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Ottawa, 7 August 1986
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Decision CRTC 86-740
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Memorial University of Newfoundland Radio Society
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St. John's, Newfoundland - 861041200
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Following a Public Hearing in Vancouver on 8 July 1986, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language student FM radio station at St. John's on the frequency 93.5 MHz, channel 228, with an effective radiated power of 50 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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The applicant already holds a licence to operate the student carrier current station CHMR at Memorial University which expires 30 September 1986 (Decision CRTC 81-710). The Commission notes that this licence will not be renewed.
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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 is pleased to note that the applicant's proposal contains a number of commitments that reflect these policy objectives through the use of volunteer staff and levels of news and other spoken word programming that exceed the current programming commitments of CHMR. In this regard, the Commission acknowledges the ambitious commitment to enrichment material which will contribute to such foreground presentations as a campus "week in review" magazine-type program, and science, drama, and music programs.
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The Commission notes that the station will be operated in the "Group II" format. The applicant intends to provide alternative entertainment for listeners with widely varied musical tastes through the broadcast of music not currently available on commercial stations, a low hit factor (20%), the use of untried new material and a commitment to 18 hours and 30 minutes per week of category 6 programming. The Commission considers that this music policy will contribute to the range of radio services available in the market and encourages the licensee to keep its service as diversified as possible.
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The Commission authorizes the licensee, as a condition of licence, to broadcast a maximum of 4 minutes per hour of restricted advertising, as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1983-43, dated 3 March 1983, "Policy statement on the Review of Radio" and subsequently amended in Public Notice CRTC 1985-194 dated 26 August 1985, "The Review of Community Radio".
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The Commission acknowledges the applicant's commitment to 33% Canadian content in category 5 (Music-General) selections.
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The Commission also notes the licensee's plans to feature interviews with local performers, to accept demo tapes for broadcast and to promote other cultural expression through broadcasts of the university's Drama Society productions. The Promise of Performance also indicates plans to use the artistic resources of the university and the larger St. John's community for foreground programming and to participate in a program exchange with other Canadian student stations. The Commission encourages the licensee's efforts in this regard.
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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 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 interventions submitted by Radio Newfoundland Limited and the Graduate Students Union in support of this application.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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