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.
香蕉视频直播淣one of the layoff notices have taken effect yet, it香蕉视频直播檚 business as usual for the short term,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淕ood, objective journalism is important to a community and it香蕉视频直播檚 being lost. We shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 allow that to happen.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淐an that be replicated here,香蕉视频直播� she asked. 香蕉视频直播淐an they work with CHBC, and can something come out of it? It香蕉视频直播檚 an amazing success story.香蕉视频直播�
Singh has contacted CHEK management about the possibility.
Potenteau has also heard rumblings.
香蕉视频直播淗owever, that is just speculation as no one has reached out to the local union regarding the possibility,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淚 really feel for the staff trying to do their jobs knowing this is looming over them. It香蕉视频直播檚 not an easy thing to do.香蕉视频直播�
He said it香蕉视频直播檚 essentially the end of local news broadcasting in the Okanagan after 65 years.
香蕉视频直播淭hat is a bit stunning.香蕉视频直播�
Webber said it香蕉视频直播檚 his understanding Okanagan newscasts will be pre-recorded in Vancouver with content provided by CHBC staff.
Singh added the community ought to be angry.
香蕉视频直播淐an we not be a repeater station for Vancouver. CHBC香蕉视频直播檚 motto used to be 香蕉视频直播淭he Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 Very Own.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淚t has its own style of delivery香蕉视频直播 think it still has value and potential for a strong audience.香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 a big loss (layoffs) and unnecessary.香蕉视频直播�
CHBC began broadcasting in 1957 and was started by local radio stations CKOV (Kelowna), CKOR (originally CKOK Pentiction), and CKIZ (originally CJIB Vernon).
