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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-341

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Reference: Part 1 application posted on 15 July 2016

Ottawa, 23 August 2016

Torres Media Ottawa Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec

Application 2016-0676-6

CIDG-FM Ottawa - Technical changes

The Commission approves an application by Torres Media Ottawa Inc. (Torres) to change the authorized contours of the English-language commercial radio station CIDG-FM Ottawa.

Although Torres has been unable to secure a new transmission site, CIDG-FM will still be able to carry out the frequency exchange with the French-language community radio station CHIP-FM Fort-Coulonge that was approved in Broadcasting Decision 2015-575.

Introduction

  1. In CIDG-FM Ottawa and CHIP-FM Fort-Coulonge - Licence amendments and technical changes, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-575, 22 December 2015, the Commission approved applications by Torres Media Ottawa Inc. (Torres) and Pontiac Community Radio to amend the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio station CIDG-FM Ottawa and the French-language community radio station CHIP-FM Fort-Coulonge by exchanging their frequencies, and in the case of CIDG-FM, changing its technical parameters.

  2. However, these changes have not been implemented given that Torres has been unable to secure a new transmission site. Torres submitted that it wishes to proceed with the frequency exchange, but to continue operating CIDG-FM from its current transmission site and under its existing technical parameters as a temporary solution until a new transmission site can be secured.

  3. Consequently, Torres filed an application to change the authorized contours of CIDG-FM to operate the station at 101.7 MHz (channel 269A), at its current transmission site and under its existing technical parameters, namely, with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,793 watts (maximum ERP of 5,500 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain (EHAAT) of 98 metres).

Commission’s analysis and decision

  1. The technical parameters that were originally approved along with the frequency exchange between CIDG-FM and CHIP-FM would have allowed CIDG-FM to expand its coverage and improve service to the Ottawa-Gatineau region, particularly to the southwest. In light of Torres’ inability to secure the new transmission site, permitting CIDG-FM to continue operating at its current transmission site and under the above-noted technical parameters would allow it to implement the frequency exchange with CHIP-FM while maintaining its existing coverage.

  2. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Torres Media Ottawa Inc. to change the authorized contours of the English-language commercial radio programming undertaking CIDG-FM Ottawa to operate CIDG-FM at 101.7 MHz (channel 269A), at its current transmission site and under its existing technical parameters, namely, with an average ERP of 1,793 watts (maximum ERP of 5,500 watts with an EHAAT of 98 metres).

  3. Should Torres wish to change CIDG-FM’s current transmission site or technical parameters in the future, it would be required to file a new application.

  4. Pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department of Industry notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

  5. The technical amendments must be implemented 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 23 August 2018. 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 that date.

Secretary General

*This decision is to be appended to the licence.

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