Description
Two newspaper articles on "MCTV".
Article 021.72.24 - Title: MCTV not sure what CBC cuts will mean.
Article 021.72.25 - Text: "North Bay will get more local and Northern television news and programs, and a new, $1-million station thanks to Baton Broadcasting Inc.'s buyout of Mid-Canada Communications (Canada) Inc. The city's Mid-Canada Television MCTV) affiliate, a subsidiary of Mid-Canada Communications, will also raise its total workforce to 55 from 44 within a year. The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commision (CRTC) approved the $72-million sale of Mid-Canada Monday. Baton replaces outgoing owner Northern Cable Holdings Ltd. of Sudbury. 'It opens so many doors for us' said jeff Turl, station manager at MCTV's North Bay affiliate. He said Baton has confidence in local management and will exercise hands-off ownership, with one major exception. 'The standards will be higher because Baton has very high standards of broadcasting,' Mr. Turl said. 'Because of the promises that Baton made to the CRTC, we have a lot to live up to.' Those promises include going to one-hour nightly newscasts, providing $500,000 to Northern and Ottawa Valley writers and producers to create new programs, and developing Country North, a 13-part hour-long variety show series showcasing local talent. Baton will also pour $6 million into producing a Canadian daytime soap opera, to be filmed in Toronto, and shown on MCT affiliates and throughout Canada. Mr. Turl said the North Bay MC-TV staff is excited about the opportunities and challenges created by the transfer of ownership, and he's confident they can meet those demands. New equipment Baton can now pay for will also help. That will include cameras that can film in less light, better special effects and on-screen graphics. Baton has also promised $100,000 in new scholarships to five community colleges in affiliate cities. This translates into $20,000 for top broadcast journalism students at Canadore College. Mr. Turl said 18 of the current workforce are former Canadore graduates and he expects similar hiring trends to continue. MCTV is also selling it overcrowded Oak St. E. home, a former grocery warehouse whose low ceilings are ill-suited for studio-work. 'We're looking at land down in West Ferris,' Mr. Turl said, adding the cost estimate for a new station is $1 million. He saud MCTV has already hired an architect but construction would begin earliest next spring..."