Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-215

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Reference: 2016-20

Ottawa, 3 June 2016

Stoke FM Radio Society
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Application 2015-1246-8, received 29 October 2015
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
22 March 2016

English-language community FM radio station in Revelstoke

The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a very low-power, English-language community FM radio station in Revelstoke, British Columbia.

Background

1. In Broadcasting Decision 2011-669, the Commission approved an application by Stoke FM Radio Society (Stoke FM) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, very low-power developmental community FM radio station in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The station currently operates at 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 4 watts (effective height of antenna above average terrain (EHAAT) of -108.25 metres).^{Footnote 1} The broadcasting licence for this station expires 31 August 2016.

Application

2. Stoke FM filed an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a very low-power, English-language community FM radio station in Revelstoke. The proposed station would operate under the developmental community station's current technical parameters (i.e., 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an ERP of 4 watts (EHAAT of -108.25 metres)). The Commission received an intervention in support of this application.
3. Stoke FM is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.
4. The applicant indicated that it would broadcast 126 hours of local, station-produced programming each broadcast week, including 2 hours of French-language programming. The station's music programming would be drawn from a range of content category 2 (Popular Music) and 3 (Special Interest Music) selections. Stoke FM also provided the names of music programs that it would broadcast, such as “Mountains, Lakes and Streams,” “Filtered for the People” and “Music Listeners Club.”
5. Spoken word programming would consist of local and regional news pertaining to the community of Revelstoke. The applicant proposed to broadcast 7.5 hours of newscasts each broadcast week, of which 6.5 hours would consist of pure news.
6. In regard to the development of local talent, the applicant stated that local bands and artists perform live on the station's morning show. Stoke FM added that it is involved with community coffee houses, operates a youth network and develops local spoken word talent through its local shows.
7. In regard to volunteer participation, Stoke FM indicated that the developmental station currently operates with a fluctuating base of ten volunteers who assist in various aspects of the station's operations, including programming, daily reports and live interviews/shows. Supervision is provided by a station manager, training is offered several times per month, and a volunteer handbook is distributed to all volunteers. The applicant stated that it is committed to its community and volunteers, and that everyone in the community is welcome to apply to volunteer at the station.

Procedural request

8. On 19 February 2016, Stoke FM filed a procedural request for additional information to be added to the public record for consideration with the application.^{Footnote 2} The information included an updated list of Stoke FM's board of directors and commitments to file within 60 days revised bylaws.
9. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2016-20-1, the Commission announced that it had agreed to add the additional information to the public record for this proceeding and reopened the intervention period for comments relating to the new information only. The Commission did not receive any additional interventions.

Commission's decision

10. The Commission expects community radio stations to provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial radio stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Such programming should consist of 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 programming targeted to specific groups within the community.
11. The Commission is satisfied that the application complies with the provisions for community radio stations set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-499. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Stoke FM Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate a very low-power, English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

Reminders

12. Pursuant to section 16 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, all licensees of campus, community and Native radio stations must participate in the National Public Alerting System.
13. Pursuant to the mandate and role set out for community radio stations in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-499, Stoke FM will be expected to continue its support for the development of local talent and facilitate volunteer participation within the community of Revelstoke throughout the licence term.

Secretary General

Related documents

• Notice of hearing, Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2016-20, 20 January 2016, as amended by Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2016-20-1, 26 February 2016
• English-language developmental community FM radio station in Revelstoke, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-669, 26 October 2011
• Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010

* This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-215

Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement for the very low-power, English-language community FM radio programming undertaking in Revelstoke, British Columbia

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2022.

The station will operate at 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an effective radiated power of 4 watts (effective height of antenna above average terrain of -108.25 metres).

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

Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a very low-power unprotected FM undertaking, the Commission also reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

The Commission directs the applicant to file executed copies of its revised corporate documents by 4 July 2016.

Furthermore, the Commission will only issue a licence for this undertaking 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 3 June 2018. 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.

Conditions of licence

1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions of licence set out in the broadcasting licence for the undertaking as well as the conditions set out in Standard conditions of licence for campus and community stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-304, 22 May 2012.

Expectation

As set out in Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010, the Commission expects all community and campus licensees to file yearly updates on the composition of their boards of directors. These annual updates can be submitted at the time of submission of annual returns, following annual board of directors' elections, or at any other time. As noted in Appendix 3 to that regulatory policy, licensees may submit such documentation via the Commission's website.

Encouragement

The Commission considers that community radio stations should be particularly sensitive to employment equity issues in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the licensee to consider these issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Date modified:

2016-06-03