Articles Tagged ‘BCE’
CRTC denies Bell Canada takeover of Astral Media
It’s back to the drawing board for Astral Media as the industry’s largest independent player is denied a bid to be taken over by the Canadian phone giant.
BCE responds to transaction interveners
George Cope called out the opposition to the company’s acquisition of Astral Media as the first round of CRTC hearings closed Friday.
Rogers presents at Bell/Astral CRTC hearing
The company’s executives said they oppose the deal, unless the regulator orders Bell to divest itself of Astral’s English-language TV holdings.
Sunni Boot presents at CRTC Bell/Astral hearings
The ZenithOptimedia CEO said the deal should go through, and Quebecor’s CEO argued against the takeover on day two of the CRTC hearings.
BCE pitches benefits of Astral Media takeover to CRTC
The company offered the carrot of a homegrown competitor to Netflix Canada if the blockbuster transaction is approved at day one of hearings in Ottawa.
Astral Radio flips Winnipeg radio station
The hit music station is the latest to be switched over to Virgin Radio for the media co.
Bell and Rogers complete purchase of MLSE
ZO’s Sunni Boot and Mediabrands’ Inese Korbs share thoughts on what the new ownership will mean for the sports media landscape in Canada.
CRTC approves MLSE channel deal
The switch of ownership for the channels owned by the sports company to Rogers and Bell is the latest hurdle to be cleared for the buying partners.
Astral and Corus toppers bullish on Canadian ad market
Astral’s Ian Greenberg and Corus’ John Cassaday told analysts to look beyond specialty TV declines in the third quarter to recovering sales in the fourth quarter.
Rogers prices $1.1 billion bond offering
The company is using around $1.09 billion in proceeds to pay for its 37.5% stake in MLSE, and for general corporate purposes.
Astral Media shareholders approve BCE takeover deal
Investors holding each of Astral Media’s three classes of shares voted over 99% in favour of the takeover deal during a meeting in Montreal.
Astral nets $38 million quarterly profits despite soft TV revenue growth
The company is also set to launch an app in the fall for its English-language premium pay-TV channel subscribers.
Analyst predicts job cuts after BCE acquires Astral Media
UBS analyst Phillip Huang pointed to a major “overlap” between Bell Media and Astral Media, leading to likely head office cost savings.
Media reaction to the Bell/Astral deal
Touche!PHD’s Alain Desormiers and Aegis Media’s Caroline Gianias weigh in on the deal, which makes the Canadian landscape a little smaller.
George Cope: Astral deal helps BCE bulk up in Quebec
Astral CEO Ian Greenberg said the phone giant was chosen to buy the media empire in part to preserve as much of his 2,800-strong workforce as possible.
