Canadian firm, Bell has argued that it needs the acquisition of TV and radio station company Astral Media in order to be in a better position to take on bigger rivals including Netflix.

The Chief executive Officer (CEO) of the company, George Cope claimed that if the $3.4-billion deal is now approved then the assets of Astral will be split up and it will result in continued dominance of foreign players in the Canadian market.

Astral is a major digital player in Canada and it runs 25 channels, including The Movie Network, HBO Canada and French -language Super Ecran, Family Channel and Disney Junior. The company also operates more than 80 radio stations.

Bell is in the middle of CRTC hearings into its takeover of Astral Media. The company is aiming to sell 10 radio stations in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa in order to ensure the company fully complies with CRTC rules. The plans are part of the efforts to convince Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to give a go ahead for the $3.4-billion acquisition of Astral Media.

"Canada should not have to wait any longer to deploy a viable, national multi-platform solution, backed by a company with the resources to compete against well-funded global competitors," he said on the last day of hearing on the deal.