By Dale Bass

Staff reporter

dale@kamloopsthisweek.com

A local group concerned about the future of CFJC-TV is in talks with Thompson Rivers University about starting a community television station.

But, said TRU vice-president external Christopher Seguin, “to say they are talks would indicate something more serious than it is.

“Let’s say we’re in the discussion stage and even then, it’s not serious. We’re looking at an idea.”

The “idea” comes as a result of Canadian broadcasters having to replace their age-old analog transmitters with digital versions and was raised with the institution by the local lobby group Save Our CBC Kamloops (SOCK), said Karen Wirsig, communications co-ordinator for the Canadian Media Guild, which represents transmitter technicians throughout the country.

Most broadcasters have said they don’t want to comply, said Wirsig.

She said CFJC executives have been reported as saying they won’t replace their transmitter, which would affect between eight and 10 per cent of Kamloopsians who don’t have satellite or digital receivers.

Wirsig explained television broadcasters in Canada are required to switch their transmitters from the age-old analog style to a digital format, as happened in the U.S. this year.

The Canadian deadline is August 2011.

Add to this the fact CanWest is not continuing with its E! network — which is rebroadcast through CFJC — “and you have to wonder what’s going to happen,” Wirsig said.

“Global didn’t buy any programming for after August, so it looks like it [E! on CFJC] will be gone in September.

“And then, if the transmitter isn’t replaced, a lot of people in Kamloops will go dark” without the higher-technology receivers and televisions.

“Across the country, we figure we’re looking at about 11 million who will go dark.”

The CRTC has identified 29 communities where stations must change but, in B.C., the only ones are Victoria and Vancouver.

However Rick Arnish, president of Jim Pattison Broadcasting — which owns the local station — said the assertion about the Kamloops transmitter is “totally erroneous.”

Arnish said he wanted to read the SOCK newsletter before commenting further, but added, “I wish people would get the facts before they say anything.”

Seguin said questions posed by KTW about a possible station “certainly got people talking today,” but added the actual “idea” discussion is with one faculty member “and it’s really just some talk.

“I really have nothing more I can say on it.”

The media guild is in the midst of surveying Kamloops residents to get a better idea of how many might be affected by the transmitter change because they don’t have the newer equipment.

Wirsig said the results are expected by the end of the month.