On September 10th, 2010 BCE announced that they were acquiring 100% of CTV. CTV produces CTV Newsnet, which would be a direct competitor of SunTV News. Bell Canada Enterprises has decided not to carry SunTV News.
BCE’s acquisition of CTV was initially approved by the Competition Bureau but is on probation for one year. This was their statement at the time…
At this time, the Commissioner of Competition does not intend to make an application to the Competition Tribunal under section 92 of the Competition Act in respect of the Proposed Transaction. It is important to note, however, that section 97 of the Act provides a one-year period following completion of the Proposed Transaction during which the Commissioner may bring the matter before the Tribunal. For the reasons summarized below, the Bureau will closely monitor the activities of the parties and regulatory developments in the broadcasting industry to determine whether it is appropriate to take such action prior to the expiry of that one-year period.
Section 92 of the Competition Act:
92. (1) Where, on application by the Commissioner, the Tribunal finds that a merger or proposed merger prevents or lessens, or is likely to prevent or lessen, competition substantially
I’m not aware of any plausible action that could lessen competition more than a distribution channel purchasing a product and then refusing to distribute competitors (Microsoft springs to mind).
How do I know that Bell Canada won’t be carrying SunTV? Because their sales representatives told me so when I called them.
I’m thinking the Competition Bureau may have something to say about this decision unless, like Elections Canada, they are comprised of Liberal wankers.
Comment here
UPDATE: I have filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau
