Competition Bureau responds to complaint regarding Canadian Olympic broadcasting rights

OTTAWA, November 19, 2004 - The Competition Bureau announced today that it has completed its review of a complaint on the bidding process for Canadian broadcasting rights to the 2010 and 2012 Olympics and concluded that there is no evidence of a violation of the Competition Act.

In August 2004, CBC/Radio-Canada complained that there was an arrangement between Bell Globemedia (CTV/TSN/RDS) and Rogers Media Inc. (Sportsnet) to submit a joint bid to the International Olympic Committee for Canadian broadcasting rights to the 2010 and 2012 Olympics. CBC/Radio-Canada was concerned that the combination of CTV's conventional broadcasting capability and the two largest sports specialty channels, TSN/RDS and Sportsnet, would preclude the CBC/Radio-Canada from bidding for these games by denying it access to a sports specialty channel. As a result, CBC/Radio-Canada believed that this alliance raised issues under the abuse of dominance, mergers, and criminal provisions of the Act.

The Bureau carefully examined the allegations and found no evidence to suggest that a Bell Globemedia/Rogers Media Inc. partnership would impair the CBC/Radio-Canada's ability to compete for the broadcasting rights. The Bureau also found no evidence that competition would be substantially lessened. In arriving at its decision, the Bureau relied on information obtained from the CBC/Radio-Canada, Bell Globemedia, Rogers Media Inc. and third parties.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Purvi Radia
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
819-953-8679

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282
1-800-348-5358