ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-337

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-337

Ottawa, 6 November 2002

Robson Square 4600 Services Ltd. (formerly Paul Sander, OBCI)
Vancouver, British Columbia

Application 2001-0336-7
Public hearing in Calgary
10 April 2002

Low-power tourist information service in Vancouver

In this decision, the Commission denies an application to operate a new English-language tourist information service in Vancouver at 88.9 MHz (channel 205LP).

The application

1.

The Commission received an application by Paul Sander, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, now incorporated as Robson Square 4600 Services Ltd., for authority to operate, at 88.9 MHz (channel 205LP), with an effective radiated power of 38 watts, a new low-power English-language FM radio station to provide a tourist information service in Vancouver.

2.

The applicant indicated that the station would broadcast, on a year-round basis, pre-recorded tourist information programs aimed at providing visitors with information of interest on tourist attractions and outdoor activities, as well as on shopping, entertainment, accommodation and restaurants in Vancouver.

Interventions

3.

The Commission received several interventions in support of this application. It also received two opposing interventions, namely from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (the CBC) and Global Television Network Inc. (Global).

4.

In its intervention, the CBC stated that the frequency proposed by the applicant was identified in the CBC long range radio plan submitted to the Commission on 31 August 2001. Moreover, the intervener noted that in Revised technical parameters for the new transmitter of CBUF-FM at Victoria - Denied, Decision CRTC 2001-316, 5 June 2001, the Commission indicated that 88.9 MHz was the only remaining FM frequency in Victoria suitable for transmitting the French-language stereo service La Chaîne culturelle. The CBC stated that, as a result, it was preparing to file an application¹ for the use of this frequency.

5.

For its part, Global expressed concern that the use of 88.9 MHz by the applicant would interfere with its Vancouver station, CHEK-TV. The intervener argued that the application should not be approved until such time as technical tests have been conducted and that proof has been established that the quality of CHEK-TV's reception would not be compromised.

6.

The Commission notes that the applicant did not reply to these interventions.

The Commission's analysis and conclusion

7.

The Commission has considered the arguments submitted by the CBC and Global and finds that the CBC's intervention is justified. In CBC Vancouver - Addition of a transmitter, Decision CRTC 2002-339, also issued today, the Commission authorizes the CBC to use the 88.9 MHz (channel 205C1) frequency to operate a transmitter of the new FM station in Vancouver to rebroadcast La Chaîne culturelle programming in Victoria. Accordingly, the Commission denies the application by Robson Square 4600 Services Ltd. to operate a new English-language tourist information FM station in Vancouver at 88.9 MHz.

8.

The Commission encourages the applicant to find another frequency for its proposed tourist information service and to file a new proposal with the Commission.

Secretary General

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