CHUM LIMITED RESPONDS TO CSR STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE CHUM LIMITED/ASTRAL MEDIA INC. NOTICE OF APPEAL CNW CHUM Limited issued the following in response to the statement released by Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) on the Notice of Appeal to the Governor in Council filed today by CHUM Limited, Astral Media Inc., CHUM Radio, CJRT-FM, Fairchild Radio Group Ltd., O.K. Radio Group Ltd., Newcap Inc., Larche Communications inc., Aboriginal Voices Inc., Rock 95 Broadcasting Ltd., Evanov Radio Group Inc. and Radio-Nord Communications Inc. in regards to the recent CRTC Subscription Radio Decisions.
"Although a Confidentiality Agreement exists between CHUM Limited and CSR concerning our discussions, in order to correct the record, Mr. Bitove leaves us no choice but to comment on his false statements. Like other Canadian Broadcast groups, CHUM was approached by CSR and its financial advisors to explore CHUM's possible interest in acquiring a minority stake in CSR. CHUM did not accept the CSR offer, nor did we 'try to buy a majority interest' in CSR, as alleged by Mr. Bitove," said Jay Switzer, President and CEO, CHUM Limited.
"Mr. Bitove's comments, construing CHUM/Astral Media's appeal as an attempt to acquire a monopoly in subscription radio, are completely untrue and misleading. Had the CRTC imposed conditions of licence on CSR and the other U.S. supported satellite service that are consistent with the broadcasting policy for Canada, CHUM/Astral Media would not have filed its appeal," stated Switzer.
"As to the other inaccuracies in the CSR statement, they will be dealt with during the appeal process. We, like the many other groups who have filed appeals, look forward to CSR's response to the appeals," continued Mr. Switzer. |