The Vancouver Sun reports in its Friday edition Jim Pattison is expanding his radio empire in Calgary and branching out into Winnipeg thanks to Bell's proposed $3-billion acquisition of Astral Media. The Sun's Derrick Penner writes Astral and Bell announced Thursday that Pattison Broadcast is buying three FM radio licences, two Bell-owned stations in Calgary and Winnipeg and an Astral Winnipeg outlet. The sales allow Bell and Astral to comply with CRTC rules governing ownership of stations in single markets. Once concluded, the deal would give the Pattison Broadcast Group 33 FM stations across Western Canada. Financial terms were not disclosed and company chairman Rick Arnish said it has the potential to raise it from sixth biggest radio broadcaster in Canada into the top five. In Calgary, Pattison Broadcast is buying Bell's Kool FM 101 station, which will allow the company to establish a dual-combination operation with its existing operation in the city, a brand new licence it has established as a second rock station under the Peak banner. Pairing Bell's FAB 94.3 pop music station with Astral's QX 104 country music station in Winnipeg allows Pattison Broadcast to extend its reach into Manitoba.