Emotional return for CTV families

The CTV building in central Christchurch. Photo / Sarah Ivey

When Canterbury Television goes back on air today, Cindy Gibb reckons her late husband Sam will be tuning in from above.

The return to broadcasting for the regional channel that lost 16 employees in the Christchurch earthquake will be emotional for the remaining staff and for families of those that were lost.

Sam Gibb, a news producer for CTV, was among those killed when the company's building collapsed on February 22.

"Sam will be watching," Mrs Gibb said of the channel's return.

"He was just so passionate about journalism. That can't be lost."

Families spoken to by the Herald welcomed CTV's return to the air, but acknowledged it would be difficult seeing it continue without their loved ones being involved.

"For me, it's a good thing," Mrs Gibb said.

"There's enough people left that if it didn't continue, they would be so affected by that again - losing jobs and that type of thing. I can't imagine it will be easy for them."

Nancy Wu, whose husband, CTV accountant Paul Wu, also died, said she loved seeing the channel back on its feet.

"[Paul] gave his all for the company," she said.

Mrs Gibb said she would probably tune in herself "to make sure they do the job that Sam would want them to do with the news".

"They better do a good job."

Mrs Wu said it would bring some comfort to see the loyalty of people like her husband recognised in the new generation of CTV.

"I will be able to watch it because I want to see the new format, and how much of the old is still there. It will be interesting to see how they want to do it."

Mrs Wu said she had been able to get through the agony of her loss because of the support of her church, while Mrs Gibb said she shared her pain with others in the wider CTV family.

"I don't know when it will ever feel normal again," Mrs Gibb said.