Rogers Media received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to acquire Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN). The deal is expected to close later this month, with Citytv Saskatchewan to launch on July 1.

Citytv Saskatchewan marks the first official expansion for the brand in recent years, as Citytv moves towards a national footprint for its premium programming. As previously announced, Citytv will be expanding to the Montreal market, pending regulatory approval, and Citytv programming recently became available long-term in three key markets in Western Canada - Kamloops, B.C., Prince George, B.C., and Medicine Hat, AB.

By fall 2012, Citytv will be available in eight provinces and reach nine million homes.

Today’s announcement follows the previous Rogers Media program supply agreement with SCN, which took effect January 2012, in which SCN airs Citytv programming from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day.

"This is a vital step in the evolution of the Citytv brand, as we continue to aggressively pursue national distribution for our world-class content. In this competitive landscape, it is paramount to expand Citytv’s reach to better serve Canadians and engage audiences across the country. We won’t stop until we reach our goal of becoming a fully national network," said Scott Moore, President, Broadcast, Rogers Media. "With its growing economy, Saskatchewan is exactly the right market for the Citytv brand and we’re excited to grow this service and become an active and integrated member of this robust community."

Maintaining all of SCN’s educational broadcast obligations, Citytv Saskatchewan will continue to air commercial-free educational content during the 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. time block. Throughout the remainder of the day, Citytv Saskatchewan will air original and acquired Citytv programming, including Cityline, America’s Got Talent, Modern Family, and the upcoming The Bachelor Canada, as well as Saskatchewan productions such as The Neighbors Dog, 15 Minutes of Fame, and The Edge of War.

Rogers Media continues to be a strong supporter of independent producers and has already begun working with the local Saskatchewan production community to produce content, giving creators a voice on both a regional and national platform across Rogers Media’s suite of assets.

In addition, Rogers Media will offer Citytv Saskatchewan in High Definition to viewers within the coming year.

Citytv Saskatchewan will continue to operate out of Regina with support from the extended Citytv and Rogers Media family.

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