ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2001-318

Decision CRTC 2001-318

Ottawa, 5 June 2001

Central Island Broadcasting Ltd.
Nanaimo, British Columbia 1999-1713-4

20 November 2000 Public Hearing
in Burnaby

Conversion of AM radio station CKEG to FM

The Commission approves the application for a new English-language FM radio station at Nanaimo to replace AM station CKEG. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

The proposed service

1.

CKEG currently operates in an "Oldies" format, while the new FM station will offer a somewhat similar format featuring "Great Oldies" and "Great 80s" musical selections. The new station will also continue to target essentially the same audience as the AM station, namely Nanaimo residents between their early 30s and their late 50s.

2.

The applicant has requested authority to broadcast simultaneously on the AM and FM bands for a period of three months. A condition of licence authorizing the applicant to do so is set out in the appendix to this decision. At the end of this period, the Commission expects the licensee to surrender the AM licence for cancellation.

3.

The Commission has taken note of the interventions filed in support of this application.

Related CRTC documents

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

. Public Notice 1998-41 - Commercial Radio Policy 1998

Secretary General

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

Appendix to Decision CRTC 2001-318

Terms of the licence for the English-language FM radio programming undertaking at Nanaimo

The Commission will only issue the licence, and it will only be effective at such time as:

· the licensee confirms in writing that it is ready to begin operation. This must take place within 12 months of today's date. Any request for an extension to that deadline requires Commission approval and must be made in writing within that period.

· Industry Canada, having advised that the application is conditionally technically acceptable, determines that there is no unacceptable interference with NAV/COM services and indicates that it will issue a broadcasting certificate (section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act).

The licence, when issued, will expire 31 August 2007.

The station will broadcast on the FM band, on the frequency 106.9 MHz, channel 295A, with an effective radiated power of 1,600 watts.

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 (Public Notice CRTC 1992-59).

Conditions of licence

The licence will be subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued, as also set out in Public Notice CRTC 1999-137. The licence will also be subject to the following conditions:

1. The licensee is authorized to simulcast the programming of CKEG on the new FM station for a transition period of three months following implementation.

2. Consistent with its commitments, the licensee shall make direct cost expenditures of a minimum of $48,000 over five years ($9,600 per year) to the Canadian talent development initiatives set out in its application.

The above amount is in addition to the $400 per year that the licensee contributes to an eligible third party or parties as a small market participant in the Canadian talent development plan formulated by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters.