Local media tailspin.

We learned recently that CHEK 6, a local TV station for around 50 years, is in jeopardy. Thanks to media convergence, so is the Times Colonist -- a newspaper that has survived 150 years of volatile BC politics and public opinion. Today, we heard that our beloved morning show on "A" (f.k.a. A-Channel, f.k.a. The New VI) is being cancelled. Again.*

Poor Kiddo didn't believe me but then Hudson Mack announced it on air. She was brought to tears -- first sad, then angry. So, we asked her if she wanted to make a video about how she felt. She did. Hubby edited her response in with a spot she did last year during A-Channel's open house:



Honestly, I am stunned by all of this. It really looks like we might have a completely upended media landscape before the end of summer. What will remain? If we are lucky, we will still have one local television station. I suspect Monday Magazine can survive, too, and maybe the other Black Press papers but I do think the Times Colonist may fade into the history books. Radio, too is in danger. C-FAX and KOOL-FM are both owned by the same company that laid off 18 staff from the morning show. C-FAX has been a cornerstone of the community for years -- frequently breaking news -- I cannot imagine it suddenly folding. KOOL-FM on the other hand... meh. Q-100 has a large following and JACK-FM is already run by computer, so both of them will probably survive this downturn, too.

So who will take up the slack? Vibrant Victoria? Maybe. Or the Tyee, perhaps (though it's not local). Or will something new evolve? I'm sure I'll adjust either way. In the meantime, there's slim pickings on TV in the morning and it just got slimmer.


*(In 2006 they pulled the plug just as abruptly)