CANWEST STILL FIGHTING TO BECOME NATIONAL
By Adnews Staff
In line with its ambition to become a national TV system, CanWest Global Communications of Winnipeg is asking for licences for six new TV channels and three specialty channels. The broadcaster is applying to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for four stations in Alberta, one in Quebec and one in Victoria. CanWest has also applied to the CRTC for a seniors channel, a mystery channel and a children's channel. As well, CanWest says it will likely appeal a legal ruling that kept it from taking over WIC Western International Communications of Vancouver. CanWest tried unsuccessfully to convince a court that a provision had kicked in to convert WIC's non-voting shares into voting stock. If this were to happen CanWest would be in a position for a takeover bid. For its part, WIC is taking CanWest to court because CanWest wants to stop supplying WIC with programming for Alberta TV stations. CanWest says it told WIC last December that the deal would not be renewed. Separately, CanWest chairman Izzy Asper has promoted his two sons. David Asper moves from special projects director to programming vice-president. Leonard Asper has been promoted from corporate development director to corporate development vice-president.