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The CRTC approved Remstar Diffusion Inc.'s acquisition of the TQS network and TV stations in Montreal, Quebec, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke, and Saguenay, subject to certain conditions. It also renewed the licences of these stations until 2015, but will re-examine the programming commitments after three years.
While Remstar's proposal did not have an adequate amount of local news, the CRTC took into account TQS' precarious financial situation and will allow, on a short-term basis, a reduced amount of it. The Commission expects TQS to improve this amount within three years.
The CRTC accepted Remstar's proposal to replace traditional newscasts with a new concept that features local programming which discusses and analyzes current events. At least two hours of local news will be included as part of this programming each week in Montreal and Quebec.
In addition, the CRTC is requiring Remstar to increase its commitment to broadcast local news from 50 minutes each week to one hour for stations in Sherbrooke, Trois Rivieres and Saguenay. On top of these amounts, Remstar will have to broadcast at least 30 minutes of news programming every Saturday and Sunday on all TQS affiliated stations.
While these amounts are lower than that of other conventional TV stations, the CRTC recognizes that TQS has suffered monetary losses. As a result of this, the Commission has allowed for a temporary measure on an exceptional basis to give Remstar an opportunity to improve TQS' financial situation.
The CRTC will revisit Remstar's conditions for news programming during the public hearings in spring 2011. The Commission will also reassess the issue of priority programming at that time, as well as Remstar's plans for the digital transition.
Source: Broadcaster, 06/26/2008
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