Shaw Communications announced today that it has entered into agreements to acquire for approximately $2 billion, 100 percent of the over-the-air and specialty television businesses of Canwest Global Communications, including all of the equity interests in CW Investments, the Canwest subsidiary that owns the specialty television channels acquired from Alliance Atlantis Communications in 2007.

Previously, Shaw had announced an agreement with Canwest regarding a minimum 20 percent equity investment in a restructured Canwest. (For more, click here).

“We are pleased to announce that we have come to an agreement with all constituent parties involved in a restructured Canwest, including Goldman Sachs, and are excited about the opportunity to acquire the entire company now,” said Jim Shaw, CEO and vice chair, Shaw Communications.

The purchase remains subject to certain conditions, including Canwest creditor and court approvals and is also subject to regulatory approvals from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and the Competition Bureau.

Shaw also announced the hiring of Paul Robertson who will have overall responsibility for Canwest and will report to Brad Shaw, EVP.
 
Robertson’s experience includes President of Corus Television, Senior Vice President of Programming and Marketing at CTV, President of Baton Broadcast Sales, President of Nelvana as well as holding senior marketing positions at Campbell Soup and General Foods.

The Daily

Subscribe
Wednesday–July 2

Ratings

In the same week it was reported MLB and ESPN are back in talks about the network staying on as a media partner, Sunday Night Baseball continued on a year of viewership improvements. Sunday’s Twins vs Tigers

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Sep 11
2025 Faxies Awards Faxies Nominations Open! Final deadline: 4/4/25
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Carley Ashley, [email protected], for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.