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ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2000-251

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Decision CRTC 2000-251
Ottawa, 7 July 2000
Tri-Co Broadcasting Limited
Cornwall, Ontario – 199912200
9 May 2000 Public Hearing
in Kingston
New AM radio programming undertaking

1.

The Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language AM radio programming undertaking at Cornwall. As proposed, the new AM station will operate on the frequency 1220 kHz with a transmitter power of 1,000 watts.

2.

Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2005. This licence will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

3.

The Commission has granted a licence term that is less than the maximum of seven years permitted by the Broadcasting Act. This will allow the renewal of this licence to be considered in accordance with the regional plan established by the Commission.

4.

Tri-Co currently operates the only local commercial stations in Cornwall: CJSS-FM and CFLG-FM. The new AM station will make use of the 1220 kHz frequency and facilities previously vacated when Tri-Co moved AM station CJSS to the FM band (see Decision CRTC 99-77 dated 1 April 1999). Tri-Co stated that the new station is aimed at "serving and repatriating out-of-market tuning within the 45+ demographic, particularly with the increased market competition from U.S. stations."

5.

The new station will broadcast 119 hours of programming each week. At least 70% will be locally produced. The station will offer a "nostalgia" music format targeted to listeners 45 years and older. In the area of spoken word programming, it will broadcast local information packages highlighting general news, City Council stories and Board of Education items. It will also focus on the lifestyles of seniors, health stories and financial news.

6.

The new AM station will simulcast the daily one-hour local talk show currently aired on CJSS-FM.

7.

The Radio Regulations, 1986 (the regulations) require commercial stations to ensure that at least 35% of the popular music (category 2) selections they broadcast over the broadcast week and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, are Canadian. In Public Notice CRTC 1998-132, the Commission announced that it would be prepared to approve applications by licensees of stations whose formats are based on the presentation of older music for conditions of licence permitting them to broadcast a minimum level of 30% of Canadian popular music during any broadcast week where at least 90% of the music they play consists of selections released before 1 January 1981.

8.

When asked whether it wished to adopt a reduced level of Canadian content as provided for in Public Notice CRTC 1998-132, Tri-Co responded that it would be difficult to determine what would qualify as older music. Instead, Tri-Co requested authority to broadcast an overall Canadian content level of 25% each week.

9.

The Commission does not consider that an exception to its policy is warranted in this case. Accordingly, by condition of licence, the licensee shall, as an exception to the percentage of Canadian musical selections set out in sections 2.2(8) and 2.2(9) of the regulations
(a) in any broadcast week where at least 90% of musical selections from content category 2 that it broadcasts are selections released before 1 January 1981:
(i) in that broadcast week, devote 30% or more of its musical selections from content category 2 to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety; and
(ii) between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., in the period beginning on Monday of that week and ending on Friday of the same broadcast week, devote 30% or more of its musical selections from content category 2 to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety.
For purposes of this condition, the terms "broadcast week"; "content category" and "musical selection" shall have the meaning set out in section 2 of the regulations.

10.

The Commission reminds the licensee that it must specify, on music lists provided to the Commission, the year of release for all musical selections broadcast.

11.

The Commission acknowledges the six interventions submitted in support of this application.
Other matters

12.

In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59 dated 1 September 1992 and entitled Implementation 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 licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

13.

The licence will only be issued and effective when the new station is ready to begin operation. When the licensee has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation, it must advise the Commission in writing. If the station is not constructed and ready to operate within 12 months of today’s date, extensions to this time frame may be granted provided that the licensee applies in writing to the Commission before the 12-month period or any extension of that period expires.
Related CRTC document

• Public Notice CRTC 1999-137 – New licence form for commercial radio stations

Secretary General
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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