ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-346

This page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-346

Ottawa, 6 November 2002

Astral Radio Inc.
Québec, Quebec

Application 2001-1384-5
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-23
6 May 2002

CHIK-FM Québec - Licence renewal

1.

The Commission received an application by Astral Radio Inc. to renew the licence for CHIK-FM Québec.

2.

The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

3.

The Commission analysed the programming broadcast by CHIK-FM during the week of 7 to 13 March 1999. The analysis revealed that 53.5% of the category 2 musical selections broadcast between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, were French-language vocal music. This finding constitutes an infraction of section 2.2(10) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Radio Regulations), which stipulates that:

(10) Except as otherwise provided under a licensee's condition of licence, an A.M. or F.M. licensee licensed to operate a commercial station in the French language shall, between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., in any period beginning on Monday of a week and ending on Friday of the same week, devote 55% or more of its vocal musical selections from content category 2 to musical selections in the French language broadcast in their entirety.

4.

The Commission notes that a second analysis of CHIK-FM's programming, specifically that broadcast during the week of 12 to 18 November 2000, revealed that the licensee had complied with the Radio Regulations with respect to the broadcast of French-language vocal music.

5.

In Practices regarding radio non-compliance, Circular No. 444, 7 May 2001, the Commission clarified its approach relating to radio stations operating in non-compliance.

6.

Given that this is the first such infraction by the licensee and consistent with Circular No. 444, the Commission renews the licence for CHIK-FM from 1 December 2002 to 31 August 2006, instead of the maximum term of seven years. This period will allow the Commission to assess in the short term the licensee's compliance with the Radio Regulations regarding the distribution of French-language vocal music.

7.

The licence will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999.

Other Matters

8.

In Decision CRTC 2000-5, 12 January 2000, the Commission approved an application to transfer effective control and ownership of broadcasting undertakings owned by Radiomutuel inc., including CHIK-FM, to Astral Communications inc. The Commission reminds the licensee of the commitments made as part of that transaction, which are listed in Appendix 1 of Decision CRTC 2000-5.

9.

Because this licensee is subject to the Employment Equity Act and files reports concerning employment equity with Human Resources Development Canada, the Commission does not assess its employment equity practices.

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

Date Modified: 2002-11-06

Date modified: