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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-20
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Ottawa, 27 January 2006
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Diffusion communautaire
Baie-des-Chaleurs inc.
Carleton and Paspébiac, Quebec |
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Application 2005-0305-4
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2005-66
13 July 2005 |
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CIEU-FM Carleton and its transmitter CIEU-FM-1 Paspébiac –
Technical change
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The Commission denies the
application to change the authorized contour of CIEU-FM-1 Paspébiac. |
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The application
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1. |
The Commission received an application by
Diffusion communautaire Baie-des-Chaleurs inc. (Diffusion communautaire)
to change the authorized contour of its transmitter CIEU-FM-1 Paspébiac,
by increasing the average effective radiated power from 33.8 watts to
86.5 watts, by increasing the antenna height and by relocating the
transmitter to a site at Port Daniel. |
2. |
The transmitter’s authorized contour would
be changed significantly as the proposed site is located approximately
25 kilometres from Paspébiac. The licensee indicated that the demolition
of its transmitter site in Paspébiac because of safety concerns made
this application necessary. |
3. |
CIEU-FM-1 is currently authorized as a
low-power unprotected service. Approval of this application would change
its operating class to protected status under the Department of
Industry’s rules. |
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Background
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4. |
In Addition of a transmitter denied,
Decision CRTC 93-739, 9 December
1993, the Commission denied an application by Diffusion communautaire
to operate a transmitter in Gascons, on the grounds that the technical
parameters of the proposed transmitter would have extended CIEU-FM’s
coverage eastward into the area served by commercial radio station
CHNC New Carlisle. The Commission expressed concern that, given the
Bonaventure radio market’s economic circumstances at that time and
CHNC’s poor financial performance, in particular, approval of that
application would result in an unacceptable erosion of CHNC’s audience
and revenues. The Commission, nevertheless, encouraged Diffusion communautaire
to consider other technical solutions that would address its concern
for improving the quality of the service it provides to its listeners.
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5. |
In Licence amendment for CIEU-FM,
Decision CRTC 97-269, 18 June 1997
(Decision 97-269), the Commission
approved an application by Diffusion communautaire to operate a transmitter
in Paspébiac. In that decision, the Commission noted that the new
transmitter’s coverage area would fall within CIEU-FM’s authorized
service area. However, the new transmitter approved in Decision 97-269
was never implemented due to technical problems. |
6. |
In Licence amendment for CIEU-FM,
Decision CRTC 98-454, 28 September
1998, the Commission approved a second application by Diffusion communautaire
for a licence amendment in order to operate a new transmitter in Paspébiac,
namely the transmitter that is the subject of the present application.
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Intervention
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7. |
Radio CHNC ltée (Radio CHNC), the licensee
of CHNC New Carlisle and its transmitter CHGM Gaspé, filed an
intervention in opposition to the present application. Radio CHNC
submitted that Diffusion communautaire is attempting to compete with
CHNC in an area where the economic climate is increasingly unsettled.
According to Radio CHNC, the area’s advertising market would be unable
to support increased competition. Radio CHNC added that it is sure that
Diffusion communautaire could find more reasonable technical solutions
that would respect the spirit and letter of the authorizations it was
granted by the Commission. |
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Applicant’s reply
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8. |
In response, Diffusion communautaire
submitted that the purpose of the proposed technical changes was to
allow it to put CIEU-FM-1 back on the air and to improve the signal
quality in CIEU-FM Carleton’s licensed area. Diffusion communautaire
stated that the parameters proposed for its transmitter CIEU-FM-1, would
not change the licensed service area of CIEU-FM. |
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Commission’s analysis and determination
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9. |
Based on its examination of the record of
this proceeding, the Commission considers that Diffusion communautaire’s
application raises concerns because the proposed contour would be
significantly different. The Commission is also of the opinion that the
proposed relocation of the transmitter to Port Daniel, some 25
kilometres west of Paspébiac, would result in the Paspébiac market not
being served adequately. |
10. |
The Commission also considered the
financial impact that the relocation of the transmitter could have on
CHNC. The Commission notes that CHNC’s profitability has declined since
2000. Given that the economic situation in this area remains quite weak,
the Commission considers that this technical change could have an
adverse financial impact on CHNC. |
11. |
In light of the above, the Commission
denies the application by Diffusion communautaire Baie-des-Chaleurs
inc. to change the authorized contour of transmitter CIEU-FM-1 Paspébiac,
by increasing the average effective radiated power from 33.8 watts to
86.5 watts, by increasing the antenna height and by relocating the
transmitter to a site at Port Daniel. |
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Secretary General |
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This decision is available in alternative
format upon request, and may also be examined in PDF
format or in HTML at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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