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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-462

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References: 2018-106 and 2018-106-3

Ottawa, 12 December 2018

International Harvesters for Christ Evangelistic Association Inc.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Public record for this application: 2017-0918-0
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
31 May 2018

New Christian music FM radio station in Saskatoon

  1. The Commission approves the application by International Harvesters for Christ Evangelistic Association Inc. (Harvesters) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language specialty (Christian music) FM radio programming undertaking in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The new station will operate at 103.1 MHz (channel 276A) with an effective radiated power of 2,000 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 39.9 metres). The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision. The Commission received interventions in support of this application.
  2. Harvesters is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.
  3. Harvesters will operate Saskatoon’s first Christian music radio station. In this regard, the proposed station will add to the local reflection and programming diversity in Saskatoon.
  4. The new station will offer a specialty Christian music format. It will broadcast 126 hours of programming each broadcast week, including 84 hours of local programming of which 40 minutes will be pure news (30 minutes of local and regional news, 5 minutes of national news and 5 minutes of international news). The remaining 42 hours will be devoted to wraparound programming.
  5. Harvesters stated that it will devote 40 minutes each broadcast week to local weather and traffic reports. The applicant also stated that it will devote 112 minutes per broadcast week to local community announcements that it would provide free of charge, as well as 100 minutes per broadcast week of interviews conducted over the phone and on site with local community leaders, heads of organizations and singers.
  6. The applicant committed to devote, in each broadcast week, 95% of all musical selections broadcast to selections drawn from content subcategory 35 (Non-classic religious). A condition of licence in regard to this commitment is set out in the appendix to this decision.
  7. Harvesters stated that it will devote 35 hours of non-local spoken word programming per week, which will be derived from its Bible programs, interviews and programs featuring world religions. In this regard, it proposed a program entitled “Canadian Mosaic” featuring a variety of world religions. The proposed station will also present programs of different views on religion and matters of public concern. 
  8. Harvesters confirmed that it will adhere to the Commission’s guidelines on balance and ethics as set out in Public Notice 1993-78, in which the Commission stated that stations that broadcast religious programming have an obligation to offer differing views on matters of public concern, including religious matters. A condition of licence to this effect is set out in the appendix to this decision.

Canadian content development

  1. In addition to the basic annual contribution to Canadian content development (CCD), set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, Harvesters committed to devote, by condition of licence, a total of $13,000 over seven consecutive broadcast years to CCD, commencing in the first year of operations, as follows:
    • Year 1 - $1,000
    • Year 2 - $1,000
    • Year 3 - $1,000
    • Year 4 - $2,000
    • Year 5 - $2,000
    • Year 6 - $3,000
    • Year 7 - $3,000

    Of this amount, at least 20% will be devoted to FACTOR or MUSICACTION, and the remainder will be allocated to parties and initiatives fulfilling the definition of eligible initiatives set out in paragraph 108 of Broadcasting Public Notice 2006-158.

  2. The applicant indicated that it will direct these funds to FACTOR, the Gospel Music Association of Canada and Canadian musicians.
  3. A condition of licence relating to CCD contributions is set out in the appendix to this decision.

Employment equity

  1. Because this applicant is subject to the Employment Equity Act and files reports concerning employment equity with the Department of Employment and Social Development, its employment equity practices are not examined by the Commission.

Secretary General

Related documents

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-462

Terms, conditions of licence and expectation for the English-language specialty (Christian music) FM radio programming undertaking in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2025.

The station will operate at 103.1 MHz (channel 276A) with an effective radiated power of 2,000 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 39.9 metres).

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

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 in operation by no later than 12 December 2020. To request an extension, the applicant must submit a written request to the Commission at least 60 days before that date, using the form available on the Commission’s website.

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 operate the station within the specialty format as defined in A Review of Certain Matters Concerning Radio, Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and in Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-819, 5 November 2010.
  3. The licensee shall devote at least 95% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week to selections drawn from content subcategory 35 (Non-classic religious).
  4. Where the licensee broadcasts religious programming as defined in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, the licensee shall adhere to the guidelines set out in sections III.B.2.a) and IV of that public notice with respect to the provision of balance and ethics in religious programming.
  5. In addition to the basic annual contribution to Canadian content development, set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, the licensee shall, upon commencement of operations, make a contribution of $13,000 over seven consecutive broadcast years to the promotion and development of Canadian content as follows:
    • Year 1 - $1,000
    • Year 2 - $1,000
    • Year 3 - $1,000
    • Year 4 - $2,000
    • Year 5 - $2,000
    • Year 6 - $3,000
    • Year 7 - $3,000

Of this amount, at least 20% per broadcast year shall be devoted to FACTOR or MUSICACTION. The remainder shall be allocated to parties and initiatives fulfilling the definition of eligible initiatives set out in paragraph 108 of Commercial Radio Policy 2006, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2006-158, 15 December 2006.

Expectation

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

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