ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-158

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Route reference: 2013-360

Ottawa, 2 April 2014

My Broadcasting Corporation
Arnprior, Ontario

Application2013-0870-1, received 12 June 2013
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
3 October 2013

English-language FM radio station in Arnprior

1. The Commission approves the application by My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Arnprior, Ontario. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision. The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding this application.

2. As set out in the appendix to this decision, the new station will operate at the parameters currently authorized for CHMY-FM-1 Arnprior, a transmitter of CHMY-FM Renfrew.^{Footnote 1} In English-language FM radio station in Carleton Place, Broadcasting Decision 2014-157, also issued today, the Commission denied a second application by MBC to use 107.7 MHz, the frequency authorized for CHMY-FM-1 Arnprior, to operate a station in Carleton Place. MBC stated that if its application for a radio station in Carleton Place were denied, it would use 107.7 MHz for its proposed Arnprior station rather than an alternative frequency.

3. The station will offer a gold-based Adult Contemporary music format for adults aged 25 to 54. Of the 126 hours of programming broadcast each week, 125 hours will consist of local, station-produced programming, including spoken word programming devoted to local news, coverage of local events and daily community features. The remaining hour of weekly programming will consist of a music show providing new local artists with an opportunity to be heard on the radio in Arnprior and in all markets served by MBC.

4. MBC also stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to devote 38% of its popular music selections throughout the week and between 6 a.m. and 6.p.m. from Monday to Friday to Canadian selections, which exceeds the regulatory level set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations). A condition of licence to this effect is set out in the appendix to this decision.

Canadian content development

5. The Commission reminds the licensee that it must adhere to the requirements relating to contributions to Canadian content development (CCD) set out in section 15 of the Regulations, as amended from time to time. The Commission notes that according to MBC’s financial projections, the station would generate annual revenues below the $1.25 million threshold set out in the Regulations throughout its licence term and therefore may not be required to make any basic CCD contributions for the new station so long as annual revenues remain below $1.25 million.

6. The Commission notes that MBC committed to devote, by condition of licence, over and above the basic annual contribution to CCD, a total of $500 per year to CCD over seven consecutive broadcast years upon commencement of operations. Of this amount, $100 per broadcast year will be devoted to FACTOR or MUSICACTION. The remainder will be directed to eligible initiatives supporting the local artist component of the annual Arnprior fair.

Secretary General

*This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-158

Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement for the English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Arnprior

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2020.

The station will operate at 107.7 MHz (channel 299A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 790 watts (maximum ERP of 2,500 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 105 metres).

The Commission reminds the applicant that pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department of Industry 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 April 2016. 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 licensee shall adhere to the standard conditions of licence set out in Conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-62, 11 February 2009, as amended from time to time.

2. As an exception to the percentage of Canadian musical selections set out in sections 2.2(8) and 2.2(9) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), the licensee shall devote at least 38% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) in each broadcast week and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety.

For the purposes of this condition, the terms “broadcast week,” “Canadian selection,” “content category” and “musical selection” shall have the meanings set out in the Regulations.

3. In addition to the basic annual contribution to Canadian content development set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, the licensee shall, upon commencement of operations, make an annual contribution of $500 ($3,500 over seven consecutive broadcast years) to the promotion and development of Canadian content. Of this amount, 20% per broadcast year shall be devoted to FACTOR or MUSICACTION. The remainder shall be allocated to parties and initiatives fulfilling the definition of eligible initiatives set out in paragraph 108 of Commercial Radio Policy 2006, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2006-158, 15 December 2006.

Expectation

Cultural diversity

The Commission expects the licensee to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in its programming and employment practices.

Encouragement

Employment equity

In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Date modified:

2014-04-02