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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2024-221

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Reference: Part 1 application posted on 10 June 2024

Ottawa, 26 September 2024

Maritime Broadcasting System Limited
Digby, Nova Scotia

Public record: 2024-0158-7

CKDY-FM Digby – Technical changes

  1. The Commission has the authority, pursuant to subsection 9(1) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), to issue licences for the carrying on of broadcasting undertakings and to amend those licences.
  2. Consistent with this authority, the Commission approves the application by Maritime Broadcasting System Limited (MBS) to change the authorized contours of the English-language radio programming undertaking CKDY-FM Digby, Nova Scotia. Specifically, the licensee proposed to decrease the maximum effective radiated power (ERP) from 6,530 to 5,570 watts, increase the average ERP from 2,390 to 2,690 watts, decrease the effective antenna height above average terrain (EHAAT) from 165.7 to 24.5 meters, and amend the existing coordinates of the transmitter site. All other technical parameters will remain unchanged.
  3. The Commission did not receive any interventions in regard to this application.
  4. When a licensee of a radio station files an application for technical changes, the Commission generally requires the licensee to present compelling technical or economic evidence justifying the requested changes. In this case, MBS indicated that the proposed changes are a necessary part of the implementation process of the new FM signal. The licensee stated that the original site selected to implement the proposed conversion of its AM station (CKDY) into an FM station (CKDY-FM) presented a technical challenge related to the internet access needed to run audio over the Internet Protocol (IP). After having indicated that a change of location would be required, the licensee received an extension to their implementation process in Broadcasting Administrative Decision CRTC L2024-0013. The Commission notes the proposed amendments would decrease the service contours of the station and therefore impact current listenership. Nonetheless, the Commission is satisfied that the licensee has demonstrated a technical need for the requested changes.
  5. Pursuant to subsection 22(1) of the Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
  6. The licensee must implement the technical changes by no later than 3 May 2025. To request an extension, the licensee must submit a written request to the Commission at least 60 days before that date, using the form available on the Commission’s website.
  7. As set out in section 16 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), licensees have obligations relating to the broadcast of emergency alert messages received from the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System. In regard to the changes to CKDY-FM’s authorized contours resulting from the implementation of the technical amendments approved in this decision, the Commission reminds the licensee that continued compliance with section 16 of the Regulations may require that any alert broadcast decoders (e.g., ENDEC) used for the purposes of broadcasting emergency alert messages on CKDY-FM, or on any rebroadcasting transmitters that may appear on the broadcasting licence for that station, be reprogrammed to properly account for the new authorized contours.

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to the license.

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