ARCHIVED -  Public Notice CRTC 1998-128

 Public Notice

 Ottawa, 4 December 1998

 Public Notice CRTC 1998-128

 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR A BROADCASTING LICENCE TO CARRY ON AN FM (RADIO) PROGRAMMING UNDERTAKING TO SERVE LONDON AND AREA, ONTARIO

On May 14 1998, In Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 1998-3, the Commission announced an application by Affinity Radio Group Inc. for a broadcasting licence to carry on an English-language FM radio programming undertaking at London, operating on a frequency of 102.3 MHz (channel 272B) with an effective radiated power of 4,600 watts. The application was to be considered at a hearing on 20 July 1998.

The Commission received several interventions from parties which expressed interest in filing FM radio applications for the use of the 102.3 MHz frequency.

The Commission notes that, according to the Canadian FM Broadcasting Allotment Plan published by Industry Canada, channel 272B/frequency 102.3 MHz is the last available allotment at Woodstock, Ontario and that there are no FM frequencies available for assignment in London.

In view of the foregoing, the application by Affinity Radio was removed from the agenda of the July hearing.

In fairness to all parties, the Commission has determined that a call for FM radio applications to serve the London area is appropriate and in the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby calls for applications from parties wishing to obtain an FM broadcasting licence to serve the London area, using frequency 102.3 MHz or any other frequency that may be suitable to serve this area.

Persons interested in submitting such an application are required to file a letter of intent no later than 8 January 1999, followed by a formal application to the Commission no later than 5 February 1999, 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 of the demand and 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.

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 London 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 (Ineligibility of Non-Canadians) as amended by P.C. 1998-1268, dated 15 July 1998, and in P.C. 1985-2108 dated 27 June 1985 (Ineligibility to hold broadcasting licences).

The Commission will announce, at a later date, the time and place of the public hearing 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, noted in 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 due to 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.

Secretary General

The financial summary is available on hard copy only.