Fredericton-based Star Choice Communications and Shaw Communications have announced a partnership which will merge the dth services of both companies. Star Choice Communications will acquire 100% of the assets of Homestar, Shaw’s proposed dth service which was licensed January 31. Assets include about $23 million in cash, three uplink centres and additional assets worth about $30 million. At the completion of the transaction, Shaw will have acquired about 50% of the common shares of Star Choice.

Through the deal, Star Choice will have access to programming from at least 14 satellite channels and will ultimately enable the company to offer a dth full service of over 100 audio and video channels.

Jim Shaw Jr. says the partnership arose from the importance of entering the market as quickly as possible.