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Ottawa, 29 April 1992
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Decision CRTC 92-248
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Radio One Ltd.
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Fredericton, New Brunswick - 911522100 - 911323400
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Following a Public Hearing in Halifax beginning on 3 December 1991, the Commission renews the licence for CKHJ-FM Fredericton, from 1 September 1992 to 31 August 1998, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.
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The Commission also approves the application by Radio One Ltd. (ROL) to amend the broadcasting licence for CKHJ-FM by changing the frequency from 93.1 MHz (channel 226) to 105.3 MHz (channel 287) and by increasing the effective radiated power from 45,000 watts to 100,000 watts.
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ROL stated that the proposed power increase is intended to improve CKHJ-FM's signal without significantly extending its coverage. According to the applicant, the proposed frequency change will enable it to restore CKHJ-FM's service to listeners that have been unable to receive the station's local country music service because of interference currently received from CKLE-FM Bathurst, New Brunswick and CHLQ-FM Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. CKLE-FM, a 100,000 watt station, began operation in March 1990 on the assigned frequency of 92.9 MHz, the first adjacent channel to CKHJ-FM's current frequency of 93.1 MHz. CHLQ-FM, which operates on the same frequency as CKHJ-FM, implemented a power increase to 75,000 watts in February 1991. In support of this proposal, ROL submitted signatures of over 250 individuals who have reportedly complained to the licensee that "they can no longer consistently receive CKHJ-FM". While ROL acknowledged that some of these individuals reside in communities 90 kilometres or more from Fredericton, it claimed that residents of these communities identify with Frederiction as their regional centre. ROL also stated that, whether they reside inside or outside CKHJ-FM's official contour, these complainants are listeners who are questioning why they are no longer able to receive the
station's signal.
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New Brunswick Broadcasting Co. Limited, licensee of CHSJ Saint John, New Brunswick, submitted an opposing intervention claiming that ROL had failed to supply evidence of alleged interference and that the proposed power increase would increase CKHJ-FM's coverage.
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The Commission has considered all the evidence presented by ROL and by the intervener. The Commission notes that the proposed change in CKHJ-FM's technical parameters will only extend the station's current coverage by approximately eight kilometres outwards, representing an increase in the potential audience within the station's principal marketing area of approximately 10%. In view of the foregoing, the Commission is satisfied that the technical changes will result in significant improvement of CKHJ-FM's signal with minimal impact on neighbouring radio markets.
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The Commission reaffirms the particular importance it attaches to Canadian talent development. In view of CKHJ-FM's financial situation, the Commission encourages the licensee to increase its Canadian talent contributions to a level commensurate with that of other stations of similar size and profitability.
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It is a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the guidelines on sex-role portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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It is also a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the provisions of the CAB's Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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The Commission acknowledges the intervention submitted by the CAB in support of CKHJ-FM's licence renewal.
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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