ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-95
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Route reference: 2013-448
Ottawa, 3 March 2014
Vista Radio Ltd.
Grand Forks, British Columbia
Application 2013-0688-7, received 29 April 2013
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
5 November 2013
English-language FM radio station in Grand Forks
1. The Commission approves the application by Vista Radio Ltd. (Vista) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Grand Forks, British Columbia with rebroadcasting transmitters in Greenwood, Rock Creek and Christina Lake. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.
2. Vista currently operates CKGF-FM Greenwood with FM rebroadcasting transmitters in Rock Creek and Christina Lake. The applicant indicated that CKGF-FM Greenwood cannot provide adequate service to Grand Forks due to its impeded signal. Grand Forks is the main business and tourist centre of the East Kootenay Region. The applicant will therefore originate programming in Grand Forks that will be rebroadcast on the licensee’s existing transmitters in Greenwood, Rock Creek and Christina Lake. At the request of the applicant, and pursuant to sections 9(1)(e) and 24(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will revoke the licence for CKGF-FM Greenwood upon implementation of the new station in Grand Forks and the transmitter will be used to rebroadcast the programming of the new station.
3. The Commission received an intervention by the Province of British Columbia relating to the participation of the new station in the National Public Alerting System (NPAS). The public record for this application can be found on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca under “Public Proceedings.”
4. As specified in its three-year plan, the Commission will be looking at measures to ensure the participation of Canadian broadcasters and telecommunications service providers in the NPAS. Therefore, the Commission will not impose conditions of licence requiring the participation of broadcasters in the NPAS at this time. However, the Commission expects all licensees to voluntarily participate in the NPAS so that Canadians receive timely warnings of imminent perils.
5. The new station will operate at 102.3 MHz (channel 272A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 589 watts (maximum ERP of 1,043 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -353 metres).
6. Vista is a corporation controlled by Westerkirk Capital Inc., which is controlled by Thompson Investments Limited.
7. The new station will offer an Adult Rock/Classic Rock music format.
8. The station will provide 126 hours of local programming each broadcast week, of which 7 hours and 20 minutes will be spoken word. Spoken word programming will include 4 hours and 40 minutes of news each broadcast week, of which 85% will be local. The station will also broadcast weather, sports, surveillance and community events.
Canadian content development
9. 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 Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations). The Commission notes that, according to Vista’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.
10. As part of its application, Vista made an additional commitment to devote, by condition of licence, $1,000 per year to CCD (a total of $7,000 over seven broadcast years) upon commencement of operations. Of this amount, at least 20% shall be devoted to FACTOR or MUSICACTION on an annual basis. The Commission notes that the remainder of this additional CCD contribution 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. A condition of licence in that regard is set out in the appendix to this decision.
Employment equity
11. Because this licensee is subject to the Employment Equity Act and must file reports concerning employment equity with the Department of Employment and Social Development, its employment equity practices are not examined by the Commission.
Secretary General
*This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-95
Terms, conditions of licence, and expectations for the English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Grand Forks, British Columbia with transmitters in Greenwood, Rock Creek and Christina Lake
Terms
The licence will expire 31 August 2020.
The station will operate at 102.3 MHz (channel 272A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 589 watts (maximum ERP of 1,043 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -353 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 3 March 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 conditions set out in Conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-62, 11 February 2009.
2. 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 $1,000 ($7,000 over seven broadcast years) to the promotion and development of Canadian content. Of this amount, no less than 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.
Expectations
The Commission expects the licensee to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in its programming and employment practices.
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