Bell is extending the deadline for its takeover offer for Astral Media to Dec. 16 in hopes the deal can still win regulatory approval. The agreement had been expected to close this fall, but the CRTC rejected the takeover, saying it wasn't in the best interests of Canadians. Bell has asked federal cabinet to intervene, but Ottawa has little appetite to do so. Astral said Thursday that either it or Bell can again extend the expiry date for the $3.4-billion deal to Jan. 15, 2013.
