ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-16

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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-16

Ottawa, 1 February 2002

Craig Music & Entertainment Inc., on behalf of Craig Wireless International Inc.
Winnipeg, Selkirk and Brandon, Manitoba

Standard Radio Inc.
Winnipeg, Selkirk and Brandon, Manitoba

Applications 2001-1152-6, 2001-1151-8, 2001-1150-1, 2001-1149-3 and
Applications 2001-0895-3, 2001-0896-1, 2001-0897-9, 2001-0898-7
Public Hearing at Hamilton
3 December 2001

Craig Wireless International Inc., by means of a corporate reorganization, acquires CKMM-FM Winnipeg, CFQX-FM Selkirk, CKXA-FM and CKX-FM Brandon from Craig Music & Entertainment Inc. Subsequently, Standard Radio Inc. acquires the assets of the four Craig stations.

1.

The Commission approves the applications by Craig Music & Entertainment Inc. (CMEI), on behalf of Craig Wireless International Inc. (CWII), to undertake a corporate reorganization whereby CWII will acquire radio stations CKMM-FM Winnipeg, CFQX-FM Selkirk, CKXA-FM and CKX-FM Brandon from CMEI and broadcasting licences to continue the operation of the stations.

2.

The Commission further approves the applications by Standard Radio Inc. for authority to acquire the assets of CKMM-FM, CFQX-FM, CKXA-FM and CKX-FM from CWII, and for broadcasting licences to continue the operation of these undertakings.

3.

Upon surrender of the current licences, the Commission will issue licences to Standard Radio Inc., expiring on the current expiry dates: 31 August 2003 for CKX-FM and 31 August 2004 for CKXA-FM, CFQX-FM and CKMM-FM. The licences will be subject to the conditions set out in Public Notice CRTC 1999-137.

4.

The total consideration relative to this transaction is $20,000,000. Based on the evidence filed with the applications, the Commission has no concerns with respect to the availability or the adequacy of the required financing.

5.

As stated in its Commercial Radio Policy, 1998 (Public Notice CRTC 1998-41), the Commission expects purchasers of profitable radio stations to make commitments to implement clear and unequivocal benefits representing a minimum direct financial contribution to Canadian talent development of 6% of the value of the transaction. In accordance with the Commission's policy, Standard offered a benefits package totalling $1,200,000 and proposed to allocate 3% ($600,000) of its contributions to the Radio Starmaker Fund and the Fonds Radiostar, and 2% ($400,000) to FACTOR. Standard indicated that it would direct the remaining 1% ($200,000) that it may allocate to other Canadian talent development initiatives to VoicePrint.

6.

VoicePrint is a national English-language audio network that provides a service that is of particular benefit to Canadians who are blind, visually impaired or print handicapped. Its programming consists of a selection of articles from daily newspapers and magazines read in their entirety by volunteers. VoicePrint has indicated that it will use the funds to recruit, train and manage volunteers who read for the service at its regional office in Winnipeg. Since the Commission considers that VoicePrint's reading function is tantamount to acting, it views the proposed allocation as assisting in developing Canadian talent in Winnipeg.

7.

Standard's benefits expenditures are over and above each station's existing commitments and conditions of licence. In this regard, the Commission notes that Standard has made a commitment to fulfil the outstanding benefits of $152,000 related to the acquisition by Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. of the assets of CFQX-FM (approved in Decision CRTC 99-98).

The Commission notes that this licensee is subject to the Employment Equity Act and therefore files reports concerning employment equity with Human Resources Development Canada.

Related CRTC documents

  • Public Notice 1999-137 - New licence form for commercial radio stations
  • Public Notice 1998-41 - Commercial radio policy, 1998
  • Public Notice 1995-196 - Contributions by radio stations to Canadian talent development - A new approach

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to each licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca

 

Date Modified: 2002-02-01

Date modified: