FRIENDS says if things don't go well with the CanWest takeover of Alliance Atlantis, the Aspers could lose control of the company.
A specialist in media transactions says the Alliance Atlantis deal is unlikely to result in a flood of major investments by global media companies such as Disney and Time-Warner.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union of Canada says the CRTC's decision on CanWest's acquisition of Alliance Atlantis Communications skirts foreign ownership restrictions since a U.S. investment bank is putting up most of the money.
The Council of Canadians says the approved takeover of Alliance Atlantis could pave the way for more foreign ownership of Canadian media.
Columnist says the CanWest/Goldman Sachs purchase of Alliance Atlantis provides a new blueprint for allowing foreign investors into the Canadian broadcasting sector.
Columnist says Canada's media regulator has handed out an almost no-strings-attached approval to Goldman Sachs/CanWest's purchase of Alliance Atlantis.
FRIENDS says pressure on CanWest to cut costs may give it an excuse to squeeze Canadian programming.
FRIENDS says the CRTC has allowed foreign ownership of a Canadian media company through the back door.
FRIENDS says the CRTC should have shown more backbone in its decision approving the takeover of Alliance Atlantis.
After facing a slew of opposition, CanWest Global must now wait until early 2008 to find out if its
Poll commissioned by FRIENDS, ACTRA and CEP says 62% of Canadians are more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes more foreign ownership of Canadian broadcasting companies.
Columnist says that new foreign takeover rules are motivated by the increasing economic clout of China.
New foreign investment guidelines will scrutinize the acquirors' corporate governance, transparency and commerciality via the Investment Canada Act.
Industry Minister Jim Prentice has released new guidelines that say state-owned enterprises, like other foreign companies investing in Canada, will be judged on whether proposed acquisitions are of net benefit to Canada.
FRIENDS urges the Conservative government to resist overtures from cable company lobbyists to relax or scrap foreign ownership rules.
FRIENDS, ACTRA, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada have released poll results saying that Canadians believe cultural sovereignty ought to trump foreign ownership of domestic media.
FRIENDS, ACTRA an CEP conducted a public meeting in Calgary to warn the PM that voters who lean towards the Conservatives do not want Americans purchasing on Canadian media assets.
A new poll says eighty-two per cent of Canadians feel the government should make serious efforts to sustain a Canadian culture that's separate from the U.S.
A new poll says the majority of Canadians oppose foreign ownership of the media, telephone and cable firms, and believe the government should play a role in preserving Canada's cultural identity.
Poll results show allowing foreign interests to control Canadian media and telecom companies may be a poor strategy for Conservative growth.
Poll results show that most voters believe broadcasting and communications are too important to national security and cultural sovereignty to allow foreign control of Canadian media companies.
A poll on Canadians' attitudes toward foreign ownership of Canadian media & communications will be released at the launch of Keep It Canadian, a campaign in support of retaining Canadian control of our media and communications industries.
Columnist says the proposed Alliance Atlantis takeover by CanWest/Goldman Sachs is more than a business news story; it has political and cultural implications.
CanWest's CEO tells the CRTC that after being turned down by Canadian investors, his company had no where else to turn but Wall Street to finance its takeover bid of Alliance Atlantis.
Columnist says CRTC commissioners should be skeptical of claims that U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs will have little influence in its partnership with CanWest.
CanWest has offered to make a number of changes to its financing arrangement with Goldman Sachs to ensure the U.S. investment bank has "no veto" over day-to-day decisions.
CanWest president and CEO Leonard Asper sees lowers ratings and further budget cuts if the CRTC halts the proposed purchase of Alliance Atlantis.
Canada's broadcast regulator tells proposed buyers of Alliance Atlantis it sees problems with the power-sharing arrangement designed to skirt caps on foreign ownership.
Despite the size and complexity of the transaction in front of it, a streamlined panel of just four CRTC commissioners is presiding over the proposed takeover of Alliance Atlantis.
The managing director of Goldman Sachs claims his company respects the law governing foreign ownership of domestic broadcasters, adding its role is merely one of "financial backer."
Leonard Asper, chief executive of CanWest told the CRTC he would work "in a significant way" to address concerns about the influence U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs could have in the proposed acquisition of Alliance Atlantis.
The CRTC kicked off hearings into the proposed takeover of Alliance Atlantis by expressing concerns about the role to be played by New York-based investment firm Goldman Sachs.
Media unions say the proposed takeover of Alliance Atlantis is an attempt to introduce foreign ownership of Canadian media interests by a back door.
Officials from CanWest and Goldman Sachs will attempt to convince the CRTC that the purchase of Alliance Atlantis is good for the Canadian television sector and abides by Canada's foreign ownership rules.
Creative unions say media companies are cutting local news and programming to offset the costs of consolidation.
A federal panel reviewing Canada's competition policy and foreign takeovers is seeking public input after releasing its consultation paper.
Media Democracy Day aims to draw attention to the current state of Canadian media and to alternatives to mainstream media.
FRIENDS says the CanWest job cuts demonstrate that debtholders are pressuring the company, which is in the midst of trying to buy Alliance Atlantis for $2.3-billion with U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs.
CanWest's chief executive says the company's partnership with Goldman Sachs to purchase Alliance Atlantis 'meets the letter and spirit of the law.'
CRTC schedules hearings to assess proposed takeover of BCE.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters claims CRTC-commissioned report on changes to broadcasting regulation lacks context and analysis, calls certain recommendations an "assault".
Columnist predicts CanWest could become even more highly leveraged if it is required to buy out a portion of Goldman Sachs' interest during a recession.
Article says CanWest management not phased by tough reputation of CRTC chair, contends precedent for allowing approval of majority foreign ownership of a Canadian broadcaster.
CanWest CEO confident that CRTC will approve Goldman Sachs acquisition of Alliance Atlantis on the basis of shareholders' agreement granting programming control to CanWest.
ACTRA condemns US organization's NAFTA challenge of financial incentives used to attract foreign film and television production to Canada.
The chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment says the forces of globalization are encouraging the proliferation of cultural diversity.
Columnist says that if the CRTC went ahead with scheduled public hearings into CanWest's $2.3-billion buyout of Alliance Atlantis, opponents would have had legal grounds to overturn the eventual ruling.
The CRTC has told CanWest CEO Leonard Asper that he only has himself to blame for the delay in hearing his company's bid to gain control over Alliance Atlantis' specialty channels.
FRIENDS says that by delaying its hearing on the CanWest/Goldman Sachs takeover of Alliance Atlantis, the CRTC is demonstrating it won't simply rubber stamp the deal.
Pending CRTC approval, CanWest will merge its Global TV network with Alliance Atlantis's 13 specialty channels; Goldman Sachs will take a 50% stake in the CSI TV crime series franchise and Motion Picture Distribution.
ACTRA says that if decisions about Canada's broadcasting system are made in boardrooms in New York and Los Angeles, Canadians will lose their cultural sovereignty and national identity.
Alliance Atlantis reported a 65 per cent increase in quarterly profit, one day before its takeover by CanWest/Goldman Sachs was set to close.
The Writers Guild of Canada says that if the CRTC approves the Alliance Atlantis takeover, an American corporation will have a powerful voice in what Canadians can watch on television.
The Directors Guild of Canada says it is opposed to the Alliance Atlantis takeover by CanWest/Goldman Sachs as it will result in a non-Canadian entity obtaining control of an important Canadian media company, contrary to established foreign ownership rules.
The Coalition of Canadian Audio-Visual Unions says the takeover bid by CanWest Global and Goldman Sachs of Alliance Atlantis is "bad news" for Canada.
FRIENDS offers advice to the CRTC on CanWest's application to acquire Alliance Atlantis Communications.
The co-ordinator of Canadians for Democratic Media says with major mergers threatening to make the Canadian media industry even more concentrated, the CRTC should regulate media companies in the public interest.
Columnist says federal broadcast regulators appear poised to consider revamping the rules on media consolidation, using a system pioneered by the Australian government.
Columnist expects the deal between CanWest and Goldman Sachs to break up Alliance Atlantis to be scrutinized by the CRTC.
CanWest says it will use bridge financing instead of a high-yield debt offering to fund its takeover bid of Alliance Atlantis.
CanWest and U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs release their plan to split-up Alliance Atlantis.
CanWest Global says it is increasing its equity investment in the takeover of Alliance Atlantis to $262-million, up from the previously announced $200-million.
FRIENDS says unregulated services threaten to undermine the goals of the Broadcasting Act, and segments of the Canadian media industry now suffer from the negative impact of excessive concentration.
Article says the next few months will see the CRTC tackle big issues such as foreign ownership, media concentration and Canadian content.
CanWest shares have fallen 10 per cent since announcing the decision not to sell its Australian TV network.
Article says a new government-created panel will review Canada's competition and foreign investment policies to ensure that they are encouraging foreign investment.
CRTC says hearings on CanWest's proposed acquisition of Alliance Atlantis will focus on how the merger would impact the broadcasting landscape and whether assets will remain under Canadian control.
FRIENDS says the biggest issue with the proposed CanWest bid for Alliance Atlantis is CanWest's claim that it is keeping effective ownership and control in Canadian hands when 85 percent of the equity is coming from a New York merchant bank.
Federal Heritage Minister Bev Oda promises to ensure American owners of Motion Picture Distribution and ThinkFilm abide by foreign-policy rules.
Critics say U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs is set to reap the benefits of a content library in which Canadians have invested $2.5-billion.
Columnist says killing a Telus/BCE merger might win the Conservatives votes, but would leave Mr. Harper open to criticism over his heavy-handed intrusion into markets.
An industry analyst suggests CanWest might need to boost its stake in Alliance Atlantis to 56% from 29% to allay foreign ownership concerns.
Goldman Sachs has offered to buy out other parties in Alliance Atlantis' movie distribution arm, but investors say they are being lowballed.
Columnist says Canada's media industry is entering into a period of business intrigue, speculation and gossip.
Focus group report for Industry Canada discloses resistance to Conservative government enthusiasm for relaxing telecom ownership restrictions.
The public broadcast regulator has allowed Alliance Atlantis to split and form a separate, numbered company to hold properties – primarily its cable channels – whose sale are subject to CRTC regulation.
Trustee appointment for CanWest/Goldman Sachs takeover bid of Alliance Atlantis receives CRTC approval.
Analyst says CanWest Global's involvement in a bid for telecom giant BCE may be a ruse to peer into the books of one of its main media rivals.
Article says CanWest Global has signed up as a partner on a bid for BCE led by U.S. private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management.
A New York-based private equity company has approached Shaw Communications and CanWest Global to join a possible buying group for BCE.
The co-president of Goldman Sachs, the U.S. company financing CanWest's takeover bid of Alliance Atlantis, encourages Canadian CEOs to jump on the international deal-making bandwagon.
Columnist says that the proposed CanWest/Goldman Sachs takeover of Alliance Atlantis may embolden other U.S. private equity firms to test Canada's foreign ownership laws and go after BCE.
FRIENDS says if the CRTC allows CTVglobemedia to retain CHUM's CityTV stations it would violate the regulator's own policy against common ownership of two stations serving identical markets.
Shareholders of Alliance Atlantis have voted more than 99 per cent to accept a $2.3-billion takeover offer from CanWest and New York investment bank Goldman Sachs.
Article says even the market-oriented, Conservative Industry Minister appears unprepared for the prospect of a U.S.-led takeover of Canada's largest phone company.
Article says BCE is considering seeking a merger with rival Telus in an attempt to fend off a takeover bid from a U.S. private equity firm.
Article says a financial audit will delay the closing of the proposed takeover of Alliance Atlantic by CanWest Global/Goldman Sachs until July or August.
CanWest Global/Goldman Sachs and Alliance Atlantis now expect to complete the $2.3 billion proposed purchase in July or August, rather than in May.
The federal Conservative government says a new panel on competition policy will have a broad mandate and could trigger changes in areas such as foreign ownership regulations.
François Desjardins reports that the president of Astral's radio division has acknowledged that economic factors can work against diversity and competition in media concentration.
Conservative Industry Minister Maxime Bernier says he plans to raise with his cabinet colleagues the subject of easing foreign ownership restrictions on telecommunications companies.
Article says that CanWest's track record in Australia demonstrates the company is willing to flaunt national broadcast policies and keep its intentions hidden.
An economic think-tank report claims Canada should allow more foreign ownership in the telecommunications industry to boost the country's short-term productivity and economic growth.
Columnist says that restrictions on foreign ownership of Canadian media companies mean that Goldman Sachs will need to sell off the Alliance Atlantis motion picture distribution arm.
Article reports that the CRTC previously approved a small Newfoundland cable firm's privatization with a U.S. backer, suggesting a potential precedent for CanWest’s bid for Alliance.
Senior military and government officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico meet secretly in Banff to discuss further integration of the three countries.
Columnist notes that new CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein's track record as the head of Canada's Competition Bureau may not bode well for the takeover of CHUM by CTVglobemedia, and the deal between Canwest/Goldman Sachs and Alliance Atlantis.
FRIENDS expects the ownership structure in the CanWest/Alliance Atlantis deal to be challenged by the CRTC under Canadian regulations limiting foreign ownership of media companies to 47%.
The sale of ThinkFilm to American interests has put the funding of roughly 50 Canadian movies in jeopardy.
FRIENDS says there is good chance the CRTC will not allow the Alliance Atlantis sale to CanWest and an American investment bank because of Canada's foreign ownership rules.
New York investment bank Goldman Sachs plans to invite some of Canada's biggest pension funds into the Alliance Atlantis purchase in an attempt to "Canadianize the deal".
The Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada will urge the CRTC to deny approval of the Alliance Atlantis purchase on grounds that it is largely financed by a foreign company.
Goldman Sachs's options for cashing out on its investment in Alliance Atlantis include a multibillion-dollar offering of TV assets in 2010.
CanWest CEO says his company will control the content programming and will control the voting shares in the joint venture with U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs.
Media unions say the purchase of Alliance Atlantis will have consequences for Canadian audiences, content creators, advertisers and media employees.
Without high TV profits, CanWest could risk holding less than half of the company in 2011 when CanWest and Goldman Sachs divide the shares of the recently formed joint-venture.
The CRTC will need to uncover who has control in the CanWest/Goldman Sachs joint venture to determine whether the Alliance Atlantis purchase meets foreign ownership rules.
$2.3 billion dollar deal will, if finalized, give CanWest access to 13 specialty channels including Showcase and Food Network Canada.
A bond rating service has changed their ranking of CanWest until there is clarity regarding the structure and terms of the proposed acquisition of Alliance Atlantis.
FRIENDS says that possible CRTC intervention into the CanWest/Goldman Sachs purchase of Alliance Atlantis may cause concern for investors.
CanWest Global confirms that it, along with U.S. based Goldman Sachs, have entered into exclusive discussions regarding the purchase of Alliance Atlantis.
