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.
“None of the layoff notices have taken effect yet, it’s business as usual for the short term,” said Doyle Potenteau, president of the local union chapter for Unifor, M1 Okanagan.
Former CHBC journalist, and Â鶹AV city councillor, Mohini Singh put out the call for an independent station. She is concerned about the job losses affecting local news and programming.
“Good, objective journalism is important to a community and it’s being lost. We shouldn’t allow that to happen.”
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.
“Can that be replicated here,” she asked. “Can they work with CHBC, and can something come out of it? It’s an amazing success story.”
Singh has contacted CHEK management about the possibility.
Potenteau has also heard rumblings.
“However, that is just speculation as no one has reached out to the local union regarding the possibility,” 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.
“I really feel for the staff trying to do their jobs knowing this is looming over them. It’s not an easy thing to do.”
He said it’s essentially the end of local news broadcasting in the Okanagan after 65 years.
“That is a bit stunning.”
Webber said it’s his understanding Okanagan newscasts will be pre-recorded in Vancouver with content provided by CHBC staff.
Singh added the community ought to be angry.
“Can we not be a repeater station for Vancouver. CHBC’s motto used to be “The Okanagan’s Very Own.”
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.
“It has its own style of delivery…I think it still has value and potential for a strong audience.” It’s a big loss (layoffs) and unnecessary.”
CHBC began broadcasting in 1957 and was started by local radio stations CKOV (Â鶹AV), CKOR (originally CKOK Pentiction), and CKIZ (originally CJIB Vernon).
