Media Updates

Bell GlobeMedia (BGM) and CHUM

By Leslie Regan Shade
November 9, 2005

In July 2006 Bell GlobeMedia offered, in a friendly takeover bid, to buy CHUM, the Toronto-based radio and TV broadcaster, for $1.7B. CHUM endorsed the deal, which is now slated for regulatory approval from the CRTC and The Competition Bureau.

Bell GlobeMedia owns CTV, the largest private broadcaster in Canada, and the national newspaper, the Globe and Mail. In addition to 21 CTV affiliates across the country, they own 17 specialty stations (including MTV, Discovery, CTV Newsnet, The Comedy Network, OLN, TSN, Viewer’s Choice), and 7 specialty cable stations (Animal Planet, CTV Travel, Discovery Civilization and HD Theatre, NHL Network, RIS Info Sports and ESPN Classic). They also own a variety of online sites (most affiliated with their television holdings).

CHUM’s television holdings include the popular Citytv outlets in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg; the A-Channel stations in Ontario and B.C., and CKX Television in Brandon. Their speciality channels include MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic, Bravo!, ACCESS, CLT, CablePulse24, SPACE: The Imagination Station, Star! and half interests in MusiquePlus and MusiMax. Their digital channels include FashionTelevisionChannel, MuchLOUD, BookTelevision, CourtTV Canada, Drive-In Classics, MuchMoreRetro, MuchVibe, PunchMuch, Razer, SexTV: The Channel and TV Land.

Critics are concerned that the deal, if approved, would heighten media concentration in Canada. In particular the merger would concentrate media holdings in several key regional markets across Canada: Toronto/Barrie and Victoria/Vancouver. BGM says that it will sell all five A Channel stations to that there isn’t as much concentration. The CRTC is also concerned, as they are opening up the deal to a public review for and possible wider debate on federal policies on media ownership. Hearings will take place in early 2007 with a decision anticipated for Spring 2007.

Bell GlobeMedia

CHUM

Robertson, Grant. MGB Grabs CHUM for $1.4 Billion. The Globe and Mail (July 13, 2006): B1.