The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved a Category 2 specialty service broadcasting licence for Quebecor-owned Sun TV News. Sun Media Corporation and TVA Group Inc. will respectively own 49% and 51% stakes in the channel.

Originally, Quebecor had applied for a Category 1, or ‘must carry,’ licence for the right-leaning news network, dubbed ‘Fox News North’ by Canadian media. The CRTC turned down that request in July and Quebecor subsequently amended its application.

In a release regarding the decision, the CRTC says ‘additional competitive mainstream national news services’ will aid in ‘maintaining and enhancing the plurality of editorial voices in local and national markets and ensuring that Canadians are exposed to an appropriate plurality of those voices.’

The channel could launch by Jan. 1 of next year.