The New VR was originally CKVR, a CBC affilliate in Barrie, Ontario that ended up being owned by CHUM Ltd., which converted it to an independent a la City tv in 1995. Its mix of programming is similar to the City tv model -- strong local news coverage (focusing on northern GTA/Barrie/Muskokas), movies, simulcasts of the occasional syndicated or U.S. network program, Leno and Conan -- but avoids the frenetic approach of City tv.