SHAW GRABS MORE OF NCN
By Adnews Staff
Shaw Communications of Calgary is boosting its ownership in the New Country Network. The company is buying Rawlco Communications' 51% stake in the channel, giving Shaw an 80% share. Westinghouse Inc. of New York holds the remaining 20%. Shaw already had 29%. Under federal laws, Westinghouse could acquire just over 13% of NCN from Shaw. Rawlco sold its interest to focus on its radio properties. The company has nine radio stations. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. The federal government came under attack in January, 1994 when NCN came on the air, forcing Westinghouse's Country Music Television off Canadian air waves. This past March a deal was struck whereby Westinghouse was given a 20% interest in the channel.