The CRTC has okayed a proposal by Rogers Media, a division of Toronto-HQ’d Rogers Communications, to acquire Vancouver-based multicultural television station Channel M from Multivan Broadcast.

The multi-language channel, which will now join its counterparts at OMNI 1 and 2, airs newscasts in Mandarin, Cantonese and Punjabi, plus entertainment, lifestyle and public affairs fare in more than 20 different languages. ‘The expansion and collaboration of Omni properties across the country provide Rogers with a national platform for ethno-cultural audiences and advertisers,’ says Alain Strati, Rogers’ VP of business and regulatory affairs.

Rogers argued for the deal last summer, about the same time it was preparing to pick up Citytv Vancouver and the other Citys from CTVglobemedia. The Toronto media giant said at the time that buying the channel would give it a platform in the West to launch other special projects and initiatives.

‘It’s an enhancement of the local programming,’ Strati explains. ‘There’s an opportunity for more documentaries and for maybe adding regional and national elements to the broadcasts.’