Source : Vancouver Sun

B.C.'s Knowledge Network TV could have a new operating partner as early as the middle of next month, a development that could lead to commercials on the provincial educational channel.

Partnerships BC, the government-owned body responsible for setting up public-private partnerships, expects to complete its evaluation process of applicants to help run Knowledge Network by the middle of February.

"We have received seven responses to our request for expressions of interest," said Steve Hollett, senior vice-president of Partnerships BC.

He would not name the groups that have responded, but he said the process has been more detailed than an ordinary request for expressions of interest.

A number of the respondents have confirmed their involvement in the process, although Partnerships BC has ordered them not to talk about their bids.

The respondents include Learning and Skills Television of Alberta (LTA); a partnership of Insight Film and Video and Channel M of Vancouver; Paperny
Films of Vancouver, in association with the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group and CBC; and Vision TV of Ontario.

Others reported to be in the running are Calgary-based A-Channel, which is owned by Craig Media Inc., and a group of B.C. educators headed by
Vancouver lawyer Jon Festinger, neither of which could be reached for comment Friday.

Toronto-based CHUM Broadcasting has also been rumoured to be interested in Knowledge Network, but a representative of LTA, whose majority shareholder is CHUM, denied the Toronto broadcaster had any other involvement in the process.

Knowledge Network is currently owned and operated by the Open Learning Agency, a government body that is being wound down. The advanced education ministry announced in September it was looking for new operators of the educational broadcaster.

"A new model -- working in partnership with the private sector, public sector or a combination of both -- can help deliver what British Columbians need
and want from educational programming well into the future," Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond said at the time.

Knowledge Network has an annual budget of $7.4 million -- $5.1 million from the government, $1.7 million from donors and $600,000 through corporate sponsorships and self-funded projects. In terms of audience, it ranks
eighth in the province, according to the most recent figures of the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement, drawing just over 1.4 million viewers a week. By comparison, top-rated Global-TV (CHAN) draws nearly 3.1 million viewers a week.

Karen McDonald, communications director for the ministry, said the ministry doesn't intend to change the nature of Knowledge Network broadcasting. "We
are committed to this licence still remaining committed to educational purposes," she said.

Any partnership proposal that sought to change that would require the approval of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), she added.

Wayne Robert, acting general manager of Knowledge Network, said he believes this process will bring a number of options, including the possibility of more commercial programming and commercials.

"I think that option would not be rejected by this process," he said. "I think that a proponent could come forward and say, 'I would like to put on commercials either for all or part of the day,' and I don't think, on its face, that that would be rejected."

© Vancouver Sun