ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 98-459

Decision

Ottawa, 28 September 1998

Decision CRTC 98-459

Thunder Bay Christian Radio

Thunder Bay, Ontario - 199802377

New Christian music FM radio station - Approved

1.  Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region held on 20 July 1998, the Commission approves the application by Thunder Bay Christian Radio (Christian Radio) for a broadcasting licence for an English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking at Thunder Bay, on the frequency 95.1 MHz, channel 236LP, with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.

2.  Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2004. This licence will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

3.  The licence term granted herein, while less than the maximum of seven years permitted under the Broadcasting Act, will enable the Commission to consider the renewal of this licence in accordance with the Commission's regional plan.

4.  The new station will broadcast Christian music, 24 hours each day. At least 95% of the total weekly music will be drawn from subcategory 34 (non-classic religious). The station will also offer brief news and information segments promoting local events and activities. The applicant did not indicate any plans to offer religious programming as defined in the Commission's religious broadcasting policy, outlined in Public Notice CRTC 1993-78. Nevertheless, the Commission reminds Christian Radio of the requirements set out in that public notice with respect to balance and other matters involving the broadcasting of religious programming as well as the policy regarding soliciting funds.

5.  The applicant stated that the station will not offer any advertising or solicit advertising revenues. It plans to generate revenues through listener sponsorships of $6.00 a month or $72.00 a year. In accordance with commitments made in the application, it is a condition of licence that the licensee not broadcast any commercial messages.

6.  In approving this application, the Commission is satisfied that the new station will not have any significant impact on other stations operating in Thunder Bay. The Commission considers that the addition of a Christian music station will increase the diversity of radio services available to Thunder Bay audiences. Furthermore, the Commission notes that approval of this application leaves other radio frequencies available for use in the Thunder Bay market. Moreover, the Commission notes that there are no opposing interventions to this application.

7.  The Commission notes that this station is owned and controlled by a not-for-profit organization whose structure provides for membership, management, operation, and programming primarily by members of the community at large.

8.  In the area of Canadian talent development, the applicant made a commitment to spend $1,500 each year to stage concerts of local artists and to offer air-time to local, independent artists.

9.  As part of its application,Christian Radio made a commitment that 100% of its station programming will be locally produced. The applicant also made a commitment to broadcast, at a minimum, 15% Canadian content each week from content category 3 (Traditional and Special Interest music), rather than the minimum of 10% weekly required by the Radio Regulations, 1986 for music from this category. The licensee is required to adhere to these commitments by condition of licence.

10.  It is a condition of licence that at least 95% of the total weekly music be drawn from subcategory 34 (non-classic religious).

11.  It is also a condition of licence that the new station be operated in the Specialty format, as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, or as amended from time to time by the Commission.

12.  It is a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the guidelines on gender 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 accepted by the Commission. The application of the foregoing condition of licence will be suspended as long as the licensee remains a member in good standing of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.

13.  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 accepted by the Commission.

14.  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. In this regard, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

15.  The technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service. Accordingly, Christian Radio would have to select another frequency for the operation of the service should optimum utilization of the broadcasting spectrum so require.

16.  This authority will only be effective and the licence will only be issued at such time as construction of the undertaking 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 issued. 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.

17.  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.

18.  In accordance with subsection 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence 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

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