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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2019-328

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Reference: Part 1 application posted on 9 July 2019

Ottawa, 20 September 2019

Akash Broadcasting Inc.
Surrey, British Columbia

Public record for this application: 2019-0510-1

CJCN-FM Surrey – Technical changes

The Commission approves an application by Akash Broadcasting Inc. to change the authorized contours of the unlaunched commercial ethnic specialty radio station CJCN-FM Surrey, British Columbia.

Application

  1. Akash Broadcasting Inc. (Akash) filed an application to change the authorized contours of the unlaunched commercial ethnic specialty radio programming undertaking CJCN-FM Surrey, British Columbia, by increasing the effective radiated power (ERP) from 320 to 600 watts (maximum ERP from 1,000 to 1,900 watts), decreasing the effective height of the antenna above average terrain (EHAAT) from 193.9 to 128.5 metres and relocating the transmitter site. The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding this application.
  2. The applicant indicated that the proposed technical changes are necessary because the transmitter site approved in Broadcasting Decision 2019-63 is no longer available due to circumstances beyond its control.

Background

  1. In Broadcasting Decision 2016-464, following a public hearing to consider applications for new ethnic radio services to serve Vancouver and Surrey, British Columbia, the Commission approved an application by Akash for a broadcasting licence to operate a new commercial ethnic specialty FM radio programming undertaking to serve Surrey. As set out in Appendix 2 to that decision, the unlaunched station, now known as CJCN-FM Surrey, was to commence operations by no later than 28 November 2018. When the Commission originally approved Akash’s application in 2016, it was satisfied that the Vancouver radio market, which includes Surrey, could support the licensing of new ethnic radio stations without imposing an undue financial impact on existing licensed services. The Commission also considered that there was an opportunity to repatriate listeners and revenues from unauthorized services by licensing new radio services such as CJCN-FM.
  2. In Broadcasting Decision 2019-63, the Commission approved the application by Akash to change the authorized contours of CJCN-FM by increasing the average ERP from 290 to 320 watts, increasing the EHAAT from 121.9 to 193.9 metres and relocating the transmitter site. In that decision, the Commission reminded Akash that the station was to be operational by no later than 28 November 2019, in accordance with the 12-month extension to the deadline to commence operations that had been granted by the Commission.

Commission’s analysis and decision

  1. The applicant submitted that the previously approved transmitter site is no longer a viable option for CJCN-FM. The applicant added that the reasons for this are beyond its control and submitted evidence to indicate that a conditional agreement has been reached for the proposed transmitter site.
  2. The Commission notes that the proposed technical changes would result in minimal changes to CJCN-FM’s service contours and, therefore, in a minimal loss of coverage to the population that the station is licenced to serve.
  3. In light of the above, the Commission approves the application by Akash Broadcasting Inc. to change the authorized contours of the unlaunched commercial ethnic specialty radio programming undertaking CJCN-FM Surrey, British Columbia.

Reminders

  1. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event by no later than 28 November 2019, in accordance with the 12-month extension to the deadline to commence operations that the Commission previously granted the applicant. To request a further extension, the applicant must submit a written request at least 60 days before the current deadline of 28 November 2019 using the form available on the Commission’s website. The Commission will only issue a licence for CJCN-FM once the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The authority granted in Broadcasting Decision 2016-464 will become null and void should the applicant fail to meet the implementation deadline set out above.
  2. 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.

Secretary General

Related documents

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

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