ARCHIVED - Public Notice CRTC 2001-118

Public Notice CRTC 2001-118

Ottawa, 30 November 2001 

Introductory statement to Decisions CRTC 2001-738 to CRTC 2001-741: Restructuring commercial radio in Regina 

In Decisions CRTC 2001-738 to CRTC 2001-741, the Commission today approves four applications that will restructure the ownership of commercial radio stations serving Regina. As a result of today's decisions, there will be two licensees, a company to be incorporated related to HDL Investments Inc. (HDL) and Rawlco Communications (Sask.) Ltd. (Rawlco), that own commercial radio stations in the market, each with two FM stations and one AM station. Craig Broadcasting Systems Inc. (Craig) will no longer own and operate radio stations in Regina.

Before today's decisions, Craig, HDL and Rawlco each held two Regina radio licences. Rawlco owned CJME (frequency 1300 kHz) and CIZL-FM (98.9 MHz). HDL owned CKRM (frequency 980 kHz) and CHMX-FM (frequency 92.1 MHz). Craig owned CKCK (frequency 620 kHz) and CFWF-FM (104.9 MHz). HDL has, however, been operating the Craig stations under the terms of a Local Management Agreement which will terminate with approval of the applications outlined below.

As the result of today's decisions, HDL will be the licensee of CKRM (frequency 620 kHz), CFWF-FM (frequency 104.9 MHz) and CHMX-FM (frequency 92.1 MHz). Rawlco will be the licensee of CJME (frequency 980 kHz), a new FM station (frequency 94.5 MHz), as well as its existing station CIZL-FM (frequency of 98.9 MHz). AM station CKCK will no longer operate.

The Commission considers that the applications approved today will serve to balance the Regina commercial radio market, and will allow for the development of two strong commercial radio competitors. The ownership of two FM stations and one AM station by each licensee is in accordance with the Commission's Commercial Radio Policy 1998. The Commission further notes the commitment made by HDL and Rawlco that, following approval of these applications, they will invest a total of $1.5 million in transmission and tower improvements for their Regina commercial FM stations. This investment is over and above the benefits required under the Commercial Radio Policy which are discussed in the individual decisions. The Commission further notes that listeners will benefit through improved signals and access to distinctive programming.

The final result set out above its the result of the following transactions:

HDL acquires CFWF-FM and CKCK from Craig
(Decisions CRTC 2001-738 and CRTC 2001-739)

In these decisions, the Commission approves applications submitted by HDL to acquire the assets of CFWF-FM and CKCK from Craig. In accordance with the Commission's Commercial Radio Policy 1998, HDL has made commitments to tangible benefits equivalent to 6% of the combined purchase price of the two stations.

HDL will exchange the frequency of CKCK with that of its current AM station CKRM. Thus the call letters CKRM will move to frequency 620 kHz, and the call letters CKCK will move to frequency to 980 kHz.

Rawlco acquires CKCK from HDL
(Decision CRTC 2001-740)

In this decision, the Commission approves the application by Rawlco to acquire the assets of CKCK on the frequency 980 kHz. Rawlco will move the programming and call letters of its radio station CJME, currently operating on frequency 1300 kHz, to frequency 980 kHz.

Rawlco converts the AM station operating on 1300 kHz to an FM station
(Decision CRTC 2001-741)

In this decision, the Commission approves Rawlco's application to convert the radio station operating on frequency 1300 kHz to the FM band. The new FM station will operate on frequency 94.5 MHz (channel 233C). AM station CKCK will no longer operate.

The applicant indicated that the new station FM would offer an adult contemporary format.

Related CRTC documents

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.