ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 92-683

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Decision

Ottawa, 4 September 1992
Decision CRTC 92-683
Mount Royal Broadcasting Inc.
Montréal, Quebec - 920069200
Following a Public Hearing held in Quebec City beginnning on 19 May 1992, the Commission approves the application by Mount Royal Broadcasting Inc. (Mount Royal) to delete the condition of licence for CFQR-FM Montréal requiring:
 that the percentage of category 5 vocal music selections may at no time exceed 65%, measured on a weekly basis.
In Decision CRTC 88-583 dated 6 September 1988, the Commission approved Mount Royal's application to acquire the assets of CFQR-FM from CFCF Inc. The Commission also approved Mount Royal's request to decrease the amount of instrumental music selections broadcast on CFQR-FM and imposed the condition that category 5 vocal music selections not exceed 65% weekly. In that decision, the Commission noted the concerns raised by the licensee of CJAD and CJFM-FM Montréal, as well as the licensee of CKGM and CHOM-FM Montréal, that Mount Royal's proposal to program 65% vocal music selections could affect the balance of English-language services in the Montréal market.
Decision CRTC 88-583 noted that, with a 65% level of vocal music, the station would remain "within the authorized parameters of a Group I station", as defined by the FM policy in effect at that time. According to that policy, a station operating in an easy listening format was required to broadcast a minimum level of 50% instrumental music. As an adult contemporary station, however, CFQR-FM was not required under that policy to broadcast a weekly level of instrumentals any greater than 35%.
In the interim, the Commission's new FM Policy issued in Public Notice CRTC 1990-111 dated 17 December 1990, and effective 1 September 1991, combined the former Group I (Pop, Rock Softer) and the former Group II (Pop, Rock, Harder) into a single group: Group I (Pop, Rock and Dance). While individual station formats are not defined terms under the new policy, the Commission indicated in its notice that stations wishing to be considered as being "easy listening", and thereby take advantage of lower requirements for Canadian content, would be required to maintain a level of at least 35% instrumental.
In view of the fact that CFQR-FM was originally licensed as a Group I adult contemporary station, and not an easy listening station, the Commission considers that it should be allowed the same flexibility in its programming that has always been available to other Group 1 stations broadcasting a level of less than 50% instrumental music.
The Commission notes that, in accordance with the Radio Regulations, 1986, the amount of Canadian content that must be broadcast on CFQR-FM following this approval will increase to 30% on a weekly basis from the current level of 20%.
The Commission also notes Mount Royal's statement at the hearing that CFQR-FM would remain "committed to a soft adult contemporary format" and that the station's softer sound would remain distinct from that of rock stations in Montréal's English-language market. Standard Radio Inc. (Standard), licensee of CJAD and CJFM-FM Montréal, and CHUM Limited, licensee of CKGM and CHOM-FM Montréal, submitted opposing interventions expressing concern about the impact of Mount Royal's proposal on the balance of English-language radio services in Montréal. Among other things, Standard claimed that Mount Royal has failed to comply with CFQR-FM's condition stipulating the maximum weekly level of vocal musical selections. In response, Mount Royal stated that it has operated in compliance with the Commission's conditions and regulations, and emphasized that approval of this request will enable CFQR-FM to "strengthen [its] distinct personality" in the Montréal market.
The Commission notes that its analysis of CFQR-FM's programming conducted in January 1992 indicated that the station was operating in compliance with its condition of licence. Moreover, the Commission is satisfied that approval of this application will not have a negative impact on diversity of radio services in Montréal's English-language market. As stated in Public Notice CRTC 1990-111, the Commission is of the view that:
 there is sufficient competition among FM stations providing pop and rock programming in most communities to ensure the presence of diversity among formats.
The Commission acknowledges the interventions filed by Denis Pantis and Imaginad in support of this application.
Allan J. Darling
Secretary General

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