Vanouver: CanWest Global has another seven weeks to find a buyer for Vancouver-based ckvu after the crtc granted an extension Nov. 7 and filled the calendar with new deadlines.

The broadcaster, as a condition of its purchase of wic’s television assets, must now find a buyer by Dec. 29 and file an application with the commission to approve the transfer by March 9, 2001. Originally, CanWest had four months to divest itself of ckvu.

In addition, CanWest has to put ckvu in a commission-approved trust arrangement starting Dec. 30 since it has not yet been able to conclude a deal with another broadcaster. The crtc has to approve that trust arrangement by Nov. 15.

According to the commission, there will be no more appeals.

But because nobody knows whether there will be a new multicultural channel in the market next year, potential ckvu purchasers are taking a wait-and-see approach, says Global Communications president and ceo Gerry Noble.

Potential ckvu buyers include the usual suspects, Craig Broadcasting Systems, CHUM Limited and Rogers Communications.

‘If we could continue to operate and sell the station on our own, there would be more certainty in the market,’ says Noble.

Last month, CanWest Global requested the crtc extend its deadline to May 15, 2001. *

-www.canwestglobal.com