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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-618
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Ottawa, 19 December 2003
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B.C.I.T. Radio Society
Burnaby, British Columbia
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Application 2003-0693-7
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
20 October 2003
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New, Instructional campus FM radio station in Burnaby
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The Commission approves the application for a licence to operate a new, not-for-profit, Instructional campus FM radio station.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by B.C.I.T. Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate a not-for-profit, English-language, Instructional campus FM radio programming undertaking in Burnaby, British Columbia. The B.C.I.T. Radio Society is a not-for-profit society whose operating costs are fully covered by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (B.C.I.T.).
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Programming
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2.
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The applicant proposed to offer 126 hours per week of programming responding to the needs and interests of students attending B.C.I.T. and reflecting community and university current events. The applicant indicated that a minimum of 70% of the musical selections aired on the station in each broadcast week would come from subcategory 21 (Pop, Rock and Dance), while a minimum of 5% would come from category 3 (special interest).
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3.
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The station would promote the music of local independent artists as well as that of artists whose performances are seldom broadcast by other stations. The applicant's spoken word features would include Making Contact, a one-hour interview program dedicated to the development and exposure of local artists and talent. The program would feature live musical performances and theatre readings. A second hour-long program, Musical Roots, would explore the work of local musical talent in the genres of blues, jazz, folk, world beat and international music (category 3). News, a sports magazine and a community events calendar would also be featured.
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Staff recruitment and training
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4.
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As an Instructional station, the applicant stated that it would not enlist volunteers. Instead, students would develop programming under the guidance of faculty at the B.C.I.T., as part of an educational program whose learning objectives are well-defined. Students would be responsible for producing the bulk of the station's news programming and spoken word features. Approximately 90% of the broadcast week would be devoted to programming produced by students as part of their course requirements.
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5.
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The Commission received no intervention in connection with this application.
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The Commission's analysis and determination
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In Campus radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-12, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-12), the Commission stated that its primary objective for the campus radio sector is that it:
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.provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The Commission considers that campus stations should add diversity to the broadcasting system by providing alternative programming in both music and spoken word.
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7.
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The Commission defined two different kinds of campus stations, namely Community-based campus stations and Instructional campus stations. Of the latter, the Commission stated:
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The primary role of [Instructional campus] stations is to provide a training ground for students in broadcasting courses. These stations must also provide their audiences with alternative programming. Alternative programming should include music, especially Canadian music, not generally heard on commercial stations (including special interest music, as well as styles of popular music seldom broadcast), in-depth spoken word programming, and some formal educational programming.
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The Commission added that it expects the board of directors of all campus radio stations "to include balanced representation from among the student body, the associated college or university (for example, faculty or administration), station volunteers, and from the community at large. To ensure continuity of direction, the Commission also encourages campus stations to establish positions on their boards of directors with terms of more than one year."
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9.
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Based on its examination of this application, the Commission is satisfied that it is in conformity with all the applicable terms and conditions for Instructional campus radio stations announced in Public Notice 2000-12. The Commission also notes that the performances of local and Canadian artists will occupy a predominant position within the station's programming. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by B.C.I.T. Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, Instructional campus FM radio station in Burnaby at 107.9 MHz (channel 300LP) with an effective radiated power of 12 watts.
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Issuance of the licence
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10.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2010 and will be subject to the conditions specified in New licence form for campus radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-156, 16 November 2000.
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11.
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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.
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12.
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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.
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13.
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Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.
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14.
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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 19 December 2005. 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.
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Secretary General
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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
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Date Modified: 2003-12-19