Here's a few stories from Tuesday's Globe and Mail on the CBC lockout:

CBC lockout driving rivals' promo blitz

CTV Television Network Ltd., Canada's largest private network, has fast forwarded a revamp of its Newsnet specialty channel by hiring about a dozen people, and adding an anchorperson and another news team to its prime-time lineup beginning yesterday.

"We have got two news teams working the nights instead of just the one, and we have hired more anchors, writers and producers," said Tom Haberstroh, vice-president for news at CTV.

"This was always in the works, but has been accelerated as a result of the lockout."

The relaunch follows a decision by the federal broadcast regulator to allow CTV Newsnet to break free of its former 15-minute headline format. "We are slowly transforming the network into a more comprehensive news service," Mr. Haberstroh said.

CBC employees take to the 'pirate' airwaves

As the labour dispute continues, frustrated CBC workers across the country are creating alternate radio broadcasts similar to Radio Zero. Yesterday in Calgary, another group of locked-out CBC employees took to the airwaves with Locked-Out Radio, which was broadcast on CJSW 90.9 FM, the University of Calgary's radio station, and is scheduled to air every Monday at 11 a.m. for the duration of the lockout.

"It's not going to be CBC and it's not going to be campus radio either," said Don McSweeney, who usually handles traffic and weather for CBC radio and television in Calgary.

The program carried the usual roundup of news and interviews on current-affairs subjects such as tax incentives for film production and Mr. Martin's trip west, but the main story was the labour dispute.

"We do feel some obligation to talk about the story we're immersed in," said CBC Newsworld anchor Kathleen Petty.

Throughout the program, hosts urged listeners to e-mail lockedoutradio@hotmail.com to share their views on the lockout. The hosts said they didn't want listeners to take sides, but rather they wanted to find ways to get both sides back to the bargaining table.

CBC lockout slams door on artists

Toronto publicist Jane Harbury, who represents a number of roots, jazz and classical musicians, stakes her job on the 4 C's: campus radio, community art scenes, chat (word-of-mouth) and the CBC.

With the lockout disrupting normal programming at CBC Television and Radio, the broadcaster won't be interviewing her artists or recording their concerts. Nor will their new releases likely be played because the on-air talent and producers she usually deals with are walking the picket line.

"[CBC Radio programs such as] Here and Now are vital to me. Sounds Like Canada, Global Village arevital to me," Harbury said. Just a spin of one of her artists on Jurgen Gothe's DiscDrive can be a huge boon. Without those shows, her artists are left struggling for exposure.

The longer the CBC lockout lasts, the more it will hinder the promotion of grassroots and independent art scenes across Canada, say publicists and artists. The lockout is causing problems for more than just musicians. Publishers, for example, must search for alternate outlets to promote Canadian writers whom the CBC would typically interview.