the 1950s but began to add original content to the lineup in an effort to regain audiences lost to the advent of television in the decade. Kentwall himself declared in 1956 "This new medium of television is as dire a threat to our industry as the motor vehicle was to the horse and buggy. We must innovate to stay valid. We must innovate to stay alive." Two years later, the CBC began broadcasting in Camembert County.
1960s
Kentwall began laying the groundwork for introducing a local television station in the region as early as 1960. His son, Edward Kentwall, came on board to help direct the new future of the company and usher in the television era. Abraham did not live long enough to see those efforts through, succumbing to heart failure in 1963 at the age of 70. Edward drove forward his fathers vision and on July 9, 1967, broadcast their first television program, a news broadcast title "The Daily Merchant".
1970s
Original programming increased throughout the decade. One program, Queen of Carswell, put the network into deep legal troubles due to its similarity in name and content to the popular CBC show "King of Kensington". After much legal wrangling, the case was settled with the cancellation of the SCRP program and partial financial investment in the network by the CBC.
1980s
The company suffered significant financial hardship through the early and mid 1980s as broadcasting, in particular from the United States, began dominating the airwaves. Viewership dropped steadily and revenues followed. It wasn't until 1987, and a massive advertising contract with The Bioexoenergy Corporation, that the company's fortunes began to turn around. In 1989 the network began airing Dibble's Dialogue, their highest rated and longest running show.
1990s
SCRP made a major investment in local talent throughout the 90's, choosing to develop all programming internally rather than relying on external shows and talent. The bulk of television production has involved members and former members of the LaRue Community Players.
2000s
Success continued into the new millennium and a whole new slate of original shows began to appear. The network also began reintegrating shows from others networks through syndication to great success. In 2008 they partnered with The LaRue Listener, The Town of LaRue, and The Bioexoenergy Corporation to form Scrape TV. Also, in 2003, Edward Kentwall stepped down as head of the network due to failing health, he died later that year. The network is no headed by Gabriel Hu, the former creative director.
Major Programs
- Dibble's Dialogue
- Help Yourself Help Yourself
- How does that Happen?
- That's your Opinion Man
- Seethrough Ministries Convocation Hour
- Talk Time with Jesse Ginger
- Beaver Fever
- Ronnie's Fun Time Play Hour
- Model Behviour
Community
SCRP is the second most watched channel in Camembert County (the first is MSNBC). It is colloquially referred to as Scrape by local residents. It is also one of the largest employers in the area.
