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Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2005-64

  Ottawa, 23 June 2005
 

Introduction to Broadcasting Decisions CRTC 2005-253 to 2005-257 - Licensing of new radio stations to serve Ottawa, Ontario/Gatineau, Quebec

  At a public hearing in the National Capital Region beginning on 1 December 2004, the Commission considered ten applications for new English-language radio services and six applications for new French-language radio services in Ottawa, Ontario/Gatineau, Quebec (Ottawa/Gatineau). This public notice sets out the criteria that the Commission has used to evaluate the applications, its determinations regarding the ability of the Ottawa/Gatineau market to support additional radio services and a list of the applications that have been approved.
  In Broadcasting Decisions CRTC 2005-253 to 2005-256, issued today, the Commission approves applications for broadcasting licences to operate two new English-language commercial FM radio stations, one new French-language commercial FM radio station, and one new English-language low-power tourist information FM radio station in Ottawa/Gatineau. In Denial of various applications considered at the 1 December 2004 National Capital Region Public Hearing, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-257, (Decision 2005-257), also issued today, the Commission lists the remaining twelve applications that have been denied.
 

Introduction

1.

In Call for applications for a broadcasting licence to carry on a radio programming undertaking to serve Ottawa, Ontario/Gatineau, Quebec, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-3, 22 January 2004, the Commission announced that it had received applications for a broadcasting licence to provide radio services to Ottawa, Ontario/Gatineau, Quebec (Ottawa/Gatineau). Consistent with the procedures generally followed by the Commission in such cases, it called for applications from other parties wishing to obtain a broadcasting licence to serve the Ottawa/Gatineau radio market.

2.

In Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2004-6-2, 2 September 2004, the Commission announced that it would hold a public hearing in the National Capital Region commencing on 1 November 2004 to consider ten applications for new English-language radio services and six applications for new French-language radio services in Ottawa/Gatineau. The Commission subsequently announced in Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing 2004-6-7, 21 October 2004, that, for administrative reasons, the consideration of these applications would be postponed to a public hearing commencing on 1 December 2004 in the National Capital Region.
 

Overview of the applications

3.

Four of the applicants seeking licences for new English-language FM commercial radio stations proposed to operate in similar Adult Standards or Easy Listening formats targeting adults between the ages of 35 to 64. Two other applicants proposed to operate in similar Alternative Rock or Youth Contemporary formats targeting youth and young adults, and two proposed to operate within the Specialty FM format, one offering a Christian music service targeted to adults aged 45 years and over, and the other a Smooth Jazz-oriented music format targeting adults aged 24 to 54 years. The remaining two applications for new English-language FM radio services were proposals for low-power tourist information stations.

4.

Three of the applicants seeking licences for new French-language radio services proposed commercial FM stations. Of these applicants, one proposed to operate in a music format that it described as blended Pop/Rock and Urban, and one proposed to operate in an Alternative Rock format. Both of these formats would target youth and young adults. The other applicant proposed to operate within the Specialty FM format and offer a Smooth Jazz music format targeted to an audience of those aged between 25 to 54 years. The remaining applications for new French-language services included one proposal for a commercial AM radio station that would operate in a News/Talk format, one proposal for a Type B community FM radio station, and one proposal for an FM transmitter that would rebroadcast the predominantly religious programming of an existing Montréal radio station.

5.

The Commission determined that, with the exception of the application for an AM station, each of the applications proposing new radio services for the Ottawa/Gatineau region was competing against one or more of the other applications considered at the hearing. These determinations were based either on marketing grounds, i.e., because the applicants proposed to operate in similar music formats in the same market, or on technical grounds, i.e., because their applications were predicated on the use of the same or an adjacent frequency, or on both marketing and technical grounds.
 

Applications for FM frequency 88.5 MHz

6.

The Commission considered four mutually-exclusive applications proposing the use of FM frequency 88.5 MHz.

7.

Two of the applicants proposed to operate English-language commercial FM stations. Newcap Inc. (Newcap) would offer an Alternative Rock format, targeted to the 12 to 34 age group. CKMW Radio Ltd., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, (CKMW) would offer a format that it described as featuring a broad range of musical styles, including crooners, standards, ballads, love songs and contemporary hits drawn from current and past musical eras. Its station would be targeted to the 35 to 64 age group with a focus on listeners aged 45 years and over.

8.

The other two applicants proposed French-language stations. 591991 B.C. Ltd., a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment Inc., proposed a commercial FM station that would operate in a Specialty FM Smooth Jazz format, targeted to an audience of those aged between 25 and 54 years. Jean-Jacques Brunelle, on behalf of corporation to be incorporated, (Jean-Jacques Brunelle) proposed a French-language Type B community FM radio station.
 

Applications for FM frequencies 96.3 MHz and 96.5 MHz

9.

The Commission considered one application proposing the use of FM frequency 96.3 MHz and six applications proposing the use of FM frequency 96.5 MHz. Since 96.3 MHz is the first adjacent frequency to 96.5 MHz, all seven applications were technically exclusive of one another.

10.

Global Communications Limited proposed to operate an English-language commercial FM station at 96.3 MHz offering a New Easy Listening format blending new easy-listening favourites with soft jazz, soft pop, world beat and folk music selections, targeted to an adult audience of those aged between 35 and 64 years.

11.

Of the six applications predicated on the use of 96.5 MHz, two proposed to operate English-language commercial FM stations. John Wright & Douglas Kirk, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, would offer what the applicant described as a "Triple S" format featuring a blend of smooth jazz, soft adult contemporary and standards, targeted to adults aged 45 to 64 years. Radio 1540 Limited, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, would operate within the Specialty FM format and offer a Smooth Jazz-oriented music format as well as 36 hours per week of culturally-diverse spoken word programming, targeted to the 25 to 54 demographic.

12.

Three of the remaining four applications proposing the use of 96.5 MHz were for French-language undertakings. Genex Communications inc. proposed to operate a French-language commercial FM station in an Alternative Rock format with a focus on sports information programming, targeted to men aged 18 to 44 years. Radio Nord Communications inc. (Radio Nord) proposed a French-language commercial FM station that would operate in Gatineau at 96.5 MHz with a transmitter in Gatineau (Buckingham sector) at 107.5 MHz. It would offer a Pop/Rock and Urban format targeted to youth and young adults aged 18 to 34 years. Radio Ville-Marie requested an FM transmitter in Gatineau to simulcast the predominantly religious programming of the French-language station CIRA-FM Montréal. The applicant indicated that two hours of local programming for Ottawa/Gatineau would be included in the programming of CIRA-FM.

13.

The sixth application proposing the use of 96.5 MHz was filed by 3077457 Nova Scotia Limited, a corporation equally owned and controlled by Jack McGaw and Robert Stapells. The applicant proposed an English-language low-power FM tourist information station that would broadcast pre-recorded messages informing tourists of weather and highway conditions as well as attractions and services in the Ottawa area.
 

Applications for FM frequency 98.5 MHz

14.

The Commission considered four applications proposing the use of FM frequency 98.5 MHz. These applications were technically mutually exclusive.

15.

Of these applicants, three proposed to establish English-language commercial FM stations. CKMW proposed to offer a Youth Contemporary format drawing predominantly from the alternative and modern rock music genres, targeted to the 12 to 24 age group. Astral Media Radio inc. (Astral) would offer a "Comfort Radio" format featuring a blend of soft adult contemporary and ballad style musical selections with some world beat music, primarily targeted to women aged 35 to 54 years. Christian Hit Radio Inc. (Christian Hit) proposed to operate within the Specialty FM format and offer a Christian music service that would broadcast religious and non-religious spoken word programming and Christian music, targeted to listeners aged 45 years and over.

16.

Levinson and Associates, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, (Levinson) proposed a low-power English-language tourist information FM station that would broadcast "live-to-air" and offer local news and tourist-related spoken word programming as well as youth-oriented popular music.
 

Application for AM frequency 1630 kHz

17.

Radio Rideau Inc. was the only applicant proposing to use AM frequency 1630 kHz. The applicant proposed a French-language commercial AM station that would operate in a News/Talk format and broadcast service and information programming of interest to the Francophone population of Ottawa and eastern Ontario1.
 

Interventions

18.

The Commission received many interventions that expressed support for one or other of the applications considered in this public proceeding. Interventions expressing opposition to any particular application were relatively few. The Commission addresses the interventions specific to a particular application in the individual decision dealing with the application concerned.

19.

One of the interventions contained a combined comment by the Canadian Diversity Producers Association, the Ottawa Chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council and the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada. These parties urged the Commission to address the cultural diversity plans and obligations of any licensed station and to accord particular consideration to those applicants who "have a record of being positive forces in their communities."

20.

In this regard, the Commission notes that, consistent with Commercial Radio Policy 1998, Public Notice CRTC 1998-41, 30 April 1998 (the Commercial Radio Policy), as a matter of policy, it encourages all radio broadcasters to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in their programming and employment practices, especially with respect to news, music and promotion of Canadian artists.
 

Factors for evaluating competing radio applications

21.

The Commission considered the applications proposing new commercial radio stations and made Broadcasting Decisions CRTC 2005-253 to CRTC 2005-257 using the framework set out in Introductory statement - Licensing new radio stations, which appeared as a preface to Decisions CRTC 99-480 to 99-482, 28 October 1999. In that statement, the Commission indicated that, pursuant to the Commercial Radio Policy, there are four factors that are generally among those relevant to the evaluation of competing commercial radio applications. These factors are:
 
  • diversity of news voices in the market;
 
  • likely impact on the market of a new entrant or entrants;
 
  • quality of the application; and
 
  • competitive state of the market.

22.

The Commission examined the one non-commercial application, namely that by Jean-Jacques Brunelle for a French-language Type B community FM station in light of its Community Radio Policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-13).

23.

In making Broadcasting Decisions CRTC 2005-253 to CRTC 2005-257, the Commission has also considered the bilingual and bicultural composition of the Ottawa/Gatineau market. This market includes Canada's national capital and covers a broad area on both sides of the Ottawa River in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. According to Statistics Canada's 2001 Census of Canada, the Ottawa/Gatineau region has a population of over one million people, 60% of whom are Anglophone and 29% are Francophone2. The Ottawa/Gatineau radio market is Canada's seventh largest English-language market and third largest French-language market.
 

Diversity of news voices in the market

24.

Residents of the Ottawa/Gatineau region currently have access to many local, regional and national news broadcast sources. These include the radio stations noted in the next section of this decision, as well as two English-language and two French-language local private television stations, the provincial television services of Ontario and Quebec, respectively, and the CBC's English- and French-language television networks, and various other broadcasting services delivered to the market by means of broadcasting transmitters and satellite or terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings. There are also five local daily newspapers available in the Ottawa/Gatineau region (four English-language and one French-language) and numerous special and community newspapers and magazines.

25.

The Commission finds, based on discussions with all the applicants, that the diversity of news voices is not a significant issue in this proceeding because Ottawa/Gatineau residents already have access to news from a large variety of sources.
 

Likely impact on the market of a new entrant or entrants

26.

The Ottawa/Gatineau market is currently served by a substantial number of English-language radio stations and a substantial number of French-language stations. Fifteen commercial radio stations are currently licensed to serve the Ottawa/Gatineau market: ten are English-language stations, four are French-language stations, and one is an ethnic station. The market is also served by two English-language and two French-language Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Société Radio-Canada (CBC/SRC) radio stations, one English-language community-based campus radio station, one English-language instructional campus station, and one English- and French-language community-based campus radio station.

27.

Most of the private commercial radio stations serving the Ottawa/Gatineau market are part of large broadcasting groups. Of the ten English-language commercial stations, CHUM Limited (CHUM) owns two FM stations operating in Adult Contemporary and Adult Contemporary/Classic Hits formats as well as two AM stations offering spoken word programming, one focusing on sports, and the other on news and talk. Rogers Broadcasting Limited (Rogers) owns two FM stations operating in Classic Rock and Hot Adult Contemporary formats, respectively, and an AM station that offers an Oldies format. There are also three stand-alone English-language FM stations in the market: an Album Oriented Rock music station operated by Standard Radio Inc., a Rhythmic/Contemporary Hit Radio station operated by Newcap, and a Christian music station operated by Christian Hit.

28.

Of the four French-language commercial stations, Astral owns two FM stations operating in Contemporary Hit Radio and Adult Contemporary formats, respectively. In January 2005, 591991 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corus Entertainment Inc., acquired the Gatineau AM station, which was previously owned by Astral3 and which offers a News/Talk format. The fourth commercial French-language station is a stand-alone Specialty Format FM Classical Music station owned by Radio Nord.

29.

In addition to the English- and French-language radio stations, Radio 1540 Limited operates a commercial ethnic FM station. It broadcasts programming directed to a minimum of 37 cultural groups in at least 20 different languages in each broadcast week.

30.

Rogers also operates two English-language radio stations in the nearby market of Smiths Falls, Ontario. One of those stations, CKBY-FM Smiths Falls, which operates at 101.1 MHz, also has a significant impact on the current Ottawa/Gatineau market because it derives most of its tuning and advertising revenues from that market. Prior to January 2004, Rogers operated that station at 101.1 MHz under the call sign CIOX-FM Smiths Falls in an Alternative Rock format, which according to the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement's (BBM) Fall 2003 survey, received a substantial share of tuning by youth and young adults in the Ottawa/Gatineau market, including Francophone youth and young adults. In January 2004, Rogers switched the call sign of its station operating at 101.1 MHz from CIOX-FM to CKBY-FM and changed its music format from Alternative Rock to Country. The Alternative Rock format, which appeals to a specific segment of younger listeners, is currently not available in the Ottawa/Gatineau market. CKBY-FM, currently operating in a Country format, continues to receive a substantial share of tuning by listeners and advertising revenues in Ottawa/Gatineau.

31.

A significant feature of the Ottawa/Gatineau radio market is the large amount of tuning by Francophones to English-language stations and, to a lesser extent, tuning by Anglophones to French-language stations. BBM provides tuning data for the Ottawa/Gatineau market in three ways: total tuning in the market, tuning by Anglophones and tuning by Francophones. According to BBM's Fall 2004 survey, English-language radio stations captured an audience share of about 28% among Francophones in the market while about 5% of tuning by Anglophones was to French-language radio stations. These numbers reflect both the greater number of radio choices in English and the greater number of bilingual Francophones.

32.

In discussions on this issue at the hearing, Newcap and Target Broadcast Sales Inc. (Target) maintained that, although advertisers benefit from this crossover tuning, rates are based solely on BBM's tuning data for a particular station's language group. Newcap and Target further submitted that crossover Francophone tuning, although not taken into account by advertisers on English-language stations, diminishes the amount of advertising revenue that French-language stations in the market are able to generate.

33.

The Commission examined the market's economic strength in order to assess the ability of the Ottawa/Gatineau radio market to absorb the introduction of one or more new radio stations. The Commission notes in this regard that the Conference Board of Canada (the Conference Board) estimates that, between 2001 and 2004, Ottawa/Gatineau's population increased by 4.5%, compared to a national growth rate of 3.7% over the same period. According to the Conference Board, the region's population is expected to continue growing at a rate of 1.1% annually to 2009. The Conference Board's data indicate that, in 2004, the average household income in Ottawa/Gatineau was 20% higher than the national average, making the region one of Canada's most affluent markets.

34.

Advertising revenues in the Ottawa/Gatineau radio market grew in each year between 1999 and 2004 and the average profitability of the commercial radio stations serving the Ottawa/Gatineau market has been well above the average overall profitability of the radio industry in Canada since 1998. The Conference Board estimates that, between 2004 and 2008, retail sales in the market will grow at an average annual rate of 5.7%, and that the overall gross domestic product of the region will grow at an average annual rate of 3.2%. Such growth is consistent with that predicted for Ontario and exceeds that predicted for Quebec (2.8%). Given the statistical relationship between retail sales and radio advertising revenues, the Commission estimates that the Ottawa/Gatineau radio advertising market will continue to grow.

35.

The Commission notes, however, that there are considerable differences in the circumstances under which English-language and French-language stations operate within the broader Ottawa/Gatineau radio market. As noted above, the market is currently served by ten English-language commercial stations and four French-language commercial stations. The greater number of English-language stations in the market reflects the larger number of Anglophones in the region. Consequently, the English-language stations have access to a substantially larger pool of advertising dollars than the French-language stations.

36.

French-language commercial radio stations in the market have consistently generated significantly less advertising revenues than the English-language commercial stations and, as a group, have been less profitable than the English-language commercial stations. The aggregate profit before income and tax (PBIT) margin4 for the Ottawa/Gatineau radio market was 24.3% in the broadcast year ending 31 August 2004. In comparison, the national aggregate PBIT margin for that year was 18.3%. The aggregate PBIT margin for English-language commercial stations in the Ottawa/Gatineau market was 26.0% for the 2004 broadcast year while the aggregate PBIT margin for the French-language commercial stations in that market was slightly below the national average.

37.

Based on the record of this proceeding, including the evidence concerning the relative strength of the local Ottawa/Gatineau economy, the Commission is satisfied that the Ottawa/Gatineau market is able to support the licensing of new commercial, music-based FM radio stations, without affecting unduly the ability of existing radio services to meet their programming commitments. Given the high level of profitability of the existing commercial English-language radio stations and taking into account the formats and target audiences of those stations, the Commission has determined that the market can sustain two new English-language commercial FM stations. Given the smaller potential audience and more limited pool of advertising revenues available to French-language stations as well as their lower level of profitability historically, and taking into account the effect of cross-over tuning and their respective music formats and target audiences, the Commission has determined that the market is able to support the introduction of one new French-language commercial FM station. The Commission has further determined that a low-power English-language tourist information service can also be introduced without any negative impact on existing stations in the market.
 

Quality of the application

38.

In evaluating the quality of an application, the Commission examines the soundness of the applicant's overall business plan, including the evidence presented by the applicant regarding the demand in the community for the proposed service and the intended music format upon which the service is to be based, as well as the provisions made for optimal technical use of the frequency applied for. The Commission also considers the applicant's local programming proposals and the benefits the applicant would bring to the community, as well as its commitments to broadcast Canadian content and to support the development of Canadian talent.
 

Competitive state of the market

39.

In considering the potential impact of a new service on the competitive state of the market, the Commission seeks to ensure that its licensing actions promote diversity and, if necessary, address any competitive imbalance in the market and foster competition as much as possible.
 

Summary of the Commission's decisions

40.

After considering the competing applications for new radio services at the 1 December 2004 public hearing, the Commission has rendered decisions, which may be summarized as follows:
 
  • In English-language alternative rock FM radio station in Ottawa, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-253, 23 June 2005, the application by Newcap for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language commercial FM station at 88.5 MHz is approved. The new station will offer an Alternative Rock format targeted to youth and young adults.
 
  • In English-language adult standards/easy listening FM radio station in Ottawa, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-254, 23 June 2005, the application by CKMW for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station is approved in part. While the applicant had proposed to use 88.5 MHz, the Commission authorizes it to operate at 98.5 MHz, a frequency requested for use by CKMW in another application considered at the 1 December 2004 public hearing. The new station will offer a format featuring a broad range of adult standards and easy listening musical styles targeted to older listeners.
 
  • In French-language pop/rock and urban FM radio station in Gatineau with a transmitter in Gatineau (Buckingham sector), Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-255, 23 June 2005, the application by Radio Nord to operate a new French-language commercial FM radio station in Gatineau at 96.5 MHz with an FM transmitter in Gatineau (Buckingham sector) at 107.5 MHz is approved. The new station will offer a Pop/Rock and Urban format targeted to youth and young adults.
 
  • In Low-power English-language tourist information service in Ottawa, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-256, 23 June 2005, the application by 3077457 Nova Scotia Limited for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language low-power FM tourist information station in Ottawa is approved in part. The approval is subject to the requirement that the applicant file an amendment to its application proposing the use of another low-power FM frequency, other than 96.5 MHz, which is acceptable to both the Commission and to the Department of Industry.

41.

The new English-language youth/young adult-oriented alternative rock music station to be operated by Newcap will provide additional musical diversity in the Ottawa/Gatineau English-language market and, in particular, for youth and young adults, a group that is currently underserved. Newcap's commitments to spoken word programming will provide local reflection of particular interest to its target audience and its contributions to Canadian talent development will benefit Canadian artists, particularly those who are involved in alternative rock music. The Commission is satisfied that Newcap's proposed use of 88.5 MHz, which will enable it to co-site the new transmitter at Camp Fortune, Quebec with its existing station CIHT-FM, represents the best use of 88.5 MHz. Furthermore, the Commission considers that granting a second FM licence to Newcap will enable it to compete more effectively with the dominant English-language players in the market, namely CHUM and Rogers, and will serve to achieve a better competitive balance among English-language stations in the market.

42.

The new English-language station to be operated by CKMW will offer a broad range of adult standards and easy listening musical styles that will appeal to older adults aged 45 years and over, a demographic that is also currently underserved in the Ottawa/Gatineau market. As a new entrant, CKMW will also increase competition among English-language stations in the market, enhance programming diversity and add a new editorial news voice. CKMW's commitments to spoken word programming will provide local reflection of particular interest to its target audience and its contributions to Canadian talent development will benefit Canadian artists and foster the development of Canadian instrumental music, which is currently an under-represented genre. Furthermore, the Commission is mindful of CKMW Radio Ltd.'s experience in operating other radio stations in large urban markets in Canada, including CKDX-FM Newmarket which offers a format similar to the one proposed in the present application. Accordingly, the Commission is satisfied that CKMW will be able to compete on a stand-alone basis with other radio licensees in the market.

43.

The new French-language FM station to be operated by Radio Nord will enhance the diversity of radio programming in Ottawa/Gatineau by offering a more youth- and young adult-oriented music format than is currently available in the French-language market. The Commission considers that granting a second licence to Radio Nord in the Ottawa/Gatineau market will help strengthen its existing classical music station CHLX-FM, and more effectively counter-balance the strong presence of Astral whose radio networks FM Rock Détente and Radio Énergie serve the major Quebec markets.

44.

The new low-power tourist information FM station operated by 3077457 Nova Scotia Limited will broadcast pre-recorded messages informing tourists of weather and highway conditions as well as attractions and services in the Ottawa area. The Commission considers that, given 3077457 Nova Scotia Limited's experience in operating similar services in Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton and St. Stephen, the applicant has the expertise and the resources to operate the proposed Ottawa station on a viable basis.

45.

The Commission finds for all of the reasons set out above and in Broadcasting Decisions CRTC 2005-253 to 2005-256 accompanying this public notice, that these applications best fulfil the criteria set out in this notice for evaluating competing applications for new radio stations. The Commission has therefore denied the remaining applications for new radio services considered as part of this public process. Denial of various applications considered at the 1 December 2004 National Capital Region Public Hearing, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-257, 23 June 2005 (Decision 2005-257) lists the applications that have been denied.

46.

One of the applications denied in Decision 2005-257 is the proposal by Jean-Jacques Brunelle for a French-language Type B community FM radio station. The Commission recognizes the relevance of a proposal to provide a French-language community radio service in the Ottawa/Gatineau region. However, the Commission is not satisfied that the applicant's plans were adequately developed in accordance with Public Notice 2000-13 and is not convinced that the proposed programming schedule outlined in the application could be realized on a consistent basis. Furthermore, the Commission reminds the applicant that in Introductory statement to Decisions CRTC 2001-625 to 2001-629: Radio applications considered at the 22 May 2001 public hearing in the National Capital Region, Public Notice CRTC 2001-105, 4 October 2001, the Commission stated that "any proposal for a community radio station to serve the needs of Francophones and Francophiles in the National Capital Region should permit members of the Francophone community at large to be members and to participate in its management and operations with the objective of offering programming that reflects the market that it would eventually be called to serve."

47.

With respect to the application by Radio Rideau Inc. for a new French-language AM station, which is denied in Decision 2005-257, the Commission finds that, although the application is not competitive with any of the other applications considered in this proceeding, the applicant's business plan, as filed, is not sustainable.
  Secretary General
  This document is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca 
  Footnote:
1At the hearing, Radio Rideau Inc. advised that it was not able to appear before the panel and indicated its willingness to have its application evaluated on the information provided in its written submission.

2 Based on language spoken at home. Approximately 11% of the residents in the region use languages other than English or French in the home.

3 Exchange of radio assets in Quebec between Astral Media Radio inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc., Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-15, 21 January 2005 and Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-15-1, 22 February 2005

4The PBIT margin is defined as profit before interest and tax expressed as a percentage of total revenue.

Date Modified: 2005-06-23

Date modified: