Bell-Astral TV viewership share validated by new CRTC report

Bell-Astral TV viewership share validated by new CRTC report


2012 Communications Monitoring Report underlines that BCE-Astral share
of total television audience within the CRTC threshold of 35%



MONTREAL, Sept. 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell welcomes the release of the
2012 Communications Monitoring Report by the Canadian Radio-television
Communications Commission (CRTC), which confirms the TV viewership data
submitted by Bell to the CRTC in its application to join with Astral
Media.



"With the release of the CRTC's latest report, we now have confirmation
that the combined Bell-Astral share of all TV viewing is indeed below
the CRTC's 35% threshold," said Mirko Bibic, Chief Legal and Regulatory
Officer for Bell and BCE. "Moreover, the report clearly demonstrates
the highly competitive and fast-changing nature of the Canadian media
marketplace. Not only are Canadians now able to make viewing choices
from some 700 different TV channels, a rapidly increasing number are
turning to Internet services from foreign providers for their viewing
options."



The CRTC's 2012 Communications Monitoring Report includes all relevant
TV viewing data for the 2010-2011 TV season. The report shows that U.S.
and international TV channels captured a 13.3% share of all TV viewing
in Canada, an increase of 10% from the previous year.



Bell's proposed acquisition of Astral meets all CRTC rules regarding
media ownership. The CRTC's report underlines that the combined
Bell-Astral total television audience share will be less than 35% in
the national English-language market and less than 25% in the national
French-language market, both within the threshold at which the CRTC
would generally expeditiously approve such a transaction. Similarly,
the report confirms Québecor's share of the French-language market will
remain the largest, at more than 30%.



"Canadians have a growing array of viewing choices available to them and
they aren't limited by national boundaries. That's the reality of TV
today, which Canadian viewers themselves clearly understand even if
certain Bell competitors do not," said Mr. Bibic. "In this environment,
a combined Bell-Astral helps ensure a strong Canadian media presence
able to contend directly with both U.S. media and foreign Internet
broadcasters, helping to sustain and grow the entire Canadian
broadcasting industry."



Bell Media is joining with Astral to bring consumers enhanced choice and
competition in media. Bell Media is committed to investing
significantly in new Canadian programming and talent, and to making it
available across all screens and through whichever cable, satellite or
IPTV provider a customer may choose.



Bell Media already invests almost $600 million every year in Canadian
content. Bell Canada also undertakes more than $3 billion in capital
expenditures annually, far more than any competitor, to fund the
country's largest rollouts of new broadband infrastructure and deliver
popular and competitive new services such as Bell Fibe TV, Fibe
Internet and Bell Mobile TV.


About Bell

Headquartered in Montréal since its founding in 1880, Bell is Canada's
largest communications company, providing consumers and business with
solutions to all their communications needs. Bell Media is Canada's
premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and
digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE:
BCE). For Bell product and service information, please visit Bell.ca. For Bell Media, please visit BellMedia.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit BCE.ca.



The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program
that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk
anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and
workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.


SOURCE BELL CANADA

BELL CANADA

CONTACT: Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
1-855-785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News


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