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Public Notice
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Ottawa, 27 February 1990
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Public Notice CRTC 1990-26
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INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT TO DECISION CRTC 90-138 TO 90-206: RENEWING CBC OWNED AND OPERATED RADIO STATIONS
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1.
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These renewals concern stations owned and operated by CBC and providing programming from the four networks operated by the Corporation, namely the French AM and FM networks, the English AM and FM networks as well as the Northern service. The Northern service stations provide programming from the English AM network with added regional programming oriented to those living in the north, including significant amounts of programming in native languages.
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The FM network stations provide programming originating from the networks with very limited periods of local origination, where as the stations affiliated with the AM networks devote about one third of their schedules to subregional programming (heard only on one station) or regional programming (heard on all CBC stations serving a particular region). This local and regional programming was the basis of the discussions at the public hearings where the CBC appeared in the context of the renewals.
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The Corporation appeared at four hearings in Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec City and Moncton. The applications were prepared prior to funding reductions to the CBC both in April of 1989 and in January of 1990. However, the Corporation requested that the Commission proceed with the applications as filed.
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2.Decision
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In reaching its decision the Commission has taken into account the lack of significant problems of compliance and the up coming renewals of the national radio networks, where it will have an opportunity to discuss the financing of CBC Radio and a number of other issues. Accordingly, the licences of the local CBC stations will be renewed from 1 March 1990 to 31 August 1994, with the exception of CBG Gander, which will be renewed until 31 August 1992 , due to logger tape problems.
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Notwithstanding the full licence term for the stations, the Commission notes that a number of CBC radio transmitters duplicate the service available from other transmitters. Most of these duplicate transmitters are listed in the CBC's Long Range Radio Plan dated January 1989, Appendix I, with projected closing dates. The Commission wishes to encourage the Corporation to proceed with the closure of the duplicate transmitters as soon as practible.
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Individual renewal decisions for each station are annexed to this general preamble.
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3. Future plans for English AM and FM Radio: "Radio in the Year 2000"
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During the Vancouver hearing, representatives of CBC English radio made a presentation entitled "Radio in the year 2000" . This presentation provided a forward-looking list of possible developments, should incremental funding become available. Although the Corporation has since experienced funding cuts, the essence of the plans for these stations deserves to be mentioned in the context of their renewal.
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The CBC would like to maintain the current balanced service, whereby two-thirds of English AM radio programming is produced in the regions for regional and/or network broadcast. Furthermore, the Corporation indicated regional program periods, which are currently seven hours per weekday, must be maintained and where possible, strengthened.
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The CBC representatives also stated that English radio's programming is, and must remain, predominantly Canadian. Virtually all of its information, documentary and original drama programming is Canadian. Because of improvements in disc production and disc programming, CBC believes it will soon achieve a 50% Canadian content level for popular music and 20% for Traditional and Special Interest music as required in Decision CRTC 88-181 which last renewed the licences for the Corporation's radio networks.
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The CBC is a driving force in Canada with its continuing efforts to discover and develop local talent. It was spending $25 million dollars a year, at the time of the Vancouver hearing, on external talent and talent development. At the same hearing, the CBC expressed the hope that budgets for the coming year would allow them to increase the performance programming produced from 33 to 66 hours a week. Performance programming would concentrate on those types of music which are not provided by commercial broadcasters.
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The CBC also outlined plans to open new storefront operations, to increase the number of foreign bureaus, to broadcast 24 hours a day on the English AM as well as FM networks and to expand regional time periods.
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These improvements would, it was hoped, result in a gradual growth and extension of their audiences to of 5 million.
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The CBC's list also included the establishment of a 24-hour radio all-news service, a satellite-to-cable classical music channel and the establishment of syndicated programming for the private sector. However, it was made clear at the hearing that the CBC is "rooted" in the regions; that despite the funding cuts imposed, it will continue to have programs rooted, and produced, in the regions.
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4.Future plans for French Am and FM Radio
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The future plans for French CBC radio were not as explicit as those for the English stations, but the CBC at the Quebec City hearing did outline measures that should be implemented, if budgets so permit. Their concerns mirror in many ways those expressed for English listeners in that the Corporation wishes to maintain the current level of news, drama and musical programming as well as continue the current regional contributions to network programming.
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Specific measures suggested at the hearing include increasing resources in the regions, as well as the number of national and international news correspondents, the provision of better training for personnel in the regions and the creation of local offices in French-speaking areas such as les Iles de la Madeleine, Kenora and Roberval. It was also mentioned that it would be advantageous to create mini-production centres in Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Rouyn.
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Concerning specific measures dealing with programming, the CBC's presentation included plans for an annual project geared specifically to youth, for an improvement in the quantity and quality of sports reports, plans for the production of newscasts during the night and an increase in newscasts on the FM network.
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Finally, thought is being given to the production of French-language programming aimed at new Canadians, to help pave the way for their integration into French-Canadian society.
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5. Main Issues Raised by the CRTC
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In preparing its renewal applications for the local stations the CBC was asked by the Commission to address the following three issues These issues apply primarily to stations broadcasting programming originating on the English- and French-language AM networks since stations affiliated to the FM networks offer very limited amounts of regional programming.
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a: The level of Canadian music to be broadcast in local program periods.
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b. Plans to broadcast recordings by local and regional artists.
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c. Plans to serve the entire area covered by each station's signal.
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6. The CBC Response to the CRTC's Three Issues
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a. Level of Canadian Music in Local Program Periods
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i. English Radio's Response
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For all stations, the CBC proposed the same Canadian content level for local program periods as were imposed on the network in Decision CRTC 88-181. For popular music (category 5) the decision required a 40% level of Canadian music rising to at least 45% by 1 April 1990. AM network stations must fulfil this requirement on a daily basis while FM network stations must fulfil the requirement on a weekly basis.
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For Traditional and Special Interest music (category 6) the decision required a 15% level of Canadian music rising to at least 20% by 1 April 1990. This requirement must he fulfilled on a weekly basis by both AM and FM network stations.
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The CBC indicated that higher levels than this would be difficult to achieve and would limit the diversity of musical programming provided. They added that there is a per-program quota for Canadian music with the quota on some programs approaching 100%
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While recognizing that high levels of Canadian music might be difficult to achieve during specialty music programs, the Commission notes that most of the local programming on weekdays originating on the owned and operated English AM network stations is information-oriented and includes only a few musical selections. The Commission considers that the use of Canadian music should be maximized in these periods and therefore encourages the Corporation to reach, on a weekly basis, a 75% Canadian content level for popular music selections (category 5) during weekday information-oriented programs.
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ii) French Radio's Response
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CBC has proposed the same levels of Canadian music for stations broadcasting programming from its French-language networks. This means that, by 1 April 1990, at least 50% of the popular music broadcast, and at least 15% of the Traditional and Special Interest music broadcast, will be Canadian.
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The Commission does not wish to set a specific higher target level for Canadian music during weekday, information-oriented programs, as it has for stations broadcasting programming from the English AM networks because of the varying structure of local programs as well as CBC's commitment to ensure that vocal music broadcast is almost exclusively in French. However, the Commission urges CBC to ensure that as many musical selections as possible broadcast during these periods are Canadian.
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b. The Broadcasting of Recordings by Local and Regional Artists
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i. English Radio's Response
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The CBC representatives outlined the following measures for showcasing local and regional artists: selections by local artists are included in the playlists whenever possible; stations broadcast weekly regional performance programs that feature local artists; and local and regional artists are often interviewed and promoted, and recordings of regional artists are made and distributed across the country for broadcast. Individual initiatives have been noted in the various decisions.
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The Commission encourages the CBC to continue its efforts to develop local and regional artists and to maximize airplay given to these artists.
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ii) French Radio's Response
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Stations broadcasting programming from the French-language networks have also listed a variety of initiatives to support and provide airplay for local and regional artists. Local stations have participated in many of CBC's initiatives for talent development such as Rock Envol, Le Festival de Granby, and Le Juillet de la Chanson.
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The Commission encourages CBC to continue its efforts to develop local and regional artists and to maximize airplay given to these artists.
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The Commission also notes that regional stations make recordings of local artists and considers that such recordings should be distributed to CBC stations across the country. It therefore requires the CBC to submit a report concerning plans to improve the distribution of CBC recordings of francophone artists across the country, within three months of this decision.
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c. The Plans to Serve the Entire Area Covered by each Signal
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i) English Radio's Response
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English Radio's response to this issue varies from station to station to take into account the different requirements of the different regions. Some of the measures are mentioned in some of the individual renewal decisions. They involve production of specific regionally-oriented programs, the assignment of reporters in certain areas, the use of toll-free lines to facilitate exchange of information and the production of programs in native languages.
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The Commission notes that most of the CBC English-language AM network stations provide their signals to a wide area using rebroadcasting transmitters. They are therefore uniquely equipped to provide programming relevant not only to the communities in which their studios are situated, but also to the entire regions that they serve. The Commission therefore urges the CBC to continue to emphasize regional and provincial issues during the time periods in which their stations provide local programming.
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ii) French Radio's Response
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Each individual station attempts to provide complete coverage in a way that is appropriate to the needs of the region it serves. Specific measures are discussed in some of the individual licence renewal decisions.
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The Commission notes that many of the CBC French-language AM network stations provide their signals to a wide area using rebroadcasting transmitters. They are therefore uniquely equipped to provide programming relevant not only to the communities in which their studios are situated, but also to the entire region or province that they serve. The Commission therefore urges the CBC to continue to emphasize regional and provincial issues during the time periods in which the stations provide local programming.
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7. Conditions of licence
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The Commission has imposed conditions of licence on the local stations which parallel those set for the CBC radio networks in Decision CRTC 88-181. The specific conditions are attached to the individual decisions that follow, and were proposed by CBC in the applications.
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In summary they address three areas; Canadian music, sex-role stereotyping and advertising.
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According to the Condition of licence with respect to Canadian music, CBC radio stations will attain a 50% level of Canadian content for popular music and a 20% level of Canadian music for Traditional and Special Interest music by 1 April 1990.
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With respect to sex-role stereotyping, CBC will adhere to its own guidelines and the guidelines of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in this area, as approved from time to time by the Commission. Finally, with the exception of a few French language stations outside Quebec which provide the only service in that language in their communities, CBC stations will not broadcast any commercial messages except those in programs available only on a sponsored basis and as required to fulfil the requirements of parliamentary legislation pertaining to elections.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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