Rogers hopes to poach CTV viewers by hiring Lisa LaFlamme to lead CityNews coverage of death of Queen Elizabeth

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      Broadcaster Lisa LaFlamme has become a chess piece in the ongoing corporate battle between Canada's largest and third-largest telecommunications companies.

      Today, CityNews announced that the former CTV News chief anchor has been hired to act as a special correspondent. LaFlamme will be in London providing daily reports on what's happening in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth and the transition to King Charles III.

      “The Queen is the only monarch most of us have ever known. We grew up with Her Majesty and mourn the passing of this remarkable and inspiring woman,” LaFlamme said. “As this second Elizabethan era comes to an end, I can only say how truly honoured I am to help tell the story of her life and the legacy she leaves.”

      CityNews is owned by Toronto-based Rogers Communications, which has a market value of $27.8 billion.

      Bell Media owns CTV and did not renew LaFlamme's contract, prompting allegations of sexism and ageism that the company has denied. Bell Media is owned by Montreal-based BCE, which has a market value of $57.4 billion.

      The second-most valuable telecommunications company in Canada is Vancouver-based Telus, which has a market capitalization of nearly $40 billion. Unlike BCE and Rogers, Telus does not own a national television network.

      Update

      Lisa LaFlamme tweeted a report today from outside Buckingham Palace. Check it out below.

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