B-C-E says it's shocked by the federal telecommunications regulator's rejection of its bid to acquire Astral Media and will call on the federal Cabinet to intervene.

The C-R-T-C cited an unprecedented level of concentration in the marketplace and concerns the takeover would enable B-C-E to engage in uncompetitive behaviour.

A C-R-T-C official says the decision could be challenged at the Federal Court of Appeals, but that the Harper cabinet can't overrule it.