Astral & Bell Submit New Proposal

MONTREAL: Astral Media and Bell have revised their arrangement agreement and submitted a new proposal to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) after formally withdrawing the request to the federal Cabinet for a policy direction to the CRTC.

The plan for Astra to join together with Bell Media was announced in March and was approved by more than 99 percent of Astral shareholders and the Québec Superior Court. The CRTC shot down the first arrangement agreement. The new proposal addresses the commission’s initial concerns and sets out steps that the companies would take to comply with the relevant viewership thresholds. The amended agreement also includes a revised package of tangible benefits to support the creation of exceptional Canadian TV and radio content, promote homegrown talent in a multiplatform universe and foster consumer engagement in the broadcasting system. Valued at C$3.38 billion, the transaction must be approved by the CRTC and the Competition Bureau.

"We heard Canadians and the CRTC loud and clear—they want assurance that Astral joining with Bell Media will directly benefit consumers and creators. We’re ready to deliver more choice for listeners and viewers, more opportunity for content creators, and more competition for the broadcasting industry," said George Cope, Bell’s president and CEO. "Bell and Astral are happy to move forward with a new proposal that benefits all Canadians, in both official languages, in communities large and small across the nation, with new ideas, new funding and new choices."

"The Canadian broadcasting industry is undergoing rapid change, and Astral and Bell are committed to making sure that the consumer always comes first," added Ian Greenberg, the president and CEO of Astral Media. "Considering the rapidly changing media landscape, including the accelerating impact of foreign broadcasters on the Canadian media scene, constant investment and innovation is required to develop and showcase the best content and to ensure TV viewers and radio listeners are entertained and informed in the ways that they want. Together, Astral and Bell Media have the scale to invest, compete and deliver on the opportunities ahead for all Canadians."