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ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-120

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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-120

  Ottawa, 19 March 2004
  Wilderness Ministries Inc.
Nipawin, Saskatchewan
  Application 2003-0531-9
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
12 January 2004
 

Christian music FM radio station

  The Commission approves the application for an English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking at Nipawin that will broadcast Christian music.
 

The application

1.

The Commission received an application by Wilderness Ministries Inc. (Wilderness Ministries), a not-for-profit organization, for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking that would provide a Christian music service to listeners in Nipawin. The station would operate on frequency 104.1 MHz (channel 281A1), with an effective radiated power of  200 watts. A minimum of 95% of all musical selections in each broadcast week would be drawn from subcategory 35 Non-classic religious. The applicant also proposed that a minimum of 13% of musical selections from category 3 Special interest music broadcast during each broadcast week would be Canadian selections. Spoken word programming would make up 30% of the station's programming on a weekly basis, and would include 21 hours of religious programming.

2.

The station would broadcast a minimum of 63 hours per week of local station-produced programming, including some live programming on weekday mornings. The morning show would include news, community announcements and listener participation. News, weather and sports programming would be broadcast during the daytime on weekdays until 5:00 p.m. The station would also promote local events and sporting activities and provide free air time to local organizations for community announcements. The Sunday schedule would feature children's stories and local church services. The station also plans to broadcast a one-hour program highlighting Canadian music.

3.

Letters were received by the Commission from 266 interested parties expressing support for the approval of this application.
 

Balance programming

4.

In Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993 (the Religious Policy), the Commission stated that those stations that broadcast religious programming have an obligation to offer different views on matters of general public concern, including religious matters. The Commission expects all applicants to provide details on how they intend to ensure balance in their programming, and how they would respond to complaints from the public about balance in programming.

5.

In its application, Wilderness Ministries stated that the following measures would be taken to provide balance in its programming and to reflect alternative points of view on religious matters:
 
  • weekly local church services would be broadcast with multi-denominational participation;
 
  • a weekly program would also be broadcast, featuring the "church or ministry of the week", and consisting of interviews and information regarding different ministries;
 
  • the station would broadcast additional spoken word programs of a multi-denominational nature, featuring national and international religious leaders; and
 
  • the local ministerial committee would be consulted on a regular basis, through questionnaires distributed to the committee's members, to ensure that the station continues to meet the needs of the community.

6.

The Commission also notes that the applicant intends to encourage listeners to express their opinions on religious matters or other matters of concern to the community through a call-in line. Messages would be recorded for later broadcast. Announcements promoting this program would be broadcast at least twice daily. The Commission reminds Wilderness Ministries of its various obligations and responsibilities in providing this type of programming, as addressed in Policy regarding open-line programming, Public Notice CRTC 1988-213, 23 December 1988.
 

Canadian talent development

7.

The applicant did not propose to participate in the Canadian talent development plan established by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Instead, it made a commitment to contribute $400 annually to the development of Canadian talent, either through a cash donation or prize to a local artist, or as a contribution towards the costs of producing a local concert.
 

The Commission's determination

8.

The Commission considers that the applicant's proposals related to the provision of balance programming demonstrate that it is prepared to meet the requirements set out in the Broadcasting Act, and discussed in the Religious Policy. The Commission is also satisfied that, although the applicant plans to provide only a limited amount of live programming, the level and nature of other types of local programming proposed in the application are commensurate with the expected number of potential listeners and the size of the community to be served. Further, the Commission considers as appropriate the applicant's plans for the development and support of Canadian talent.

9.

Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Wilderness Ministries Inc. for a licence to operate an English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking at Nipawin. The station will operate on frequency 104.1 MHz (channel 281A1), with an effective radiated power of 200 watts.

10.

The Commission expects Wilderness Ministries to adhere to the requirements for the provision of balance. Further, the Commission encourages Wilderness Ministries to establish a regulatory review committee to oversee the handling of complaints regarding the content of balance programming. The Commission also encourages the applicant to make use of Canadian sources for its religious programming. In the appendix to this decision, the Commission has imposed a condition of licence requiring Wilderness Ministries to broadcast a minimum of two hours of locally-produced programming during each broadcast week that will provide the balance referred to in the Religious Policy.

11.

Consistent with the applicant's programming proposals and commitments, further conditions of licence have been set out in the appendix requiring:
 
  • that a minimum of 25% of all spoken word programming broadcast during each broadcast week originate from Canadian sources;
 
  • that a minimum of 13% of musical selections from category 3 Special interest music broadcast during each broadcast week be Canadian selections;
 
  • that a minimum of 95% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week be drawn from subcategory 35 Non-classic religious; and
 
  • that the licensee contribute a minimum of $400 annually to the development of Canadian talent, either in the form of a cash donation or prize to a local artist, or as a contribution towards the costs of producing a local concert.

12.

With respect to the applicant's plans for Canadian talent development, the Commission reminds Wilderness Ministries that all direct cost expenditures must comply with the criteria set out in An FM policy for the nineties, Public Notice CRTC 1990-111, 17 December 1990, which describes Canadian talent initiatives generally accepted by the Commission. Further, the Commission encourages the applicant to increase the amount of local programming aired on the station as resources permit.
 

Issuance of the licence

13.

The licence will expire 31 August 2010. It will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, with the exception of conditions 5 and 8, and to the conditions set out in the appendix to this decision.

14.

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.

15.

The Commission reminds the applicant 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.

16.

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant 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 March 2006. 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.
  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: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
 

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-120

 

Conditions of licence

 

1. The station shall operate within the Specialty format as defined in A Review of certain matters concerning radio,Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Public Notice CRTC 2000-14, 28 January 2000, as amended from time to time.

 

2. The licensee shall devote a minimum of 95% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week to selections drawn from subcategory 35 Non-classic religious.

 

3. The licensee shall broadcast, in any broadcast week, no more than 49.9% hit material as defined in Revised policy on the use of hits by English-language FM radio stations,Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, 23 April 1997.

 

4. The licensee shall ensure that a minimum of 13% of musical selections from category 3 Special interest music broadcast during each broadcast week are Canadian selections.

 

5. The licensee shall devote a minimum of $400 per year to support Canadian talent development, either in the form of a cash donation or prize to a local artist, or as a contribution towards the costs of producing a local concert.

 

6. The licensee shall adhere to the guidelines on ethics in religious programming as set out in section IV of Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, as amended from time to time.

 

7. The licensee shall broadcast a minimum of two hours of locally-produced programming during each broadcast week that will provide the balance referred to in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993.

 

8. The licensee shall ensure that a minimum of 25% of all spoken word programming broadcast during each broadcast week originates from Canadian sources.

Date Modified: 2004-03-19

Date modified: