Canwest Global Communications is set to close two E!-branded local TV stations and rebrand another as a Global Television affiliate as the broadcaster finally sheds its secondary free, over-the-air network.

Following a review of its E! channels that begun last February, Canwest said it will shutter CHEK-TV in Victoria, BC and CHCA-TV in Red Deer, AB by Aug. 31, and return their broadcast licences to the CRTC. Kelowna’s CHBC-TV will continue as a Global Television channel. The two station closures will result in the loss of around 80 jobs.

Two other E! stations, CHCH-TV in Hamilton, ON and CJNT-TV in Montreal, were earlier conditionally sold by Canwest to indie broadcaster Channel Zero for $12.

Canwest Broadcasting president Peter Viner in a statement said ‘a number of parties’ expressed interest in the Kelowna, Victoria and Red Deer stations, but none produced a firm business plan or financing to acquire the stations before Aug. 31, when their current broadcast licences expire.’