Canada regulator approves BCE's takeover of CTV

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) said BCE can proceed with its C$1.3 billion ($1.34 billion) purchase of broadcaster CTV, but it must await further hearings before it can offer exclusive content via the Internet or mobile devices.

BCE, Canada's biggest telecommunications company, must invest C$245 million in broadcasting over seven years, mostly to improve programming. BCE offered C$221 million. The CRTC also said BCE, which operates under the Bell brand, will not be allowed to offer exclusive content from CTV, the country's largest private broadcaster, on Bell's mobile or online services until the regulator completes an industry review later this year.