Canwest Global Communications announced Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement to sell CHCH-TV in Hamilton to an affiliated company of television broadcaster Channel Zero Inc. The purchase price was not disclosed.

“We believe that this sale, once complete, will represent the best opportunity for these stations, the communities they serve and the employees who work there,” Canwest Broadcasting President Peter Viner said. “Despite considering a number of strategic alternatives, we concluded that without new ownership, these stations would have to be closed.”

The sale is conditional upon, among other things, approval of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Channel Zero, an independent Canadian television broadcaster, intends to file applications with the CRTC requesting approval of the transfer of control of the station’s licences under terms and conditions similar to those contained in Canwest’s current licences, including commitments to air 13.5 hours of local ethnic programming per week at CJNT and 36.5 hours of local programming per week at CHCH.

Channel Zero has also agreed to offer employment to all current employees of the stations. The sale is further conditional upon securing a renewal of the CHCH’s collective bargaining agreement to provide one year of labour stability for the new owner.