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Decision
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Ottawa, 5 March 1990
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Decision CRTC 90-217
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The Radio St. Mary's Association
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Saint Mary's UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotia - 891510000
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Following a Public Hearing in Halifax beginning on 21 November 1989, the Commission denies the application by The Radio St. Mary's Association (the Association) for a licence to carry on an English-language (Talk format) FM radio broadcasting transmitting undertaking at Halifax, operating on the frequency of 93.9 MHz (channel 230A), with an effective radiated power of 49.4 watts.
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The Association, which was incorporated in 1980, currently has between 50 and 60 members and is the licensee of CFSM, the carrier current station which serves the St. Mary's University campus. It indicated that it would surrender the licence for CFSM upon receipt of authority to implement the proposed FM station.
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In Decision CRTC 75-247, dated 27 June 1975, and in the 1975 document "FM Radio in Canada, A Policy to Ensure a Varied and Comprehensive Radio Service", the Commission listed its objectives for student radio, including the provision of "innovative and alternative programming fare". The Commission also noted that such stations should "strive to exceed the minimum programming expectations" of the FM radio policy.
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Having considered the application as filed and the evidence presented at the hearing, the Commission is not convinced that the Association's proposal fully addresses these objectives nor does the Commission consider that the applicant's programming proposals are realistic given the resources at its disposal, or that its financial projections are achievable.
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The Association proposed that 62 hours 59 minutes (50.1%) of its weekly 126-hour schedule consist of spoken word programming. There are currently no student FM stations and very few commercially-licensed stations in Canada that operate in such a talk-based format. For conventional FM broadcasters, this programming format tends to be the most expensive to provide, given the need for detailed research, extensive preparation of material and the attendant requirement for an abundance of personnel. The Commission, for the above reasons, is concerned that the Association may not be able to achieve the proposed level of spoken word programming each week throughout the year.
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Although the Association proposed a relatively high weekly level of foreground programming, its combined foreground/mosaic programming would be only 33%, or the bare minimum level required of independent FM stations. A further concern is the applicant's proposal to broadcast 46% hit music which approaches closely the maximum level permitted in the case of commercial FM stations (49%). The Commission considers that, by broadcasting such a high level of hits, the Association would fail to provide the musical diversity expected of student stations.
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The Commission was also concerned that the Association did not appear to have a well-founded business plan. First-year revenue projections for the station were much higher than normally realized by student FM stations through the sale of advertising and sponsorships. Moreover, the applicant did not propose to hire a full-time sales manager and had not completed any studies to support its projections. Although the Commission notes the Association's statement that the University would be willing to help the station financially "on a short-term basis", and that the station would offer "Friends of St. Mary's" memberships to the community at large to supplement its student membership, the Commission considers that the University would likely be required to provide long-term financial support to the station to meet its financial and programming obligations.
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The Commission nevertheless considers that many aspects of the Association's proposal are noteworthy. The Board of Directors would draw upon several talented resource people, including a lecturer in marketing at the University. The Board was also to include the University's Director of Public Affairs who, until recently, worked in the radio broadcasting industry. Both of these people would be in a position to provide invaluable guidance and advice to the personnel of the station and continuity on the Board.
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Further, there were many enthusiastic and attractive programming concepts proposed by the students, that in the Commission's view, would have added diversity to the Halifax market. These include programs that were to have been prepared in co-operation with the Atlantic Centre of Support for Disabled Students, programs produced by the University's Chair of Irish Studies, a lecture series, a weekly book and movie review, a radio soap opera produced in conjunction with the Drama Department, ecumenical programming, live play-by-play sports coverage of the University's hockey, basketball and football games, and several music-based programs focusing on local and other Canadian artists.
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The Commission was impressed by these program concepts and would urge that, as far as possible, they be included in the plans of the applicant's carrier current operation. At the same time, the Commission advises that any future application should more completely reflect the policies and objectives related to student FM stations and, in particular, contain more realistic proposals in respect of spoken word programming, music levels and overall program format. The Commission would also wish to be assured that financial projections are clearly supported by market research and a sound business plan.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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