CA - Rogers Shaw note Tribunal's decision not to oppose merger is getting appeal

Rogers Communications ( NYSE: RCI ) and Shaw Communications ( NYSE: SJR ) said late Friday that they are still committed to an acquisition of Shaw by Rogers despite news that the Competition Commissioner is appealing the Competition Tribunal decision permitting the merger to go forward.

Canada's Competition Tribunal previously elected not to block their proposed $19.1B merger or a related deal to sell Shaw's Freedom Mobile to Vidéotron, owned by Quebecor (QBR.B:CA) - turning the deal's fate over to Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

“We remain committed to these pro-competitive transactions that will bring more choice, more affordability and more connectivity to Canadians. The Tribunal’s decision was the right one, and the Tribunal was clear in its summary that the transactions we have proposed are not likely to substantially lessen competition in Alberta and British Columbia," the two companies said.

"Instead, as the Tribunal found, the transactions will likely result in an intensifying of competition. We are deeply disappointed that the Commissioner continues to attempt to deny Canada and Canadians the advantages that will come from these proposed transactions.”

Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor pared gains mildly after news of the decision's appeal, but still finished trading sharply higher: ( RCI ) +4% ; ( SJR ) +9.1% ; (QBR.B:CA) +4.2% in Toronto.

For further details see: