Rogers Communications and Quebec-based Radio Nord are said to be considering a purchase of TQS, the troubled black sheep of Quebec TV that will this week emerge from bankruptcy protection.

According to an article published Tuesday in Montreal’s French-language daily La Presse, Rogers may purchase TQS’s Montreal and Quebec City stations while RNC Media’s Radio-Nord would buy the remaining stations throughout the province. RNC Media owns 16 radio and two television stations in Quebec.

‘TQS hasn’t received a formal offer to purchase,’ said Jean Fontaine, a lawyer with Stikeman Elliott, the Montreal firm representing TQS since it was placed under bankruptcy protection Dec. 18. ‘Negotiations with a number of groups are taking place,’ Fontaine told La Presse.

Fontaine said nine different buyers are currently negotiating with TQS, although their identities weren’t disclosed.

Cogeco, which is the majority (60%) owner of TQS — the remaining shares belong to CTVglobemedia — blames increased production costs and declining advertising revenue for its financial problems. TQS had also been trying to convert into a specialty channel so it could charge a subscriber fee, but its request was quashed by the CRTC.

A spokesperson for TQS wouldn’t comment on the La Presse story. Fontaine did not return calls to Playback Daily.

TQS was given 30 days to try to reorganize its financial affairs. That deadline is up Thursday, Jan. 17. The Globe and Mail reported on Tuesday that Astral Media will not attempt to acquire TQS, as some had speculated.