Geoff Stirling is an iconic Canadian entrepreneur and innovator He is best known for founding NTV, Newfoundland and Labrador's first privately owned television station. NTV was the first private station in Canada to broadcast in colour, the first to broadcast in high definition, and the first to multicast using different digital over-the-air channels.
Stirling has had a diverse career, during which he has founded numerous companies and created groundbreaking products. He has also been a major philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to various charities and organizations. He has been recognized for his contributions to the Canadian economy and has been inducted into the Order of Canada.
The following are five examples of Geoff Stirling's innovative work:
1. NTV: As mentioned, Stirling founded NTV in 1997, the first private television station in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under his direction, the station quickly became a leading provider of regional news, sports, and entertainment in the province, and it remains so to this day.
2. The Polar Bear Club: Stirling founded The Polar Bear Club in 2003. This unique business venture allowed Canadians to purchase “shares” in a live polar bear to be cared for in a compound at a cost of $15,000 each. In 2009, Stirling sold his interest in the club to focus on other projects.
3. “Thank-You Canada”: In 2012, Stirling launched a campaign called “Thank-You Canada” in which he donated $1 million to charities and organizations across the country. The campaign was intended to celebrate Canada's sesquicentennial by acknowledging the hard work of Canadians and giving back to those in need.
4. Innovation in Broadcasting: Stirling was a pioneer in the broadcast industry and his work in creating NTV made him a leading innovator. He was subsequent responsible for breaking new ground in HD broadcasting, as well as multicasting and data broadcasting for the delivery of increased radio and television content.
5. The Astronomy Observatory: In 2015, Stirling opened a private observatory in Carbonear, Newfoundland. The observatory allowed members of the public to observe planets, stars, galaxies, and more, all through an advanced telescope. The observatory is now part of the nearby Passion for Learning School.