Astral shareholders give thumbs-up to BCE takeover

MONTREAL – Astral Media shareholders nearly unanimously approved the $3.5 billion planned takeover of the company by BCE Inc. In a special meeting of shareholders held Thursday in Montreal, the deal was approved by 99.8% of the votes cast by holders of Class A non-voting shares, 99.9% of the votes cast by holders of Class B subordinate voting shares, and 100% of the votes cast by holders of special shares of Astral. The acquisition, originally announced in March, remains subject to regulatory and court approvals. The Quebec Superior Court will examine the deal at a hearing scheduled for Friday. “This enthusiastic support aptly reflects...