ARCHIVED -  Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 1996-6

Notice of Public Hearing

Ottawa, 10 May 1996

Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 1996-6

HULL, QUEBEC

The Commission will hold a public hearing commencing on 8 July 1996, at the Conference Centre, Portage IV, 140 Promenade du Portage, Hull, Quebec to consider the following:

1.  ACROSS CANADA

Application (199606670) by 3247244 CANADA INC. (3247244), for authority to effect a two part assets transfer. The first step is for 3247244's authority to acquire the assets of the national, English-language programming undertaking (Specialty Television Service) known as "New Country Network" (NCN) from CFCN Productions Limited (CFCN) and 566684 Alberta Ltd. (566684), partners in the MH Radio/Rawlco Partnership and licence holders. The second step is for the authority to transfer the newly acquired assets to 3247236 Canada Inc. (3247236), a wholly-owned subsidiary, and for a broadcasting licence to allow 3247236 to continue the operation of NCN, upon surrender of the present licence, under the same terms and conditions as the current licence.

The Commission notes that if the application is approved, 3247244, the parent company, will be a corporation owned 49% by CFCN and 51% by 566684. Furthermore, the present application represents a corporate reorganization on the partners' part where they are converting their partnership interests into an equity position in newly incorporated entities. Consequently, as a result of the assets transfer, the effective control of NCN will not be affected and will remain unchanged.

Examination of application:

Rawlco Communications Ltd.
220, 2723 - 37th Avenue North East
Calgary, Alberta
T1Y 5R8

2.  ACROSS CANADA

In Public Notice CRTC 1995-217, dated 20 December 1995, the Commission outlined its regulatory framework for DTH Satellite Distribution Undertakings. In that notice, the Commission stated that:

  "In light of the importance of enabling attractive Canadian DTH distribution services to establish themselves, both as competitors to cable and as strong Canadian alternatives to unauthorized direct broadcast satellite services entering the Canadian market, the Commission will generally not be disposed to begin to process further applications for new Canadian DTH distribution services until six months after the ExpressVu and PowerDirecTv DTH distribution undertakings licensed in Decisions CRTC 95-901 and 95-902, issued today, have commenced delivery of services to subscribers. The Commission considers that this determination should permit both ExpressVu and PowerDirecTV to enter the market successfully".

In making this determination, the Commission had expected that both DTH distribution undertakings licensed on 20 December 1995 would commence operations at an early date, possibly within the first six months of 1996. It is now likely that, due to certain unforeseen developments, including Power DirecTv's public statements that it does not intend to implement its authorized service, and the uncertainty caused to ExpressVu's launch plans by the loss of several transponders on Anik E1, that this will no longer be the case.

In light of these changed circumstances, the Commission has determined that it is prepared to consider the following application.

Application (952895100) by STAR CHOICE TELEVISION NETWORK INCORPORATED for a broadcasting licence to carry on a national Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite distribution undertaking.

The undertaking would distribute basic and discretionary programming services, including national broadcasting television network services, French-language television services, licenced specialty, multicultural television services, pay and DTH pay-per-view (PPV) television services, audio programming services, and authorized non-Canadian programming services.

The undertaking would distribute its programming services via Canadian and U.S. satellites.

Examination of application:

Star Choice Television Network
Incorporated
205 St. David Street
Lindsay, Ontario
K9V 4S5

ONTARIO REGION / RÉGION DE L'ONTARIO

3.  HAMILTON, BURLINGTON, TORONTO, Ontario

Application (951573500) by CROSSROADS TELEVISION NETWORK INC, to operate as Crossroads Television System, for a broadcasting licence to carry on an English-language (television) programming undertaking at Hamilton, operating on channel 36 with an effective radiated power of 486,000 watts to broadcast religious programming from local studios and other Canadian sources as well as programming originating from foreign sources.

Although the Commission will not consider this application as being competitive procedurally at the hearing with the application by Trinity Television Inc., it may wish to consider them as being competitive from the point of view of program diversity in the Toronto/Hamilton television market.

Examination of application:

Crossroads Television Network Inc.
1295 North Service Road
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 4M2

4.  SUDBURY, Ontario

Application (199605177) by LAURENTIAN STUDENT AND COMMUNITY RADIO CORPORATION, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3C 2C6, for a broadcasting licence to carry on an English-language (campus community radio) programming undertaking at Sudbury, operating on a frequency of 96.7 Mhz (channel 244A) with an effective radiated power of 1300 watts.

The Commission will only proceed with this application at the public hearing if advised by the Department of Industry, at least ten days prior to the hearing, that it is technically acceptable.

Examination of application:

J.N. Desmarais Library
Laurentian University
Sudbury, Ontario

5.  TORONTO, Ontario

Application (199605888) by 3156303 CANADA LIMITED, operating under the name and style of NetStar Enterprises, for a broadcasting licence to carry on an English-language radio network consisting of stations as authorized by the Commission, for the purpose of broadcasting "The Fabulous Sports Babe", a live radio program. The applicant has requested a term ending 31 December 1996.

Examination of application:

The Sports Network (TSN)
Suite 100
2225 Sheppard Avenue East
Willowdale, Ontario
M2S 5C2

6.  TORONTO, Ontario

Application (199603569) by STANDARD RADIO INC. to renew the broadcasting licence to carry on the (radio) programming undertaking CFRB/CFRX Toronto expiring 31 August 1996.

Examination of application:

Standard Radio Inc.
2 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1L6

7. T ORONTO, BURLINGTON, HAMILTON, Ontario

Application (199601167) by TRINITY TELEVISION INC., 1111 Chevrier Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 1Y2, for a broadcasting licence to carry on a (television) programming undertaking at Toronto, operating on channel 52 with an effective radiated power of 59,000 watts, to broadcast religious programming from local studios and other Canadian sources as well as programming originating from foreign sources.

Although the Commission will not consider this application as being competitive procedurally at the hearing with the application by Crossroads Television Network, it may wish to consider them as being competitive from the point of view of program diversity in the Toronto/Hamilton television market.

The Commission will only proceed with this application at the public hearing if advised by the Department of Industry, at least ten days prior to the hearing, that it is technically acceptable.

Examination of Application:

Studio 33
B33-190 Highway 7 West
Brampton, Ontario

8.  WESTPORT/NEWBORO, Ontario

Application (199605242) by NORTH LEEDS CABLECOM INC., P.O. Box 252, Westport, Ontario, K0G 1X0, for authority to acquire the assets and for a broadcasting licence to continue the operation of the (cable) distribution undertaking serving Westport/Newboro, upon surrender of the current licence issued to Regional Cable TV (Central) Inc., under the same terms and conditions as the current licence.

Examination of application:

1242 Eight Concession Road
Westport, Ontario

WESTERN CANADA AND TERRITORIES REGION/RÉGION DE L'OUEST DU CANADA ET DES TERRITOIRES

9. S T. ALBERT, Alberta

Application (199606753) by EUGENE W. FABRO representing a company to be incorporated (which will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fabmar Investments Ltd., the parent company of Balsa Broadcasting Corp.) for approval to acquire the assets and for a broadcasting licence to continue the operation of the (radio) programming undertaking CFMG-FM St. Albert, upon surrender of the current licence issued to Balsa Broadcasting Corp., under the same terms and conditions as the current licence.

The proposed transaction is part of an intra-corporate reorganization that does not affect the effective control of the undertaking.

Examination of application:

c/o Fabmar Investments Ltd.
2028 - 10 Street North West
Calgary, Alberta
T2M 3M2

SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS

PERSONS REQUIRING COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SUCH AS ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES AND SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION ARE REQUESTED TO INFORM THE COMMISSION AT LEAST TWENTY (20) DAYS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING SO THAT THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION / PARTICIPATION DU PUBLIC

Intervention

- submit your original written intervention to the Secretary General of the Commission (CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2);

PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THE PRESENT TIME THE COMMISSION CANNOT ACCEPT INTERVENTIONS SENT BY ELECTRONIC MAIL

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION AND PLACED ON THE PUBLIC FILE,

·  your intervention should clearly identify the application and indicate whether you support or oppose the application, or if you propose changes to it, with facts and grounds therefor. In the event that the application is brought to the oral phase of the hearing it would be helpful to the Commission if you provide reasons why your written comments are not sufficient and an appearance is necessary;

·  a true copy MUST be sent to the applicant and a proof of such sending must accompany the original sent to the Commission;

·  the intervention must be received by the CRTC and by the applicant ON OR BEFORE the deadline date indicated below. The Commission cannot be held responsible for postal delays;

·  one may also communicate with the Commission
 - by Telecopier: (819) 994-0218

Your intervention will be considered by the Commission, and will form part of the public record of the proceeding without further notification to you, provided the procedure set out above has been followed. You will be contacted only if your submission raises procedural questions or if you have asked to appear at the Public Hearing.

>DEADLINE FOR INTERVENTION:

18 June 1996

Copy of any intervention filed to application(s) by the CBC must be sent to: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
c/o the Director of Corporate Affairs
1500 Bronson Avenue
P.O. Box 8478
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 3J5
TELECOPIER: (613) 738-6861

EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS

Documents are available:
°  at the local address provided in this notice; and
°  at the following Commission offices:

Central Building
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
1 Promenade du Portage, Room 201
Hull, Quebec K1A 0N2
Tel: (819) 997-2429 - TDD 994-0423
Telecopier: (819) 994-0218

Bank of Commerce Building
Suite 1007
1809 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K8
Tel: (902) 426-7997 - TDD 426-6997
Telecopier: (902) 426-2721

Place Montréal Trust
1800 McGill College Avenue
Suite 1920
Montréal, Quebec H3A 3J6
Tel: (514) 283-6607 - TDD 283-8316
Telecopier: (514) 283-3689

Kensington Building
Suite 1810
275 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3
Tel: (204) 983-6306 - TDD 983-8274
Telecopier: (204) 983-6317

Suite 1380
800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2G7
Tel: (604) 666-2111 - TDD 666-0778
Telecopier: (604) 666-8322

CRTC regional offices not directly involved in this public hearing will also make documents available upon request by interested parties (normal delay: 48 hours)

Allan J. Darling
Secretary General