This reminds me a bit of when KBTC wanted to have a strong South Sound presence. Vision was to be a regional news and info station, in addition to the PBS fare. I was really intrigued with their goal. As it played out, they had trouble getting interest ... News Tribune would up partnering with KIRO instead, KCPQ put a bureau in their facility ... but it never really panned out. In the end, the city that once had three TV stations did not, apparently, have enough content to drive ANY. Seems like Vanc. Island may be facing the same deal ... even with a strong advertiser base and separate community issues, not enough interest to make it viable.
I feel so sad for that crew. Would hate to be the engineer who has to shut off the xmitter with no game plan of turning it back on in a few hours.