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Ontario, South-Western Ontario CKLW-AM (AM 800), Windsor, CTVglobemedia1932 A group of Windsor businessmen headed by Malcolm Campbell formed Western Ontario Broadcasting Co. Ltd. and put radio station CKOK on the air on June 2. The station broadcast on a frequency of 540 kHz and had a full-time power of one thaousand watts. CKOK was a basic station for the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). George E. McCurdy joined the station for its launch in June, as a transmitter technician. 1933 CKOK moved from 540 kHz to 840 kHz and increased power from 1,000 watts to 5,000 watts. On November 6, CKOK Windsor and CJGC London merged to form CKLW. The "LW" in the call sign stood for London-Windsor. George B. Storer was president of CKLW. Steve Douglas joined CKLW from CKOC Hamilton.
1934
CKLW switched frequency to 1030 kHz on September 1. Power remained at 5,000 watts. Engineer Ed Knight left CKLW for WJJD Chicago. George Storer was listed as operator of CKLW, WSPD (Toledo) and WWVA (Wheeling). CKLW announcer Larry Gentile left for WJBK Detroit. Pending receipt of word from the CRBC, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission granted to the MBS (Mutual Broadcasting System) temporary authority until October 31 to transmit its programs to CKLW. Complications had developed just prior to CKLW's inaugural on MBS October 1 because of an adverse recommendation from the FCC Engineering Department. CKLW, as a CBS outlet until the first of October, had authority from the FCC for reception of that network's programs, but MBS had to apply in its own right for its affiliation with CKLW.
On November 19, the FCC authorized MBS to exchange programs with CKLW for a six month period from December 1. CKLW joined Mutual on September 24 due to a shift in NBC and CBS outlets in Detroit, and MBS since then had been feeding its network programs to CKLW under temporary authority. The Mutual Broadcasting System was a fairly new network, formed by WOR in New York and WGN in Chicago.
1936
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was formed in November to replace the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission. In addition to its Mutual affiliation, CKLW was now the Windsor CBC affiliate.
1937 CKLW was expected to replace CBW Windsor as a basic commercial CBC station in February. CBW was to become an outlet for sustaining CBC programs and may be reduced to a 100 watt operation. CKLW opened a Chicago sales office at 360 North Michigan Avenue with George Roesler in charge. WXYZ Detroit filed a complaint with the CBC against the action of CKLW, because the Windsor station identified itself as a "Windsor-Detroit" station. In a letter to the Canadian authority on January 28, counsel for WXYZ stated it had been brought to their attention that CKLW was describing itself as "CKLW, Windsor-Detroit," in its advertising. "In view of the fact that CKLW is not a Detroit station," the letter stated, "it occurs to us that you may wish to take some action to correct their advertising." In a reply dated February 1, H. M. Stovin, supervisor of station relations of the CBC, expressed thanks for having the matter brought to its attention. J. E. Campeau was promoted from station manager to vice president and general manager. Gordon Castle was named production manager of CKLW. He had been with WJR Detroit. Frank Ryan was now manager. Philip A. Fus was named CKLW eastern sales rep. He had been with WMCA sales in New York City and had previously established CKLW offices in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza. M. W. Kempthorne was named secretary-treasurer of CKLW. Willard C. Webster joined the CKLW sales staff. Don Sims, formerly of CJIC Sault Ste. Marie joined CKLW to replace Bruce Chick who resigned to take over management of the Hotel Lincoln in Windsor. Harry H. Packard, formerly of CKLW was now with KFEQ St. Joseph, MO. John Stinson, formerly of CKLW, was now at WJR Detroit. Frank Burke, Jimmie Stevenson and Larry Gentile were at CKLW (Gentile had worked in Detroit for a time). Jack White was a sportscaster. CKLW closed its New York City office headed by Phil Fuss as the station changed to a national sales rep firm in the U.S. CKLW installed Presto recording equipment. For the record at this time, the station was operating studios in both Windsor and Detroit.
WJBK Detroit protested to the Federal Communications Commission that CKLW's affiliation with Mutual was unfair competition.
J. E. Rogers was named president of Rogers Broadcasting Co., owners of CFRB and CKLW, succeeding his brother E. S. Rogers, who died May 6. Mr. Rogers also succeeded his brother as president of the Rogers-Majestic Corp., parent company of all the Rogers interests in radio and tube and set manufacturing.
1941 On March 29, many radio stations across North America had to change dial position under the Havana Treaty. CKLW was one of those stations. It moved from 1030 kHz to 800 kHz. Power remained 5,000 watts. Related print ad: CKLW at 800 kc. now offers: 25% increase in our 500 microvolt contour line. 33% greater than under our old frequency. Total population in CKLW's primary area at 800 kc. ... 8,063,520. 33% greater than under our old frequency. Total radio families... 2,211,523. 35% greater than under our old frequency. Retail buying power ....... $2,659,646,000. 22% greater than under our old frequency. Arnold Stinson was an announcer. Raymond Laforest, inter-office secretary, was called to active service. He was replaced at CKLW by Bud Hayden (already on staff). Lt. Frank Lynch, CKLW announcer, was back at the station after a short training course with his regiment. Myrtle Labbitt was women's commentator. I. Jerome DuMahaut was commercial manager. Nine years with CKLW were celebrated by "Happy" Joe Gentile, conductor of the station's Early Morning Frolic, with leaders of Detroit's sports and entertainment fields attending a special breakfast. His brother Larry Gentile, hosted the Dawn Patrol on CKLW. Don Fletcher, transmitter technician at CKLW, accepted a similar position at CBL Toronto.
CKLW added a second station wagon. One was based in Detroit and the other in Windsor. To meet growing demands for network time during the evenings, largely due to the war, the CBC set up a second network for commercial sponsorship. The network's first sponsor (on an experimental basis) was the Gillette Safety Razor Co. The Mutual Broadcasting System originated boxing events for 26 Canadian stations through the CBC, plus the MBS affiliate - CKLW Windsor. The second network had 23 Canadian stations with alternative stations in Montreal to meet local conditions there. The new network would operate only after 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Over the past year, private stations had been anxious to have such a network - outside of CBC control. However, under the Radio Act, the CBC had full control over all networks in the country. It was felt that a full second network with full day and night programming was not feasible or economically possible at this time. CBC-owned stations affiliated with the new network: CBK Watrous, CBA Sackville and CBY Toronto. Privately-owned stations affiliated with the new network were: CJOR Vancouver, CHWK Chilliwack, CFCN Calgary, CFRN Edmonton, CJRM Regina, CJGX Yorkton, CJRC Winnipeg, CKCA Kenora, CJIC Sault Ste Marie, CKOC Hamilton, CKTB St. Catherines, CFPL London, CFCO Chatham, CKLW Windsor, CKCR Kitchener, CKCO Ottawa, CFCF or CHLP Montreal, CHLT Sherbrooke, CKNB Campbellton, and CJLS Yarmouth. 1942Arnold Stinson was an announcer at CKLW. The departure of announcer Budd Lynch to the Canadian Army meant a shift of some duties at CKLW. Frank Burke took over the post of publicity director and Hal Lawrence, formerly of Hamilton, joined the station as announcer, with some newscasting duties. CKLW was on the air 22 hours a day. 1943 J. E. "Ted" Campeau, managing director of CKLW, was elected to the board of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. At this time, Campeau was also a vice president of the Mutual Broadcasting System - the U.S. network of which CKLW was an affiliate. It was still a CBC station as well. Joe Gentile and Ralph Binge hosted a daily program over CKLW. Standard Radio Ltd., the holding company for CKLW and for Toronto's CFRB, reported a profit for 1942-43. 1944 On January 1, the CBC formed a second English network, The Dominion. CKLW became an affiliate of the new service. The new network consisted of privately owned stations except for the flagship - CJBC in Toronto. The Trans-Canada network was made up mostly of CBC owned and operated stations. Val Clarke was CKLW's news editor. Norman Palmer joined CKLW's announce staff from CKGB Timmins. 1945 CBC Trans-Canada Supplementary stations: CKCV, CKOC, CKLW, CJIC, CKCK, CFAR, CFGP, CKLN Nelson. CBC Dominion Supplementary Stations: CKCV, CKTB, CHML, CKLW, CKPC, CKCR, CKNX, CJCS, CFOS. Steve LeSueur (Steve Douglas, on-air) and Bernie Yuffy were now with the RCAF. Cam Ritchie was now with the Army. Frank Burke (announcer) was at CKLW. Myrtle Labbit hosted "Home Chats" on CKLW. Frank (Budd) Lynch became CKLW's director of public relations and special events. Larry Gentile was "pilot" of CKLW's original "Dawn Patrol" and entertained listeners from midnight into the wee hours of the morning. Joe Gentile and Ralph Binge hosted the station's morning show (6-9 a.m.). Val Clare was CKLW's veteran news editor. 1946Gordon Allen was Canada's first sightless announcer, hosting the 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. programming on CKLW. During these hours he read the weather, public service announcements and commercials. From midnight to 4 a.m. Allen helped Larry Gentile donduct the "Dawn Patrol" show, a program of recorded music with commercials. Major Frank "Budd" Lynch was special events director. He was later sports editor. Margaret Pratt was in commercial time sales. Doug Wilton was chief studio engineer. Frank Burke was an announcer. Jim Van Kuren was assistant news editor. Cliff Hopkins was a newsman. Myrtle Labbitt was the station's women's page editor. Mary Morgan was fashion editor. Managing director J.E. Campeau selected S. Campbell ("Cam") Ritchie to be CKLW's new director of programs and production. Cam entered radio at age 19 in 1934 as a baritone soloist. He joined CKLW in 1936 and since then has been an announcer, continuity director, traffic manager and producer. Between 1942 and 1944, he served with the Canadian Army. After that, Cam produced programs for the Allied Expeditionary Forces Program. He was Major in charge of this service until its termination in February, 1946. Ritchie was honourably discharged on May 1.
A deadly tornado hit Windsor on the night of June 17. CKLW found itself as the only means of keeping a chaotic city informed. At 6:20 p.m. the power went out and CKLW was forced off the air briefly until battery operated equipment could be put into operation. Still without electricity, CKLW was able to offer material to the Mutual Broadcasting System after 10 p.m. The telegraph lines east of the city had been disrupted so the station was unable to feed anything to the CBC. There was still no power the following day and CKLW was still without outside news services. At 11:55 a.m., the station was finally able to feed a news report to the CBC using a special receiver which picked up CKLW's signal in Chatham and relayed it to network lines. During 24 hours when no other programming was available, staff pianists Wally Townsend and Gordon Fleming kept the audience entertained with 15 hastily prepared instrumental programs. Three days after the event, CKLW's transmitter was still operating on locally generated power. The studios were on the 10th floor of the Guaranty Trust Building. The operating schedule for CKLW: 5:30 a.m. to 4 a.m., daily. Slogan: The Good Neighbour Station. W. Carter was commercial manager. J.E. Campeau, managing director of CKLW, was named president of the Western Ontario Broadcasting Co. Ltd. (Windsor) and Essex Broadcasters Inc. (Detroit). He succeeded the late Malcolm G. Campbell. Until the appointment was made, Campeau had been vice president of both companies.
CKLW was issued an FM licence. Terrence O'Dell was in the news department. W. Carter was sales manager. In January, the CBC Board again deferred CKLW's application for 50,000 watt operation. When the application was last deferred, it was so the board could conduct further study, including consideration of the technical factors involved. The applicant failed to supply any new information for the board's meeting. In March the CBC recommended for approval, CKLW's application for operation at 50,000 watts. It would be the third private station in Canada to have 50 kW authorization (after CFRB Toronto and CKAC Montreal). CKLW applied for an FM licence. The application was approved - for 250 watts, pending implementation of their authorized 3,000 watts. The CKLW studios had a new look - new design, expanded accommodation, and a control room with the latest RCA equipment. In July, the station accepted new RCA studio broadcast audio equipment, culminating two years of engineering efforts by CKLW and RCA staff. An ad to mark the new facilities claimed, "Finest and Most up-to-date of Canada's progressive radio stations." E. Wilson Wardell was named sales manager. He had been on the sales staff for nine years. CKLW-FM (93.9 MHz) opened on November 24.
The comedy team of Joe Gentile and Ralph Binge and their program "Early Morning Frolic", moved from CKLW to Detroit's WJBK as of September 8.
At a Parliamentary Committee, an MP complained that radio stations like CFRB and CKLW were merely American stations on Canadian soil. CFRB legal counsel Joseph Sedgwick, replied that U.S. programs accounted for 18% of CFRB's broadcasting time and 5% of its revenue. In addition to J.E. Campeau (president and general manager), other members of the CKLW board of directors were Harry Sedgwick, J.E. Rogers, Samuel Rogers, Q.C., and John Campbell. E. Wilson Wardell was commercial manager. Campbell Ritchie was director of operations.
1954
CKLW-TV began broadcasting on September 16. Art Laing was a sportscaster. Terrence O'Dell and Austin Grant did news. Phil MacKellar left for CKFH in Toronto. The CBC Board of Governors recommended for denial, an application that would have seen the transfer of CKLW-AM-FM and TV from Western Ontario Broadcasting Co. Ltd. to Paramount Windsor Theatres Ltd. The application was denied because control would have gone to Famous Players Corp., owner of Paramount Windsor Theatres. This company already owned interests in other Canadian TV stations.
1956
1957 W. J. (Bill) Carter retired after 25 years in the business. He designed and built CKLW and Toronto's CFRB. He had been chief engineer and director of engineering for CKLW Radio & Television. Carter will be replaced by Stewart Clark who had been with CKLW since 1937, working in technical and maintenance supervisory capacities. CKLW marked its silver anniversary in June and celebrated with events on both radio and television. One event gave tribute to all of the employees who had been with the station 20 years or longer. Among them: Alger Durham (since 1934), transmitter caretaker; Cam Ritchie (1936), Radio & Television operations manager; J. E. Campeau (1932), president; Stewart Clark (1937), television engineering director; and John Gordon (1935) radio program director.
J. E. Campeau was president of the company and CKLW's manager. S. Campbell Ritchie was assistant manager. John Gordon was program director and Wlater Townsend was news director. Stewart Clark was chief engineer and operator.
J. Elsworth Rogers, director of Standard Radio Ltd. died in June. In 1939, he succeeded his late brother, Edward S. Rogers, as president of Rogers Broadcasting Co.
1962
At the same time, S. Campbell Ritchie, President of Western Ontario Broadcasting Co. Ltd. announced the appointments of Edwin C. Metcalfe as general manager of CKLW-TV and Bob Buss (formerly of CHAT-TV Medicine Hat), GM of CKLW-AM-FM. In addition to the president's title, Ritchie had also acted as GM of the stations until this time. Metcalfe had been commercial manager. John Gordon was still program director. Bud Davies was news director and Stewart M. Clark was still chief engineer.
1966
1968
CKLW announcer Tom Shannon was named to host "The Lively Spot" on CKLW-TV. He would replace Robin Seymour's "Swingin' Time". Shannon's new TV show would air from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays (The Tom Shannon Show). He would continue to host his weekday morning show (6-9 a.m.) on CKLW Radio.
1969
1970 Austin Grant, former news director at CKLW radio and television died on July 1. He was 64. Grant first joined CKLW in 1949. On-air names included: Hal Martin, Ed Mitchell, Duke Roberts (joined from CHUM Toronto and left for KFRC San Francisco), Bob Clark, Gerry Morgan, Walt Baby Love, Bill Winters, Daryl B. (left for Vancouver's CKLG in August), Dean Scott, and Pat St. John (left before year's end). Vice president and general manager Bob Buss announced the appointment of Gary Mack (known on air as Byron McGregor) as news director. He had been with the station for the past three years. Fred J. Sorrell, regional sales manager, was named general manager of CKLW-AM-FM. On December 17, Baton Broadcasting Ltd. was authorized to purchase CKLW-AM and FM from Western Ontario Broadcasting Co. Ltd. Earlier in the year, CKLW-TV was purchased by a company owned by both Baton and by the CBC (St. Clair River Broadcasting Ltd.). Once that approval came, Baton after a period of consideration, decided to also acquire the CKLW radio stations. As to CKLW-TV, Baton had earlier joined up with Maclean-Hunter Ltd. in a bid to buy the station. The application was turned down. 1971Some On-air names: Tom Rivers, Pat Holiday, Chuck Beaumont, Chuck Hobart, Rick Allen, Frank Brodie, Johnny Williams (joined June 2), Dean Scott (left for CHUM - aka Scott Carpenter), Keith Radford (news), and Byron McGregor (news). 1972 The CKLW-AM and FM studios and offices were re-located to a new facility at 1640 Ouellete Avenue, just in time for the Big 8's 40th anniversary. Announcer line-up: Frank Brodie (Mike Marshall, 6-9), Dave Schaeffer (9-noon), Pat Holiday (noon-3), Bill Gable (3-6), Ted Richards (6-9), Hal Martin (9-midnight), Johnny Williams (midnight-6). Eddie Rogers and Mike Kelly were also at CKLW. Keith Radford, John Belmont, and Byron McGregor were among those in the news department. Alden Diehl was program director. 1973 Newsman Keith Radford left. Bob Savage was heard on CKLW. 1974 CKLW shifted from Boss Rock to an Adult top 40 sound. The on-air team included: Dave Schaeffer, Gary Burbank, Eddie Rogers, Ted Richards, Bill Gable, Max Kinkle, Johnny Williams, and Chuck McKay (his stay was very brief). 1975The CBC acquired 100% of CKLW-TV and the call letters changed to CBET-TV. The CRTC announced revisions to Canadian content requirements for commercials on radio and television. CKLW would now face the task of persuading its audience and advertisers (both overwhelmingly American) to accept Canadianized ads.
Keith Radford returned to the news department. Jo-Jo Shutty did traffic reports.
1976
1980
Bill Gable left CKLW on March 14 to become program director at Toronto's CFTR. He was replaced on-air at CKLW by Jack London. Brian Stone left for CFRW in Winnipeg. Neil Thomas joined the news department from CKWW. 1981Tom Shannon left CKLW. 1982 On September 10, CKLW began AM stereo testing in conjunction with GM Delco, becoming the first Canadian AM station to operate in stereo.
On-the-air: Purtan & Ryan (6-10), Johnny Williams (10-2), Jack London (2-6), Ted Richards (6-10), Charlie O'Brien (10-2) and Scott Miller (2-6). Doug Rolands and Joe Evans were also at CKLW. The news team included Keith Radford, George Gordon, Bob Davis, and Paul Morris. London left in July and was replaced by Ted Richards, Miller moved from overnights to 6-10 p.m. Radford left. Chuck Camroux resigned. On April 6, CKLW switched to the Music of Your Life (adult standards format). CKLW Radio Broadcasting Ltd. changed its name to Russwood Broadcasting (still owned by Baton). Announcers included: Scott Miller, Kris James, Doug Rolands, Ted Richards, Charlie O'Brien, Johnny Williams, and Joe Evans. News: John Crawford, Tom Bell, Paul Morris, Bob Davis, Erin Davis, and Liz Sommerville (traffic). Paul W. Smith & Erin Davis (mornings), and Sommerville, left. Crawford left in July.
1985
For now, CKLW and CKEZ continued to operate under the Russwood Broadcasting banner. A recent CRTC decision requiring CKLW and CKEZ-FM to have 45% Canadian content in their newscasts came under heavy criticism from the news business. The Globe & Mail said the state had no business in the newsrooms of the nation. Jim MacLean of CKEY Toronto said the requirement opened the door to direct government control of editorial content. Bob Beaton of the RTNDA told CRTC chairman Andre Bureau that the decision, in effect, regulated newscast content and was a dangerous precedent, contrary to the public interest and to the constitutional provision of freedom of the press.
Joe Evans (mid-days) left for CKY in Winnipeg.
1986 Terry Coles became general manager of CKLW-AM-FM.
1988 Tom Gauthier was CKLW's general sales manager.
Charles Adler joined CKLW as news director. He had been with CKY Winnipeg. Former CKLW personality Chuck Browning passed away on March 3.
Jerry S. Grafstein was appointed chairman of CUC Group of Companies. Charles G. Allen became chief executive officer. Lawrence W. Blaine joined the company as senior vice president of finance. Terry L. Coles was senior vice president of broadcasting and served as president of Amicus Communications, operators of CKLW-AM and FM. CKLW became an NBC affiliate. S. Campbell Ritchie passed away at age 75. The former president of the C.A.B. joined CKLW in 1936 as a staff singer, later becoming an announcer. He eventually became operations manager for CKLW and, later, CKLW-TV, becoming president and general manager in 1961. Pat Holiday (vice president of programming) left for CKFM in Toronto. He had been at CKLW for a number of years and worked in Cincinnati and Detroit radio before joining The Big 8.
Don Brown was now doing the evening show on CKLW. Dave Schaffer was also heard on the station. 1992 On March 30, CHUM Limited agreed to acquire Amicus Communications (CKLW-AM and FM) from Trillium Cable Communications Ltd. (division of CUC Broadcasting Ltd.). CHUM already owned Windsor's two other private stations: CKWW-AM and CIMX-FM. CKLW-AM and FM had been losing money in recent years. CHUM proposed to upgrade CKWW to 50,000 watts on CKLW's 800 kHz frequency. CKLW would move to CKWW's 580 frequency. CHUM also wanted exemptions from regulations to enable it to compete with the flood of signals from Detroit. The CRTC set a public hearing date of September 22. The news department now included Don Daly and Grant Hudson (returned).
1993 CHUM Ltd. took ownership of CKLW-AM-FM on February 15. On March 1, at 12 a.m., CKLW and CKWW swapped formats. CKLW switched from adult standards to news-talk. Early in the year the program line-up looked like this: Ed Kelly & Melanie Deveau (5-9), Wayne McLean (9-11), Leah Hanson (11-3), Steve Garagiola (3-7), Lynn Martin (7-11). Automated programming followed. Paul Mahon was still heard on the station. The news team included: Rob Shervill, Paul Tipple, Kevin Bechard, and Neil Thomas.
Later in the year: Cam Gardner & Lisa Williams (5-9), Melanie Deveau (9-12), Wayne McLean (12-3), Leah Hanson (3-6). Neil Thomas and Gerry Baker were also heard on CKLW. Paul Mahon left the station in August. 1995 Former CKLW news director Byron MacGregor died January 3. 1997 Wayne Stafford left CHUM Windsor. General sales manager Eric Proksch became interim general manager. Veteran Windsor newscaster Neil Thomas died at age 59. He had most recently hosted a gardening show on CKLW. Thomas had spent 40 years in broadcasting. 1999 Radio Computing Services installed RCS master control digital studio equipment at CKLW, CKWW, CIDR and CIMX. 2000 On March 22, CKLW was granted a transitional digital radio licence. The facilities were located at the existing CIMX-FM/CIDR-FM site in Windsor, using the EUREKA-147 DAB system in the frequency band 1452 MHz-1492 MHz (L-Band). The transmitter operated on frequency 1484.208 MHz (channel 19) with an effective isotropic radiated power of 4,369 watts. Alden Diehl, 68, died October 27. After working his magic at CFRA in Ottawa, he helped to make The Big 8 into Canada's biggest radio station. He then went on to work for Moffat radio in Winnipeg and then Vancouver.
2001 Line-Up: Cam & Lisa 5-9, Lynn Martin 9-12, News 12-12:30, Dr. Joy Browne 12:30-3, Melanie Deveau 3-7, Prime Time Sports 7-8, Raceline Radio (Mon) / Art Bell (Tue-Fri) 8-9, Dr. Gabe Mirkin 9-11, Deborah Ray 11-12, Dreamland (Mon) / People Helping People (Tue-Fri) 12-1 and Art Bell from 1-5.
2004
2005
2006 On December 12th, it was announced that Bell Globemedia would henceforth be known as CTVglobemedia.
2007 In March 15, CTV Inc., CTV Corp., CTV Limited and CTVglobemedia Inc. amalgamated to continue as CTV Inc. BCE Inc. announced on April 1 that it had completed its acquisition of CTV and that it had launched Bell Media (replacing CTVglobemedia), a new business unit that would make CTV programs and other Bell content available on smartphones and computers as well as traditional television. In addition to CTV and its television stations, Bell Media now also operated 29 specialty channels, 33 radio stations, Dome Productions, a mobile broadcast facilities provider, and dozens of high-traffic news, sports and entertainment websites, including the Sympatico.ca portal. The CRTC approved a change to the ownership of Bell Media Inc., from BCE Inc. to Bell Canada. This transaction would not affect effective control of Bell Media Inc. and of its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, which continued to be exercised by BCE Inc. Bell Media Inc. held, directly and through its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, various radio and television programming undertakings as well as specialty and pay-per-view television services.
On August 22, the CRTC approved the applications by BCE Inc., on behalf of Bell Media Inc. and 7550413 Canada Inc., carrying on business as Bell Media Windsor Radio Partnership, for authority to acquire, as part of a corporate reorganization, CKWW, CKLW, CIMX-FM and CIDR-FM Windsor. Bell Media, the managing partner holding 99.99% of the voting interest in the general partnership, is wholly owned by Bell Canada and controlled by BCE. 7550413, the other partner holding the remaining 0.01% of the voting interest in the general partnership, is wholly owned by Bell Media and is also controlled by BCE. BCE submitted that the purpose of this corporate reorganization was to realize tax efficiencies. The Commission noted that this transaction would not affect the effective control of the undertakings which would continue to be exercised by BCE. |
