These were the only television stations in Stingray’s portfolio, so they’ve exited the TV business.

This makes me wonder about the health of other small market television stations. It can’t be easy these days.

Always sad to hear of broadcasters packing it in, the world has changed, people have so many options of how to entertain themselves. Still, Lloydminster is now probably without local TV, which is too bad for the community.

Aytononline wrote:

Bell media never did re brand CJDC and CFTK into CTV news. It looks like both stations produce 1 half hour newscast weekdays, but I am not sure from where. If Bell can not afford to produce local tv news in Victoria,  I am not sure how they can do it in smaller communities.
I am wondering about the future of these to stations as they might be some of the last to still use there own Call letters and belong to a large media company.

Bell Media does still has reporters who cover stories on Vancouver Island, so they’re still spending something there. They’re also dealing with competition in that market from the well-established CHEK as well as mainland stations including their own CTV Vancouver.

Those two stations in Northern BC of course are competing with other broadcasters thanks to cable, satellite and streaming, but at those stations would at least benefit from not having much local competition.

Last edited by MJ Vancouver (May 14, 2025 11:31 am)

I think it’s crappy that Stingray didn’t allow the stations to do a farewell broadcast. It would have helped the staff to start the healing process and the local viewership would have appreciated it.
It would appear that Stingray is pretty heartless, too bad, I did have a fair impression of them.

Forward Power wrote:

Really? You're going to make a blanket statement about each and every Stingray employee, manager and shareholder? Thanks a lot. If you don't like how the company is run, blame it on their powers that be - NOT THE FRONTLINE STAFF!

Isn't he talking about management?  In fact he appeared to be showing empathy for their staff.

ED1 wrote:

CFTK and CJDC are still putting together their local newscasts with their own crews from their own respective studios. Their website also has their newscasts available (their website also appears to be set up the same way as the CTV News website)

 
Both of which are still broadcasting OTA in ancient analog.
The two in Lloydminster were at least in HD

Forward Power wrote:

Shorty Wave wrote:

I think it’s crappy that Stingray didn’t allow the stations to do a farewell broadcast. It would have helped the staff to start the healing process and the local viewership would have appreciated it.
It would appear that Stingray is pretty heartless, too bad, I did have a fair impression of them.

Really? You're going to make a blanket statement about each and every Stingray employee, manager and shareholder? Thanks a lot. If you don't like how the company is run, blame it on their powers that be - NOT THE FRONTLINE STAFF!

 
Really?? Get a grip man. That is not what I said or implied. It is obvious that I am commenting on how Stingray’s management handled this situation so don’t put words in my mouth like I’m blaming front line staff for this, as only an idiot would think that rank and file have any influence on corporate decisions when we all know that it’s the guy in shipping/receiving that does that, there, happy? Troll on X please not here, we’re grown ups.

Jody Thornton wrote:

Shorty Wave wrote:

Thank you Jody Thornton, appreciated. Good to know there are still some adults on this board that actually read a post before flying off the handle like an entitled punk.

Oh you're welcome.  The heated reactions are starting to infuriate me to no end; and keep in mind, I am a rather sensitive person.  So when I cite someone as being a tad over the top; well, that's indeed saying something.  Sure I may say challenging things, and yes, those who tend to politically disagree with me (when the discussion involves it) get irked by it, but I certainly try to be civil.  That's starting to change sadly.

Have a good day Shorty Wave.

 
You’re spot on here Jody. I checked out this board for a few years before joining and the main reason I got involved was that the community here was very civil and actually uplifting, sadly this is no longer the case.
Since the pandemic I’ve noticed that people in general have become ruder and angrier, and tend to lash out more! And global politics isn’t helping. As Scott Thompson of Kids in the Hall once said, you may as well get mad at a doughnut…..!

Thanks again Jody, have a good day as well.

Sorry to bring this thread back to the top again, but I was out of town for vacation when the story broke and I didn't get the full details until my return home.

CKSA Radio/TV was a family-owned station that served the local community for many years before it was purchased by Stingray.  Way back in the mid-80s, it was the second stop on my career and with one year of private radio under my belt in Ontario, I was considered a "veteran" and read news in morning drive and got to do some TV/radio reporting in the early afternoon. It was a mostly young and inexperienced crew on both the radio and TV side, but it was a great place to learn, try new things and make some lasting friendships. Several of us who cut our broadcasting teeth in Lloydminster have connected in recent weeks, sharing memories of the stories we covered and some of the memorable parties we had. I left after about a year, but I still think fondly of the place and feel bad for the 16-18 people who were there at the end when the axe finally fell. Such a shame.