CRTC Puts New Restrictions On Media Ownership

* Deals between television distributors, such as cable and satellite TV companies, will not be allowed if they result in one company or person controlling the delivery of programming in a market. While the changes don't impact deals that have already been done, they will prevent companies from expanding through takeovers in the future. For example, since CanWest Global Communications Corp. owns the Global TV network and local newspapers in several markets, it would not be able to expand into radio in any of those cities. Similarly, CTVglobemedia Inc. owns TV and radio stations in dozens of Canadian cities, and would not be allowed to expand into local newspapers as a result. For the purposes of the rules, the CRTC considers The Globe and Mail, which is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc., and the National Post, which is owned by CanWest, to be national papers, rather than local publications. As such, they do not impact the rule changes. ... http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080115.wCRTC0115/BNStory/robNews/

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