Montreal: CanWest Global Communications has named a new management team and advisory board for Montreal multicultural TV station CJNT-TV. CanWest formally took over the bankrupt service in January. CJNT operations and program schedule are in planning and a complete relaunch is expected this September.

With the reorganization, CanWest has named John Kuyk as CJNT’s new senior manager. Kuyk was part of the Radiomutuel task force which won licences for specialty channels Canal Vie and Canal Z, subsequently serving as director of acquisitions and special projects for both services. Gilbert Crepeau becomes CJNT’s operations manager. Maureen Rogers is general manager of Global Quebec, and CJNT’s advisory board is chaired by Canadian broadcasting veteran Bev Oda.

CJNT was originally launched in 1997 as a 100% ethnic television service for Montreal’s minority cultural communities. After encountering numerous difficulties, in programming and financing, and ultimately declaring bankruptcy, the CRTC approved CanWest Global’s proposal to adopt a 60% ethnic/40% non-ethnic formula essentially based on the successful CFMT-TV Toronto model. As part of its new licensing conditions, CJNT will broadcast 13.5 hours of original ethnic programming each week. In addition, the station will broadcast popular French- and English-language programs.

CJNT currently shares office space and broadcasting facilities with Global Quebec. *

-www.canwestglobal.com