CRTC approves CHUM purchase
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has approved CTVglobemedia’s purchase of CHUM, with the exception of five Citytv stations. The trustee responsible for the Citytv stations in Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver must submit a plan for their sale within 30 days. According to the CRTC, these stations must be divested in order to prevent CTVglobemedia from operating more than one conventional TV station in one language in a given market. “The purpose of this policy is to maintain diversity of voices within the Canadian broadcasting system,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC. “CTVgm asked for the exception using arguments based upon competitive equality and the impact of new media. However, the commission was not convinced by CTVgm's arguments.” CTVglobemedia will be allowed to acquire the A-Channel group of television stations, meaning the deal now consists of seven TV stations, 34 radio stations and all or part of 20 specialty television channels.