ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-3

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Route reference: 2011-427

Additional reference: 2011-427-1

Ottawa, 5 January 2012

FDR Media Group Inc., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
Across Canada

Application 2011-0760-8, received 15 April 2011
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
19 September 2011

Channel Q TV (Hindi) – Specialty Category B service

The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a new specialty Category B service.

The Commission also approves the applicant’s request relating to the broadcast of local advertising.

The application

1.      FDR Media Group Inc., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated (OBCI), filed an application for a broadcasting licence to operate Channel Q TV (Hindi), a national, niche third-language ethnic Category 21 specialty programming undertaking that would consist of programming educating both Muslims and non-Muslims about the Islamic teachings that promote brotherhood, charity, tolerance, humility and humanity. The programming would engage the audience in a meaningful discourse concerning all aspects of Islam and would promote national, ethnic and social harmony. The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

2.      FDR Media Group Inc., OBCI will be owned by FDR Media Group Inc., a corporation owned by FDR Consultants Group Inc. (FDR Consultants). FDR Consultants is equally owned and controlled by three shareholders: David Martin, Shubhankar Maitra and Fariba Rawhani.

3.      The applicant proposed to draw programming from the following program categories set out in Item 6 of Schedule I to the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990, as amended from time to time: 2(a), 2(b), 3, 4, 5(b), 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 7(d), 7(e), 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 12 and 13.

4.      The applicant proposed to broadcast not less than 90% of its programming in the Hindi language and not more than 10% of its programming in the English language during the broadcast week.

5.      The applicant also requested that, of the 12 minutes of advertising material permitted during each clock hour, it be authorized to broadcast up to 6 minutes of local and regional advertising.2

Commission’s analysis and decisions

6.      The Commission is satisfied that the application complies with all applicable policies, terms and conditions, including those set out in Public Notice 2000-6, Broadcasting Public Notice 2008-100, and Broadcasting Regulatory Policies 2010-786 and 2010-786-1. Furthermore, given that the service will offer no less than 90% of its programming during the broadcast week in the Hindi language, the Commission is satisfied that the service falls under the definition of a third-language service set out in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations (the Regulations).

7.      Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by FDR Media Group Inc., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate the national, niche third-language ethnic specialty Category B service Channel Q TV (Hindi). The Commission also approves the applicant’s request for authority to broadcast up to six minutes per hour of local advertising. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

8.      The Commission notes that Channel Q TV (Hindi) will devote at least 90% of its program schedule to programming in Hindi. In accordance with Broadcasting Public Notice 2005-104, the remainder of the program schedule (up to 10%) may be in one or both official languages. The Commission encourages the applicant to ensure that all such programming serves to promote Canada’s linguistic duality.

Reminder

9.      The Commission reminds the applicant that distribution of this service is subject to the requirements set out in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations.

Secretary General

Related documents

*This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-3

Terms, conditions of licence and encouragement for the specialty Category B service Channel Q TV (Hindi)

Terms

The applicant must file an executed copy of its amended by-laws by 5 January 2013, ensuring that it will be in compliance with the Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility of Non-Canadians), at all times.

A licence will be issued once the applicant has satisfied the Commission with supporting documentation that the following requirements have been met:

The licence will expire 31 August 2018.

Conditions of licence

1.      The licence will be subject to the conditions set out in Standard conditions of licence, expectations and encouragements for Category B pay and specialty services – Corrected Appendices 1 and 2, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-786-1, 18 July 2011, except for condition 7d), which will not apply, and condition 7a), which is replaced by the following:

Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs b) and c), the licensee shall not broadcast more than twelve (12) minutes of advertising material during each clock hour, no more than six (6) minutes of which may consist of local advertising.

For the purposes of this condition of licence, “local advertising” is advertising that does not fall within the definitions of national and regional advertising, i.e., advertising to persons who provide goods or services in more than one market and/or province.

2.      The licensee shall provide a national, niche third-language ethnic specialty Category B service consisting of programming educating both Muslims and non-Muslims about the Islamic teachings that promote brotherhood, charity, tolerance, humility and humanity. The programming will engage the audience in a meaningful discourse concerning all aspects of Islam and will promote national, ethnic and social harmony.

3.      The programming shall be drawn exclusively from the following program categories set out in Item 6 of Schedule I to the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990, as amended from time to time:

2   (a) Analysis and interpretation
     (b) Long-form documentary
3   Reporting and actualities
4   Religion
5   (b) Informal education/Recreation and leisure
7   (a) Ongoing dramatic series
     (b) Ongoing comedy series (sitcoms)
     (c) Specials, mini-series or made-for-TV feature films
     (d) Theatrical feature films aired on TV
     (e) Animated television programs and films
8   (a) Music and dance other than music video programs or clips
     (b) Music video clips
     (c) Music video programs
12 Interstitials
13 Public service announcements

4.      The licensee shall broadcast no less than 90% of all programming during the broadcast week in the Hindi language.

5.      Where the licensee broadcasts religious programming as defined in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, the licensee shall adhere to the guidelines set out in sections III.B.2.a) and IV of that public notice with respect to the provision of balance and ethics in religious programming, as amended from time to time.

6.      The service approved hereby is designated as a Category B service.

For the purposes of the conditions of this licence, including condition of licence 1, broadcast day refers to the 24-hour period beginning each day at 6 a.m. or any other period approved by the Commission.

Encouragement

The Commission encourages the licensee to ensure that the portion of the service’s program schedule that is broadcast in the English and/or French languages serves to promote Canada’s linguistic duality.

Footnotes

[1] As set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2011-455, as of 1 September 2011, Category 2 services are renamed Category B services.

[2] “Local advertising” is advertising that does not fall within the definition of national or regional advertising, i.e., advertising to persons who provide goods or services in more than one market and/or province.

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