Western International Communications

Western International Communications, commonly known as WIC, was a Canadian media company that assembled a broad portfolio of television stations, radio stations, specialty and premium television services, production assets, and satellite-distribution interests. It operated from 1982 until 2000, when its assets were divided among CanWest Global Communications, Shaw Communications, Corus Entertainment, Astral Media, and other buyers following a contested takeover and regulatory review. WIC grew out of the broadcasting holdings of Frank Griffiths and his family in British Columbia. Those assets included CKNW radio, a controlling interest in BCTV, and CHEK in Victoria. The Griffiths family reorganized the publicly held portion of these interests in 1982, creating WIC while retaining control through Western Broadcasting Company Ltd. The structure used voting Class A shares held by the family and largely non-voting Class B shares sold to public investors. A coat-tail provision was intended to give Class B shareholders voting rights if control of the Class A shares changed hands. During the 1980s and 1990s, WIC expanded beyond British Columbia. It acquired assets from Selkirk Communications, including CHCH-TV in Hamilton and the Calgary station that became CICT-TV, and bought television and pay-television interests from Allarcom, including CITV-TV Edmonton and Superchannel. Its final major television acquisition was Montreal station CFCF-TV in 1997. WIC was primarily an ownership group rather than a conventional national television network: its stations carried CBC, CTV, independent, and WIC-supplied programming under distinct regional identities such as BCTV, Calgary 7, RDTV, and OnTV. WIC also held important specialty and premium television interests. Its portfolio included Superchannel, MovieMax, western Canadian Viewers Choice, a stake in Report on Business Television, interests in The Family Channel, and interests in Teletoon and Télétoon. Through a majority interest in Canadian Satellite Communications, or Cancom, WIC participated in satellite distribution serving Canadian broadcasters and other communications customers. Its radio portfolio eventually comprised 12 stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. The Griffiths family's decision to exit broadcasting triggered a major takeover contest in 1997. Shaw Communications negotiated to acquire WIC, while CanWest pursued the company primarily to obtain independent stations that could fill gaps in its Global Television Network, especially in Alberta. The dispute concerned the interpretation of WIC's share structure and whether the transfer of Class A shares constituted a change of control. After prolonged negotiations and litigation, CanWest, Shaw, and Corus agreed in 1999 to divide the assets. CanWest acquired most broadcast television stations and production properties; Shaw obtained Cancom; and Corus acquired radio, specialty, and premium television assets. Regulatory concerns led to further sales, including the divestiture of WIC's interests in The Family Channel and Teletoon to Astral Media and the later sale of CFCF to CTV. The television transaction reshaped Canadian broadcasting. On September 1, 2001, Global programming moved from CKVU to WIC's CHAN in Vancouver, CTV moved from CHAN to CIVT, and CHEK joined CanWest's CH system. WIC's programming library helped form the initial basis of the CH and later E! services. CanWest eventually closed that system, sold CHCH, CJNT, and CHEK, converted CHBC to Global, and closed CHCA. Most of the remaining former WIC television assets entered Shaw Media in 2010 and then Corus Entertainment in 2016. The former Cancom business ultimately became part of Shaw's communications operations and passed to Rogers Communications when Rogers acquired Shaw in 2023.

Western International Communications emerged from the broadcasting interests assembled by Frank Griffiths in British Columbia during the late 1950s. Griffiths's Western Broadcasting Company held CKNW radio, a majority interest in BCTV, and later CHEK in Victoria. In 1982, the family's media interests were reorganized into WIC, which was partly floated on public markets. Western Broadcasting retained the Class A voting shares, while Class B shares were sold publicly with limited voting rights and a change-of-control protection known as the coat-tail provision. WIC expanded through acquisitions during the 1980s and 1990s. It obtained assets from Selkirk Communications, including CHCH-TV Hamilton and the Calgary television operation that became CICT-TV, and acquired Allarcom properties such as CITV-TV Edmonton and Superchannel. WIC also developed a substantial radio group and acquired CFCF-TV Montreal in 1997. Its stations operated under regional brands and various network affiliations rather than under a single WIC consumer identity. The company supplied programming to its own stations and built a library that later supported CanWest's CH and E! services. The Griffiths family's plan to leave broadcasting produced a takeover battle. Shaw Communications sought control of WIC, while CanWest Global Communications wanted the television stations, particularly those that could extend Global's reach in Alberta. CanWest challenged the transfer of Class A shares to Shaw and members of the Allard family, arguing that the arrangement triggered the coat-tail rights of Class B shareholders. The litigation and negotiations continued until 1999, when CanWest, Shaw, and Corus Entertainment settled on a division of the assets. CanWest received most of WIC's broadcast television stations and production assets. Shaw received WIC's interest in Canadian Satellite Communications, while Corus acquired the radio stations and various specialty, premium, and video-on-demand services. Competition rules and Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission requirements caused additional divestitures. CFCF was sold to CTV, and WIC interests in The Family Channel and Teletoon were ultimately acquired by Astral Media. The breakup had long-lasting consequences for Canadian television. CanWest's acquisition filled important gaps in the Global network, but the subsequent reorganization produced major affiliation changes in Vancouver and Victoria. In 2001, Global moved from CKVU to CHAN, CTV moved from CHAN to CIVT, and CHEK entered the CH system. Other former WIC stations were incorporated into CH and later E!, sold to other owners, converted to Global, or closed. CanWest's financial collapse in 2009 weakened the successor structure. Shaw acquired CanWest's broadcasting assets in 2010, and Corus acquired Shaw Media in 2016. The former satellite-distribution business followed Shaw's communications operations and ultimately became part of Rogers Communications through its 2023 acquisition of Shaw.

1. 2023Rogers acquires Shaw Communications

   The successor communications business connected to WIC's former Cancom interest became part of Rogers Communications.

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2. 2016Corus acquires Shaw Media

   Corus Entertainment acquired Shaw Media, including many former WIC local television assets.

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3. 2010Shaw acquires CanWest broadcasting assets

   Most former WIC television assets held by CanWest moved into Shaw Media.

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4. 2001Former WIC stations drive network changes

   Global, CTV, and other affiliations were reorganized in Vancouver, Victoria, and elsewhere after CanWest integrated its WIC television properties.

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5. 2000WIC ceases operating as an independent company

   The company's principal assets were transferred to the acquiring parties following regulatory review.

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6. 1999Asset division agreement reached

   CanWest, Shaw, and Corus agreed in principle to divide WIC's television, production, satellite, radio, and specialty-service assets.

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7. 1997CFCF-TV acquired and takeover battle begins

   WIC completed its major acquisition of Montreal's CFCF-TV, while the Griffiths family's decision to sell the company led to competing bids from Shaw and CanWest.

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8. 1982WIC is created as a public media company

   The Griffiths family's broadcasting interests were reorganized through Western International Communications, with public Class B shares and family-controlled Class A voting shares.

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9. 1963CHEK becomes a sister station to BCTV

   Western Broadcasting added Victoria station CHEK to its British Columbia television holdings.

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10. 1950Western Broadcasting assets assembled

    Frank Griffiths established Western Broadcasting Company to hold broadcasting interests in British Columbia, including CKNW and an interest in BCTV.

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A diversified Canadian broadcasting and media holding company that combined regional television and radio assets with specialty television, program production, and satellite distribution interests.

• Broadcast television stationsBroadcast television

  WIC owned or controlled a geographically diverse group of Canadian television stations, including CHAN-TV and CHEK in British Columbia, CHCH-TV in Hamilton, CICT-TV in Calgary, CITV-TV in Edmonton, and CFCF-TV in Montreal. The stations carried different combinations of CTV, CBC, independent, and WIC-supplied programming and commonly retained regional identities rather than using a single corporate brand.

• Radio stationsRadio broadcasting

  At the time of the breakup, WIC owned 12 radio stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Notable calls included CKNW, CFMI, CHED, CHQR, CHML, CJOB, CILQ, and CJXY. These radio assets were transferred to Corus Entertainment.

• SuperchannelPremium television

  Superchannel was WIC's pay-television service acquired through Allarcom. It was later renamed Movie Central and eventually discontinued after the Canadian premium-television market was consolidated.

• MovieMaxPremium television

  MovieMax was a WIC premium movie service that later became Encore Avenue. It operated as part of the western Canadian pay-television portfolio transferred through the WIC breakup.

• Canadian Satellite CommunicationsSatellite distribution

  WIC held a majority interest in Canadian Satellite Communications, commonly called Cancom. The business distributed television and communications signals by satellite and was transferred to Shaw Communications during the WIC asset division.

• Canada TonightTelevision news

  Canada Tonight was a WIC-produced or supplied news program carried by stations in the company's television group. It was used briefly by CanWest during the transition to its later national news service, Global National.

• Specialty television interestsSpecialty television

  WIC held interests in Report on Business Television, The Family Channel, Teletoon, Télétoon, western Canadian Viewers Choice, and video-on-demand services. These holdings were divided among CanWest, Corus, Shaw, Astral Media, and other buyers according to regulatory and competitive requirements.

• 1999Three-way division of WIC assetsM&A

  The takeover contest between Shaw and CanWest had not produced a single uncontested buyer, and the parties negotiated a solution that also included Corus Entertainment.

  What changed. CanWest received most television and production properties, Shaw received the Cancom interest, and Corus received radio, specialty, premium, and video-on-demand assets, subject to regulatory divestitures.

  Aftermath. WIC ceased to exist as an independent operating group, while its assets reshaped Canadian television and radio ownership.

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• 1997Pursuit of a sale to ShawM&A

  The Griffiths family wanted to leave the broadcasting business and arranged a transaction involving Shaw Communications, the Allard family, and CanWest.

  What changed. Shares were divided among proposed buyers in a structure intended to avoid immediately activating the coat-tail provision attached to WIC's Class B shares.

  Aftermath. CanWest challenged the arrangement, leading to litigation, negotiations, and ultimately a multi-party division of WIC's assets.

  • CanWest Global Communications — CanWest pursued the company and challenged the proposed change-of-control structure because its television stations could strengthen the Global network.
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• 2023Rogers completes acquisition of Shaw Communications

  Rogers Communications acquired Shaw Communications, thereby obtaining the successor communications business associated with WIC's former Cancom interest.

  M&A
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• 2016Corus announces acquisition of Shaw Media

  Corus Entertainment announced and completed its acquisition of Shaw Media, including many former WIC local television assets. The transaction closed on April 1, 2016.

  M&A
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• 2010Shaw agrees to acquire CanWest broadcasting assets

  Shaw Communications acquired CanWest's broadcasting division, bringing much of the former WIC television portfolio under Shaw family control.

  M&A
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• 2009CanWest closes the CH/E! television system

  CanWest's financial difficulties contributed to the closure of the CH/E! system and the subsequent sale, conversion, or closure of several former WIC stations.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2001Major Vancouver network affiliation realignment follows WIC sale

  Global programming moved to CHAN, CTV programming moved from CHAN to CIVT, and CKVU was later acquired by CHUM. CHEK also changed affiliation as CanWest reorganized the former WIC stations.

  Other
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• 2000Regulators require divestitures in WIC asset breakup

  The CRTC approved the transfer of several radio and specialty assets to Corus but required WIC interests in The Family Channel and Teletoon to be sold to another buyer. Astral Media acquired those interests in 2001.

  RegulationM&A
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• 1999CanWest, Shaw, and Corus agree to divide WIC assets

  The principal parties reached an agreement under which CanWest would obtain most television and production assets, Shaw would receive WIC's Cancom interest, and Corus would acquire radio and several specialty and premium television properties.

  M&A
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• 1997WIC takeover contest develops between Shaw Communications and CanWest

  The Griffiths family agreed to sell WIC, prompting competing efforts by Shaw Communications and CanWest Global Communications. The dispute included claims about the company's voting-share structure and the coat-tail provision.

  M&ALawsuit
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1. Western International Communications