ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2001-24
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Decision CRTC 2001-24 |
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Ottawa, 25 January 2001 |
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Rogers Broadcasting Limited |
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Application processed by Public Notice CRTC 2000-123 dated 23 August 2000 |
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Relocation of transmitter, with technical parameters to be revised |
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1. |
The Commission approves in part the application by Rogers Broadcasting Limited (Rogers) to amend the broadcasting licence for CFRV-FM Lethbridge by relocating its transmitter to a site 17.6 kilometres east of the current transmitter location. |
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2. |
The licensee stated that approval of the amendment would allow it to place the transmitters for its two Lethbridge stations (CFRV-FM and CJOC-FM) in one location, thereby reducing operating costs. More spacious facilities at the new location would also allow for the installation of a standby transmitter for CFRV-FM, which would enhance the technical reliability of the station. |
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It is noted that the proposal would result in a small reduction in coverage to the west of Lethbridge, and a significant increase in coverage to the east, reaching the outskirts of Taber, Alberta, which is located approximately 51 kilometers to the east of Lethbridge. |
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An intervention in opposition to the application was submitted by Monarch Broadcasting Limited (Monarch), licensee of CHLB-FM Lethbridge and of CHHK-FM Taber. Monarch expressed the view that approval of the Rogers application would result in a loss of audience and revenue for CHHK-FM Taber. Monarch argued that a similar application to amend the licence for Taber AM station CKTA (since converted to FM station CHHK-FM) was denied in Decision CRTC 98-74. Monarch expressed the view that the two situations were similar, and the Rogers application should therefore be denied. |
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The application referred to by Monarch proposed the replacement of the Taber transmitter of CKTA with two transmitters. One would have been a low-power transmitter in Taber, and the main transmitter was proposed to be located in Lethbridge. In denying that application, the Commission expressed the view that the Monarch plan would constitute a significant change to the principal service area of the Taber station, with the potential to adversely affect Lethbridge stations. |
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In response to the intervention, Rogers stated that it expects that 75% of the projected increase in the population within the new contour will be drawn from small communities to the north and south of Lethbridge, and not primarily from the Taber area. It also argued that in Decision 99-476, the Commission approved an application by Monarch to convert CKTA Taber to the FM band (now CHHK-FM). In that application, Monarch proposed to establish a 3 mV/m contour for the new station that would extend to the outskirts of Lethbridge, but would not encroach upon the Lethbridge market. Rogers is of the view that the situation of the CHHK-FM contour reaching the outskirts of Lethbridge is not significantly different from CFRV-FM's proposed contour reaching the outskirts of Taber. |
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The Commission has taken into account all of the arguments put forward by the applicant and the intevener. The Commission notes that approval of the proposed change in transmitter location would result in CFRV-FM's 3 mV/m contour reaching to the outskirts of Taber. In contrast, the earlier conversion to FM of CKTA Taber (now CHHK-FM) essentially duplicated the 15 mV/m contour of CKTA (Decision 99-476). The Commission also notes that the Taber market is significantly smaller than that of Lethbridge, with a population of approximately 7,000, compared to about 63,000 in Lethbridge, and that the most recent financial information for CHHK-FM indicated that the station is well below the industry profitability average. In addition, the Commission is of the opinion that it is too early to evaluate the impact on both the Taber and Lethbridge markets of the conversion to FM of Rogers' Lethbridge station CJOC. (Decision 2000-21). |
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The Commission has therefore approved the Rogers application to amend the licence of CFRV-FM Lethbridge, subject to the condition that the technical parameters be revised to ensure that signal coverage to the east of Lethbridge will not extend beyond the current coverage of CFRV-FM. It further expects that all existing listeners of the station will continue to receive the service. |
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The Commission requires the licensee to submit for Commission approval, within two months of the date of this decision, revised technical parameters that will ensure the above conditions are met. |
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Secretary General |
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This decision is to be appended to the licence. |
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