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Decision
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Ottawa, 24 September 1987
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Decision CRTC 87-788
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Télémédia Communications Inc., Sherbrooke, Quebec - 862043700
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Pursuant to Public Notice CRTC 1987-84 dated 24 March 1987, and CRTC - Notice of Public Hearing 1987-43 dated 1 May 1987, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence of CKTS Sherbrooke from 1 October 1987 to 31 March 1989, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued. The Commission is granting a short-term renewal of eighteen months in order to assess the licensee's adherence to the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the regulations).
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The Commission notes that subsection 13(2) of the regulations requires that a minimum of 30% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast day by AM stations be Canadian. In this regard, a Commission analysis of the programming of 16 January 1987 revealed that only 26% of the musical selections broadcast were Canadian. The licensee's self-assessment of the programming broadcast during the week of 12 to 18 January 1987 confirmed that the daily Canadian content levels of CRTS were consistently below the 30% requirement. The Commission there fore called the licensee to a Public Hearing in Montreal on 12 May 1987 to discuss its apparent non-compliance.
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The licensee informed the Commission at the hearing that the shortfalls were due to a miscalculation of Canadian product during a period when its commercial time was below normal. The licensee also stated that more Canadian selections were added to the station's playlist and that all staff had been immediately instructed to maintain the daily minimum of Canadian music at all times.
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The Commission views with concern the licensee's failure to comply with this fundamental regulation. The Commission will monitor the licensee's performance and expects it to demonstrate that it has taken appropriate measures to ensure that the Canadian content regulation is fully adhered to at all times.
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The Commission notes that the licensee of this English-language station had proposed to broadcast a 1% level of French-language vocal music during the past licence term. The Commission's analysis for the programming of 16 January 1987 revealed that the licensee was exceeding this commitment, with a 1.7% level of French-language vocal music selections. Inasmuch as CKTS Sherbrooke operates in a predominantly francophone area and given the need for more on-air exposure of French-language Canadian artists and as discussed at the hearing, the Commission requires the licensee, by condition of licence, to broadcast at least 5% French-language vocal music calculated on a weekly basis.
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With respect to the development of Canadian talent, the Commission notes that the station's fragile financial situation may limit its commitments in this regard and that it has not provided the Commission with specific plans or budgetary allocations for the promotion of Canadian talent. The Commission reaffirms, however, the particular importance it attaches to Canadian talent development and requires the licensee to submit a report within three months of the date of this decision outlining specific plans for the promotion and on-air exposure of local and regional talent.
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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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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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