Bell says Astral deal will benefit Quebec

BCE Inc.’s $3.38 billion bid to acquire Astral Media Inc., will drive broadcasting investment, innovation and choice in the province of Quebec, Bell said in a press release Wednesday. In its release, Bell said the TV, radio and digital content production sectors in the province will receive an $80 million investment from Bell as a result of the acquisition, which is currently awaiting regulatory approval by the CRTC. Bell said the new investment will go towards the creation of new French-language programming of national and international interest, new children and youth content, as well as the expansion of TV and radio programming. “Overall, Bell expects to increase Astral’s already significant spending on French-language content development by approximately 5% annually,” the release said. On Saturday, the Montreal Gazette reported that the Parti Québécois opposes the deal and is prepared to fight the acquisition through either special legislation or the courts. Party leader Pauline Marois told the paper she was worried the deal would lead to an exodus of jobs from Quebec. “What worries me the most is the fact that the headquarters would move from Montreal to Toronto,” she told the Gazette. In its release, Bell said it would continue to use a Montreal-based Astral team to develop new French-language content for its services if the deal is approved. Bell’s release came one day after rival Internet protocol TV provider, Telus Corp., said in a release it supports a campaign to oppose the deal. That campaign, launched by broadcast distributors Quebecor Media Inc., Cogeco Cable Inc. and Bragg Communications Inc., says Bell would have the power to monopolize the Canadian broadcasting system if allowed to acquire Astral, the country’s largest independent broadcaster. --- CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said Telus joined the campaign against the Bell-Astral deal. The Telus said it was supporting the campaign.

Bell says Astral deal will benefit Quebec

Brief | August 15, 2012

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Bell says Astral deal will benefit Quebec

Brief | August 15, 2012

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Astral wins ad deal with Ottawa airport

Bell/Astral tangible benefits proposals partially approved

Corus puts Mario Cecchini in charge of radio

BCE-Astral obligated sale of MusiquePlus approved

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us