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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-273

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References: Part 1 application posted on 18 August 2016 and Part 1 licence renewal application posted on 1 March 2017

Ottawa, 31 July 2017

Radio 1540 Limited
Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec

Applications 2016-0846-5 and 2016-0847-3

CJLL-FM Ottawa/Gatineau – Licence renewal and amendment

The Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the ethnic radio station CJLL-FM Ottawa/Gatineau from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2024.

The Commission also approves the licensee’s application to reduce the station’s third‑language programming from 92% to 70%.

Applications

  1. Radio 1540 Limited (Radio 1540) filed an application (2016-0846-5) to renew the broadcasting licence for the ethnic FM radio station CJLL-FM Ottawa/Gatineau, which expires 31 August 2017.
  2. Radio 1540 also filed an application (2016-0847-3)to amend its licence for CJLL-FM by deleting the following conditions of licence:


    The licensee shall ensure that at least 92% of programming aired in each broadcast week is in languages other than English, French or a Canadian Aboriginal language.

    In addition to adhering to the requirement relating to basic annual Canadian content development contributions set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, the licensee shall allocate $5,000 per year to assist in ethnic program development and in training ethnic broadcasters at the Ottawa/Gatineau campus radio stations CKCU-FM Ottawa and CHUO-FM Ottawa. Each of the two stations shall receive $2,500 per year.

  3. The licensee proposed to replace the above-noted condition of licence relating to third-language programming with the following condition of licence:


    The licensee shall ensure that at least 70% of programming aired in each broadcast week is in languages other than English, French or a Canadian Aboriginal language.

  4. Radio 1540 indicated that this change would allow it to better meet the needs of the multicultural community in the market by increasing ethnic programming in English or French to serve the growing numbers of second- and-third generation Canadians. It noted that its 94% ethnic programming requirement for each broadcast week would be maintained.
  5. With regard to the proposed deletion of the condition of licence relating to Canadian content development (CCD), Radio 1540 noted that the station, which was licensed in 2001, has met and exceeded the over-and-above CCD commitments made in its first licence term.
  6. The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding these applications.

Commission’s analysis and decision

  1. The Commission notes that the proposed reduction in CJLL-FM’s third-language programming reflects the station’s changing target audience, while maintaining its weekly 94% ethnic programming level. In addition, the licensee is in compliance with its regulatory requirements for the current licence term, including those relating to over‑and‑above CCD contributions, and will continue to be subject to the basic CCD requirement set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 if its annual revenues exceed $1.25 million.
  2. In light of the above, the Commission approves the application (2016-0847-3)by Radio 1540 Limited to amend the licence for CJLL-FM.
  3. The Commission also renews (application 2016-0846-5) the broadcasting licence for the ethnic FM radio programming undertaking CJLL-FM Ottawa/Gatineau from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2024. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

Reminder

  1. Pursuant to section 22 of the Broadcasting Act, the broadcasting licence renewed in this decision will cease to have any force or effect if the broadcasting certificate issued by the Department of Industry lapses.

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-273

Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement for the ethnic FM radio programming undertaking CJLL-FM Ottawa/Gatineau

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2024.

Conditions of licence

  1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions set out in Conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-62, 11 February 2009, with the exception of condition of licence 7, as well as to the conditions set out in the broadcasting licence for the undertaking.
  2. The licensee shall offer, on a weekly basis, programming directed to at least 37 cultural groups in at least 20 languages.
  3. The licensee shall devote at least 94% of the programming broadcast in each broadcast week to ethnic programming as defined in Ethnic broadcasting policy, Public Notice CRTC 1999-117, 16 July 1999.
  4. The licensee shall ensure that at least 70% of programming aired in each broadcast week is in languages other than English, French or a Canadian Aboriginal language.
  5. The licensee shall devote no more than 15 hours per broadcast week to the broadcast of regional open-line programming.


    For the purpose of this condition, “regional open-line programming” means open-line programming that is broadcast simultaneously on CJLL-FM Ottawa/Gatineau and on CHIN Toronto or CHIN-FM Toronto.

  6. As an exception to section 2.2(4) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, the licensee shall ensure that at least 10% of the musical selections broadcast during ethnic programming periods each broadcast week are Canadian selections.

Expectation

The Commission expects the licensee to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in its programming and employment practices.

Encouragement

In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

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