With job cuts coming to Global Okanagan (CHBC) the idea has been raised about an independent TV station again serving the valley.
The layoffs are part of cuts affecting 55 Unifor members at four Corus Entertainment outlets across Canada. The number of job losses at CHBC is not yet known.
91裸聊视频淣one of the layoff notices have taken effect yet, it91裸聊视频檚 business as usual for the short term,91裸聊视频� said Doyle Potenteau, president of the local union chapter for Unifor, M1 Okanagan.
Former CHBC journalist, and Kelowna city councillor, Mohini Singh put out the call for an independent station. She is concerned about the job losses affecting local news and programming.
91裸聊视频淕ood, objective journalism is important to a community and it91裸聊视频檚 being lost. We shouldn91裸聊视频檛 allow that to happen.91裸聊视频�
Although Corus has not indicated it will shut down or sell CHBC Singh feels it could survive as an independent by following the business model of CHEK News in Victoria.
In July 2009, owner Canwest announced it would close CHEK in August after failing to find a buyer. By September the station was sold to employees and local investors for $2. CHEK has thrived ever since. Canwest also previously owned CHBC.
91裸聊视频淐an that be replicated here,91裸聊视频� she asked. 91裸聊视频淐an they work with CHBC, and can something come out of it? It91裸聊视频檚 an amazing success story.91裸聊视频�
Singh has contacted CHEK management about the possibility.
Potenteau has also heard rumblings.
91裸聊视频淗owever, that is just speculation as no one has reached out to the local union regarding the possibility,91裸聊视频� he said.
Black Press Media has contacted CHEK management for comment.
Another former CHBC journalist and city councillor, Rick Webber, was shocked to hear about the layoffs.
91裸聊视频淚 really feel for the staff trying to do their jobs knowing this is looming over them. It91裸聊视频檚 not an easy thing to do.91裸聊视频�
He said it91裸聊视频檚 essentially the end of local news broadcasting in the Okanagan after 65 years.
91裸聊视频淭hat is a bit stunning.91裸聊视频�
Webber said it91裸聊视频檚 his understanding Okanagan newscasts will be pre-recorded in Vancouver with content provided by CHBC staff.
Singh added the community ought to be angry.
91裸聊视频淐an we not be a repeater station for Vancouver. CHBC91裸聊视频檚 motto used to be 91裸聊视频淭he Okanagan91裸聊视频檚 Very Own.91裸聊视频�
Webber noted that CHBC was on the chopping block in the 2000s but absorbed by Global. He said the station has a significant place in the Okanagan and many people rely on TV news.
91裸聊视频淚t has its own style of delivery91裸聊视频 think it still has value and potential for a strong audience.91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 a big loss (layoffs) and unnecessary.91裸聊视频�
CHBC began broadcasting in 1957 and was started by local radio stations CKOV (Kelowna), CKOR (originally CKOK Pentiction), and CKIZ (originally CJIB Vernon).
