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Ottawa, 22 January 1986
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Decision CRTC 86-19
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London Broadcasters Limited London, Ontario - 850995200
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Following a Public Hearing in Toronto on 8 October 1985, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language FM radio station at London on the frequency 103.1 MHz, channel 276, with an effective radiated power of 9,400 watts.
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The Commission will issue a licence expiring 30 September 1990, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.
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London Broadcasters Limited (LBL) also holds the licence for CKSL, an AM radio station which has served the London area for some thirty years. In issuing a joint licence to this experienced broadcaster, the Commission has taken into account the applicant's long-standing community involvement, CKSL's strong financial and ratings performance and the fact that the applicant has the necessary resources to implement this new service.
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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.
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The applicant proposes an "Adult FM" sound, which it defines as a gentle blend of pop adult, easy listening and very soft rock , aimed primarily at the 35 to 59 age group. The Commission notes that this softer orientation is one of a variety of distinct sounds encompassed in the "Group I" format and will enable LBL to contribute to the diversity of radio service in the London market.
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At the hearing, the applicant presented persuasive evidence that an audience for the new station exists. It pointed out that its proposed music mix does not duplicate any of the services currently available in London and that, over the past three years, there has been a 17% decline in the number of adults over 35 years of age listening to London radio stations, with a 32% increase in "out-of-market tuning".
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The Commission notes that LBL's plans include the broadcast each weekday of two public affairs magazine programs: "Midday Magazine", a 75-minute presentation focusing on local personalities and "Upfront", a 30-minute program providing in-depth treatment of local issues.
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The Commission also acknowledges LBL's commitment to broadcast 8 hours per week of Music-Traditional and Special Interest (category 6) programming and a wide range of specialty programming. The Commission has taken particular note of two proposed presentations: "The Canadian Connection" and "Theatre of the Mind". The former is designed to enhance London and area listeners' knowledge of the Province of Quebec and is to be produced in Quebec once a month either as part of a program exchange or by a free-lancer. The program will feature French-Canadian music with back-grounding information in English. "Theatre of the Mind" will be a 60-minute weekly presentation devoted to theatre and comedy and will feature both local productions and syndicated material. The Commission commends the licensee's interesting programming initiatives.
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The Commission notes LBL's commitments with respect to the support of Canadian talent and the development of local and regional artistic expression. In its Promise of Performance, the licensee has allocated an annual budget of $28,000 for the production of a series of Orchestra London concerts and for the broadcast of other local musical talent. An additional sum of $14,000 per year has been allocated for membership in FACTOR/CTL, the provision of scholarships and bursaries for London musicians, the production of local comedy and theatrical presentations for broadcast and a station-produced album. Furthermore, LBL plans to invest $45,000 in new recording equipment over the next five years and to create a Southwestern Ontario Playwright Competition, producing the winner's entry for broadcast. The Commission will follow the development of these efforts with interest.
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It is a condition of licence that construction of the station be completed and that it be in operation within twelve months of the date of this decision 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 Commission acknowledges the receipt of several interventions from local business and cultural groups in support of this application.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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