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Decision
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Ottawa, 22 May 1985
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Decision CRTC 85-356
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Radio Futura Ltd.
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Verdun, Quebec - 843292400
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Following a Public Hearing in Montreal on 25 March 1985, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence of CKOI-FM Verdun, from 1 October 1985 to 30 September 1990, subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued.
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The Commission notes that the station will be operated in the "Group II" music format, defined in Public Notice CRTC 1984-151 on the Review of Radio, which encompasses its current "Progressive" format.
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From when it first went on the air until 1982, CKOI-FM had great difficulty in complying with its Promise of Performance and the Commission's policies and regulations. However, on the last two occasions when CKOI-FM's licence was renewed (Decisions CRTC 83-804 and 84-137), the Commission noted substantial progress in the licensee's performance, and despite some shortcomings, in particular in foreground format programming and French-language vocal music, it acknowledged the efforts of the licensee to comply with the FM radio policy and fulfill its commitments.
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The most recent analysis of CKOI-FM's programming, conducted by the Commission in early October 1984, demonstrates that the licensee has continued its efforts to increase the amount of foreground format programming with a level of 19.4% compared with 15.8% in October 1983. Three full-time producers a manager and various freelance personnel work in the foreground format department, the annual budget for which rose from $120,000 to $150,000 in 1984-1985. The Commission acknowledges the innovative nature of the foreground format programs broadcast by CKOI-FM and encourages the licensee to continue its efforts to reach and maintain, at all times, the minimum required level of 20% foreground format programming.
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The Commission also acknowledges the licensee's efforts in the promotion of various forms of artistic expression in Montreal. Besides its involvement in the production of shows starring new musical and comedic talent, such as "l'Empire des Futures Stars" and "Lundis des Ha! Ha!", CKOI-FM gave its support to other forms of expression and has added a weekly comedy program to its time-table. The licensee stated at the hearing that it had spent more than $250,000 on the development and promotion of Canadian talent during the previous year. The Commission notes the commitment to maintain annual expenditures at this level over the next five years.
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The new Promise of Performance submitted by CKOI-FM proposes a reduction in French-language vocal music from 55% to 40%. In the last two decisions renewing CKOI-FM's licence, the Commission has authorized the licensee, as an exceptional case, to broadcast a minimum of 55% popular French-language vocal music selections instead of the minimum 65% level generally required of French-language radio stations. In doing so, the Commission acknowledged CKOI-FM's special situation in the Montreal broadcasting environment, being the only French-language "Progressive" station, and also took into consideration the licensee's commitments to promote and develop French-language musical talent.
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The analysis of CKOI-FM's programming conducted by the Commission indicated that, of all vocal music broadcast by the station in October 1984, only 42% was French-language. The licensee stated that, at the time of the hearing, it was broadcasting approximately 50% French-language vocal music and that the proposed reduction to 40% anticipated an expected increasing difficulty in obtaining French-language records over the next few years. The licensee noted, however, that it would be able to achieve a level of 45% French-language vocal music over a two-year period.
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In order to explain the difficulty of finding recordings of French-language vocal music, the licensee identified a number of factors: the very limited number of newly-released French-language recordings that are compatible with its musical format; the fear of affecting the sales of francophone recordings by playing the same pieces too often and by broadcasting larger segments of long-playing records; and the fact that music produced in France is not always well-suited to the Quebecois environment and to CKOI-FM's sound. The licensee acknowledged that its efforts to develop Canadian talent had not achieved their main objective, which was to increase the production of French-language records.
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However, the licensee stated that it is willing to make every effort to find a practical solution to this problem. In this respect, it has informed the Commission of a plan to support the production of French-language rock music recordings, to which it would allocate $100,000 annually; it has also suggested that it may devote to this project its entire annual budget of approximately $250,000 which is allocated for the development of Canadian talent.
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In a separate document published today (Public Notice CRTC 1985-100), the Commission examines the concerns of some Montreal broadcasters, including the licensee, with respect to French-language vocal music and announces that it is setting up a Task Force to consult all interested parties, examine the nature of the problem, and seek possible solutions or alternatives.
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Under the circumstances, the Commission has decided not to authorize changes in the minimum level of French-language vocal music now in effect, which is generally 65% of all selections. The Commission, therefore, denies this licensee's request to reduce its minimum level from 55% to 40% and expects the licensee to comply with this level of 55%, which was authorized as an exceptional case. The Commission also expects the licensee to co-operate with the Task Force and to review its plans for the support of French-langauge recordings in the light of the Task Force's findings.
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The Commission denies the proposal to delete Music-Traditional and Special Interest (category 6), and as authorized in its present licence and as previously proposed by the licensee, requires the licensee to continue to broadcast a minimum of 1 hour per week of such programming. The Commission considers that this level is sufficient, given the great diversity of music available in Montreal at the present time.
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In its Policy statement on the Review of Radio in March 1983 and in a number of subsequent decisions, the Commission stated that FM stations authorized to broadcast, in line with their Promise of Performance, less than 8 hours per week of Music-Traditional and Special Interest would be required to maintain their authorized levels as a minimum commitment. In doing so, the Commission emphasized the importance of providing an adequate level of specialized music in order to ensure that varied and comprehensive listening fare is available to all Canadians. At the same time, it offered greater flexibility to FM licensees in the scheduling and selection of category 6 music.
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The Commission considers that a departure from the policy is not warranted in this case.
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The Commission recognizes, however, that certain types of traditional and special interest music are not compatible with some forms of popular music and reminds licensees of FM stations that they have the freedom to choose the type of category 6 music which is most compatible with their music formats. Licensees also have the choice of presenting these musical selections in identifiable blocks of programming, or interspersed with other selections.
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In addition, the Commission expects the licensee to fulfill its commitment at all times to broadcast a minimum of 30% Canadian content with respect to Music-General (category 5) and it has noted the licensee's statements at the hearing regarding its control mechanism which has been established for this purpose.
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The Commission has examined the intervention presented at the hearing by the Syndicat général de la radio (CSN) CKVL-CKOI. While supporting the application for the renewal of CKOI-FM's licence the intervener expressed a particular concern regarding the lack of staff assigned to news by CKOI-FM and its joint station CKVL Verdun. The Commission took note of the licensee's reply to the intervention, in particular that the staff of some departments such as news, technical, sales and administration are divided between CKOI-FM and CKVL in relation to the duties assigned. The licensee also confirmed that the news is handled differently by the two stations and that the length of the newscasts will be increased by 30 minutes per week, effective 1 April 1985.
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The Commission has also considered the intervention submitted by CJMF-FM Montreal in opposition to the licensee's proposals to reduce French-language vocal music and delete Music - Traditional and Special Interest. These issues have been dealt with in this decision.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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