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Bell welcomes injunction from Québec Superior Court ordering Quebecor to return TVA Sports access to Bell TV customersCRTC public hearing next week to determine whether Quebecor's broadcast licence should be suspended MONTRÉAL, April 12, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today welcomed an injunction from the Québec Superior Court ordering Quebecor to return TVA Sports access to Bell TV customers after Quebecor illegally cut off service just as the NHL Playoffs began on Wednesday night. TVA Sports will be restored to Bell TV customers at 6 pm eastern time tonight. Quebecor must appear before the CRTC next week "Bell puts our customers first, and we're committed to doing what it takes to get them the TV service they deserve," said Martine Turcotte, Bell's Vice Chair, Québec. "Quebecor denied TVA Sports to our Bell TV customers, directly targeting sports fans just as the playoffs began, while also falsely claiming it was Bell that was shutting off the channel. It is reckless behaviour on Quebecor's part, and we are glad the Superior Court put a stop to it." Quebecor's illegal actions "Bell has been invited to the CRTC's hearing and we will explain how Quebecor's illegal actions and false statements negatively impacted hundreds of thousands of Bell customers," said Ms. Turcotte. "A responsible broadcaster cannot take matters into its own hands even if it disagrees with regulatory rules or commercial outcomes." The dispute and the way it will be resolved Negotiating in good faith, Bell made three counter-offers from its original proposal. Quebecor made none before ultimately walking away and commencing its TVA Sports shutdown campaign. To finally settle the dispute, Bell has filed a request with the CRTC to resolve the issue through final offer arbitration. Quebecor has not yet responded to this final offer arbitration request. About Bell The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives across the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. Media inquiries: Caroline Audet
SOURCE Bell Canada |