ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Procedural Letter Addressed to Ed Torres (Torres Media Ottawa Inc.)
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Procedural letter
Ottawa, 15 July 2016
Ed Torres
380 Hunt Club Rd., Ste 203
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1V1
By Email: etorres@skywords.com
Re: Broadcasting Application 2016-0676-6 (CIDG-FM Ottawa/Gatineau)
Dear Mr. Torres,
This letter is in reference to a procedural request included in an application that was filed with the Commission from Torres Media Ottawa Inc. (Torres) for a technical amendment to change the authorized contours of the English-language commercial radio station CIDG-FM Ottawa/Gatineau.
Procedural Request
In Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-575, the Commission approved applications from Torres and Pontiac Community Radio, licensee of the French-language community radio station CHIP-FM in Fort-Coulonge, to exchange the frequencies of their respective stations and, in the case of Torres, to move the transmission site and change the technical parameters of CIDG-FM.
In the present application, Torres has indicated that the new transmission site has not been secured due to delays in the negotiation process. Instead, Torres is proposing to proceed with the change in frequency, but from CIDG-FM’s existing transmission site and under its current operating parameters as a temporary solution until a transmission site can be secured.
Torres has requested for administrative approval of the above-noted application. In the event that an administrative process is not granted, Torres has requested a shortened intervention period.
As rationale, Torres states that administrative approval is necessary, to allow CIDG-FM to implement a change in its frequency sooner, and therefore operate on the new frequency during the fall ratings period that begins in September. As well, the change in frequency would allow CHIP-FM to realize the benefit of the change heading into the strongest quarter for radio advertising. Torres also submits that the parameters as proposed fall entirely within the contours that the CRTC approved in Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-575.
As set out in Broadcasting Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-960, the administrative approach is intended to process routine applications that do not raise general concerns.
In Commission staff’s view, the proposed amendment in the present application does not represent a routine application as it deviates from the technical parameters and service contours approved for CIDG-FM in Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-575. Therefore, staff considers that an opportunity for public input on the proposed amendment should be provided and that an administrative process is not appropriate.
However, Commission staff is mindful of the concerns from Torres regarding the fall ratings period and, in these particular circumstances, the benefits that could result from processing the application in an expedited fashion.
Therefore, the application will remain a Part 1 Proceeding, but subject to a shortened timeline with a 15 day intervention period, ending 1 August 2016, and a 5 day reply period, if necessary.
A copy of this letter and all related correspondence will be added to the public record of the proceeding for this application.
Sincerely,
John Fernandez
Analyst, Radio Policy & Applications
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