Global and Citytv/OMNI Updates

[Derek]

- In conjunction with the Global National relaunch on September 20, Global BC (CHAN) will debut HD news on the same day. The station has been on a temporary virtual set for a while now, while a new set is under construction (which by the looks of this clip seems like it'll still be mainly virtual with some real elements). The clip also mentions similar sets will be implemented at the Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto O&Os.

- The Citytv/OMNI twinstick in Edmonton converted to 16x9 SD news production on August 16, apparently without much ado. A clip of new look BT Edmonton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G3YOOPg628

- This is OMNI BC's (CHNM) last weekend broadcasting out of the Vancouver Chinatown studios. The station is moving in with sister Citytv (CKVU) at 180 West 2nd Avenue. No word yet if OMNI BC News and BT Vancouver are going 16x9 (OMNI Cantonese News only mentioned "new equipment" from what I recall). Apparently OMNI's sales staff has already been at 180 West 2nd for a while (at least that's the address they gave on the Rogers sales website), and the OMNI logo has been on the building for a while too.

Note that Rogers hasn't been publicizing the Citytv/OMNI changes much.

[Derek]

Global Edmonton debuted HD news on November 15:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_NEe0QIDZg

[Yeziknoradio]

Global Toronto's morning show is now up and running, but it's a real snoozer. Hardly a threat to City TV Toronto's Breakfast television.

[e-dawg]

Speaking of Citytv, I heard that they are trying to purchase CJNT Montreal and SCN, a cable educational channel in Saskatchewan. Can anybody confirm this,  this will expand Citytv operations, except for the Atlantic Providence.  Maybe Citytv can purchase CJON-TV in New Foundland and expand the tv network for the Atlantic Providences.

[azumanga]

Maybe Citytv can purchase CJON-TV in New Foundland and expand the tv network for the Atlantic Providences.

As long as Geoff Stirling is alive, I don't believe that's going to happen. And even if it becomes Citytv, it would have to serve Newfoundland first.

[M.J.]

Maybe Citytv can purchase CJON-TV in New Foundland and expand the tv network for the Atlantic Providences.

As long as Geoff Stirling is alive, I don't believe that's going to happen. And even if it becomes Citytv, it would have to serve Newfoundland first.

Rogers has purchased SCN, and they have announced the purchase of CJNT-TV. SCN is going to be called Citytv Saskatchewan, which is kind of a misnomer since the channel serves the whole province. I'd rather they have a Citytv Regina and a Citytv Saskatoon, with cable carriage of one of the two across the province.

CJNT will apparently be a Citytv/OMNI affiliate to start off, because of CJNT's licensing requirements as an ethnic station.

It would be neat if Rogers could convince the CRTC to allow them to have Citytv on the main channel (62.1) and have OMNI Montreal as a subchannel (62.2), with both channels carried on Montreal cable. As Rogers doesn't yet own any television stations in Montreal, they could legally do it.

As for CJON...I highly doubt Stirling will sell. If he's not selling to CTV or Global, he's not selling to Rogers.

[Yeziknoradio]

CJNT will apparently be a Citytv/OMNI affiliate to start off, because of CJNT's licensing requirements as an ethnic station.

It would be neat if Rogers could convince the CRTC to allow them to have Citytv on the main channel (62.1) and have OMNI Montreal as a subchannel (62.2), with both channels carried on Montreal cable. As Rogers doesn't yet own any television stations in Montreal, they could legally do it.

As for CJON...I highly doubt Stirling will sell. If he's not selling to CTV or Global, he's not selling to Rogers.

I'm trying to understand this one. Rogers bought CJNT. They are NOT requesting to discontinue ethnic programming. 
Why did they go with the City TV name??? Why not Omni Montreal instead???
What if VideoTron falls asleep at the wheel and decides to drop all other City TV's that they carry in Montreal, thinking "There's a City TV in Montreal now..."

[azumanga]

What if VideoTron falls asleep at the wheel and decides to drop all other City TV's that they carry in Montreal, thinking "There's a City TV in Montreal now..."

It's still kind of a toss-up for now, as they may drop either Citytv Toronto or CFMT and keep the other, or keep both -- each has some programs seen on CJNT but also shows that are distinct enough:

http://blog.fagstein.com/2012/06/05/cjnt-citytv-affiliate/