ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2000-149
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| Decision CRTC 2000-149 | |
| Ottawa, 9 May 2000 | |
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Radio Nord inc. Val d'Or, Quebec – 199912184 |
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Application processed by Public Notice CRTC 2000-4 dated 10 January 2000 |
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| Summary | |
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The Commission approves the application by Radio Nord inc. to reduce from 40% to 20% the level of spoken word programming broadcast by CHGO-FM Val d’Or, in light of the station’s precarious financial situation. The licensee has reiterated its commitment not to broadcast programming aimed at the 18-34 age group and to maintain its affiliation with Radiomédia inc. In addition, the licensee will continue to retain a journalist in Val d’Or, Lachute, La Sarre and Rouyn Noranda. |
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Background |
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In Decision CRTC 98-106 dated 7 April 1998, the Commission approved an application by Radio Nord inc. to convert CKVD Val d’Or from the AM to the FM band. The aim of the conversion was essentially to consolidate all of the radio stations owned by the licensee in the Abitibi region and to make them profitable, as they had been losing money for several years. Another objective of the conversion was to win back the audience share that had been lost because of the weakness and configuration of the AM signal. In its reply to the intervention filed by Radiomutuel inc., the licensee had committed to maintain a level of 40% spoken word programming and to affiliate with the Radio Nord and Radiomédia networks for non-local programming. |
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Current situation |
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The licensee is applying to reduce from 40% to 20% the level of spoken word programming broadcast by CHGO-FM Val d’Or and its transmitter CHGO-FM-1 Rouyn Noranda. In support of its application, the licensee indicated that although it converted CKVD to FM and closed its other AM stations in the Abitibi region, CHGO-FM Val d’Or has not been able to win back CKVD’s former listeners and has in fact lost even more listeners. The licensee explained that the Abitibi’s listeners do not care for the spoken word programming broadcast by the station. It therefore would like to produce higher-quality but costlier spoken word programming. Because its financial situation is still tenuous, it would have to decrease the amount of this programming. |
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The Commission’s regulatory regime has changed since it approved the conversion of CKVD to FM. On 30 April 1998, the Commission published its Commercial Radio Policy 1998 (the Policy). The Policy’s first major objective is "to ensure a strong, well-financed radio industry that is better poised to achieve its obligations under the [ Broadcasting Act] and to meet the challenges of the 21st century." The Radio Regulations, 1986 were subsequently amended to take these objectives into account. |
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The Commission's determination |
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Because CHGO-FM and CHGO-FM-1 are still operating at a deficit and the licensee’s proposal is consistent with the spirit of the Policy, the Commission approves the application by the licensee to reduce the level of spoken word programming broadcast from 40% to 20%. The Commission reiterates, however, the licensee’s commitment not to broadcast programming aimed at the 18-34 age group, to continue to retain a journalist in Val d’Or, Lachute, La Sarre and Rouyn Noranda, and to maintain its affiliation with Radiomédia. |
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Intervention |
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The Commission notes the intervention filed by Groupe Radio Astral in opposition to this application, and is satisfied with the licensee’s reply. |
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Related CRTC documents |
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Secretary General |
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| This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca |
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