ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 96-673

Decision

Ottawa, 10 October 1996

Decision CRTC 96-673

Monarch Broadcasting Ltd.

Lethbridge, Alberta - 199601139

Conversion of CKRX from AM to FM

Following a Public Hearing in Calgary beginning on 15 July 1996, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language FM radio programming undertaking at Lethbridge, on the frequency 95.5 MHz, channel 238C1, with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.

Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2003. This licence will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

Monarch Broadcasting Ltd. (Monarch) currently operates the radio programming undertaking CKRX Lethbridge and will cease operation of this AM undertaking three months following the implementation of the FM station. During the transition period, Monarch will simulcast the programming of CKRX on the proposed FM station. At the end of this period, the Commission requires the applicant to surrender the licence currently issued to CKRX.

The Commission reaffirms the particular importance it attaches to the development of Canadian talent and notes the applicant's commitment to contribute $37,500 in direct costs over the licence term. The Commission encourages the applicant, during the licence term, to continue its efforts towards the support, development and on-air exposure of local and regional talent.

In Decision CRTC 93-23, the Commission approved the application by Monarch for authority to acquire the assets of CHEC (now CKRX) Lethbridge and CFEZ (now CKTA) Taber from Shaw Radio Ltd. (Shaw). Monarch proposed a benefits package on behalf of CKRX Lethbridge totalling $40,000 over four years to be directed to "Project Discovery", to promote musical talent in Alberta. In addition, Monarch committed to spend $8,290 in each year of the licence term to continue Shaw's commitments to Canadian talent development made at the time of CHEC's last licence renewal approved in Decision CRTC 91-669 dated 28 August 1991. Due to the difficult financial situation of the station since the purchase, the applicant has only spent $10,000 of the $40,000 benefits package. Since Shaw's "Discovery" project is completed, Monarch proposes to re-direct the remaining $30,000 over the next five years on a pro-rata basis to various Canadian talent development initiatives. The Commission approves in part Monarch's request by authorizing the applicant to defer payment of the remaining $30,000 benefits approved in Decision CRTC 93-23 over a period of three years that is until 23 January 2000, rather than five years as requested.

The Commission reminds Monarch that a final report on the implementation of the full benefits package should be submitted to the Commission at the conclusion of the three-year period.

It is a condition of licence that the applicant adhere to the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) "Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming", as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission.

It is also a condition of licence that the applicant adhere to the provisions of the CAB's "Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children", as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission.

In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59 dated 1 September 1992 and entitled "Imple-mentation of an Employment Equity Policy", the Commission announced that the employment equity practices of broadcasters would be subject to examination by the Commission. In this regard, the Commission encourages the applicant to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

This authority will only be effective and the licence will only be issued at such time as construction of the undertaking is completed and it is prepared to commence operation. If the construction is not completed within twelve months of the date of this decision or, where the applicant applies to the Commission within this period and satisfies the Commission that it cannot complete construction and commence operation before the expiry of this period, and that an extension of time is in the public interest, within such further periods of time as are approved in writing by the Commission, the licence will not be issued. The applicant is required to advise the Commission (before the expiry of the twelve-month period or any extension thereof) in writing, once it has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation.

The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will only be issued once it has been determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

In accordance with subsection 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence and the authority will only be granted at such time as written notification is received from the Department of Industry that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

The Commission acknowledges the numerous interventions received in support of this application.

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

 Allan J. Darling
 Secretary General