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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-12
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Ottawa, 21 January 2003
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Lighthouse Broadcasting Limited
Medicine Hat, Alberta
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Application 2002-0349-8
Public Hearing at Kitchener, Ontario
28 October 2002
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Low-power religious music FM radio station in Medicine Hat
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1.
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The Commission approves the application by Lighthouse Broadcasting Limited (Lighthouse) for a low-power English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
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2.
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The new station will operate on a year-round basis, broadcasting an average of 126 hours per week. It will provide mainly contemporary Christian music, having a minimum of 95% of the music drawn from subcategory 35 (non-classic Religious).
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3.
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Lighthouse proposes to devote approximately 10% of the weekly programming to spoken word programming consisting of news, weather, sports, community calendar and call-in shows for listeners. In order to adhere to the Commission's Policy Regarding open-line programming, Public Notice CRTC 1988-213, 23 December 1988, (Public Notice 1988-213), the applicant will implement a delay system of seven seconds. A condition of licence regarding adherence to Public Notice 1988-213 is included in the appendix to this decision.
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4.
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As part of its service, Lighthouse plans to have a program that highlights local Canadian talent and to offer one hour a week of third-language programming dedicated to the Spanish and Chinese communities. It also proposes that only 1% of its programming will be religious and that it will nonetheless adhere to the guidelines on ethics for religious programming as set out in Religious broadcasting policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993 (Public Notice 1993-78). A condition of licence regarding adherence to Public Notice 1993-78 is included in the appendix to this decision.
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5.
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The station will operate at 99.5 MHz (channel 258LP) with an effective radiated power of 48 watts.
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6.
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The Commission received numerous interventions in support of this application.
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7.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2009 and will be subject to the conditions of licence set out in the appendix to this decision as well as those set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999.
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8.
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The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that, while this application is conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.
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9.
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The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
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10.
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Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the licensee that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.
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11.
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Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will only be issued once the licensee has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date, and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 21 January 2005. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.
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Secretary General
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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: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-12
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Conditions of licence
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1. The licence will be subject to the following conditions of licence as well as those set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999.
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2. The station shall be operated within the Specialty format as defined in A review of certain matters concerning radio, Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Public Notice CRTC 2000-14, 28 January 2000, as amended from time to time.
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3. The licensee shall devote a minimum of 95% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week to selections drawn from subcategory 35 - non-classic religious.
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4. The licensee shall adhere to the guidelines on ethics for religious programming as set out in section IV of Public Notice 1993-78, as amended from time to time.
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5. The licensee shall adhere to the Policy regarding open-line programming as outlined in Public Notice 1988-213.
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Date Modified: 2003-01-21