ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-146

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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-146

Ottawa, 7 May 2003
Sound of Faith Broadcasting
Woodstock, Ontario
Application 2002-0351-3
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
24 March 2003

Low-power Christian music FM radio station in Woodstock

1.

The Commission approves the application by Sound of Faith Broadcasting (Faith), a not-for-profit organization, for a low-power English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking in Woodstock, Ontario.

2.

The station will operate at 94.3 MHz (channel 232LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.

Programming

3.

Faith will provide a Christian music service with at least 90% of its music drawn from subcategory 35 (non-classic religious). The predominantly Christian-oriented service will offer 30 hours of religious programming per week and devote 5 hours per week to balance programming, which will include programming from the local Canadian Jewish Congress. Other scheduled spoken-word programming will consist of call-in talk shows and a one-hour syndicated program called Zelda, which is currently broadcast on CHIN radio in Toronto. Topics and features of the program include news from Israel, local and global political interviews, spirituality, health and wellness, financial planning and updates from the world of entertainment.

4.

The new station will broadcast predominantly local station-produced programming, including a live morning show, as well as local news, weather and sports broadcast hourly throughout the day, Monday to Sunday. The station will provide free broadcasting time to not-for-profit organizations for public service announcements, local community events, sports activities and church bulletin boards.

5.

The Commission encourages the applicant to seek Canadian sources for the provision of religious programming whenever possible.

Canadian talent development

6.

The applicant made a commitment to contribute $2,000 annually, adding increments of $200 in years two to seven, in direct cost expenditures toward the development of Canadian talent. This commitment, which is the equivalent to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Distribution Guidelines for Canadian Talent Development, as set out in Contributions by radio stations to Canadian talent development - A new approach, Public Notice CRTC 1995-196, 17 November 1995, or as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission, will entail hosting an annual talent contest and concert whose winners will receive $1,500 toward the production of a CD in a local studio. The remaining Canadian talent development funding will be given to the Canadian Gospel Music Association. A condition of licence to this effect is set out in the appendix to this decision.

7.

The Commission reminds the applicant that all direct cost expenditures related to Canadian talent development must comply with the criteria set out in An FM policy for the nineties, Public Notice CRTC 1990-111, 17 December 1990, which describes initiatives generally accepted by the Commission.

Interventions

8.

The Commission received 22 interventions in support of this application.

Issuance of the licence

9.

The licence will expire on 31 August 2009. It will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, and to the conditions set out in the appendix to this decision.

10.

The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that, while this application is conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

11.

The Commission reminds the applicant that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

12.

Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

13.

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 7 May 2005. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.
Secretary General
This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-146

Conditions of licence

  1. The station shall be operated within the Specialty format as defined in A review of certain matters concerning radio, Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Public Notice CRTC 2000-14, 28 January 2000, as amended from time to time.
  2. A minimum of 90% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week shall be devoted to selections drawn from subcategory 35 (non-classic religious).
  3. The licensee shall broadcast, in any broadcast week, no more than 25% hit material as defined in Revised policy on the use of hits by English-language FM radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, 23 April 1997.
  4. The licensee shall ensure that a minimum of 10% of musical selections from category 3 (special interest music) broadcast during each broadcast week are Canadian selections.
  5. The licensee shall devote a minimum of $2,000 per year, adding increments of $200 in years two to seven, in direct cost expenditures toward the development of Canadian talent. This will entail hosting an annual talent contest and concert whose winners will receive $1,500 toward the production of a CD in a local studio. The remaining Canadian talent development funding will be given to the Canadian Gospel Music Association.
  6. The licensee shall adhere to the guidelines on ethics for religious programming as set out in section IV of Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, as amended from time to time.

Date Modified: 2003-05-07

Date modified: