CRTC Asks BCE, Astral to prove $3-Billion Merger is in Favor of Canadians

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The broadcast regulator of Canada cautioned both companies, namely BCE Inc. and Astral Media Inc., to prove that their merger arrangement of $3-billion is in the best interest of Canadians in order to have it approved. The chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Jean Pierre Blais, stated that “we will determine if this transaction would benefit Canadians, as well as the Canadian broadcasting system.” He added that “we also want to be convinced that the application filed by Astral Media represents the best possible proposal under the circumstances. For all of these questions, the burden of proof rests squarely with the applicants and their representatives.”

Mr. Blais was addressing the opening of a weeklong hearing into the deal, which is a revision of a former deal rejected by the commission almost a year ago. The deal, however, has been largely altered to be deemed as more pro-Canadian, as the companies agreed to sell off several English-language television channels, including Teletoon and Disney XD, in order to cut their mutual market share.

On the other hand, the chairman highlighted that this week’s hearing is not at all influenced with the hearing that took place last year, and that this deal will be assessed on its merits. He mentioned that “I do not need to remind you that the CRTC reviewed a similar application last year,” He added that “I would, however, like to make it clear to all participants that this proceeding is separate, and that the application will be evaluated on its own merits.”