BCE to acquire Astral Media for $3-billion
susan krashinsky Published Friday, Mar. 16, 2012 7:40AM EDT updated 8:29AM EDT
#bell #astral
@Bell_News @astralBCE Inc. (BCE-T40.06-0.12-0.30%) has struck a $3-billion deal to acquire Astral Media Inc. (ACM.A-T36.250.350.97%), boosting the media content of the telecommunications giant in Quebec and positioning Bell better against Montreal-based media and telecom rival Quebecor Inc. (QBR.B-T35.93-0.37-1.02%). The two companies announced the $50-a-share cash-and-stock deal Friday, valuing it at about $3.38-billion, including debt of $380-million.
“Bringing together two respected and longstanding Montreal brands, Bell’s acquisition of Astral firmly establishes our company as Quebec’s media leader,” said BCE chief executive officer George Cope.
“Bell is gaining a well-seasoned national Astral management team, dramatically expanding our French-language content, and more than levelling the playing field with our largest broadcast media competitor in Quebec.”
BCE is adding to an already formidable media presence in the wake of last year's acquisition of CTV.
Astral has 2,800 employees across the country, about half in Quebec, and owns many properties, including pay and specialty TV, radio and online businesses.
Astral was one of the few independent media companies, and one of the largest, left in Canada following a round of consolidation that saw most media assets bought up by cable and satellite companies.
Astral's chief executive officer Ian Greenberg had complained before the country's broadcast regulator that the amount of ownership concentrated in the hands of TV service providers had hampered the ability of those independents to negotiate fare rates for their cable channels.
Mr. Greenberg, 69, founded the company with his brothers in 1961.
BCE heralded the proposed deal in a statement, stressing just how big it will be in Quebec.
“The transaction provides multiple other benefits for the Bell team and its strategy, including enhanced control of rising content costs, particularly French-language media, and strong opportunities for cross-platform innovation and advertising packages spanning digital, TV, radio and out-of-home advertising,” BCE said. “Astral products currently represent Bell’s largest single content cost.”
BCE is offering $50 a share for Astra's non-voting shares, and $54.83 for the voting class. Astral shareholders would get about 75 per cent in cash and 25 per cent in stock.
susan krashinsky Published Friday, Mar. 16, 2012 7:40AM EDT updated 8:29AM EDT
@Bell_News @astral
“Bringing together two respected and longstanding Montreal brands, Bell’s acquisition of Astral firmly establishes our company as Quebec’s media leader,” said BCE chief executive officer George Cope.
“Bell is gaining a well-seasoned national Astral management team, dramatically expanding our French-language content, and more than levelling the playing field with our largest broadcast media competitor in Quebec.”
BCE is adding to an already formidable media presence in the wake of last year's acquisition of CTV.
Astral has 2,800 employees across the country, about half in Quebec, and owns many properties, including pay and specialty TV, radio and online businesses.
Astral was one of the few independent media companies, and one of the largest, left in Canada following a round of consolidation that saw most media assets bought up by cable and satellite companies.
Astral's chief executive officer Ian Greenberg had complained before the country's broadcast regulator that the amount of ownership concentrated in the hands of TV service providers had hampered the ability of those independents to negotiate fare rates for their cable channels.
Mr. Greenberg, 69, founded the company with his brothers in 1961.
BCE heralded the proposed deal in a statement, stressing just how big it will be in Quebec.
“The transaction provides multiple other benefits for the Bell team and its strategy, including enhanced control of rising content costs, particularly French-language media, and strong opportunities for cross-platform innovation and advertising packages spanning digital, TV, radio and out-of-home advertising,” BCE said. “Astral products currently represent Bell’s largest single content cost.”
BCE is offering $50 a share for Astra's non-voting shares, and $54.83 for the voting class. Astral shareholders would get about 75 per cent in cash and 25 per cent in stock.
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