So what does it mean if Bell Globemedia acquires CHUM?
Well, first and foremost, we have to ask: is this (merely) an expansion of holdings or a consolidation of networks? In The Future of Television in Canada report (IBM Global Business Services), I predicted that we'd see consolidation in the television space. And since BGM doesn't currently have any radio holdings, that's one area where we won't see consolidation from this deal.
CHUM brings a history of innovation and multi-platform programming to the mix.
CHUM, too, is less vulnerable to disintermediation than CTV today due to CTV's high dependence on foreign (U.S.) programming.
Obviously, there's some overlap. CHUM has a strong music TV presence with Much, while BGM (via CTV) has the nascent (and unconventionally implemented) MTV Canada.
No doubt the CRTC will want to attach numerous conditions to this... it will be very interesting to see what happens, especially in light of the timing of this as it coincides with the new techonlogy and TV reviews.
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