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Decision
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Ottawa, 22 May 1985
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Decision CRTC 85-357
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Mutual Broadcasting Canada Limited
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Montreal, Quebec - 843382300
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Following a Public Hearing in Montreal on 25 March 1985, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence of CKMF-FM Montreal 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 I" music format, defined in Public Notice CRTC 1984-151 on the Review of Radio, which encompasses its current Contemporary MOR format.
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On the last two occasions when the licence of CKMF-FM was renewed (Decisions CRTC 82-586 and 84-844), the Commission noted that, notwithstanding certain programming improvements made by the licensee, there were still some shortfalls particularly with respect to the musical format and foreground programming of the station.
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Under the new Promise of Performance submitted by the licensee, CKMF-FM will broadcast primarily "dance music". In its Decision CRTC 84-844, the Commission acknowledged that there was some ambiguity with respect to the classification of this type of music according to the old subcategories of popular music, and the Commission stated that, under the circumstances, it could not conclude that the licensee had intentionally contravened its terms and conditions of licence. Radio Futura Ltée, licensee of CKOI-FM Verdun, had intervened et the time, contending that CKMF-FM was not complying with its Promise of Performance, in particular with regard to musical format, foreground programming and French-language vocal music. Radio Futura Ltée intervened again at the hearing on 25 March 1985 raising basically the same concerns.
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The Commission considers that the introduction of the new station groups and new musical subcategories will clear up any ambiguity that may remain and made it possible to define the musical characteristics that distinguish CKMF-FM from CKOI-FM. CKMF-FM has applied to operate in the "Group IV" format and has proposed to broadcast 50% Pop and Rock - Softer (subcategory 51) and 50% Pop and Rock - Harder (subcategory 52). In Decision CRTC 85-356 published today, the Commission renews the licence of CKOI-FM Verdun and notes that this station will be operated in the "Group II" format, which means that no less than 70% of all category 5 music must fall into subcategory 52 (Pop and Rock - Harder). According to the Promise of Performance submitted by the two stations, CKMF-FM will be characterized by its "dance music style, and CKOI-FM by its "progressive rock" style.
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The most recent analysis of CKMF-FM's programming, conducted by the Commission in early October 1984, shows a steady improvement in the licensee's performance with respect to the amount of foreground format programming, which increased from 13% to 14.8% between the spring and fall of 1983 and to 16.8% in the fall of 1984.
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The Commission notes that most of the programs that did not meet the foreground format criteria in the 1984 analysis did not do so because of technical details that, according to the licensee, have since been corrected. The Commission expects 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 new Promise of Performance submitted by CKMF-FM proposes to reduce French-language vocal music from 65% to 55%. When it conducted its analysis of CKMF-FM's programming in October 1984, the Commission noted that, of all vocal music broadcast by the station, 57% was in the French-language. At the hearing, the licensee presented a detailed brief describing the broadcasting environment in Montreal and the difficulties that it has encountered in finding sufficient French-language music, mainly because of the very limited number of new French-language recordings being released. The licensee supported its argument with numerous data and statistical studies and outlined the effort that it has made to fulfill its commitments in this regard.
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The licensee indicated at the hearing that it intends to continue its efforts in this respect as part of its program for the development of Canadian talent, to which $125,000 had been allocated, of which $11,000 had been expended in direct payments at the time of the hearing. The program consists mainly of an on-the-air campaign to promote the work of Canadian artists, two weekly half-hour shows and a annual special event. The licensee has committed a budget of $250,000 a year to the program, including $15,000 in direct payments. Although the primary objective of the program is to foster the creation of French-language works, the licensee acknowledges that it has not yet achieved that objective, since only two of the thirteen winning participants were French-speaking.
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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 with all interested parties, to examine the nature and extent of the problem, and explore all possible solutions or alternatives.
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Under the circumstances, the Commission has decided not to authorize changes in the minimum levels of French-langauge vocal music now in effect and denies the licensee's request to reduce the minimum level from 65% to 55%. The Commission expects the licensee to comply with the 65% level. It also expect the licensee to participate in the study of the Task Force, and intends to review the licensee's plans and financial commitments with respect to Canadian talent 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 3 hours 40 minutes 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 a 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 the licensee that it has the freedom to choose the type of category 6 music that is more compatible with its music format. The Commission reminds the licensee that musical selections may be presented in identifiable blocks of programming or interspersed with other selections.
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The Commission has considered the intervention submitted by CJFM-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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