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Ottawa, 24 September 1986
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Decision CRTC 86-930
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Different Drummer Communications Inc.
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Cobourg, Ontario - 860194000
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Following a Public Hearing in Hull, Quebec on 17 June 1986, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for CFMX-FM Cobourg from 1 October 1986 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 continue to be operated in the "Classical-Fine Arts" music format and that it is the only commercial station of its kind in Canada.
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At the hearing, the licensee indicated that CFMX-FM is becoming even more of a "concert music station", increasing its Promise of Performance commitment to category 6 (MusicTraditional and Special Interest) programming from 67 hours 37 minutes to 76 hours 32 minutes per week. The licensee stated that it wished to reach a wider audience with a classical music repertoire, and was convinced that the station's ratings, which have increased dramatically, would continue to improve.
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In conjunction with the category 6 increase, the licensee proposes to decrease its weekly commitment to category 5 (Music-General) from 11 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 58 minutes. The licensee has also requested a change in the vocal-toinstrumental ratio for selections in this category from 30:70 to 75:25, which is hereby approved.
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The licensee's proposal to decrease the Canadian content level for category 5 selections from 33% to 3% is approved in part. In assessing this request the Commission has considered this station's unique contribution to musical diversity and the limited amount of popular music broadcast. The proposed Promise of Performance indicated that category 5 programming, which accounts for just 4.7% of the broadcast week, is scheduled primarily during the afternoon drive show Monday through Friday, and is largely based on selections which predate the Canadian recording industry's period of rapid expansion since 1970. Based on these exceptional circumstances, the Commission approves a decrease in the level of category 5 Canadian content from 33% to 15%.
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The Commission has taken into account the intervention submitted by the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA), opposing this proposal on the grounds that the supply of Canadian recordings is adequate for the licensee to achieve its original commitment. It is satisfied that the reduction granted in this case is justified for the reasons specified above.
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The Commission denies, however, the licensee's request to reduce the level of Canadian content for category 6 recordings from 7% to 5% and notes that CIRPA had also opposed this proposal. At the hearing, the licensee indicated that it was "not so much seeking a reduction as a slight concession" and asked that the Commission change the definition of Canadian content in order that recordings by Canadian artists produced outside of Canada would qualify as Canadian content. Based on the evidence presented by the licensee, the Commission is not convinced that a departure from policy or an adjustment to the Canadian content definition is justified in this case and, accordingly, requires the licensee to maintain a Canadian content level for category 6 recordings of 7%, as authorized in its current Promise of Performance.
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The Commission notes that the licensee has allocated an annual budget of $20,000 for the broadcast of live performances by Canadian individuals, ensembles and orchestras. The licensee also produces "Canadian Showcase", a one-hour presentation featuring various Canadian artists and orchestras, which is syndicated across Canada. It further indicated at the hearing that it was developing a Canadian chamber music series. The Commission recognizes the special contribution of such activities to the development of Canadian talent in the classical music field and encourages the licensee to continue these efforts.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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