ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-169
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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-169 |
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| Ottawa, 10 May 2004 | ||
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Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited Whitehorse, Yukon Territory |
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Application 2003-0856-1 Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-5 22 January 2004 |
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CKRW Whitehorse - New transmitter in Whitehorse |
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| The Commission approves the application by Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited to add an FM transmitter to broadcast the programming of CKRW Whitehorse. | ||
The application |
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1. |
The Commission received an application by Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited (Klondike) to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CKRW Whitehorse, in order to operate an FM transmitter in Whitehorse to broadcast the programming of CKRW. The proposed transmitter would operate at 96.1 MHz (channel 241B1) with an average effective radiated power of 380 watts. | |
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2. |
Klondike indicated that the purpose of the proposed transmitter was to enable it to remain competitive in the local market by providing FM stereo service to the city of Whitehorse and surrounding area, while continuing to provide service on the AM band to those area residents who are unable to receive the new FM signal. | |
Interventions |
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3. |
The Commission received four interventions to this application, two of which were in support. The third intervention, while not expressing opposition, expressed the opinion that Klondike should have proposed instead the establishment of a transitional digital radio undertaking in cooperation with other local broadcasters. | |
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4. |
The fourth intervention, submitted by Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon (NNBY), was opposed to the Klondike application. NNBY is a non-profit organization which is the licensee of CHON-FM Whitehorse. | |
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5. |
NNBY opposed Klondike's plan to offer the service of CKRW on the FM band. It stated that Whitehorse is not large enough to support any additional radio services. It expressed the view that simulcasting by CKRW in this limited market will result in financial harm to CHON-FM, due to erosion of the advertiser base for Whitehorse's existing radio stations. | |
The applicant's reply |
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6. |
In reply, the applicant agreed with NNBY that Whitehorse was too small for another radio service. It noted that approval of its proposal would not add an additional voice to the market, only allow it to improve the sound quality of its programming. Klondike further stated that its proposal to simulcast CKRW's programming is predicated on its need to serve all residents of Whitehorse, regardless of reception challenges due to terrain. The retention of the existing AM service would be an alternative for listeners in remote locations where FM reception may be unreliable. | |
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7. |
Klondike expressed the view that approval of its proposal would only allow CKRW to keep its current advertisers, and would therefore not erode the revenues of other stations. | |
The Commission's analysis and determination |
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8. |
The Commission is of the view that approval of Klondike's application would offer improved quality of broadcast for CKRW listeners who prefer FM sound, while maintaining the existing AM service for audiences living in areas where the FM signal will not be reliable for technical reasons. | |
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9. |
With respect to the financial concerns raised by NNBY, the Commission finds that local advertising revenues for CHON-FM and CKRW have grown consistently in recent years. The Commission is therefore satisfied that approval of this application will not result in any undue negative impact on existing broadcasters in Whitehorse. | |
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10. |
Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CKRW Whitehorse, in order to operate an FM transmitter in Whitehorse to broadcast the programming of CKRW. | |
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11. |
The new transmitter will operate at 96.1 MHz (channel 241B1) with an average effective radiated power of 380 watts. | |
Issuance of the licence |
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12. |
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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13. |
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. | |
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14. |
The transmitter 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 10 May 2006. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted in writing 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: www.crtc.gc.ca | ||
Date Modified: 2004-05-10
- Date modified: