ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 97-273

Decision

Ottawa, 25 June 1997

Decision CRTC 97-273

O.K. Radio Group Ltd.

Grande Prairie and Peace River, Alberta- 199612990

Licence amendment for CFGP-FM

1. Following a Public Hearing in 1997-40 beginning on 21 April 1997, the Commission approves the application to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CFGP-FM Grande Prairie (the originating station), by authorizing the licensee to add a transmitter at Peace River, operating on frequency 104.3 MHz (channel 282A) with an effective radiated power of 2,000 watts.

2. The Commission acknowledges the intervention received from Peace River Broadcasting Ltd. whose application for a new FM radio programming undertaking at Peace River was heard at the 17 March 1997 public hearing held in the National Capital Region and approved in Decision CRTC 97-274 released today. The intervener expressed concern that its proposed station would not have time to establish itself and that the transmitter proposed by the O.K. Radio Group Ltd. would fragment the Peace River radio market both in terms of the listening audience for its proposed FM station and advertising dollars.

3. The Commission is satisfied with the licensee's reply to the intervention. The Commission is satisfied that the establishment of a rebroadcasting transmitter for CFGP-FM at Peace River should not impair the ability of the existing Peace River AM station, CKYL, or the proposed FM station to meet their programming responsibilities.

4. The Commission notes further that in its application, the licensee stated that it will not solicit advertising in Peace River. The Commission expects the licensee to adhere to its commitment in this regard.

5. This authority will only be effective and the licence will only be amended at such time as construction of the transmitter is completed and it is prepared to commence operation. If the construction is not completed within twelve months of the date of this decision or, where the applicant applies to the Commission within this period and satisfies the Commission that it cannot complete construction and commence operation before the expiry of this period, and that an extension of time is in the public interest, within such further periods of time as are approved in writing by the Commission, the licence will not be amended. The applicant is required to advise the Commission (before the expiry of the twelve-month period or any extension thereof) in writing, once it has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation.

6. The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will only be issued once it has been determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

7. In accordance with subsection 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence amendment and the authority will only be granted at such time as written notification is received from the Department of Industry that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request.

DEC97-273_0