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Decision
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Ottawa, 3 February 1984
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Decision CRTC 84-59
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South Fraser Broadcasting Limited
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Richmond, British Columbia - 821983400 - 823062500
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Following a Public Hearing in Vancouver on 24 May 1983, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announces that it renews the broadcasting licence for CISL Richmond from 1 April 1984 to 30 September 1988, subject to the conditions of licence specified in the licence to be issued. The Commission also approves the application to amend the licence for CISL by changing the frequency from 940 kHz to 650 kHz; increasing the power from 2,500 to 10,000 watts during the day, and to 7,500 watts during the night; and changing the transmitter site from Richmond (Lulu Island) to Delta (Northshore Boundary Bay).
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When the Commission first licensed South Fraser Broadcasting Limited (South Fraser) to provide AM radio service at Richmond, it underlined the fact that the applicant had promised to extend service to the communities of Delta and White Rock as soon as possible and the Commission required, as a condition of licence, "that the licensee take immediate steps to locate a suitable frequency in consultation with the Department of Communications and the Commission, and apply for service to these areas within the term of this licence" (Decision CRTC 79-521). Approval of the revised technical parameters noted in this decision will permit the licensee to fulfill this condition of licence and provide Delta and White Rock with a signal of consistent quality.
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The Commission is satisfied that South Fraser has generally met the expectations outlined in Decision CRTC 79-521 with respect to programming, community involvement and student training during its first licence term, and considers that CISL provides the Richmond audience with a valuable local service. In the Commission's view, however, the licensee should improve and strengthen CISL's news programming, particularly with respect to local and regional news. In line with the discussion at the hearing, the Commission notes that the licensee has undertaken to increase the level of local news from 40% to 60% of all news programming, provide more voice reports in the local and regional newscast items, and augment the number of full-time news staff from three to five persons, and has indicated that more staff will be assigned to news in each subsequent year. The licensee advised that these improvements will only be introduced when the changes in technical parameters noted above are implemented.
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The Commission recognizes that the technical improvements which will result from the change in the station's technical parameters will not only provide a reliable service to Delta and White Rock but will also strengthen the signal of CISL received in Vancouver. South Fraser is reminded, therefore, that it is licensed primarily to provide a local service to the residents in Richmond, White Rock and Delta, and the Commission requires that this orientation be maintained.
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With regard to the intervention received from CHUM Western Limited opposing the proposed change of frequency, the Commission is satisfied that the use of 650 kHz is the most effective means for South Fraser to extend its service to Delta and White Rock. The Commission also acknowledges the intervention submitted by Mayor T.R. Kirstein of White Rock, supporting the extension of CISL service to his community, and the intervention of Media Watch regarding the programming policies of the licensee.
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J.G. Patenaude Secretary General
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