Bell files for injunction over Rogers, Warner Bros. deal

BCE Inc. has filed for an injunction to stop the launch of Discovery channels in Canada following a deal between Rogers Communications Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. Rogers announced earlier this month that it had signed a deal that would see it take the Canadian rights to the Discovery, Motor Trend, Science, Animal Planet, and ID channels away from Bell Media beginning in January. A Bell Media spokesperson confirmed to The Wire Report Friday that it has filed a claim for an injunction and damages against Rogers and Warner Bros. Bell’s spokesperson said its “long-standing” arrangements for the Discovery Canada channels include protections against the launch of competing services. A Rogers spokesperson told The Wire Report that Bell’s application is a request that the court block the distribution of Discovery channels in Canada for two years, “stopping anyone in Canada from watching them.” “Bell’s claims against Rogers are without merit and we will fight to make sure Canadians can continue watching the programs they know and love,” the spokesperson said. Other programming from Warner Bros. Discovery, currently licensed to Corus Entertainment Inc., was also picked up by Rogers earlier this month. Those channels include HGTV, The Food Network, Magnolia, the Cooking Channel, and the Oprah Winfrey Network. Corus issued a news release stating it had lost the contract with Warner Bros., which is set to expire at the end of December. At the time of Rogers’ announcement, Corus' then-president and CEO Doug Murphy called for changes to Canada's competition rules. “This is an unfortunate example of inequitable structural relationships in the Canadian media and telecom industries, particularly affecting independent broadcasters like Corus,” he said. “It highlights the urgent need for regulatory reform, including rules affecting how market-dominant players interact with suppliers and competitors.” Murphy has since taken an early retirement. - Reporting by Hannah Daley at hdaley@thewirereport.ca with files from Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca

Bell files for injunction over Rogers, Warner Bros. deal

News | June 28, 2024

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Bell files for injunction over Rogers, Warner Bros. deal

News | June 28, 2024

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