Source: Calgary Herald

Sun TV and Calgary-based Shaw Communication have started collaborating on technologies to bring the two growing empires closer, media mogul Pierre Karl Peladeau said.

Peladeau, the head of Quebecor and sun Media Corp., said he shared the companies' wireless technologies experience with executives Jim and Brad Shaw over a breakfast meeting Friday.

"I think that we have a lot in common, and it's always interesting to share our experience, specially on the wireless side," he told reporters after speaking at an Economic Club of Canada meeting in Calgary.

"We continue to work with them to make sure that we are going to be able to have the devices, and the purchasing group eventually that will create synergies between us."

Shaw Communications, best known for its cable services, announced in April it was entering the wireless industry after acquiring broadband access in 2008.

On Friday, national regulators also approved the company's purchase of Canwest Global Communications Inc. television assets.

"The unfolding digital revolution has radically reshaped the media landscape and the telecommunications environment forever," Peladeau said.

"Content and technology are now so intertwined, it would be an illusion to think that one can talk about media without simultaneously talking about the technology that supports it."

Sun TV announced it was bringing in a western black sheep into its fold, adding arch conservative Ezra Levant to its soon-to-be launched news channel.

Peladeau said Friday political commentator and columnist Levant will be joining Winnipegger and former CBC journalist Krista Erickson as hosts in the all-news cable network.

The outspoken Calgarian said he will bring a national and western perspective to what often is a Toronto-centric arena of political and news commentary during the future hour-long show.

Levant will be moving to Toronto for the job.

© Calgary Herald