Date Closed

July 5, 2013

Lead Office

Montréal

Value

3.38 Billion CAD

On July 5, 2013, BCE Inc. (Bell) announced the completion of its C$3.38 billion acquisition of Astral Media Inc. (Astral). Pursuant to a plan of arrangement, Bell acquired all Class A Non-Voting Shares of Astral for C$50 per share, for a total cash consideration of approximately C$2.8 billion, all Class B Subordinate Voting Shares of Astral for C$54.83 per share, for a total cash consideration of approximately C$151 million, and all Special Shares of Astral for a total cash consideration of C$50 million.

Based in Montréal, Québec, Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies, with a broad national media portfolio including speciality and pay TV channels, radio stations, digital media properties and out-of-home advertising platforms in Québec and across Canada. 

Headquartered in Montréal, Québec, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing leading wireless, TV, Internet, home phone, and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media.

McCarthy Tétrault LLP represented Bell Media, as acquiror. The advisory team was led by Grant Buchanan and Frederic Cotnoir, and consisted of  Gordon Baird, Fraser Bourne, Krista Lawson, Stephanie Lee, Michèle Lefaivre, Benjamin Silver, Jerome Turcotte Routhier (business law), Laurent Gauthier, Richard O'Doherty, Barry Ryan (financial services), Garth Girvan (M&A), Frédéric Harvey, Annie Mailhot-Gamelin, Christian Meighen (tax), and  Rachel Solyom (labour and employment).