2012-07-10
Bell says it will contribute some $200 million in support of Canadian broadcasting and broadband development as part of its planned acquisition of Astral Media.
The proposed benefits package includes:
$96 million for the development and production of additional Canadian programming of national interest and other on-screen initiatives in both official languages (with the majority of funds committed to French-language initiatives)
$61 million in radio benefits to be allocated as prescribed by the CRTC and to help support, promote and develop Canadian musical talent, and assist community radio and other initiatives
$40 million to support Canadian programming by making it more widely available in Canada’s North through the extension of next-generation broadband wireline and wireless service to all communities served by Bell subsidiary Northwestel in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Northern British Columbia
$3.5 million in media support for Bell Let’s Talk Day, an annual multi-platform media initiative conducted across the country that raises both money and awareness to help combat mental health issues
“Bell’s commitment to provide $200 million in additional funding for Canadian broadcasting initiatives builds on the outstanding contributions Astral has made to the industry, especially in the French-language market,” said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell. “By increasing funds available for Canadian programming and talent, and ensuring those in the North can access programming on the broadband screens of their choice, Canadians in all parts of the country will gain from this initiative.”
The payment of tangible benefits is a condition of approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). According to CRTC policy, any transaction involving a change of control of a broadcast entity must include a package of tangible benefits to be paid into the Canadian broadcasting industry.
CRTC approval of the Astral acquisition will also require Bell to meet the Commission’s Radio Common Ownership Policy and sell 10 radio stations (nine FM and one AM) in five markets – Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa-Gatineau and Winnipeg
