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Ottawa, 31 July 1986
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Decision CRTC 86-701
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CHAY Limited Barrie, Ontario - 853187300
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Barrie Broadcasting Limited Barrie, Ontario - 850427600
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At a Public Hearing in Toronto on 6 May 1986, the Commission considered two competing applications for a broadcasting licence for an English-language FM radio station to serve Barrie. Both applicants proposed to operate the station in the Group III format on the frequency 95.7 MHz (channel 239).
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Having received an application from Barrie Broadcasting Limited (BBL) and in keeping with its usual procedures, the Commission issued a call for applications to carry on an FM undertaking to serve Barrie (Public Notice CRTC 1985-166 dated 26 July 1985). In response, CHAY Limited filed a competing application.
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BBL currently holds an AM licence for CKBB, one of two commercial radio stations in Barrie, and, accordingly, has applied for a joint licence. CHAY Limited is the licensee of Barrie's other commercial station, CHAY-FM, and is seeking a second FM licence in this market.
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In its public notice, the Commission emphasized that it had not reached any conclusion with respect to the capacity of the Barrie market to support a new FM service, and that its call should not be construed as an indication of its intention to authorize such a service at this time.
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The Commission stated further that it would concern itself with the financial capability of the applicants, the viability of the proposed service and the demand for such a service, reaffirming that the objective of its FM policy is to ensure that the overall FM radio services provided in any given market are as varied and comprehensive as possible.
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At the hearing, BBL submitted that its proposed new FM station would complement existing services in the region and outlined its programming proposals in the areas of enrichment, foreground and news, as well as its plans for the support and development of Canadian talent.
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CHAY Limited predicated its proposal on its need to expand in the face of increasing competition and submitted a program concept that "fills a void" in the region's existing radio services. At the hearing, it also emphasized its local ownership and financing capability and discussed its programming proposals in the areas of news, sports and local talent. The related policy issue of a single licensee holding two FM licences in the market was also discussed.
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The Commission notes that a significant share of the Simcoe County audience (50%) is tuned to out-ofmarket stations. In its view, this demonstrates a demand among Barrie and area residents for greater diversity in local radio broadcasting services.
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Before licensing any new broadcasting undertaking to serve Barrie, however, the Commission must be satisfied that the prospective licensee possesses a clear understanding of the market and the needs of its listeners as well as the objectives and requirements of the FM policy, and that the proposed programming plans offer an attractive alternative to existing services. The Commission further requires that the applicant demonstrate its financial ability to carry out its proposals.
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Although both of the applicants are experienced broadcasters and have proposed music formats that would complement the range of existing radio music services, the Commission has concluded, based on the information contained in both applications, that their budgetary and staffing commitments are inadequate to fulfill their programming plans. Further, the Commission has not been persuaded that the proposals of either applicant in terms of local and regional news and information services would contribute to increased diversity in Simcoe County.
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The Commission is not convinced that BBL could achieve the ambitious commitments made in the area of Spoken Word programming or that it has fully taken into account the objectives and requirements of the FM policy.
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While the Spoken Word commitments are more conservative in the case of CHAY Limited, the applicant's responses to questioning at the hearing did not persuade the Commission that its plans could be realized as proposed.
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In light of the above-noted concerns, the applications are denied. With respect to CHAY Limited's application, the Commission does not find it necessary to address the related policy issue of applying for a second FM licence in the same market. It notes, however, that common ownership of more than one FM undertaking in a single market, except where necessary to support a minority language service, is contrary to Commission policy.
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The Commission considers that there is a demand among Barrie residents for greater diversity in local radio services and would be prepared to consider applications from interested parties for the provision of FM radio service to this area.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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