Rogers Media is set to acquire Vancouver multicultural television station Channel M from Multivan. Channel M broadcasts over the air in 22 different languages – including newcasts in Cantonese, Mandarin and Punjabi, as well as lifestyle and entertainment programming.

The move, if approved by the CRTC, would significantly expand Rogers’ ethnic television operations in the mainland and island markets and add to its portfolio of multicultural operations in western Canada – which now includes OMNI TV stations in Calgary and Edmonton. The deal is expected to close at the end of 2007 or in early 2008. No financial details were announced.

Rogers has been trying to get a multicultural broadcasting licence in Vancouver since the mid-90s. In 2002, the CRTC gave a licence to Channel M instead of Rogers. Channel M has been operating for four years.