Alliance Atlantis Communications (AAC) has received approval from the

Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for its acquisition of the Independent Film Channel Canada (IFCC). The IFCC was acquired through AAC's purchase of Halifax-based Salter Street Films earlier this year.

The IFFC was launched in September 2001, one of an array of new specialist channels to begin transmission. The broadcast permit was originally sought by Salter Street under licence from the US-based parent Independent Film Channel. Salter Street's principals later sold the company to AAC.

As part of the CRTC approval process AAC agreed to maintain the IFCC offices in Halifax. AAC has a stake in 18 specialist channels, including BBC Canada and BBC Kids.