Chum less chummy: 34 get axed

Master control to be integrated into Victoria facility

By TAMSEN TILLSON

A correction was made to this article on Nov. 13, 2003.

TORONTO -- Chum Television is axing 34 employees, 14% of combined staff at Citytv Vancouver and The New VI, as the Toronto-based TV titan streamlines operations at its two stations in British Columbia.

"Though a staff reduction is never an easy decision, streamlining costs is imperative given the realities of the B.C. marketplace," said Stephen Tapp, Chum exec VP of television.

Job losses will come at stations the New VI in Victoria and Citytv Vancouver. Master control will be integrated into the state-of-the-art Victoria facility. The two stations will remain separate and independent on air.

The restructuring, to be implemented by the spring, will create one-time costs of C$1 million ($766,900) but will save $1.53 million annually.