ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2000-397

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Decision CRTC 2000-397
Ottawa, 2 October 2000

Angela Demers, on behalf of AD Communications, a company to be incorporated
Timmins, Ontario – 200003723

4 July 2000 Public Hearing
in Toronto
Denial of an application for a new radio station at Timmins
The Commission denies the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language low-power FM radio programming undertaking at Timmins. The applicant had proposed to offer a "pop, rock and dance" music format targeted to a broad range of listeners from the 18 to 54 age demographic. The Commission considers that the programming budget proposed would not be sufficient to fulfil the applicant's programming commitments or to produce high-quality local programming that would be commensurate with the size and needs of the Timmins community.

1.

The Timmins commercial radio market is currently served by English-language stations, CJQQ-FM and CKGB, and by French-language station, CKOY. CHIM-FM, a non-commercial, Christian music service also serves listeners in the city.

2.

The Commission's local programming policy for radio set out in Public Notice CRTC 1998-41 is intended to ensure that commercial stations provide amounts of high-quality local programming that correspond to the size and needs of the communities they serve.If they wish to solicit or accept local advertising, licensees of commercial FM stations in markets served by more than one private commercial radio station generally must devote at least one-third of the station's weekly programming to local programming. This requirement is imposed as a condition of licence.

3.

The policy also requires that, as part of their local programming, licensees should provide spoken word material of direct and particular relevance to the community served, such as local news, weather and sports, and the promotion of local events and activities.

4.

As part of the application process, the Commission asked the applicant to describe how the proposed station would comply with the policy. The applicant responded that all of the programming would be station-produced and local (126 hours each week). It confirmed that it would not incorporate any programming originating from a network into the station's schedule.

5.

The applicant stated that the spoken word component of its local programming would include news, weather and sports reports. They would be aired 11 times daily, seven days a week and consist of both "live-to-air" and pre-recorded presentations. The station would also broadcast public service announcements and promote community events. The applicant indicated that six full-time staff would be assigned to the production of local programming.

6.

The applicant is seeking a licence to operate a commercial, low-power FM station in a competitive market. As such, it must demonstrate that the proposed level of financial and human resources directed toward the production of programming, in general, and to local programming, in particular, are adequate to meet the local programming policy and to carry out its own proposed programming commitments.

7.

The Commission considers that the programming budget proposed in the application would not be adequate for the applicant to carry out its programming commitments. Further, the Commission is not convinced that the applicant would be able to fulfil the requirement that the station produce an amount of high-quality local programming commensurate with the size and needs of the Timmins community. Based on all of the foregoing, the Commission has denied this application.

8.

The Commission acknowledges the interventions submitted in support of this application.
Related CRTC document
  • Public Notice 1998-41Commercial Radio Policy 1998
Secretary General


This decision is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
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