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{{short description|Canadian media company}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name
|
| logo
| logo_size
| image
| image_size
| image_caption
| type
| industry
| former_names =
* [[Telegram Corporation|Telegram Corp.]] (1960–1971)
* {{nowrap|[[Baton Broadcasting]] (1971–1998)}}
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* [[CTVglobemedia|CTVglobemedia Inc.]] (January 1, 2007–March 31, 2011)
}}
| founded = {{ubl|{{start date and
| hq_location
| hq_location_city
| hq_location_country = Canada
| area_served
| key_people
*
* [[Stewart Johnston]]
* Karine Moses
* Nauby Jacob
}}
| num_employees
| parent
| divisions
* [[Bell Media Radio]]
* [[Bell Media Television]]
}}
| website
| footnotes
}}
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For all practical purposes, Bell Media is the successor to '''Baton Broadcasting Incorporated''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|eɪ|t|ɒ|n}} {{respell|BAY|ton}}), which by the late 1990s had become one of Canada's largest broadcasters.
Formed in 1960 as '''Baton Aldred Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.''', the company was originally created to establish Toronto's first private television station, [[CFTO-DT|CFTO-TV]]. The name of this company derived from its initial investors, including the [[John W. H. Bassett|<u>Ba</u>ssett]] and [[John David Eaton|Ea<u>ton</u>]] families ([[Telegram Corporation|Baton]]), and Aldred-Rogers Broadcasting (owned by broadcaster Joel Aldred<ref name=":1">[https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=joel-walkden-aldred&pid=154189621&fhid=8490 Joel Walkden Aldred]</ref> and [[Edward S. Rogers Jr.|Ted Rogers]]); [[Foster Hewitt]] was also an initial investor, but in a much smaller role.<ref name="Nolan2001">{{cite book|author=Michael Nolan|title=CTV, the Network that Means Business|url=https://archive.org/details/ctvnetworkthatme00nola|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=University of Alberta|isbn=978-0-88864-384-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/ctvnetworkthatme00nola/page/n51 20]}}</ref> Aldred sold his shares in 1961, followed by Rogers by 1970, thereby relieving their names from the company title. With the Bassett and Eaton families firmly in control, the company went public in the early 1970s.
CFTO was one of the charter affiliates of CTV when that network formed in 1961, becoming the network's flagship. In 1966, Baton became a part-owner in the network when it was reorganized as a station-owned [[cooperative]]. The [[Board of Broadcast Governors]] was initially skeptical about the proposal to turn CTV into a cooperative. Since CFTO was by far the largest and richest station in the network, the BBG feared Baton would take advantage of this to dominate the network. However, it approved the deal after Baton and the other owners included a provision in the cooperative's bylaws stipulating that the eight station owners would each have a single vote regardless of audience share. Additionally, if one owner ever bought another station, the acquired station's shares would be redistributed among the remaining owners so that each owner would still have one vote out of eight.
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=== {{Anchor|NetStar Communications}}NetStar Communications (1999–2000) ===
'''NetStar Communications Inc.''' (previously '''Labatt Communications Inc.''', and
After a takeover attempt by [[CanWest Global]] that was vetoed by ESPN, CTV announced a friendly bid to take over NetStar Communications in early 1999, with CRTC approval on March 24, 2000. After acquiring Netstar, the CRTC required CTV to divest itself of either Netstar's TSN or their own [[Sportsnet]]; they chose to sell the latter to [[Rogers Media|Rogers]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rogers Media {{!}} History of Canadian Broadcasting|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/rogers-media|access-date=2021-05-03|website=
==={{Anchor|Under BCE ownership – Bell Globemedia (2000–2006)}}Bell Globemedia (2000–06)===
At the beginning of the 2000s, [[BCE Inc.|Bell Canada Enterprises]] (BCE) [[Mergers and acquisitions|acquired]] '''CTV Inc.''' (including the '''NetStar''' assets) and bought ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', folding the two into a new media venture, '''Bell Globemedia Inc''' ('''BGM''').<ref name=":0">
▲At the beginning of the 2000s, [[BCE Inc.|Bell Canada Enterprises]] (BCE) [[Mergers and acquisitions|acquired]] '''CTV Inc.''' (including the '''NetStar''' assets) and bought ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', folding the two into a new media venture, '''Bell Globemedia Inc''' ('''BGM''').<ref name=":0">Potter, Jessica. 2011 March 9. "[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ctvglobemedia CTVglobemedia]." ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' (last edited 2014 October 17).</ref>
This venture was masterminded by former [[Bell Canada]] chief executive [[Jean Monty]], largely as a response to [[Canwest]]'s purchase of the [[Southam Newspapers|Southam]] newspaper chain as well as the trend of [[media convergence]], particularly the [[AOL-Time Warner]] merger. Monty believed that to survive in a changing technological landscape, and in particular to drive subscriptions to [[satellite television]] provider [[Bell Satellite TV|Bell ExpressVu]]<!-- As it was known at the time. --> and [[internet service provider]] [[Bell Sympatico]], BCE had to have control over content.
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The company acquired partial ownership in TQS in 2002, the Sympatico portal was sold back to Bell Canada, while a further investment from the Thomsons (whose ownership increased to 31.5%) funded the acquisition of 15% of [[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]]. However, beginning in 2003, BCE management began to refer to BGM as a non-core asset; as a result, much attention was given to the likely sale of the company, and potentially a breakup into several different pieces.
On December 2, 2005, [[Bell Canada|Bell Canada Enterprises]] (BCE) announced that it would sell an 8.5% interest to [[The Woodbridge Company|The Woodbridge Company Limited]] (increasing their total ownership to 40%), a 20% interest to [[Torstar]], and a 20% interest to the [[Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=CTV Television Network {{!}} History of Canadian Broadcasting|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/ctv-television-network|access-date=2021-05-03|website=
This deal put to rest any rumors about a possible breakup of the company. However, Torstar's involvement led to additional [[media concentration]] concerns, mainly from media [[trade union|union]]s. Torstar insisted it was committed to maintaining the [[editorial independence]] of the ''Globe'' and its own ''[[Toronto Star]]'', and ultimately there were no major regulatory hurdles due to this.
{{Wikinews|Canadian media company Bell Globemedia to acquire rival CHUM}}On July 12, 2006, BGM announced a friendly bid to take over [[CHUM Limited]] for an estimated $1.7 billion. The acquisition would bring the secondary broadcast system ([[Citytv]]), other stations including [[CP24|CablePulse24]], [[Much (TV channel)|MuchMusic]], [[E! (Canadian TV channel)|Star!]], [[Bravo (Canada)|Bravo!]], and [[Space (Canadian TV channel)|Space]], and all of CHUM's radio stations, into the BGM fold. BGM originally announced that CHUM's [[CTV 2|A-Channel]] stations, [[Access (TV channel)|Access]], [[CKX-TV]], [[MusiquePlus]], [[MusiMax]], [[Canadian Learning Television]], [[Cooking Channel (Canadian TV channel)|Cooking Channel]] and BGM's own [[OLN]] would not be retained.
[[File:Bell Globemedia.svg|thumb]]
On September 7, 2006, in order to pay for the CHUM acquisition, BGM sold additional shares to its existing shareholders. BCE did not participate in the refinancing; the net effect was an increase in Teachers' ownership to 25%, while BCE's interest was reduced to 15%.<ref>[http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2006/07/c3905.html Bell Globemedia Completes Financing to Pay for CHUM Limited Shares] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930222027/http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2006/07/c3905.html |date=2007-09-30 }}, BGM press release, September 7, 2006</ref>
=== {{Anchor|CTVglobemedia}}CTVglobemedia (2007–11) ===
[[File:CTVglobemedia.svg|thumb|The logo for CTVglobemedia since January 1, 2007.]]
As a result of BCE's reduced ownership in the company, '''
In April of that year, [[Rogers Communications]] announced a tentative deal to purchase [[A-Channel]], [[CKX-TV]], [[Access Alberta]], [[Canadian Learning Television]], and [[Cooking Channel]] from CTVglobemedia, if its purchase of CHUM was approved. [[Astral Media]] made a similar deal for CHUM's 50% interest in [[Musimax|MusiMax]] and [[MusiquePlus]].
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That June, the CRTC approved the CHUM takeover, on condition that CTV sell off the Citytv stations, because of the CTV network's [[owned-and-operated station]] stations serving the very same cities. CTV ultimately chose to keep the A-Channel stations along with the rest of CHUM Ltd. assets it had previously said it would sell, except for MusiquePlus/MusiMax. [[Rogers Communications]] was announced as the buyer of the Citytv stations on June 11, 2007, and the CHUM acquisition was finalized on June 22.
Subsequently, CTVglobemedia, Inc. sold off its interests in various non-core channels. Rogers purchased several of these assets, including CTV's 33% interest in OLN in late 2007, as well as radio stations [[CHST-FM]] in [[London, Ontario]] and [[CHBN-FM]] in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] in 2010.<ref>[http://www.radio-info.com/news/canadas-rogers-broadcasting-buys-edmonton-chr-bounce-fm Canada's Rogers Radio acquires Edmonton top 40 station 91.7 The Bounce] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627032732/http://www.radio-info.com/news/canadas-rogers-broadcasting-buys-edmonton-chr-bounce-fm |date=2010-06-27 }}
CTVglobemedia acquired Toronto station [[CFXJ-FM]] from [[Milestone Radio]] in 2010.<ref>[http://www.radio-info.com/news/torontos-urban-flow-935-is-sold-to-the-chum-radio-group Toronto's rhythmic station Flow 93.5 is sold to CTVglobemedia, Inc.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630220920/http://www.radio-info.com/news/torontos-urban-flow-935-is-sold-to-the-chum-radio-group |date=2010-06-30 }}
| url = http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/2010-964.htm
| title = ARCHIVED
| author = Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
| date = 2010-12-23
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</ref>
On September 10, 2010, BCE announced plans to re-acquire 100% of the company's broadcasting arm, including CTV Inc. Under the deal, [[The Woodbridge Company|Woodbridge]], [[Torstar]], and Teachers' would together receive $1.3 billion in either cash or equity in BCE, while BCE would also assume $1.7 billion in debt (BCE's existing equity interest was $200 million, for a total transaction value of $3.2 billion). Woodbridge would also regain majority control of The Globe and Mail Inc., with BCE retaining a 15% interest. The overall deal was expected to close by April 2011.<ref name="bell-pr-2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2010/10/c8677.html|title=Bell to acquire 100% of Canada's No.1 media company CTV|publisher=CNW Group|author=Bell Canada|date=2010-09-10|access-date=2010-09-10}}</ref> However, the sale of ''The'' ''Globe'', which did not require CRTC approval, was completed in late December 2010.<ref name="globesale-2011">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/915934--torstar-completes-first-stage-of-ctvglobemedia-sale|title=Torstar completes first stage of CTVglobemedia sale|work=[[Toronto Star]]|date=2011-01-04|access-date=2011-01-09}}</ref> The deal was approved by the CRTC on March 7, 2011,<ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2011/r110307.htm CRTC approves BCE's purchase of CTVglobemedia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305155104/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2011/r110307.htm |date=2015-03-05 }}, ''CRTC'', March 7, 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-163.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-163], Change in effective control of CTVglobemedia Inc.'s licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, ''CRTC'', March 7, 2011</ref> and the company was officially closed on April 1, 2011. It was renamed as '''Bell Media Inc'''.<ref>[https://www.ctvnews.ca/crtc-approves-bce-s-purchase-of-ctvglobemedia-1.615461 CRTC approves BCE's purchase of CTVglobemedia, Inc.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629044310/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110307/crtc-approves-ctvglobemedia-purchase-by-bce-110307/ |date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref>
== Post-2011 developments ==
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On April 9, 2015, Crull stepped down as president of Bell Media, and was replaced by [[Mary Ann Turcke]], the subsidiary's former head of media sales. The move came following allegations reported by ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' that, after the CRTC's March 2015 decision to mandate that pay television providers offer [[A la carte pay television|a la carte]] packages, Crull ordered all Bell-owned news properties, including [[CTV News]], not to air any remarks by CRTC chairman [[Jean-Pierre Blais]] during reports regarding the decision. Although the CTV News Channel program ''Power Play'' and a report aired on the local evening newscasts complied with Crull's order, the ''[[CTV National News]]'' that night defied Crull's demand by airing a story on the changes that included remarks by Blais. CTV News president Wendy Freeman, Ottawa bureau chief [[Robert Fife]], and the program's anchor [[Lisa LaFlamme]] felt that the inclusion of remarks by Blais was necessary due to the nature of the story. In response to the dismissal, BCE CEO [[George A. Cope]] explained that the journalistic independence of its news operations was "paramount importance to our company and to all Canadians".<ref name=gandm-crullout>{{cite news|title=Bell media head Kevin Crull departs over journalistic meddling|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-ousts-media-head-kevin-crull-over-journalistic-meddling/article23864190/|access-date=9 April 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=gandm-bellmeddled>{{cite news|last1=Bradshaw|first1=James|title=Bell head meddled in news coverage|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-head-meddled-in-ctv-news-coverage/article23607402/|access-date=9 April 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|date=25 March 2015}}</ref>
Shortly after taking the position, Turcke was criticized for remarks that considered the use of [[virtual private network]] services to evade [[geo-blocking]] and access the U.S. version of subscription video on demand service [[Netflix]] to be "stealing".<ref name=gandm-stealing>{{cite news|title=Accessing U.S. Netflix is 'stealing,' new Bell Media president says|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-media-president-urges-behavioural-shift-to-prevent-stealing/article24783094/|access-date=11 July 2015|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref><ref name=torstar-stealingnetflix>{{cite web|title=Netflix 'stealing' comment nets backlash for Bell Media chief|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2015/06/04/netflix-stealing-comment-nets-backlash-for-bell-media-chief.html|website=Toronto Star|date=4 June 2015|access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref><ref name=torsun-stealingnetflix>{{cite news|title=Netflix 'stealing' comment shows Boomers are out of touch 0|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/09/netflix-stealing-comment-shows-boomers-are-out-of-touch|access-date=11 July 2015|
In late August 2015, Bell Media began a series of layoffs, which included directors and vice presidents. On November 6, 2015, additional layoffs of 380 jobs from production, editorial, sales, and administrative roles in Toronto and Montreal were revealed.<ref name=gandm-bmcuts>{{cite news|title=Bell Media to cut 270 jobs in Toronto, 110 in Montreal|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-media-to-cut-jobs-in-toronto-montreal/article27130545/?|access-date=22 November 2015|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> On November 17, 2015, further cuts were made, which included high-profile on-air talent from radio and television properties in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bateman |first=David |date=November 18, 2015 |title=Bell Media mass job cut affects TV personalities|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/11/18/bell-media-mass-job-cut-affects-tv-personalities.html |newspaper=Toronto Star |location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada |access-date=November 19, 2015}}</ref>
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On January 6, 2016, [[iHeartMedia]] announced that it had partnered with Bell Media to launch a localized version of its online radio service [[iHeartRadio Canada]].<ref name=gandm-iheartca>{{cite news|title=iHeartRadio joins Canada's streaming market through partnership with Bell|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/iheartradio-joins-canadas-streaming-market-through-partnership-with-bell/article28028272/|access-date=7 January 2016|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> On January 14, 2016, CraveTV became available as a standalone service without requiring an existing television subscription.<ref>{{cite news|title=CraveTV now available to all Canadians with Internet|url=https://lfpress.com/2016/01/14/cravetv-now-available-to-all-canadians|website=London Free Press|agency=Canadian Press|publisher=Postmedia Network|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref>
On May 4, 2016, Bell acquired rights to the programming and branding of Canadian specialty channel [[Gusto (TV channel)|Gusto TV]]. The channel was shut down, and re-launched on September 1, 2016, replacing [[M3 (Canadian TV channel)|M3]] under its existing [[Category A services|Category A license]].<ref name="ottcitizen-">{{cite web|title=Ottawa's Gusto TV to expand after deal with Bell Media|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/life/food/ottawas-gusto-tv-to-expand-after-deal-with-bell-media|website=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bell Media goes for Gusto, eyes lifestyle channel launch|url=http://realscreen.com/2016/05/04/bell-media-acquires-indie-gusto-tv/|website=Realscreen|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="cartt-belltvdrops-m3gusto">{{cite web|title=UPDATED: Bell Satellite TV dropping several channels, including CNBC, Shopping Channel|url=https://cartt.ca/article/updated-bell-tv-dropping-several-channels-including-cnbc-shopping-channel|website=Cartt.ca|date=August 16, 2016 |access-date=24 August 2016}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
On January 31, 2017, Bell Media announced that it planned to perform another round of layoffs in 24 locations, citing various developments across Canada's broadcasting industry, as well as the impact of recent regulatory decisions (such as one that prevents the federal [[simsub]] rules from being used on the [[Super Bowl]], whose Canadian broadcast rights are currently owned by Bell Media).<ref name="fp-belllayoffs17">{{cite web|last1=Jackson|first1=Emily|title=Bell Media cites CRTC Super Bowl ad policy as a factor in latest round of layoffs|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/bell-media-cites-crtc-super-bowl-ad-policy-in-latest-round-of-layoffs|website=Financial Post|access-date=1 February 2017}}</ref>
=== {{Anchor|Randy Lennox era}}Randy Lennox era (2017–20) ===
On February 27, 2017, Turcke left Bell to join the [[National Football League]] as president of NFL Media. She was succeeded as president by [[Randy Lennox]].<ref name="gandm-nflnetworkturcke">{{cite web|title=Bell Media juggling executives as president leaves for job at NFL|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-media-head-leaves-for-job-at-nfl/article34152044/|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> That month, Bell also announced that it had partnered with record executive [[Scott Borchetta]] to develop a new, international [[television format]] that would "uncover, develop, and promote pop culture's next musical superstars", and "leverage Bell Media's massive reach and extensive platforms to showcase musicians on the national and international stage."<ref name="billboard-newproperty">{{Cite
On June 7, 2017, [[Wow Unlimited Media]] announced that it would acquire a specialty channel from the company (later revealed to be [[Comedy Gold (TV channel)|Comedy Gold]]; however, the sale would later be aborted, leading to the channel's shutdown in 2019)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cartt.ca/article/carttca-interview-bell-media-president-randy-lennox-talks-rich-uncles-teeter-totters-and-ty|title=The Cartt.ca Interview: Bell Media president Randy Lennox talks rich uncles, teeter-totters and Ty Cobb|work=Cartt.ca|access-date=2017-10-30}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> to form a new network targeting children and young adults, and provide [[children's television]] content for Bell's over-the-top ventures. As part of the purchase, BCE will take 3.4 million common voting shares in the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2017/06/08/wow-unlimited-to-acquire-channel-from-bell-media/|title=Wow Unlimited to acquire channel from Bell Media|first=Regan|last=Reid|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 9, 2017|work=Kidscreen|publisher=[[Brunico Communications]]}}</ref>
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On October 17, 2017, Bell Media announced its intent to acquire [[Historia (TV channel)|Historia]] and [[Séries+]]—two French-language networks whose Astral-owned stakes were divested during its acquisition by Bell—from Corus Entertainment for $200 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.fagstein.com/2017/10/17/bell-buys-series-historia/|title=Corus agrees to sell Séries+ and Historia to Bell Media for $200 million|last=Faguy|first=Steve|date=October 17, 2017|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> On May 28, 2018, both transactions were blocked by the [[Competition Bureau (Canada)|Competition Bureau]], citing a condition on the Bell/Astral deal which forbade Bell from re-acquiring properties divested in the sale for 10 years after its completion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/telecom/media/analysts-predict-steeper-corus-dividend-cut-after-watchdog-blocks-200-million-sale-of-tv-stations-to-bell|title=Analysts predict steeper Corus dividend cut after watchdog blocks $200-million sale of TV stations to Bell|date=2018-05-28|work=Financial Post|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref>
On January 23, 2018, Bell Media announced that it had reached licensing agreements with [[Starz Inc.]] and [[Lionsgate]], and that [[TMN Encore]] would be rebranded under the [[Starz]] brand in 2019, featuring its programming.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/starz-canada-bell-media-deal-expansion-1202673392/|title=Starz Expands Into Canada With Bell Media Pact|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=2018-01-23|work=Variety|access-date=2018-01-23|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/in-first-global-foray-starz-sets-long-term-deal-with-bell-to-enter-canada-1202266954/|title=In First Global Foray, Starz Sets Long-Term Deal With Bell To Enter Canada|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2018-01-23|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-01-23|language=en-US}}</ref> The following month, Bell launched SnackableTV, a streaming video [[mobile app|app]] with short-form content from Bell Media properties and other sources.<ref>{{Cite
In April 2018, Bell Media acquired a controlling stake in the [[Pinewood Toronto Studios]] complex.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadas-bell-media-buys-control-pinewood-toronto-studios-1097872|title=Canada's Bell Media Buys Control of Pinewood Toronto Studios (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-04-02|language=en}}</ref> In May 2018, Bell Media announced that it, along with several other parties, would contribute French-language content to [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Radio-Canada]]'s subscription streaming service [[Tou.tv|Ici Tou.tv Extra]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-are-quebec-media-slightly-ahead-of-our-time/|title=Are Quebec media slightly ahead of our time?|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2018-06-07}}</ref>
In May 2018, Bell Media laid off 17 employees, resulting in the cancellation of Discovery's ''[[Daily Planet (TV series)|Daily Planet]]'' and Space's ''[[Innerspace (TV series)|Innerspace]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lfpress.com/business/bell-media-cancels-two-shows-lays-off-17-positions/wcm/95e624e2-1fea-4dc9-bc40-246564f4824d|title=Bell Media cancels shows 'Daily Planet' and 'Innerspace
On June 7, 2018, during the CTV upfronts, it was announced that four Bell Media specialty channels would re-brand in September 2019, with Bravo, Comedy Network, Gusto, and Space respectively becoming CTV Drama Channel, CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Life Channel, and CTV Sci-Fi Channel. Two new ad-supported video-on-demand platforms were also announced: CTV Movies and CTV Vault (renamed CTV Throwback on launch). These rebrandings and launches will be incorporated into a larger, unified digital platform containing content from all six services.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://worldscreen.com/tvcanada/bell-media-reveals-ctv-branded-bouquet-of-channels/|title=Bell Media Reveals CTV-Branded Bouquet of Channels|date=2018-06-07|work=TVCANADA|publisher=Worldscreen|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cartt.ca/article/bell-media-creates-digital-super-hub-new-vod-services-rebranded-channels|title=Bell Media creates digital super-hub for new VoD services, rebranded channels|work=Cartt.ca|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2018/06/07/ctv-unveils-their-fall-programming-slate-for-2018.html|title=Magnum P.I. reboot, new Jann Arden comedy on CTV's fall lineup|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en}}</ref> Later that day, it was also announced that Bell Media was one of two Canadian companies that had acquired a stake in the Montreal-based comedy festival [[Just for Laughs]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/bell-media-groupe-ch-among-group-that-has-acquired-just-for-laughs|title=Bell Media, Groupe CH among group that has acquired Just For Laughs|date=2018-06-08|work=Montreal Gazette|access-date=2018-06-08|language=en-US}}</ref>
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On August 16, 2018, [[Vice Media]] announced a long-term output deal with Bell Media, which would see its networks and properties hold rights to [[Viceland]] programming in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/vice-canada-bell-media-1202446524/|title=Vice Is Back In Business In Canada After Striking Long-Term Deal With Bell Media|last=White|first=Peter|date=2018-08-16|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-08-16|language=en-US}}</ref>
On July 24, 2019, Bell announced its intent to acquire the French-language broadcast television network [[Noovo|V]] from [[Remstar Media Group|V Media Group]] pending CRTC approval, as well as its streaming outlet Noovo. CTVglobemedia previously owned a 40% stake in the network prior to its sale to [[Remstar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/business/bell-media-set-to-add-quebec-tv-networks-with-v-network-purchase-to-roster|title=Bell Media set to add Quebec TV networks with V Média purchase|last=Tomesco|first=Frédéric|date=2019-07-24|language=en|access-date=2019-08-14}}</ref> On April 3, 2020, the sale was approved; as a condition of the purchase, the CRTC stated that all five V stations must air five hours of local programming per-week through the 2020-2021 broadcast year, and expanding to eight-and-a-half hours per-week in Montreal and Quebec City by 2021–2022. At least half of all local programming must be locally-reflective.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.fagstein.com/2020/04/03/crtc-approves-bell-purchase-of-v/|title=CRTC approves Bell's purchase of V|first=Steve|last=Faguy|date=April 3, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref> The sale was closed on May 15, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/bell-welcomes-french-language-conventional-tv-network-v-and-noovo-ca-836940436.html|title=Bell's acquisition of V officially closes|work=Newswire Canada|date=May 15, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> V would later be renamed to Noovo on August 31, 2020.<ref>{{cite
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
=== {{Anchor|Wade Oosterman era}}Wade Oosterman era (
On October 19, 2020, BCE announced that Lennox would be leaving the organization on January 4, 2021, and that Bell group president Wade Oosterman, to whom Lennox had reported, would take over operational leadership of Bell Media directly, while maintaining oversight of Bell's wireless, residential, and small-business telecom operations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Posadzki|first=Alexandra|date=October 19, 2020|title=Bell Media president departs, to be replaced by vice-chair|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-bell-media-president-departs-to-be-replaced-by-vice-chair/|access-date=October 20, 2020|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> BCE subsequently clarified that Oosterman had taken the title of president of Bell Media while remaining vice-chair of BCE and Bell Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bce.ca/about-bce/leadership-team/executives/wade-oosterman|title=About BCE: Wade Oosterman|work=BCE.ca|publisher=[[BCE Inc.]]|access-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref>
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BCE blamed a number of industry changes and increasing losses in its news divisions for the cuts, while questioning the regulatory priorities of the federal government and the CRTC; one BCE executive mentioned having waited for reforms on some items for years, while also citing “relentless regulatory intervention” by the CRTC to cut wireless and Internet service pricing.<ref name="cp-cuts-2023" /> This rationale was questioned by union officials and other experts who felt Bell should have better prepared for industry changes, or could have waited for the full implementation of the ''[[Online Streaming Act]]'' (Bill C-11) and the ''[[Online News Act]]'' (Bill C-18).<ref name="cp-cuts-2023" />
In June 2023, ''The Globe and Mail'' reported that after the controversial dismissal of
On August 16, 2023, [[Vrak]] and [[Z (TV channel)|Z]] were removed from [[Vidéotron]]. As a consequence, Vrak closed down on October 1, 2023. <ref name="cbcnews">{{cite news |date=August 18, 2023 |title=Bell Media axes VRAK, the French-language youth TV channel based in Montreal |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bell-media-shuts-down-vrak-1.6940439 |access-date=August 18, 2023 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-324 |url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/2023-324.htm |access-date=September 25, 2023}}</ref>
=== {{Anchor|Sean Cohan era}}Sean Cohan era (2023 – Present) ===
On October 3, 2023, BCE announced that Oosterman would be retiring from the conglomerate by early January 2024, and would be replaced as president of Bell Media by Sean Cohan, a former executive for the American media companies [[A&E Networks]] and [[Nielsen Holdings|Nielsen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/bell-media-president-wade-oosterman-to-retire-to-be-replaced-by-sean-cohan/article_aac7918c-6401-5632-857b-ac35f39f0089.html|title=Bell Media president Wade Oosterman to retire, to be replaced by Sean Cohan|author=<!-- uncredited staff -->|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2023}}</ref> On October 23, 2023, Bell Media acquired Outfront Media's Canadian business for $410 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-23 |title=Bell Media signs deal to buy Outfront Media's Canadian business for $410 million |url=https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/bell-media-signs-deal-buy-150354984.html|access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-CA}}</ref>▼
On February 8, 2024, BCE announced that it would cut 4,800 positions (10% of which coming from Bell Media), citing declining revenues, and new CRTC requirements mandating that the company offer wholesale access to its fibreoptic telecom networks to competitors. Due to the restructuring, Bell Media announced that it would cut most noon and weekend newscasts across all CTV stations, cut programming at CTV News Channel and BNN Bloomberg, and sell 45 of its 103 radio stations to Arsenal Media, [[Durham Radio]], [[Maritime Broadcasting System]], [[My Broadcasting Corporation]], [[Vista Radio]], [[Whiteoaks Communications]], and [[ZoomerMedia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-02-08 |title=Most noon, weekend CTV newscasts cancelled as part of cuts at Bell Media |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/most-noon-local-ctv-newscasts-cancelled-as-part-of-cuts-at-bell-media/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-02-08 |title=Bell to reduce workforce by 4,800, divest 45 radio stations |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/bell-to-reduce-workforce-by-4800-divest-45-radio-stations/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Bell Media planning cuts to CTV, BNN Bloomberg following BCE layoffs, sale of 45 radio stations |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bce-cuts-1.7108658 |access-date=February 8, 2024 |work=CTV News}}</ref> Bell executive Robert Malcolmson told the [[Canadian Press]] that radio was "not a viable business anymore".<ref>{{cite news |title='Not a viable business anymore': Bell Media selling 45 radio stations amid layoffs |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/02/08/not-a-viable-business-anymore-bell-media-selling-45-radio-stations-amid-layoffs/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=CityNews |date=February 8, 2024}}</ref>
[[MTV2 (Canadian TV channel)|MTV2]] was closed on March 29, 2024. This left the [[MTV (Canadian TV channel)|main MTV network]] to be the last remaining licensed [[Paramount Global]] channel under Bell Media.
On June 10, 2024, [[Rogers Sports & Media]] announced that it had acquired the rights to all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s factual and lifestyle brands starting in January 2025. This will mark the end of Bell Media and CTV's long-running relationship with Discovery and its sibling networks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-06-10 |title=Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-scoops-warner-bros-discovery-rights-from-corus/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref> Bell filed a court injunction seeking to halt the agreement, arguing that their contract with WBD provides for a two-year non-compete clause ("window to adjust") if the company does not renew its licensing agreements. Rogers claims the suit is without merit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudes |first=Sammy |date=2024-07-02 |title=Bell files injunction seeking to block Rogers from broadcasting Warner Bros. content |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/bell-files-injunction-seeking-to-block-rogers-from-broadcasting-warner-bros-content/article_e459fd1b-7f2e-558f-a7b2-863cc6c2096b.html |access-date=2024-07-03 |website= |publisher=Canadian Press |language=en |via=Toronto Star}}</ref>
▲On October 3, BCE announced that Oosterman would be retiring from the conglomerate by early January 2024, and would be replaced as president of Bell Media by Sean Cohan, a former executive for the American media companies [[A&E Networks]] and [[Nielsen Holdings|Nielsen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/bell-media-president-wade-oosterman-to-retire-to-be-replaced-by-sean-cohan/article_aac7918c-6401-5632-857b-ac35f39f0089.html|title=Bell Media president Wade Oosterman to retire, to be replaced by Sean Cohan|author=<!-- uncredited staff -->|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2023}}</ref>
==Operations==
{{main|List of assets owned by Bell Media}}
Bell Media's largest division is
* [[CTV Television Network|CTV]], Canada's oldest, largest, and most-watched private [[Television broadcasting|broadcast television network]], including 22 [[owned-and-operated station]]s,
* [[CTV 2]], a secondary television system that presently consists of four [[Terrestrial television|terrestrial]] television stations in [[Ontario]] and
* [[Noovo]],
Bell Media also owns 29 [[specialty channel|specialty]] television channels, frequently in partnership with U.S. companies which operate similar channels, and primarily concentrated in the following genres:
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|-
| Sports
| [[The Sports Network|TSN]] ([[TSN2]]) [[Réseau des sports|RDS]] ([[RDS2]], [[RDS Info]])
| [[ESPN]] (part-owner/licensor)
|-
| Music and comedy
| [[CTV Comedy Channel]], [[Much (TV channel)|Much]], and [[MTV
| [[Paramount Global]] (licensor – MTV channels only), [[Comedy Central]], [[truTV]], [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] (program suppliers for both Much and CTV Comedy Channel only)
|-
Line 221 ⟶ 228:
| News ([[CTV News]])
| [[BNN Bloomberg]], [[CP24]], and [[CTV News Channel (Canadian TV channel)|CTV News Channel]]
| [[Bloomberg L.P.]] (licensor – BNN Bloomberg only)<sup>1</sup>, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]], [[CNN]] (program suppliers)
|-
| Speculative fiction/technology
Line 248 ⟶ 255:
|}
<small><sup>1</sup>Until the rebranding of Business News Network as BNN Bloomberg as part of a licensing and content agreement with [[Bloomberg L.P.]] on April 30, 2018, no foreign co-owners or brand partners were involved with these channels. However, like most news organizations, CTV does rely on foreign news sources, such as [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] and [[CNN]], for some international coverage.</small>
Through its [[Bell Media Radio]] division, the company is also Canada's largest private-sector radio broadcaster and operates a localized version of [[iHeartMedia]]'s [[iHeartRadio]] platform in Canada, even owning the radio syndication company Orbyt Media, which supplies its American programming from iHeartMedia's [[Premiere Networks]] division.
Line 254 ⟶ 261:
In addition, Bell Media also owns television & radio production studios and [[website]]s associated with all of the above properties, as well as the TheLoop.ca (formerly Sympatico.ca) Internet portal previously operated through [[Bell Canada]].
Bell Media has
* [[9 Channel Nine Court]], Toronto
* [[299 Queen Street West]], Toronto * [[1755 René Lévesque East]], Montreal
* [[Bell Media Tower]], 1800 [[McGill College Avenue]], Montreal
* Bell Media Building, 1205 [[Papineau Avenue]], Montreal
* [[750 Burrard Street]], Vancouver
==
<gallery>
File:CTVglobemedia.svg|CTVglobemedia<br />(January 1, 2007–March 31, 2011)
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