Canwest Global rejects CHEK-TV employee bid

Canwest Global is prepared to pull the plug on B.C.'s oldest private TV station after rejecting a bid by employees to buy the station with some private investors and run it themselves.

CHEK-TV, based in Victoria, is scheduled to go off the air  Monday as part of a cost-cutting effort by its financially troubled owner to get rid of its unprofitable small-market stations across Canada.

But CHEK's assignment editor, Richard Konwick, said the employees and private investors have raised $2.5 million and they are not giving up.

The hopeful buyers are already talking to the federal government and the CRTC in the hopes finding a way to keep the station on air, said Konwick.

Canwest Global said it's not prepared to assume any of the costs that may be involved.