CRTC approves Rogers OMNI Alberta application - New voices for Alberta's Ethnocultural Communities

    TORONTO, June 8 /CNW/ - Earlier today the Canadian Radio-Television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that Rogers OMNI Television was
the successful applicant for multilingual licences in Alberta serving Calgary
and Edmonton.
    Rogers OMNI Television, with over 25 years of experience in Canadian
ethnic television, is committed to develop, serve and reflect Alberta's ethnic
communities through the creation of local stations. The approval of these new
licences will allow OMNI Television to establish local ethnic stations in both
Edmonton and Calgary.
    "We are delighted with today's decision. Since 1979, OMNI Television has
been a prolific producer and purchaser of Canadian television in over 40
languages," says Leslie Sole, CEO, Television, Rogers Media. "We are committed
to providing voices and reflecting the growing and diverse communities of
Alberta. We must also acknowledge and thank all of the people in Edmonton and
Calgary that helped us craft our proposal, ensuring the needs of the
communities were served."
    Each television station will deliver a balance of local, regional and
national perspectives with a strong focus on news, community programs and
cross-cultural programming.
    OMNI Alberta has dedicated $10 million for the development and production
of Canadian ethnic programming by Alberta based independent producers. This
includes the development of a number of new funds for dramas, documentaries,
cross cultural initiatives, ethnic new media projects and educational
programs.
    Details on the launch date of the two OMNI Alberta channels will be
released in the coming months.

    About Rogers OMNI Television:

    Rogers OMNI Television is a free over-the-air system consisting of four
regional broadcasters covering nine markets: in British Columbia (Victoria,
Vancouver, and Fraser Valley), Manitoba (Winnipeg), and Ontario
(Ottawa-Gatineau, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto
Area). All Rogers OMNI Television stations are owned and operated by Rogers
Communications in the Rogers Media division, and have the collective mandate
to reflect Canada's diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible
programming. In addition to specializing in Canadian multicultural,
multilingual and multi-faith programming, OMNI TV also carries well-known
American and International series and films.

    Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI;
NYSE: RG) operates Rogers Broadcasting and Rogers Publishing. Rogers
Broadcasting has 51 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. Television
properties include OMNI Television which operates four regional broadcasters
and electronic shopping service, The Shopping Channel, Canada's live event and
high-definition leader, Rogers Sportsnet and the management of two digital
television services. Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer
magazines such as Maclean's, Chatelaine, Flare, L'actualité and Canadian
Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of industry, medical and
financial publications. All media properties are integrated with their own
popular web sites. Rogers Media also owns The Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club
and Rogers Centre, a year-round sports and entertainment facility.