Bell Astral deal could lead to job cuts

An analyst predicts job cuts will result from telecom giant BCE's $3.4-billion deal to acquire Montreal-based Astral Media.

UBS analyst Phillip Huang says there's significant overlap at Bell Media's and Astral's head offices.

Huang says he expects substantial synergies as a result of the transaction.

In terms of jobs, BCE has said there would be some duplication, but has not been specific about possible cuts.

BCE's proposed acquisition of specialty television and radio broadcaster Astral media aims to create a media powerhouse that would take on rivals in providing digital content to consumers.

Astral has a total of 2,800 employees in Montreal, Toronto and a number of other Canadian cities.