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Decision
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Ottawa, 29 November 1984
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Decision CRTC 84-986
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Yorkton Television Co. Ltd.
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Prince Albert, Saskatchewan - 841951700
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Following a Public Hearing in Regina on 6 November 1984, the Commission approves the application for authority to transfer effective control of Prince Albert Television Inc., licensee of CKBI-TV Prince Albert, CKBI-TV-1 Alticane, CKBI-TV-2 North Battleford, CKBI-TV-3 Greenwater Lake, CKBI-TV-5 Big River, CKBI-TV-6 Spiritwood and CKBI-TV-7 Tisdale, Saskatchewan, through the transfer of 250 Class "C" common voting shares (32.3%) from E.A. Rawlinson, 203 Class "C" common voting shares (26.3%) from F.F. Rawlinson and 320 Class "A" redeemable preferred voting shares (41.4%) from Central Broadcasting Company Limited to Yorkton Television Co. Ltd. (Yorkton Television). As a result, Yorkton Television, which is controlled through Skinner Holdings Ltd. by Mr. R.L. Skinner of Yorkton, will hold all voting shares (100%) of Prince Albert Television Inc.
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Since Central Broadcasting Company Limited also operates radio stations CKBI and CFMM-FM Prince Albert, the Commission considers that the above transaction will reduce the concentration of broadcasting ownership in that community. Moreover, the Commission considers that, as licensee of CKOS-TV Yorkton, Yorkton Television will be able to improve the quality and diversity of programming on both CKBI-TV and CKOS-TV, as the stations will be in a position to enrich and complement each other's programming service. In this regard, the Commission expects the applicant to fulfill its commitments for both television stations to:
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- exchange news and sports stories on a daily basis;
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- exchange Saskatchewan public affairs programs or program segments on a weekly basis;
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- co-produce the entertainment program "Profile" to provide a much wider spectrum of participation and talent;
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- ensure that the new production facility, owned by CKOS-TV Yorkton, is made available to CKBI-TV; and
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- add an ENG unit and crew at Prince Albert and Yorkton.
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The Commission further notes the applicant's assessment that its overall market position will be improved with the acquisition of CKBI-TV by strengthening the purchasing power for syndicated programs and feature films.
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Further, as noted in Decision CRTC 84-985 released today, the participation in CKBQ-TV Melfort, inclusive of programming, is to be continued through Prince Albert Television Inc. which will assume the obligations of Central Broadcasting Company Limited as co-licensee with CFQC Broadcasting, a division of Russwood Broadcasting Limited, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Russwood Broadcasting Limited is ultimately controlled by the Eaton family of Toronto.
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The Commission acknowledges interventions by R.E. Spencer, Mayor of Prince Albert and H. Guy, in support of this application, as well as that of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation which supports the application, but emphasizes that the level of CBC programming carried by CKBI-TV should not be reduced as a result of the transfer of control of CKBI-TV to Yorkton Television.
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The Commission also acknowledges the intervention by J. Maluga of Wynyard, Saskatchewan complaining about the technical quality of service provided by Yorkton Television, licensee of CHSS-TV and CICC-TV-l Wynyard, and is satisfied with the licensee's response that all measures are taken to correct such problems as they arise.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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