There wasn't much doubt it would happen but on Thursday, the CRTC approved the request from Corus-owned CHEX-TV Peterborough and CKWS-TV Kingston to officially separate both broadcasters from their longtime affiliation with the CBC. 

There are three noatable things about the decision:

1) It was the CBC's request - not Corus - to cut the two stations from their network. 

2) Both Corus and Bell Media have taken great pains to point out this is strictly a programming agreement and NOT an affiliation with CTV. As an example, Corus says it's not obligated to carry any CTV News programming and - even more interesting -  it controls when the shows it buys from the network run, which presumably means they could air out-of-pattern. 

3) Surprise! Rogers issued an intervention, insisting the move would duplicate too much CTV programming in too many markets. The CRTC didn't buy it, primarily because of point 2), in which Corus noted in maintains all editorial control.

As to the CRTC's mandate that CBC's programming be made as widely available as possible, comes this fascinating little comment:

"The Commission considers that the responsibility to provide the CBC’s services rests with the CBC, not with private broadcasters. In this respect, although the CBC’s programming will no longer be available over-the-air in the affected markets following disaffiliation, it will remain available on the basic service provided by cable and satellite operators." 

The switch starts Sept. 1st - just a few weeks before the new fall season shows debut.

CHEX & CKWS Sever CBC Ties

Last edited by RadioActive (August 27, 2015 2:44 pm)