Rogers Acquires Saskatchewan Communications Network, Plans to Launch New Channel

Rogers acquired broadcaster Saskatchewan Communications Network for an undisclosed amount today. The telco plans to use SCN's television station to launch a new Citytv channel in Saskatchewan. SCN staff will remain intact and in Regina, Rogers says.

“Acquiring SCN was motivated by our desire to expand our national reach for Citytv content, allowing us to more effectively compete with other national broadcasters,” Scott Moore of Rogers said. “Rogers Media will provide ownership stability and financial resources needed to maintain and grow this service for Saskatchewan residents.”

Rogers intends to upgrade traffic equipment and establish a high-definition signal for the new Citytv channel. Commercial-free educational programming will air until 3pm each day, when standard Citytv content such as Modern Family and Canada's Got Talent will take over.

In 2007, Rogers paid $375 million to buy five Citytv stations from CTV, located in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. According to the Financial Post, SCN was previously owned by Bluepoint Investment, a private holding company in Toronto, which bought the station from the Saskatchewan government in 2009 for $700,000.