Access media group
Encyclopedia
Access Media Group was a privately held Canadian broadcasting and multimedia group based in Edmonton
, Alberta
, Canada
specializing in learning-based media, originally majority-owned (and later wholly owned) by CHUM Limited
. It owned four television channels, a multimedia distribution company, and a school for continuing education and personal growth. AMG's headquarters are situated at Enterprise Square in Edmonton
, Alberta
.
At the time of the company's founding in 1994, it was 60% owned by CHUM Limited. On February 15, 2005, CHUM purchased the remainder of the company. The company had been owned by CTVglobemedia
since June 22, 2007 as a result of its takeover of CHUM; and AMG was wound up into CTV Limited (the renamed CHUM Limited) in 2008. CTVglobemedia (now Bell Media) continues to own the majority of AMG's assets, broadcasting and otherwise.
In the near future, BookTelevision and CourtTV Canada will be moved to the CTVglobemedia headquarters in Toronto
, Ontario
while Access TV will be relocated to CFRN-TV
's studios.
Subsequently, BCE announced plans to re-acquire 100% of the company's broadcasting arm, including CTV Limited and most of the former assets of the Access Media Group. Under the deal, Woodbridge, Torstar, and Teachers' will together receive $1.3 billion in either cash or equity in BCE, while BCE will also assume $1.7 billion in debt (BCE's existing equity interest is $200 million, for a total transaction value of $3.2 billion). Woodbridge will simultaneously regain majority control of The Globe and Mail, with Bell retaining a 15% interest. The deal is expected to close by mid-2011 pending CRTC approval.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
specializing in learning-based media, originally majority-owned (and later wholly owned) by CHUM Limited
CHUM Limited
CHUM Limited was a media company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from 1945 to 2007. Immediately prior to its acquisition, it held full or joint control of two Canadian television systems — Citytv and A-Channel — comprising 11 local stations, and one CBC Television affiliate, one...
. It owned four television channels, a multimedia distribution company, and a school for continuing education and personal growth. AMG's headquarters are situated at Enterprise Square in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
.
At the time of the company's founding in 1994, it was 60% owned by CHUM Limited. On February 15, 2005, CHUM purchased the remainder of the company. The company had been owned by CTVglobemedia
CTVglobemedia
CTVglobemedia , was one of Canada's largest private media companies. Its operations include newspaper publishing , television broadcasting and production , radio broadcasting , and their respective Internet properties.Originally established by BCE and the Thomson family in 2001 combining CTV Inc.,...
since June 22, 2007 as a result of its takeover of CHUM; and AMG was wound up into CTV Limited (the renamed CHUM Limited) in 2008. CTVglobemedia (now Bell Media) continues to own the majority of AMG's assets, broadcasting and otherwise.
In the near future, BookTelevision and CourtTV Canada will be moved to the CTVglobemedia headquarters in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
while Access TV will be relocated to CFRN-TV
CFRN-TV
CFRN-DT is a Canadian television station, broadcasting in Edmonton, Alberta. It is an owned and operated station of the CTV Television Network....
's studios.
Subsequently, BCE announced plans to re-acquire 100% of the company's broadcasting arm, including CTV Limited and most of the former assets of the Access Media Group. Under the deal, Woodbridge, Torstar, and Teachers' will together receive $1.3 billion in either cash or equity in BCE, while BCE will also assume $1.7 billion in debt (BCE's existing equity interest is $200 million, for a total transaction value of $3.2 billion). Woodbridge will simultaneously regain majority control of The Globe and Mail, with Bell retaining a 15% interest. The deal is expected to close by mid-2011 pending CRTC approval.
Assets prior to dissolution
All assets remain under the ownership of CTVglobemedia (now Bell Media) unless otherwise noted.Television stations
- AccessAccess (TV channel)CTV Two Alberta is a Canadian English language entertainment, information, and educational television channel in the province of Alberta...
- BookTelevisionBookTelevisionBookTelevision is a Canadian, English-language, Category A specialty channel that broadcasts programming relating to books, literature, and various media...
- Canadian Learning TelevisionCanadian Learning TelevisionOprah Winfrey Network is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. OWN is a specialty television service targeted to women, offering a blend of lifestyle, information, and entertainment programming....
(sold to Corus EntertainmentCorus EntertainmentCorus Entertainment Inc. is a publicly traded Canadian media and entertainment conglomerate.Corus is a leading Canadian specialty television and radio producer, with additional assets in pay television, advertising services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's...
in 2008) - CourtTV CanadaCourtTV CanadaInvestigation Discovery is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel. Investigation Discovery primarily features programming related to crime and justice....
(became Investigation Discovery in 2010)
Continuing education
- The Learning AnnexThe Learning AnnexThe Learning Annex is a private continuing adult education school based in New York. It was founded in 1980 by Bill Zanker in his New York City studio apartment with an investment of only $5,000...
of Canada (70%) (website now redirects to TLA's corporate site, implying that TLAC may now be wholly owned by the U.S. company) - ideaCity, an annual conference of forward-thinkers held in Toronto (now directly managed by Moses ZnaimerMoses ZnaimerMoses Znaimer, M.A., O.Ont is a co-founder and former head of Citytv, the first independent television station in Toronto, Canada, and the current head of ZoomerMedia.-Early life and career:...
)