Bell Media has been given the green light by the federal broadcast regulator for its $3-billion acquisition of Astral Media, clearing the way for the communications giant to build a large footprint in Quebec after its first attempt was rejected last fall.

The approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission gives Bell permission to buy Astral’s 84 radio stations 25 specialty TV services, including some of the country’s most popular channels such as The Movie Network and Family Channel. To soothe fears of market dominance, Bell has already agreed to sell Astral’s stakes in 12 specialty channels and 10 English-language radio stations.

Read more here.