CRTC to formally review media consolidation

GATINEAU – Under increasing pressure from many groups (including many politicians) the CRTC today announced a new proceeding to review consolidating media ownership in Canada. That means it won't look at the issue under the auspices of the proposed CTVglobemedia purchase of CHUM. That hearing goes April 30th. The scope of this new proceeding will be set out in a notice of public hearing to be issued shortly. A public hearing will follow in the fall of 2007. "The current wave of consolidation in the Canadian broadcasting industry (CTVgm/CHUM, CanWest Global/Alliance Atlantis and Astral/Standard), and the possibility of more major...