Citytv programming expands under two deals in Quebec and Western Canada

TORONTO – Citytv is expanding its national programming reach with two deals Thursday in Quebec and Western Canada.

Under the first agreement, Citytv parent company Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., a division of Rogers Media Inc. (TSX:RCI), will buy Metro14 Montreal (CJNT).

While the deal still requires regulatory approval an affiliate agreement will see Citytv content, including original shows such as “CityLine,” air on the station beginning June 4.

“Breaking into this market with the acquisition of Metro14 Montreal is a key ingredient of our overall strategy to deliver our content to a national audience,” Scott Moore, president of broadcast, Rogers Media, said in a release.

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Citytv also announced an agreement Wednesday with the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, putting its content on all three of Pattison’s TV stations – CFJC TV7 in Kamloops, B.C., CKPG TV in Prince George, B.C., and CHAT TV in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Citytv said its programming will be available in nine million Canadian homes as a result of the new deals.

“The affiliate agreement with Pattison allows us to extend the popular Citytv brand and deliver our world-class programming and premium content to new audiences on a long-term basis,” Moore said.

Beginning Sept. 1, the Pattison stations will air 90 per cent of Citytv programming throughout prime time and the majority of the morning and daytime hours, Rogers said.

The stations will follow the Citytv Vancouver programming grid, including the airing of the morning show “Breakfast Television.”

Pattison will continue to produce its own noon and dinner-hour newscasts.

In January, Rogers said it would buy Saskatchewan Communications Network, the province’s educational broadcaster, and relaunch it as a Citytv station based in Regina.

Dollar values for the Saskatchewan and Quebec acquisitions were not provided.

Citytv’s programming also includes U.S. shows such as “New Girl,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Modern Family.”

Rogers Media operates 55 radio stations, five Citytv stations, five OMNI multicultural stations, Sportsnet and the Shopping Channel. It also publishes magazines including Maclean’s, Chatelaine and L’Actualite.