Moffat Communications

Moffat Communications was a Canadian media company whose activities covered cable television, broadcast television, radio, satellite programming and related media interests. Although privately owned by the Moffat family, the company first accessed public equity markets in 1972. Its base in Winnipeg, Manitoba, reflected the importance of Western Canada to its operating footprint and to the family’s broadcasting and cable interests. The company’s portfolio included cable systems, conventional television, radio stations and specialized or satellite-oriented media businesses. In Canada, its holdings included Videon Cable-TV, CKY-TV, the CKY radio operation, CITI-FM, CKXL, CHED, CHAB, CKLG, CFOX-FM, CKNG-FM, CHFM, CHAM and other stations identified in historical accounts. In the United States, Moffat held interests in the Florida Satellite Network and in Kingwood Cable and Lakewood Cable. It also owned 60 percent of Consumer Behavior Centre Inc., an advertising-research subsidiary based in Dallas, Texas. The company’s broader portfolio illustrates the convergence of distribution, broadcasting, radio and audience research that characterized North American media groups before later consolidation. Moffat also had an ownership interest in the Winnipeg Jets. The hockey franchise was part of the company’s wider Winnipeg-centered business identity, but Moffat divested itself of the team during the 1990s. The Jets subsequently relocated to Phoenix in 1996, becoming the Phoenix Coyotes. This disposal occurred during a broader period of portfolio restructuring and media-asset sales. Moffat’s management publicly discussed the future of television distribution as the industry developed. In a November 1978 interview, chief executive Ronald Moffat predicted that Canada would introduce direct-broadcast satellite services by 1983 and that American superstations would be distributed across the country. The prediction reflected the company’s interest in cable and satellite delivery and the strategic importance of new distribution technologies to broadcasters and cable operators. During the 1990s, Moffat sold or otherwise divested a number of important assets. Radio properties including CHFM, CKY and CITI-FM were sold to Rogers Communications. CHAM, CHAB and CFXX, formerly CKXL Calgary, were sold to Golden West Broadcasting. CKLG and CFOX were sold to Shaw Cablesystems. Other interests, including portions of CHED and CKNG, passed through transactions involving CFCN Communications and later the Westcom Radio Group. These transactions reduced the company’s presence across radio and broadcasting and formed part of the wider consolidation of Canadian media ownership. In 2001, Moffat Communications was sold to Shaw Communications. Shaw already owned CKLG and CFOX-FM, later associated with its Corus Radio operations. Following the acquisition, the assets were subsequently reorganized within the Canadian media sector: CKY-TV was resold to Bell Globemedia, while WTN was resold to Corus Entertainment. Moffat therefore ceased to operate as an independent media group, while elements of its former portfolio continued under larger Canadian communications and broadcasting companies.

Moffat Communications developed as a Canadian communications and media enterprise controlled by the Moffat family and headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its business model combined cable distribution with broadcasting and radio operations, allowing the company to participate in several parts of the television and audio-media value chain. The company’s first access to public capital came in 1972, when it became publicly traded despite retaining family ownership and control. The group assembled a substantial portfolio in Canada and also held selected United States interests. Its Canadian activities included Videon Cable-TV, CKY-TV, CKY radio, CITI-FM, CKXL, CHED, CHAB, CKLG, CFOX-FM, CKNG-FM, CHFM and CHAM. Its United States holdings included the Florida Satellite Network and Kingwood Cable and Lakewood Cable. Moffat also held a 60 percent interest in Consumer Behavior Centre Inc., a Dallas-based advertising research subsidiary. This combination of distribution, programming, radio, television and research assets made Moffat broader than a single-station broadcaster. The company’s public strategic outlook included the impact of emerging satellite-delivery technologies. In a November 1978 interview, CEO Ronald Moffat anticipated that Canada would introduce direct-broadcast satellite services by 1983 and that superstations would be distributed throughout the country. The comments reflected the competitive and technological changes facing cable operators and broadcasters as satellite distribution became increasingly important. Moffat also owned the Winnipeg Jets, linking the company to a major local sports property. The company divested itself of the franchise in the 1990s, and the team moved to Phoenix in 1996. At the same time, Moffat began reducing its radio and broadcasting portfolio through a number of asset sales. CHFM, CKY and CITI were sold to Rogers Communications. CHAM, CHAB and CFXX, formerly CKXL Calgary, went to Golden West Broadcasting. CKLG and CFOX were sold to Shaw Cablesystems. Interests in CHED and CKNG moved through transactions involving CFCN Communications and later Westcom Radio Group. These disposals reflected broader consolidation across Canadian broadcasting and cable. Rather than maintaining a large independent collection of stations and distribution properties, Moffat’s assets increasingly became part of larger communications groups. In 2001, Shaw Communications acquired the company. Shaw already owned CKLG and CFOX-FM through its radio operations, later associated with the Corus Radio Company. Following the acquisition, additional former Moffat assets changed hands: CKY-TV was resold to Bell Globemedia and WTN was resold to Corus Entertainment. The sequence of sales ended Moffat Communications as an independent corporate media group, although parts of its former portfolio remained active under successor owners.

• 2001

  Acquisition by Shaw Communications

  [1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  Shaw Communications acquired Moffat Communications, ending its independent corporate existence.

• 1996

  Winnipeg Jets relocate to Phoenix

  [1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  After Moffat divested its interest in the franchise during the 1990s, the Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix.

• 1990

  Radio portfolio transactions

  [1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  Moffat’s radio assets began moving to other Canadian media owners, including Rogers Communications, Golden West Broadcasting, Shaw Cablesystems and groups associated with CFCN and Westcom.

• 1978

  DBS and superstation forecast

  [1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  CEO Ronald Moffat publicly forecast the arrival of direct-broadcast satellite services in Canada and wider distribution of American superstations.

• 1972

  First public-market listing

  [1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  Moffat Communications, still controlled by the Moffat family, first became publicly traded.

A diversified Canadian media and communications group combining cable distribution, television, radio, satellite-related assets and advertising research.

• Cable television

  Videon Cable-TV

  A cable television distribution business within Moffat’s Canadian portfolio. Videon represented the company’s role in delivering television services through wired cable infrastructure rather than relying solely on individual broadcast stations.

• Television broadcasting

  CKY-TV

  A Canadian television broadcasting asset associated with Moffat Communications. CKY-TV was among the properties affected by the company’s later breakup and was subsequently resold to Bell Globemedia.

• Specialty television

  WTN

  A television network asset held by Moffat Communications. WTN later moved to Corus Entertainment as Moffat’s portfolio was reorganized following the Shaw acquisition.

• Radio broadcasting

  Radio station portfolio

  Moffat owned and operated a group of Canadian radio properties, including CITI-FM, CKY, CKXL, CHED, CHAB, CKLG, CFOX-FM, CKNG-FM, CHFM and CHAM. Most of these assets were sold to other Canadian broadcasting groups during the 1990s.

• Advertising research

  Consumer Behavior Centre Inc.

  A Dallas-based advertising-research subsidiary in which Moffat Communications held a 60 percent interest. The business extended Moffat’s activities beyond media distribution and broadcasting into consumer and advertising research.

• 2001

  Sale to Shaw CommunicationsM&A

  Background

  After years of selling individual holdings, Moffat no longer operated as a broadly independent media group.

  Action taken

  Shaw Communications acquired Moffat Communications.

  Aftermath

  Former Moffat assets were subsequently reorganized, with CKY-TV going to Bell Globemedia and WTN going to Corus Entertainment.

  Source

• 1990

  Divestiture of radio and broadcasting assetsM&A

  Background

  Moffat reduced its broad media portfolio during a period of consolidation in Canadian broadcasting ownership.

  Action taken

  The company sold radio properties and related interests to Rogers Communications, Golden West Broadcasting, Shaw Cablesystems and other media groups.

  Aftermath

  Ownership of many former Moffat stations shifted to larger or specialized Canadian broadcasting companies.

  Source

• 1972

  Accessing public equity marketsStrategy

  Background

  The family-controlled company sought public-market status while continuing to operate as a diversified communications business.

  Action taken

  Moffat Communications first went public on the stock market.

  Aftermath

  The company remained associated with the Moffat family while operating across cable, television and radio.

  Source

• 2001

  Shaw Communications acquires Moffat Communications[1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Shaw Communications purchased Moffat Communications, ending Moffat’s existence as an independent media company and initiating further asset transfers.

• 1990

  Moffat sells radio holdings to multiple Canadian media groups[1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  A series of transactions transferred radio assets among Rogers Communications, CFCN Communications, Westcom Radio Group, Golden West Broadcasting and Shaw Cablesystems.

• 1978

  Ronald Moffat forecasts direct-broadcast satellite expansion in Canada[1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  In a November interview, CEO Ronald Moffat predicted Canadian DBS services by 1983 and nationwide distribution of American superstations.

• 1972

  Moffat Communications first becomes publicly traded[1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Moffat family-owned company first went public on the stock market, adding a public-market dimension to its privately controlled media business.

• Moffat divests the Winnipeg Jets[1]Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  During the 1990s, Moffat Communications sold its interest in the Winnipeg Jets. The franchise relocated to Phoenix in 1996.

1. 1Moffat Communicationsen.wikipedia.org