Rogers Media Receives CRTC Approval to Launch New English-Language Station, Citytv Montreal

- New channel to launch in 2013, securing expanded national platform for Citytv's original and acquired programming -

- Citytv Montreal to offer 15.5 hours of original local programming including daily weekday morning show, Breakfast Television, and weekly sports show, Connected Montreal -

TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Rogers Media today received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to acquire Métro14 Montréal. The deal is expected to close in early 2013, with Citytv Montreal launching later that year.

Today's announcement follows the previous Rogers Media program affiliate agreement with Métro14 Montréal, which took effect June 2012.

Citytv Montreal marks the third expansion for the brand in 2012, as Citytv moves towards a national footprint for its premium programming.  In summer 2012, Citytv launched Citytv Saskatchewan and Citytv programming became available long-term in three key markets in Western Canada - Kamloops, B.C., Prince George, B.C., and Medicine Hat, AB. Citytv is now available in eight provinces, reaching more than nine million homes across Canada.

"The launch of Citytv Montreal is a crucial step in our overall strategy to deliver our premium original and acquired content to a national audience, and we are pleased that the CRTC recognizes Citytv's commitment to local programming in Montreal," said Scott Moore, President, Broadcast, Rogers Media. "Breaking into this key market gives Citytv the momentum to better serve and reflect Canadians through our programming and engage audiences across the country as we move towards our goal of becoming a fully national network."

Launching as a new English-language network, Citytv Montreal will air premium original and acquired programming, including hit series Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, Revolution, and How I Met Your Mother, Canada's #1 lifestyle show for women - Cityline, and upcoming new Citytv original comedies Seed and Package Deal.  In addition to world-class national content, Citytv Montreal will produce and deliver 15.5 hours of original local programming not currently available from existing English-language stations in the market - including daily weekday morning show Breakfast Television and weekly sports show Connected Montreal. The new Citytv Montreal in-house productions will add more than 20 new production jobs in the Montreal market.

Citytv Montreal will operate out of a newly built studio in Montreal's downtown core with support from the extended Citytv and Rogers Media family.

About Rogers Media Inc.
Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), is a diversified leading Canadian media company that engages in television and radio broadcasting, publishing, digital, and sports entertainment.  Rogers Broadcasting has 55 AM and FM radio stations across Canada; television properties include six Citytv stations, five OMNI multicultural television stations, Sportsnet (consisting of four regional channels and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet World), and The Shopping Channel, a televised and internet shopping service.  Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer and online magazines, such as Maclean's, Chatelaine, L'actualité, Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of industry, medical and financial publications.  Rogers Media's suite of digital assets reaches 17 million unique visitors per month through more than 1,000 premium owned + exclusive and extended network sites.  Rogers Media Inc. owns Rogers Centre stadium, a year-round sports and entertainment facility, and the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club.

SOURCE: Citytv