ARCHIVED - Circular No. 445

Circular No. 445

Ottawa, 14 August 2001

For the attention of radio programming undertakings

Changes to the charts used by the Commission to determine what constitutes a hit

1.

In Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, the Commission announced changes to its policy on the use of hits by English-language FM radio stations. Specifically, the Commission announced that the new definition of a "hit", as it would apply to most English-language commercial FM stations, would be as follows:

A hit is any selection that, up to and including 31 December 1980, reached one of the Top 40 positions in the charts used by the Commission to determine hits. All other selections will be considered as non-hits for purposes of determining compliance with a station's Promise of Performance.

2.

The Commission stipulated, however, that campus and community stations, as well as English-language commercial FM stations serving the markets of Montréal and Ottawa/Hull, would continue to operate under the old definition, and under the old system used to determine compliance with respect to the use of hit material. For these stations, a hit continues to be defined as a musical selection that has reached one of the top 40 positions on one or more of a number of charts designated by the Commission. In Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, the Commission stated that it would use the following charts to determine the level of hits broadcast by these stations:

The Record Country

RPM 100 Country Tracks

Billboard Hot 100 Singles

Billboard Hot Country

3.

The Commission notes that the Canadian music industry publications The Record and RPM, have ceased publication. As a consequence, The Record's Country chart, and RPM's Country Tracks chart are no longer available. There is, however, a new music industry magazine on the market entitled Canadian Music Network. This weekly trade magazine compiles and publishes a number of popular music charts.

4.

Following its assessment of Canadian Music Network, the Commission has determined that it will add this new publication's National Airplay chart and Country Top 50 Audience chart to the list of those charts it uses in determining what constitutes a hit.

5.

Accordingly, commencing Sunday, 9 September 2001, the sources that will be used by the Commission to determine hits are as follows:

Canadian Music Network National Airplay

Canadian Music Network Country Top 50 Audience

Billboard Hot 100 Singles

Billboard Hot Country

Secretary General

This document is available in alternate format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca