CBC stays the course with announced Local Service Extensions.

TORONTO, April 4, 2012 /CNW/ - Earlier today, CBC President Hubert Lacroix and his two executive vice-presidents, Kirstine Stewart and Louis Lalande, spoke to CBC/Radio-Canada's employees at a town hall meeting, to address the impact of last week's federal budget on CBC.  Staff were given an overview of how CBC/Radio-Canada will deal with a $115 million shortfall and additional financial pressures that will take that number to $200 million over the next three years. 

In order to deal with these challenges CBC will be forced to delay the launch of four new local radio stations announced previously as a part of its Local Service Extension initiative:

The revised time lines are as follows:

• Kamloops-delayed from Spring, 2012 to Fall, 2012
• The Waterloo Region and London move to late Fall 2012 or Winter, 2013
• Saskatoon-Summer of 2013 

The launch of a new, local digital service in Hamilton Ontario will not be affected.

With the exception of these minor delays, our commitment to expanding into these communities remains unchanged.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

Chuck Thompson
[email protected]
416-205-3747