ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-293
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Route reference: 2013-13
Ottawa, 19 June 2013
7954689 Canada Inc.
Montréal, Quebec
Application 2012-1007-0, received 21 August 2012
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
20 March 2013
French-language AM radio station in Montréal
The Commission approves an application by 7954689 Canada Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language commercial AM radio station in Montréal.
The application
1. 7954689 Canada Inc. (7954689 Canada) filed an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language commercial AM radio station in Montréal, Quebec. The Commission received interventions in support of this application.
2. 7954689 Canada is equally controlled by 6556027 Canada Inc. (Rajiv Pancholy), 4158695 Canada Inc. (Paul Tietolman) and 9225-8318 Québec Inc. (Nicolas Tétrault). In the last two years, the Commission has authorized 7954689 Canada to operate two commercial AM stations in Montréal.1 These stations are not yet in operation.
3. The proposed station would operate at 850 kHz (channel B) with a daytime transmitter power of 50,000 watts and a nighttime transmitter power of 22,000 watts.
4. The new station would offer a sports talk format targeting men between the ages of 25 and 54. The applicant proposed to broadcast at least 126 hours of local programming each broadcast week, including 4 hours devoted to newscasts. Programming would include, among other things, debate programs, sports news, live games, interviews and open-line programs.
Commission’s analysis and decision
5. According to the Commission, the Montréal radio market could sustain the introduction of the proposed station without a negative impact on existing stations given its sports talk format and the absence of interventions opposing this application.
6. In addition, the Commission notes that the advertising revenues of the Montréal French-language radio market have increased steadily over the last few years. Further, no station has been operated under a sports format in this market since CKAC abandoned the format in 2011. It therefore considers that the proposed radio station would be a valuable proposition for listeners and small advertisers in Montréal.
7. However, since the Montreal radio market is dominated by two large commercial players, the Commission is of the view that the applicant may face significant challenges when attempting to establish its presence in the market. The Commission notes that it had already authorized the applicant to operate two other AM stations in this market and considers that if 7954689 Canada launches its three services, it could take advantage of some operational and sales synergies that could be of benefit to it.
8. In light of all of the above, the Commission approves the application by 7954689 Canada Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language commercial AM radio programming undertaking in Montréal. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.
Canadian content development
9. The Commission reminds the applicant that it must adhere to the requirements relating to contributions to Canadian content development set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, as amended from time to time.
Secretary General
Related documents
- English-language AM radio station in Montréal, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-621, 9 November 2012
- AM radio stations in Montréal, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-721, 21 November 2011
*This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-293
Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement for the French-language commercial AM radio programming undertaking in Montréal, Quebec
Terms
The licence will expire 31 August 2019.
The station will operate at 850 kHz (channel B) with a daytime transmitter power of 50,000 watts and a nighttime transmitter power of 22,000 watts.
The Commission reminds the applicant that pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department of Industry confirms that its technical requirements have been met and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
In addition, the licence 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 19 June 2015. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before that date.
Conditions of licence
- The licensee shall adhere to the conditions set out in Conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio station, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-62, 11 February 2009.
Expectation
The Commission expects the licensee to ensure that its open-line programs meet at all times the Policy regarding open-line programming, Public Notice CRTC 1988-213, 23 December 1988.
Encouragement
Employment equity
In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
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