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ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 96-531

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Decision

Ottawa, 28 August 1996
Decision CRTC 96-531
Radio Ville-Marie
Montréal, Quebec - 951764000
Use of SCMO channel - Approved
Following Public Notice CRTC 1996-14 dated 23 January 1996, the Commission approves the application to amend the broadcasting licence for CIRA-FM Montréal, by adding a condition of licence authorizing the use of a Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (SCMO) channel, for the purpose of distributing a predominantly Italian-language religious service.
The operator of the service will be Radio Maria Canada inc. (Radio Maria). The programming, which originates from Italy, will consist of prayers, religious services, news from the Roman Catholic Church and discussions on religious themes.
Radio Ville-Marie also indicated that it will broadcast weekly 14 hours of local programming in the French, English and Italian languages, increasing this amount to 35 hours per week in the fifth year of the operation of this service. The Commission notes Radio Ville-Marie's commitment that at least 70% of all musical selections broadcast each week during locally-produced programming will be Canadian.
The Commission's policy regarding services using the SCMO channel of FM stations set out in Public Notice CRTC 1989-23 states that the Commission would be concerned if such a service were to cause any undue negative impact on existing local broadcasting services.
In assessing this application, the Commission has taken into account the specialized nature of the proposed service, its target audience and the applicant's commitment not to solicit advertising. It has also considered the concerns expressed by CTEQ Télévision inc. (CTEQ), licensee of the Montréal ethnic television service, in an opposing intervention to this application. The Commission is satisfied with the applicant's reply thereto, and is of the view that the SCMO service proposed by Radio Ville-Marie should not have any undue negative impact on existing local broadcasting services.
The licensee is expected to adhere to the guidelines set out in Appendix A to Public Notice CRTC 1989-23 dated 23 March 1989 entitled "Services using the Vertical Blanking Interval (Television) or Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (FM)".
In view of the nature of its programming, Radio Ville-Marie has also committed to abide by the "Religious Broadcasting Policy" set out in Public Notice CRTC 1993-78 dated 3 June 1993, which is essentially based on the recognition of alternative values and the importance of balance in matters of public concern, including religion.
Furthermore, although SCMO services are not subject to the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), Radio Ville-Marie has committed to abide by the logger tape requirements contained therein by retaining an exact copy of all matter broadcast for four weeks from the date of broadcast.
It is a condition of licence that the licensee neither solicit nor accept advertising paid or unpaid as part of the predominantly Italian-language religious SCMO service. For the purposes of this condition, "advertising" means "commercial message" as defined in the regulations.
The Commission acknowledges an intervention in support of this application.
This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Allan J. Darling
Secretary General

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