CTV Television Inc. announced on Thursday it will not renew the broadcast licence of Brandon’s CKX-TV — a CBC affiliate station.
The licence expires at the end of August 31, 2009. This is also the date when CKX-TV’s longstanding CBC affiliation expires. The CBC has been buying airtime on CKX-TV but has told CTV it no longer wishes to do so and can’t afford to buy the station itself.
The station was founded in 1955 by John Craig and provides the only local television news coverage in its area.
“We are very actively seeking a buyer. We will do that for 30 business days, if in fact we can’t find a buyer, then the decision will be made to close the station down,” says CKX television General Manager, Alan Cruise.
If a buyer is not found within 30 days, the station will cease operations at the end of August.
About 40 employees currently work at the station. Former personalities include current CTV Winnipeg sports reporter Leah Hextall and Jill Officer, curler on Team Jennifer Jones.
— With files from The Canadian Press/CTV
