With its application approved and budget cuts that didn't hit large double-digits, CBC is prepared to proceed with a radio bureau in Kamloops.
First, though, the national broadcaster must deal with staff cuts it needs to make in the wake of a $115-million cut from its budget, as announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in the March 29, federal government budget.
"We're taking some time to analyze our budget reduction in more detail," said Chuck Thompson, head of media relations for the CBC.
"Once we've had an opportunity do that, our first priority is to communicate the impact of the cutbacks to our employees and then in turn, to a wider audience."
The week before last Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved the licence application for an FM station in the River City.
In its application, the broadcaster said the station will provide a minimum each week of 12 hours and 30 minutes of programming that will originate in Kamloops.
The station will also broadcast programming that originates from the national CBC Radio One.
The CRTC also approved a CBC request to switch transmitters for several communities in the Interior from the Kelowna CBC Radio transmitter to the new one in Kamloops.
Those communities include Blue River, Cache Creek, Williams Lake, Lillooett, Salmon Arm, Mica Dam, Vavenby, among others in the area.
Salmon Arm had asked it remain with the Kelowna transmitter - ensuring it will continue to receive the Kelowna programming rather than that coming from Kamloops - arguing the community is more closely aligned with the North Okanagan.
The CRTC agreed with the request.
Thompson said he hoped there would be more information on the location of the Kamloops station, along with staffing, sometime soon.