Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Cogeco, Eastlink, Quebecor launch campaign against Bell takeover of Astral Media

Three major cable companies have taken out a full-page ad in the Globe and Mail and other newspapers to oppose Bell Canada’s acquisition of Astral Media.
The ad is signed by Louis Audet, president and CEO of Cogeco; Lee Bragg, CEO of Eastlink; and Pierre Karl Peladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor Inc.
“If approved by Ottawa, this giant new company would own a staggering 79 channels, 107 radio stations, and more than 100 websites. Its TV viewing audience would be twice as large as its nearest competitor,” the ad says.
The ad lists reasons for its opposition that includes higher ad rates that woud get passed on to consumers, creation of fewer original programs and an ability for Bell to charge “whatever it wants” to consumers.
It asks readers “to tell Ottawa” if they agree with the message.
The group’s web page saynotobell.ca does not seem to be operational as of Tuesday morning.

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