MONTREAL – Bell Media says it’s game on when it comes to saving Montréal’s only English-language sports station TSN 690. In its latest effort to salvage its takeover of Astral Media, Bell says it’s icing previous plans to convert it into a French-language radio station following rallies by loyal listeners to save it.
Last year, Bell had proposed to convert TSN Radio 690 to a French-language RDS sports station to meet CRTC rules, a move that prompted a backlash from both Montreal sports fans and the CRTC, which ruled against the Astral takeover in October. Bell has since filed a separate application with the Commission requesting an exception from application of the common ownership policy to allow the continued operation of TSN Radio 690 by Bell Media. That would give Bell four of six radio English language radio licenses in Montreal.
Beginning today, listeners are being invited to help save TSN Radio 690 by signing a petition and/or writing to the CRTC at a newly launched website created by Bell, SaveTSN690.ca.
As part of the request for an exception to the CRTC’s common ownership policy for radio, Bell Media confirmed the following in a release:
- Bell Media would continue to own and operate TSN Radio 690 – and maintain its current English all-sports format for at least the next seven years
- English-language radio coverage of Montreal Canadiens games will continue to be broadcast in the greater Montreal area on TSN Radio 690 for the duration of its current broadcast agreement with the team
- TSN Radio 690 will contribute $245,000 over the next seven years to sports journalism scholarships at Concordia University and to amateur sports in Montreal
- The exception will have no adverse effects on other radio stations in the market or on the entry of new competitors
