On Thursday, October 1st, it was announced that CKX TV in Brandon would be shut down, its last broadcast to be aired the next day.
Earlier this year, CTV put the station up for sale for $1.00 because it could not afford to keep producing programs like CKX news in a market as small as Westman. Two potential buyers promised to back the station before pulling out, and CKX staff members had been uncertain about the future of the station for many months.
The loss of CKX is a big loss for Brandon and southwestern Manitoba. It was a major news source for these smaller communities, who do not receive much coverage on Winnipeg stations.
It is especially unfortunate for sports fans this year, as Brandon is playing host to the Memorial Cup, the Canadian Hockey League's biggest tournament of the year, and the Brandon Wheat Kings are guaranteed a spot in the four-team tournament. Fans will no longer get to watch Wheat Kings' highlights and player interviews as the team plays one of its most important seasons ever.
Many smaller communities across the country are losing their local media sources, as they are often not self-sustainable, and in an insecure economic climate, no investors will take a chance on them.
This is particularly unfortunate for CreComm students. Smaller media outlets are where rookie journalists get their start. It gives them great experience in larger roles than they would see in bigger media outlets.
I would have loved to intern for CKX, and perhaps have begun my career in Brandon. Unfortunately, that will no longer be possible.
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