Bell plays up Quebec connection, sweetens funding for French-language content

MONTREAL – Responding to widespread criticism, Bell said Wednesday that should its $3.38 billion buyout of Astral be approved, it will pony up $80 million in new funding for French-language content development in Quebec. That new content, which Bell said would be led by the Montreal-based Astral team, will consist of French-language programming of national/international interest, new content for children and youth, and expanded TV and radio music programming, all of which will bump up Astral's current French-language content development by approximately 5% annually. "This new content funding committed by Bell-Astral will ensure much greater viewing choice for Québec consumers in...