ARCHIVED -  Public Notice CRTC 1998-100

Public Notice

Ottawa, 25 September 1998

Public Notice CRTC 1998-100

Affinity Radio Group Inc.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR A BROADCASTING LICENCE TO CARRY ON A (RADIO) PROGRAMMING UNDERTAKING TO SERVE KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The Commission announces that it has received an application for a broadcasting licence to provide an FM radio service to serve Kelowna, British Columbia.

In keeping with its usual procedure in such cases, the Commission hereby calls for applications from other parties wishing to obtain such a licence.

Persons interested in submitting such an application are required to file a letter of intent no later than 26 October 1998, followed by a formal application to the Commission no later than 26 November 1998, and are also required to submit all necessary technical documentation to the Department of Industry by the same date.

It should be noted that, in making this call, the Commission has not reached any conclusion with respect to the viability of such a service, nor should it necessarily be construed that the Commission will, by virtue of having called for applications, authorize such a service at this time.

In light of rapidly evolving industry conditions, the Commission will be concerned with the financial capability of the applicants and the viability of the proposed service.

Applicants will be required to provide evidence giving clear indication that there is a demand and a market for the station and the proposed service. Without restricting the scope of the issues to be considered, the following should be addressed:

1. The contribution that the proposed service will make to achieving the objectives established in the Broadcasting Act and, in particular, to the production of local and regional programming.

2. The expected audience of the proposed service and its impact on the audiences of existing radio stations.

3. The proposed expenditures and the means by which the applicant will promote the development of Canadian talent, including local and regional talent.

4. An analysis of the markets involved and potential advertising revenues, taking into account the results of any survey undertaken supporting the estimates, as well as the impact on advertising revenues of existing radio stations.

5. Clear evidence of financial viability consistent with the requirements established in the applicant's financial estimates, including clear evidence of additional financing readily available should the estimated revenues not materialize.

6. Clear evidence of the financial viability of investors involved. For the convenience of applicants, the Commission has available upon request a document entitled "Documentation Required by the Commission to Support the Availability of an Applicant's Proposed Financing".

A financial summary for the Kelowna radio market from 1993 to 1997 is attached to this call.

The Commission also reminds applicants that they should take into consideration the eligibility requirements set out in the P.C. 1997-486, dated 8 April 1997 Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility of Non-Canadians) and in P.C. 1985-2108 dated 27 June 1985 Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility to hold broadcasting licences).

The Commission will announce at a later date the public process where applications will be considered and where they may be examined by the public.

There are a number of Commission policies affecting radio that are scheduled to come under review in the upcoming months. These matters, outlined in Public Notice CRTC 1997-105 dated 1 August 1997 entitled "An Agenda for Reviewing the Commission's Policies for Radio", and the Commission's April 1998 Vision Action Calendar, include a review of the Commission's policies for campus and community radio, as well as of its policy for ethnic broadcasting. Changes to policies that might follow these reviews could be of significance to parties interested in providing a radio service. Parties who find themselves constrained in their ability to finalize their plans to submit an application by possible changes in the Commission's policies may express their concerns to the Commission in writing. The Commission will then take any such views received into account in scheduling upcoming public hearings.

Notice of each application will also be published in newspapers of general circulation within the area to be served.

The public will be given the opportunity to comment on any application by submitting written intervention(s) to the undersigned and by serving a true copy of the intervention(s) on the applicant(s) at least twenty-five (25) days before the date of the hearing.

Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General