TV group releases program plans

11 hours of Algoma Broadcast Group's proposed 18-hour daily broadcast schedule would consist of local programming, president Craig Huckerby says.

The group, which met Wednesday with Sault MP Carmen Provenzano to discuss its plans for a local TV station, proposes to offer 5.5 hours of locally produced programs, which would be repeated to fill out the 11-hour schedule, Huckerby told SooToday.com.

Algoma's offerings would include half-hour newscasts at 5:30 and 11 p.m., as well as a two-hour morning show with guests and editorial comments, and a one-hour phone chat show.

Also being considered are local sports and public affairs programming.

The group is not yet a legal entity, but with help from Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie, it's investigating the possibility of setting up as a not-for-profit corporation.

Principals in the group include:

- Craig Huckerby, a former MCTV producer and weatherman - Angela Pezzotti, a former host with the local community channel - Jere Devlin, a former MCTV studio operator and videographer - Paul Lalonde, a Soo steelworker with a background at Patchwork Productions, a local TV production company

The Algoma group moved this week into space provided by the Sault Ste. Marie & District Labour Council in the United Way building on Albert Street.

It could take up to two years to get the necessary financing, regulatory approvals and equipment to get on the air, Huckerby says.

The group wants to be licensed by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission as a community-based station, but the CRTC is not expected to announce its criteria for the new stations until late spring.

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