Citytv - CityNews Channel

CityNews Channel

Shortly after Rogers' takeover of the Citytv stations was complete, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission published an application under which Rogers would have acquired 20% of CP24, which was sold to CTVglobemedia as part of its $1.4 billion takeover offer of CHUM Limited in 2007. It is not clear from the available evidence whether this was directly tied to the sale of CHUM as opposed to any pre-existing rights Rogers may have had. In any event, the application was withdrawn prior to the scheduled hearing.

In July 2008, Rogers filed a new application with the CRTC to launch a separate 24-hour news station to be known as "CityNews Toronto". That application was approved by the CRTC on December 10 of that year. The new channel was initially slated to hit the airwaves in late 2009, however it was delayed due to the reconstruction and economic terms.

On May 30, 2011 Rogers announced plans to launch CityNews Channel in the fall of that year, with plans to incorporate elements of other Rogers-owned news properties including 680 News and Maclean's, in addition to Citytv Toronto. The channel officially launched on October 3, 2011 on Rogers Cable systems in the Toronto and Ottawa markets.