ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 94-667

Decision

Ottawa, 23 August 1994

Decision CRTC 94-667

Télémédia Communications Inc.

Hull, Quebec - 932295900

Licence Renewal for CKCH

Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region beginning on 20 June 1994, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for CKCH Hull, from 1 September 1994 to 31 August 1996, subject to the conditions in effect under the current licence, as well as to those conditions specified in the licence to be issued.

This term will enable the Commission to assess at an early date the licensee's compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the regulations).

The Commission requested the licensee to submit logger tapes of the programming broadcast by CKCH during the week of 17 to 23 May 1992, and it made an analysis of the programming broadcast on 20 May 1992. In its self-assessment of the programming broadcast by CKCH during the week of 17 to 23 May 1992, the licensee admitted that it had broadcast only 56.3% French-language vocal music rather than the required level of 65%. Furthermore, having examined the playlists submitted by the licensee for that week, the Commission estimates that the level of French-language vocal music actually broadcast by CKCH was 55.7%.

At the hearing, the licensee explained that this shortfall was caused by the failure of staff at the flagship station of the Télémédia radio network to comply with written instructions regarding the broadcast of music programming. The licensee assured the Commission that corrective measures have been taken and the problem is now resolved. Besides issuing stricter directives in this regard, which are reissued every year, Télémédia is now preparing the music programming for all its AM and FM stations in such a manner as to exceed the minimum levels required. In addition, since last year, a new procedure has been followed by CKCH to ensure that all musical selections broadcast locally are exclusively French-language selections.

The Commission views with very serious concern the licensee's failure to comply with the French-language vocal music requirement. The requirement for French-language radio stations to devote 65% or more of their Category 2 vocal music selections each broadcast week to French-language selections is now part of the regulations (Public Notice CRTC 1993-173 dated 8 December 1993). The Commission intends to monitor closely the performance of the station during the new licence term, and requires the licensee to take all necessary measures to comply at all times with its commitments and the requirements of the regulations.

In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59 dated 1 September 1992 and entitled "Implementation of an Employment Equity Policy", the Commission announced that the employment equity practices of broadcasters would be subject to examination by the Commission. Following discussions on this subject at the hearing, the licensee submitted its action plan for all Télémédia stations. Under this plan, the licensee has identified and established contacts with various organizations and associations providing employment services to designated groups, with a view to preparing a bank of job applicants. Télémédia also set an objective to identify opportunities for on-the-job training and education grants for persons in the designated groups. The Commission will examine closely the licensee's progress in this area at future licence renewals involving Télémédia stations, and expects the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and other aspects of human resources management.

The Commission reaffirms the particular importance it attaches to the development of Canadian talent. Télémédia proposed in its licence renewal application to provide $1,000 for that purpose in each of the first two years of the new licence term, given the financial situation of the station. The Commission notes that the licensee had committed to expend this same total amount of $2,000 during CKCH's current licence term, but has yet to do so. Consequently, the Commission expects the licensee to honour its commitments in this regard, and encourages CKCH to continue its efforts to provide for the support, promotion and on-air development of local and regional talent during the new licence term.

Allan J. Darling
Secretary General