ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-461

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-461

Ottawa, 18 December 2002

Sask-Alta Broadcasters Limited
Lloydminster and Bonnyville, Alberta

Application 2002-0221-8
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
18 November 2002

CKSA Lloydminster - Conversion to FM band

1.

The Commission approves the application by Sask-Alta Broadcasters Limited (Sask-Alta) for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language FM radio programming undertaking at Lloydminster to replace its AM station CKSA and to add a transmitter in Bonnyville to offer the programming of the new FM station.

2.

Sask-Alta indicated that conversion of CKSA to an FM station would enhance the quality of the signal for the existing listeners and would also strengthen the Lloydminster market by repatriating audiences currently tuning to out-of-market stations. The licensee proposed adding a transmitter in Bonnyville to ensure that its AM coverage would be sufficiently duplicated.

3.

The new station will adopt CKSA's country music format. In addition to music, the new station will offer national, regional and local news and information. The station will focus on the coverage of local events and news of interest to the community, including agriculture, Aboriginal activities and the daily Oil Prices Report.

4.

The licensee will participate in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Canadian Talent Development (CTD) Plan, which for the Lloydminster market, represents annual contributions of $400. However, Sask-Alta has committed to accept as a condition of licence, to devote a minimum of $20,000 per year in direct contributions to the development of Canadian talent. This represents $19,600 per year over and above the CAB's CTD Plan and a total contribution of $140,000 over the licence term.

5.

The licensee intends to direct its contributions to the Lloydminster Public School Division and the Lloydminster Catholic School Division Band departments. The mandate of the program is to purchase musical instruments that can be made available to children that would not otherwise have the opportunity to explore their musical talent. This program has already been implemented by CKSA. The licensee intends to extend this program to rural communities in its service area including Vermillion, Cold Lake, Bonnyville and St. Paul, Alberta and Turtleford, Saskatchewan. In addition, the licensee is exploring the establishment of an annual scholarship for local graduating students that choose to enrol in performing arts programs at post-secondary institutions.

6.

The new station in Lloydminster will operate at 95.9 MHz (channel 240C1) with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts and the transmitter in Bonnyville will operate at 101.3 MHz (channel 267B) with an effective radiated power of 25,000 watts.

7.

The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

8.

The licence will expire 31 August 2009 and will be subject to the conditions set outin New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, and those set out in this decision.

9.

The licensee is authorized, by condition of licence, to simulcast the programming of the new FM station on CKSA for a transition period of six months following the commencement of operations of the FM station. The licensee must surrender the AM licence for revocation by the Commission at the end of this period.

10.

In light of the licensee's commitments with respect to CTD, the Commission requires the licensee, by condition of licence, to contribute $20,000 per year in direct cost expenditures towards the development of Canadian talent. This will consist of expenditures of $400 per year to the CAB's CTD Plan and an additional $19,600 per year to be spent as outlined above.

11.

The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that, while this application is conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

12.

The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

13.

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the licensee has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 18 December 2004. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.

14.

In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Secretary General

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