GATINEAU – The CRTC hearing into whether or not BCE can purchase CTV will begin in Gatineau on February 8, the Commission made official on Thursday.
BCE is acquiring the 85% of the broadcaster it doesn’t own in a deal valued at $3.2 billion ($1.7 billion of which is debt).
While the big telco “is of the view that no tangible benefits are required in the circumstances,” according to its original application, additional letters in November and December from BCE saw tangible benefits proposals go from $70.3 million and then to $220.8 million.
The meeting notice said the Commission will be examining three major issues: ownership (the potential market impact of another large distributor owning another large broadcaster); the transaction’s value; and the proposed benefits package (which is normally 10% of the value of the transaction, but the Commission has proven itself flexible on that number of late).
