Bell Media Files CRTC Application to Create RDS Radio 990 in Montreal

Bell Media Files CRTC Application to Create RDS Radio 990 in Montreal


- TSN Radio 990 in Montreal to become Francophone radio station RDS
Radio 990 -



- English-language Montreal Canadiens broadcast coverage to be moved to
CJAD 800, pending CRTC approval -



MONTREAL, July 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Bell Media announced today that it has
filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) expressing its intention to
convert TSN Radio 990 to RDS Radio 990 in Montreal.



The decision to convert TSN Radio 990 to RDS Radio 990 results from
Bell's acquisition of Astral Media, announced in March 2012, and the
CRTC's Commercial Radio Policy that outlines certain limitations
surrounding the ownership of multiple radio stations in a given market.



With a continued focus on local sports, RDS Radio 990 is an extension of
RDS's powerful brand as the #1 French-language specialty channel in
Canada. As the country's 24-hour all-sports Francophone radio station,
RDS Radio 990 will have comprehensive coverage of the Montreal sports
scene, along with best-in-class analysis from RDS sports experts and
Insiders.



English-language broadcasts of the Montreal Canadiens will move to
Astral's CJAD 800, pending CRTC approval. The Montreal Canadiens
broadcast is a great fit for CJAD 800, whose impressive stable of
programming also includes the exclusive English radio broadcast of the
Montreal Alouettes and the Montreal Impact games.



"With RDS Radio 990, we're presented with a formidable opportunity to
enhance and extend the RDS brand by delivering best-in-class sports
content and coverage across another platform to our fans," said Gerry
Frappier, President, RDS. "For the past 23 years, RDS has set the
benchmark for French-language sports broadcasting in Canada, and we
look forward to raising the bar even higher now with RDS Radio 990."



"Powered by the strength of the RDS brand and its exceptional roster of
on-air personalities, RDS Radio 990 is a natural and logical fit for
francophone fans in the Montreal market," said Chris Gordon, President,
Radio and Local TV. "We're excited to make an impact on the Montreal
sports scene and engage listeners with the local stories and athletic
coverage that matter to them the most."


About RDS

Le Réseau des sports (RDS) is a French-language sports network offering
a comprehensive, world-class programming line-up. Since its inception
in 1989, RDS has developed an unparalleled programming grid featuring
major events and properties that include the exclusive broadcast rights
to the Montreal Canadiens and other NHL hockey games, the Stanley Cup
playoffs and finals, MLS and Montreal Impact, CFL and NFL football, the
Grey Cup and the Super Bowl, exclusive 2012 Tour de France, F1 and
NASCAR racing, MLB baseball including the World Series, over 30 PGA
Tour golf tournaments (including 3 Majors), ATP tennis and all Grand
Slam, FIFA World Cup from 2015 to 2022, Euro 2012 - 2016, Barclays
Premier League as well as the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship,
Skate Canada, Canada Cup of curling. RDS will also be the official
broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games. RDS is a division of Bell
Media, wich is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest
communications company. For more details on RDS, please visit RDS.ca.


About Bell Media

Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in
television, radio and digital. With passion and an unrelenting
commitment to excellence, Bell Media entertains, informs and inspires
Canadians. Bell Media owns 28 conventional stations, including CTV,
Canada's #1 television network and lead broadcaster of the London 2012
Olympic Games, and owns and operates 29 specialty channels, including
TSN, Canada's #1 specialty channel and RDS, Canada's #1 French-language
specialty channel. Bell Media also owns 33 radio stations, dozens of
websites including the Sympatico.ca portal, and Dome Productions
Inc. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest
communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.


SOURCE Bell Media

Bell Media

CONTACT: Matthew Garrow, (w) 416.384.5258, (c) 416.859.3138, matthew.garrow@bellmedia.ca
Katia Aubin, (w) 514.529.2104, (c) 514.208.1235, katia.aubin@bellmedia.ca


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