ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 99-439

Decision

Ottawa, 17 September 1999

Decision CRTC 99-439

Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd.

Brandon, Manitoba - 199810560

16 August 1999 Public Hearing
National Capital Region

New FM station at Brandon

1.  The Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language FM station at Brandon. Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2006. The licence will be subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued.

2.  Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd. (Riding) already owns and operates CKLQ Brandon. Approval of this application will enable Riding to establish a joint AM/FM operation. Riding is proposing to offer an adult-contemporary radio service targeted to the 18 to 49 year age group on the new FM station.

3.  In the area of Canadian talent development, Riding is required to abide by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Distribution Guidelines for Canadian Talent Development, as outlined in Public Notice CRTC 1995-196. For the Brandon market, this represents an annual expenditure of $400 to eligible third parties. Riding indicated that, in each of the first four years of the licence term, it will contribute an additional $600 to other eligible third parties. In the fifth year, Riding is proposing a one-time budget of $11,000 for the development, funding and promotion of a commemorative compact disc to celebrate the new station's fifth anniversary. For the remaining two years of the licence term, Riding will revert back to the annual $1,000 Canadian talent development budget allocation.

4.  The licence will only be issued and effective when the new station is ready to begin operation. When the licensee has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation, it must advise the Commission in writing. If the station is not constructed and ready to operate within 12 months of today's date, extensions to this time frame may be granted provided that the licensee applies in writing to the Commission before the 12-month period or any extension of that period expires.

5.  As proposed, the new FM station will operate on the frequency 94.7 MHz, channel 234C1, with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.

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

7.  In accordance with section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence and grant the authority to operate when it receives notification from the Department of Industry that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

8.  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.

9.  The Commission acknowledges the interventions submitted in support of this application.

Related CRTC document

·  Public Notice CRTC 1999-137 - New licence form for commercial radio stations

This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be viewed at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca

Secretary General