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Decision
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Ottawa, 12 August 1985
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Decision CRTC 85-664
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Attic Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
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Sackville, New Brunswick - 850794900
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Following a Public Hearing in Halifax on 28 May 1985, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language student FM radio station at Sackville on the frequency 106.9 MHz, channel 295, with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.
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The Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 March 1990, subject to the conditions of licence specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.
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In accordance with paragraph 22(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence, and the authority granted herein may only be implemented, at such time as written notification is received from the Department of Communications that it will issue a Technical Construction and Operating Certificate.
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This authority will only take effect upon the surrender of the licence held by Attic Broadcasting Co. Ltd. to operate the student carrier current station CHMA at Mount Allison University in Sackville.
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As, noted by the Commission when it initially outlined its policy concerning Student Radio (Decision CRTC 75-247), the purpose of student broadcasting is primarily:
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...to communicate the concerns, interests and activities of the campus as well as of the academic environment to the public, and to offer to the general public innovative and alternative programming fare which makes use of the many resources available at the academic institution. Student radio may also provide basic training for students interested in broadcasting careers.
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The Commission notes that this proposal includes a number of objectives which reflect this policy. The licensee intends to provide innovative programming based on the resources of both the Mount Allison and Sackville communities. The licensee expects to develop and promote the local arts and to encourage interest among individuals to learn broadcasting skills. In formulating these aims, the licensee appears to have recognized its unique position as the first radio station to be licensed to serve Sackville.
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With regard to Spoken Word Programming, the licensee has stated that newscasts will be 25% local or regional in content, with each major newscast to be followed by a summary of community activities. Students from Tantramar Regional High School will produce a weekly program covering high school events and activities. The licensee stated that background material will be concentrated weekdays in a magazine-type Foreground presentation, described as an "in-depth treatment of matters of community interest and concern". Regular features planned for this program include a weekly report on the Student Advisory Council and an open-line segment with an expert guest each week.
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The Commission acknowledges the licensee's commitment to broadcast a weekly, one-hour presentation of stories, poetry and drama produced or provided by Mount Allison students. The Commission also notes the licensee's intention to produce and broadcast a one-hour local religious service each week. Overall, the licensee has proposed a level of 26% in the Foreground format and a combined Foreground/Mosaic level of 62%.
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The Commission notes that the station will be operated in the "Group I" music format, defined in Public Notice CRTC 1984-151 on the Review of Radio. The licensee states that emphasis will be placed on selections from small label artists, new artists and the non-hit musical material of established artists. Furthermore, the licensee has proposed to enhance its musical diversity through a range of special music shows that will feature "classical, jazz, experimental, folk and traditional, country, bluegrass/traditional country, reggae, blues, soul, contemporary religious and various combinations of these limited only by the programmer's creativity".
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The Commission acknowledges the applicant's commitment to 30% Canadian content for musical selections in category 5.
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In support of Canadian talent, the licensee has allocated a budget of $500 to produce and play tapes provided by local artists and will make its studio facilities available to theatre groups.
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As outlined in the Policy statement on the Review of Radio dated 3 March 1983 (Public Notice CRTC 1983-43) the Commission authorizes the licensee, as a condition of licence, to broadcast a maximum of 4 minutes per hour of restricted advertising.
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In line with the definition in this statement as to what constitutes restricted advertising, the licensee is authorized to broadcast simple statements of sponsorship which identify the sponsors of a program or of the station. Such statements may incorporate the name of the sponsor, the business address, hours of business, and a brief general description of the types of services or products which the sponsor provides, including the price, name and brand name of the product. These statements must not contain language which attempts to persuade consumers to purchase and thus must not contain references to convenience, durability or desirability or contain other comparative or competitive references.
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The Commission will also allow the station to accept payment for classified advertisements on behalf of individuals and for informational messages on behalf of organizations engaged in community affairs and activities of a non-profit nature.
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The Commission reminds the licensee that it is required to derive most of these revenues from sponsors in the area it is licensed to serve and will not be permitted to use pre-produced national advertising messages.
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It is a condition of this licence that construction of the station be completed and that it be in operation within twelve months of the date of receipt of written notification from the Department of Communications that it will issue a Technical Construction and Operating Certificate or such further period as the Commission may, upon receipt of a request for extension before the expiry of the said twelve months, deem appropriate under the circumstances.
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The frequency approved by this decision is an unprotected frequency. Accordingly, the licensee would have to select another frequency for the operation of the station, should optimum utilization of the broadcasting spectrum so require.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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