BATON BURROWS INTO VANCOUVER
By Adnews Staff
Last Friday, the CRTC granted Toronto-based Baton Broadcasting Inc. a licence for Vancouver Television (CIVT-TV). In a release, Baton says the new station will be conventional and mainstream with a number of unique Vancouver market features. Some of these features include: community news bureaus staffed by journalists who speak the languages of the communities, but who will report in English, and a weekly national public affairs show originating from Vancouver that will be carried on all Baton stations. Baton will sink over $72 million into Canadian programming over the seven-year licence term. This marks the first time Baton has had a Vancouver presence. The broadcaster was previously able to reach the eastern B.C. market through signals broadcast by its Calgary station. Baton is one of the largest broadcasters in Canada. The company now has stations in all of English CanadaÕs major markets including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, London/Kitchener, Ont. and Ottawa. Baton is also the largest shareholder of the CTV Television Network, controlling 43% of CTVÕs shares.