Rogers Media gets CRTC approval for Citytv Montreal
By Adnews Staff
Rogers Media of Toronto has received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to acquire Métro14 Montréal. When the deal closes, expected early next year, the station will be rebranded as Citytv Montreal. The English-language television network will carry original and acquired programming, as well as local content. Rogers signed a program affiliate agreement with Métro14 Montréal in June. "The launch of Citytv Montreal is a crucial step in our overall strategy to deliver our premium original and acquired content to a national audience, and we are pleased that the CRTC recognizes Citytv's commitment to local programming in Montreal," said Scott Moore, broadcast president at Rogers Media. "Breaking into this key market gives Citytv the momentum to better serve and reflect Canadians through our programming and engage audiences across the country as we move towards our goal of becoming a fully national network."
In related news, the CRTC has also approved the creation of a new multilingual television station in Montreal to be called International Channel/Canal International. The station will provide programming in 15 languages or more, including Romanian, Mandarin, Creole, Persian and Portuguese. It will air 14 hours of local ethnic programs per week. "These two television services will increase the diversity of voices in the Montreal region," said Jean-Pierre Blais, chairman of the CRTC. "The English-language community as well as over 18 ethnic communities will benefit from these two new services."