I've been forwarded an email from Cartt.ca (Canadian Radio Television Telecom) that indicates that Shaw is willing to take on CKX and the two Ontario stations that CTV intended to close.
The article is currently only available for reading through a membership on the site, but here's an excerpt that should be enough to get a sense for what they're willing to do and the fact that it ISNT a sure bet at this point:
"Noting that CTV has announced the closure of its stations in Wingham, Windsor and Brandon, because the broadcaster couldn’t find anyone to buy them, not even for $1, Shaw says it is willing to take the stations off CTV’s hands. “We believe television has a bright future: Shaw will take them up on their offer and purchase them,” reads the ad.
No word yet on whether CTV will take them up on this offer (or perhaps revise their asking price). And no word out of Shaw whether or not this is a little tongue-in-cheek, meant to provoke, or whether they will buy the stations, should that asking price rise. We’ve asked both for additional comment. "
Although the full article isn't available to the public to read, you can see the headline on the front page of
http://www.cartt.ca/
Shaw will apparently be running a full-page ad in tomorrow's Globe and Mail, which will include a declaration of their intentions.