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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-471
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Ottawa, 23 September 2003
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Radio Ville-Marie
Montréal and Victoriaville, Quebec
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Application 2002-0535-3
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-16
4 April 2003
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CIRA-FM Montréal - New transmitter in Victoriaville
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In this decision, the Commission approves the application by Radio Ville-Marie to amend the broadcasting licence for CIRA-FM Montréal in order to operate a transmitter in Victoriaville.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Radio Ville-Marie to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CIRA-FM Montréal, in order to operate a transmitter in Victoriaville.
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2.
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The new transmitter would operate at 89.3 MHz (channel 207A) with an effective radiated power of 575 watts.
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The interventions
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3.
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The Commission received five interventions supporting the application and one intervention opposing it.
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4.
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The supporting interveners considered that the programming of CIRA-FM would increase the diversity of radio service available in the Victoriaville area.
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5.
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176100 Canada Inc., doing business under the name of Société Radio Média CKYQ 95.7 FM (Radio Média), the licensee of radio station CKYQ-FM Plessisville, stated that it opposed the application because it intended to submit a technical brief to the Department of Industry (the Department) and an application to the Commission to amend its broadcasting licence in order to add a 560-watt rebroadcasting transmitter at Victoriaville on the same frequency proposed by CIRA-FM.
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6.
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The intervener stated that, over the years, many listeners and sponsors of CKYQ-FM have moved outside the cities of Plessisville and Princeville, with most migrating toward Victoriaville. The intervener added that [translation] "it must provide better quality coverage around Victoriaville to consolidate its audience and revenues."
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The applicant's reply
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7.
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In reply, the applicant questioned the intervener's need for a 560-watt rebroadcasting transmitter at Victoriaville when the CKYQ-FM signal is already received in Victoriaville and its neighbouring villages.
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8.
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Furthermore, the applicant stated that the Department could not approve a rebroadcasting transmitter for CKYQ-FM in Victoriaville beyond low-power radio station status. It added that, at this power output, CKYQ-FM could use a frequency other than 89.3 MHz.
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9.
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Finally, the applicant noted that its application for a transmitter in Victoriaville complements its Trois-Rivières transmitter project, which is designed to provide coverage to the entire diocese of Nicolet. It also submitted that its plans include the establishment of a studio in Victoriaville to produce local programming and that program initiatives have been planned to meet the requirements of the community. These programs, produced in Victoriaville, will be broadcast as part of CIRA-FM's regular programming.
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The Commission's analysis and determination
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10.
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The Commission notes that Radio Média intends to establish its transmitter in Victoriaville, which is well within the 0.5 mV/m contour of CKYQ-FM's existing transmitter at Plessisville. The Commission is therefore not convinced that the use of the 89.3 MHz frequency by the intervener would extend the coverage of CKYQ-FM. Moreover, under the Department's Broadcast Procedures and Rules, Part III, Section H, a retransmitter located within the 0.5 mV/m contour of a station's existing transmitter would have to be a low-power transmitter or an "on channel" booster.
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11.
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The Commission agrees with the supporting interveners and considers that the service proposed by the applicant will add to the diversity of programming available in the Victoriaville area.
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12.
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In light of the above, the Commission approves the application by Radio Ville-Marie to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CIRA-FM Montréal, in order to operate a transmitter in Victoriaville.
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Issuance of the licence
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13.
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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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14.
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The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
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15.
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The transmitter 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 23 September 2005. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted in writing 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: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2003-09-23