ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-263
This page has been archived on the Web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.
Route reference: 2011-675
Ottawa, 2 May 2012
Salmo FM Radio Society
Salmo, British Columbia
Application 2011-1119-5, received 25 July 2011
Public hearing in Miramichi, New Brunswick
16 January 2012
English-language community FM radio station in Salmo
The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community FM radio station in Salmo, British Columbia.
The application
1. The Commission received an application by Salmo FM Radio Society (SRS) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Salmo, British Columbia. The Commission received an intervention in support of the application.
2. SRS is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.
3. In Broadcasting Decision 2008-155, the Commission approved an application by SRS for a developmental community radio station in Salmo. In Public Notice 2000-13, the Commission indicated that developmental community radio stations would generally be licensed for a three-year term and that at the end of this term licensees would be expected to have filed an application with the Commission for a regular community radio licence or to cease operations. SRS filed the present application in order to comply with this approach.
4. In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-499, the Commission announced a number of changes to the regulatory framework for campus and community radio stations. SRS confirmed that it would adhere to the revised policy.
5. The station would operate at 91.1 MHz (channel 216A1) with an effective radiated power of 60 watts and an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -605 metres.
6. The applicant indicated that the station would broadcast 126 hours of programming each broadcast week, of which 107 hours would be station-produced programming and the remainder would be syndicated programming obtained from other community and campus stations across Canada. SRS noted that its intention was to increase its live station-produced programming significantly from its current 20.5 hours as more volunteers become involved with the station as a result of its increase in power from its current 5 watts.
7. Spoken word programming would consist of local news, weather, sports, lifestyle programming and weekly programs such as Discover Salmo, a program devoted to economic development and municipal council meetings, elections and special events, Talking Entertainment, a program highlighting arts, culture and entertainment in the region, and Health Tips & Health First, a program focused on health, wellness, fitness and nutrition.
8. The station’s musical programming would be drawn from content categories 2 (Popular Music) and 3 (Special Interest Music), including specialty music programs such as The Meathead, which features Canadian music from subcategories 32 (Folk and folk-oriented) and 33 (World beat and international).
9. With respect to the promotion of local talent, the applicant stated that it would work with local organizations towards the development and promotion of Canadian music by encouraging local artists to submit their music for airplay and to visit its studios for live interview and performance opportunities. SRS added that that it would continue to work with a local music studio and to provide local artists with a forum to showcase their music and talent live on-air. Further, SRS noted its plans to launch an annual talent competition beginning in 2012, with the winner being offered a recording deal with this local music studio.
10. With respect to volunteers, SRS stated that its volunteers were the heart of its organization and that its station was 100% volunteer-operated. Further, SRS stated that the production and content of all the programming was the responsibility of its volunteer programming committee and each volunteer programmer. Volunteers are paired with experienced people who assist them in developing their skills and talents.
Commission’s analysis and decision
11. The Commission expects community radio stations to provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial radio stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Such programming should consist of music, especially Canadian music, not generally heard on commercial stations (including special interest music, as well as styles of popular music seldom broadcast), in-depth spoken word programming and programming targeted to specific groups within the community.
12. In light of all of the above, the Commission is satisfied that the application is consistent with the provisions for community radio stations set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-499. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Salmo FM Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Salmo, British Columbia. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.
Secretary General
Related documents
- Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010
- Developmental community radio station in Salmo, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-155, 31 July 2008
- Community radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000
*This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-263
Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragements
Terms
Issuance of the broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Salmo, British Columbia
The licence will expire 31 August 2018.
The station will operate at 91.1 MHz (channel 216A1) with an effective radiated power of 60 watts and an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -605 metres.
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.
The Commission reminds the applicant 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.
Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant 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 2 May 2014. 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.
Conditions of licence
1. The licence will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for community radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000, with the exception of conditions of licence 1 and 9.
2. In each broadcast week, the licensee shall devote no less than 15% of all programming broadcast to material from content category 1 (Spoken Word), as defined in Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-819, 5 November 2010, as amended from time to time. All of this spoken word programming shall be locally produced (that is, produced by or exclusively for the licensee).
For the purposes of this condition, the terms “broadcast week” and “content category” shall have the meanings set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.
3. The licensee shall adhere to the Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
Expectation
Filing of ownership information
The Commission expects all community and campus licensees to file yearly updates on the composition of their boards of directors. These annual updates can be submitted at the time of filing of annual returns, following annual board of directors’ elections or at any other time. Licensees may submit such documentation via the Commission’s website.
Encouragements
Employment equity
The Commission considers that community radio stations should be particularly sensitive to employment equity issues in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the licensee to consider these issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
Local programming
The Commission notes the challenges related to operating a live local programming service in a community with a small population. Nonetheless, the Commission encourages the licensee to pursue live local community radio programming and to increase the number of hours devoted to this live local programming.
- Date modified: