|
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-51
|
|
Ottawa, 14 February 2003
|
|
591989 B.C. Ltd.
Cambridge, Ontario
|
|
Application 2002-0178-1
Public Hearing at Kitchener, Ontario
28 October 2002
|
|
CIZN-FM Cambridge - Technical amendments
|
|
The Commission approves the application by 591989 B.C. Ltd. to amend the licence of CIZN-FM Cambridge, in order to change the frequency from 92.9 MHz to 107.5 MHz. The Commission also approves the increase in the effective radiated power from 560 watts to 2,500 watts and the change to the authorized contours.
|
|
The application
|
|
1.
|
The Commission received an application by 591989 B.C. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Corus Entertainment Inc. (Corus)), to amend the broadcasting licence of the radio programming undertaking CIZN-FM Cambridge, in order to change the frequency from 92.9 MHz (channel 225A) to 107.5 MHz (channel 298A).
|
|
2.
|
The applicant indicated that it would relocate CIZN-FM's transmitter to a site at 48 Stafford Court (approximately seven kilometres from the current site). The applicant also proposed to increase CIZN-FM's effective radiated power from 560 watts to 2,500 watts and to change the authorized contours.
|
|
3.
|
Corus stated that the change in frequency would allow it to correct severe technical limitations associated with its existing signal thereby allowing CIZN-FM to better serve Cambridge.
|
|
4.
|
Corus submitted that technical problems associated with the 92.9 MHz frequency have resulted in significant advertising revenues and audience tuning being lost to out-of-market radio stations and, if not corrected, the situation would have a significant impact on the viability of the station.
|
|
5.
|
Corus noted that due to a congestion of frequency assignments in Southern Ontario, there is no available frequency that is devoid of interference issues with existing Canadian radio stations. Corus' application to use 107.5 MHz (Channel 298A) would create areas of interference with two existing Corus stations, CILQ-FM North York and CJXY-FM Burlington. Corus stated it would consent to such potential interference with its related stations in order to correct the significant limitations associated with its Cambridge service.
|
|
Interventions
|
|
6.
|
The Commission received 23 interventions in support and two interventions opposing Corus' proposal. The two opposing interventions were from Jordan Hofstetter, a resident of Kitchener, and Pellpropco Inc., licensee of CHSC St. Catharines.
|
|
7.
|
Mr. Hofstetter was concerned that approval of the application could reduce CIZN-FM's availability to residents of Kitchener-Waterloo.
|
|
8.
|
Pellpropco Inc. was concerned that Corus was willing to accept potential interference with two of its own stations for the purposes of this application but would not consent to interference when the licensee of CHSC had previously applied to the Commission for a conversion from AM to FM. Pellpropco Inc. also maintained that 107.5 MHz is the only FM frequency available that it could use for its stand-alone AM station in St. Catharines.
|
|
The applicant's reply
|
|
9.
|
In reply, Corus indicated that as noted by Mr. Hofstetter, there are severe technical limitations associated with CIZN-FM's current frequency and that residents of Cambridge, the station's principal market, cannot adequately receive its signal. Corus further stated that approval of its application would solve these technical problems enabling the station to provide improved service to the residents of its licensed market. It further noted that the change in frequency should not reduce the signal's coverage to residents of the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
|
|
10.
|
With respect to the intervention by Pellpropco Inc., Corus reiterated that allowing CIZN-FM to change its frequency to 107.5 MHz would allow it to properly serve its licensed market. Corus further noted that since it owned the two stations affected, its engineers would be able to cooperate to ensure optimal utilization of each signal with the least amount of interference. This may not be possible if one of the affected stations were owned and operated by another broadcaster.
|
|
The Commission's analysis and determination
|
|
11.
|
The Commission is satisfied with Corus' reply to the opposing interventions and considers that approval of the application would allow Corus to adequately serve its licensed area.
|
|
12.
|
The Commission therefore approves the application by Corus to amend the broadcasting licence of the radio programming undertaking CIZN-FM Cambridge, in order to change the frequency from 92.9 MHz to 107.5 MHz (channel 298A). The Commission also approves the increase in the effective radiated power from 560 watts to 2,500 watts and the change to the authorized contours.
|
|
13.
|
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.
|
|
14.
|
The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
|
|
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
|
Date Modified: 2003-02-14