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Decision
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Ottawa, 10 September 1987
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Decision CRTC 87-740
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Cariboo Central Interior Radio Inc
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Prince George and Vanderhoof British-Columbia - 870277100 - 870439700
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Following a Public Hearing in Vancouver on 8 June 1987, the Commission renews the broadcasting licences for CIBC-FM Prince George and CIBC-FM-1 Vanderhoof, British Columbia from 1 October 1987 to 31 August 1989, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued. This two-year term should provide the licensee with sufficient time to respond to the concerns discussed at the hearing with respect to compliance with certain aspects of its Promise of Performance and to demonstrate to the Commission whether the requirements set out in this decision have been adequately met.
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The Commission notes that CIBC-FM will be operated in the "Group I" music format, which encompasses its currently authorized MOR format.
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The Commission conducted analyses of the programming broadcast by CIBC-FM on 18, 22 and 23 March and 4, 6 and 7 December 1986 and examined the program logs for the related broadcast weeks. Both programming analyses revealed sbortfalls in the level of foreground programming and an excessive use of hits; moreover, the station's logs indicated that the licensee was not scheduling sufficient foreground programming to meet either its Promise of Performance commitments or the Commission's regulatory requirements for joint FM licensees.
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At the hearing, the licensee confirmed its non-compliance with its commitment to foreground programming, noting that the Commission's analyses pertained to a period of transition during which new computer equipment and an adjustment within the station's format were being implemented. The licensee further explained that financial difficulties over the past year had led to a decrease in station-produced foreground presentations, and syndicated programs compatible with CIBC-FM's format were difficult to obtain. It added, however, that as a result of a recent increase in station-produced material and a new source of syndicated Programming, CIBC-FM was now in compliance in this area.
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The Commission notes that in its new Promise of Performance Cariboo has maintained CIBC-FM's current commitment to broadcast at least 20% of its weekly programming in the foreground format, which exceeds the minimum 15% requirement for joint licensees set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.
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The Commission wishes to remind the licensee that the provision of high quality foreground and mosaic programming is an integral part of the FM policy and that the levels of such Programming set out in a licensee's Promise of Performance are to be maintained at all times. Accordingly, the Commission expects Cariboo to take whatever measures are necessary to fulfill its commitments in this regard. In particular, the licensee must ensure that sufficient programs are scheduled to meet its 20% foreground commitment and that these programs fully satisfy the Commission's criteria for foreground presentations.
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As noted previously, the Commission's analyses revealed an excessive reliance on hit material, despite the condition of licence requiring CIBC-TV to limit its use of hits to less than 50% of the popular music selections broadcast during the broadcast week. At the hearing, Cariboo agreed with the Commission's findings in this regard (66.6% in the March 1986 study and 52.8% in December 1986). Again it attributed its difficulties to the station's period of transition and noted that some of its sources of hit information are inconsistent. It informed the Commission, however, that computer equipment is now in place for use in music scheduling and that it conducts monthly checks of the music logs kept by individual announcers to verify hit and Canadian content levels. It is also in the process of developing computer software that would permit daily checks of musical selections.
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The Commission reiterates that it fully expects Cariboo and all other FM licensees to obtain the necessary information to ensure that the weekly level of hits remains consistently below 50% of all popular musical selections broadcast, in accordance with the commitments made in their Promises of Performance and the Commission's FM policy. The level of hit material as committed to in the Promise of Performance is a condition of licence which must be respected and compliance in this area is one of several considerations the Commission examines at licence renewal.
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The Commission approves the licensee's request to reduce the level of news programming from 8 hours 26 minutes to 6 hours per week. In this regard, the Commission reminds the licensee of its ongoing responsibility to provide a complete and satisfactory news service by ensuring the provision, wherever possible, of complementary human interest and background information.
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The Commission notes that the licensee, in its new Promise of Performance, proposes to continue to broadcast a minimum of 8 bours of traditional and special interest music per week.
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The Commission reaffirms the importance it attaches to Canadian talent development and notes that the licensee has allocated an annual budget of $1,200 to continue to record local and regional choirs and other talent for broadcast on CIBC-FM. It has also proposed monetary contrzbutions ot $2,100 per year in this regard, including a contribution to FACTOR/CTL which amounted to some $1,800 annually during the current term. The Commission encourages the licensee to strengthen its initiatives in this regard and requires it to submit a report within three months of the date of this decision outlining its specific plans for the promotion and on-air exposure of local and regional music talent, including precise budget allocations. The Commission will wish to review the licensee's performance in this area at the time of the next licence renewal.
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In view of the problems noted above with respect to foreground programming and the use of bits, the Commission has renewed the licence of CIBC-FM this time it will undertake further analyses of CIBC-FM's programming to determine whether and to what extent the station is operating in compliance with its Promise of Performance. Copies of the results of these analyses will be sent to the licensee for its comments.
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It is a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the CAB self-regulatory guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission.
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The Commission has noted the concerns expressed in the intervention by Radio Station CKPG Ltd , licensee of CKPG and CIOI-FM Prince Georqe, with respect to Cariboo's adjustments to CIBC-FM's format and the resulting impact of these changes on its own ojerations it has also considered the licensee's reply which points out that the intervener's plans for a change in CIOI-FM's format would result in a Group II station and not affect the diversity of radio service currently available in this market and it is satisfied with this response.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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