Corus applies for local TV licence

Corus Entertainment has applied to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a licence for a local television network with channels planned for 64 cities across Canada, Broadcaster reports.

If the application is approved, Corus Audio & Advertising Services Ltd says it will launch the “hyper-local” service, tentatively called Local1, within six months. The CRTC is accepting comments until March 15.

According to Broadcaster, the application states that the network’s content “would focus on the provision of local information customized for each community”

Broadcaster notes:

“Reports indicated Corus is discussing carriage and distribution with Shaw Communications Inc., the largest cable operator in Western Canada.”

A Vancouver Sun report says that 27 of the 64 planned stations will be in British Columbia, in the following communities: Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Richmond, North Shore, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Penticton, Prince George, Squamish, Whistler, Kamloops, Merritt, Dawson Creek, Williams Lake, Grand Forks, 100 Mile House, Parksville, Pender Island, East Kootenays, West Kootenays, Port Alberni, Powell River, Duncan and Elk Valley.