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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-601
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Ottawa, 24 October 2006
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Native Communication Inc.
Thompson, Manitoba and Kenora, Ontario |
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Application 2006-0796-3
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2006-84
12 July 2006 |
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CINC-FM Thompson – New transmitter at Kenora
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The Commission approves an
application to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio programming
undertaking CINC-FM Thompson, Manitoba in order to operate a transmitter
at Kenora, Ontario. |
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The application
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1. |
The Commission received an application by
Native Communication Inc. (NCI) to amend the broadcasting licence for
the radio programming undertaking CINC-FM Thompson, Manitoba, in order
to operate a transmitter at Kenora, Ontario. |
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2. |
The new transmitter would operate at
100.5 MHz (channel 263B) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of
40,000 watts. |
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Interventions
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3. |
The Commission received several
interventions in support of the application as well as an intervention
in opposition by Norwesto Communications Ltd. (Norwesto), the licensee
of CKQV-FM Kenora. |
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4. |
Noting that it began operating CKQV-FM in
November 2004, Norwesto contended that the proposed transmitter would
have a negative impact on the Kenora radio market, which the intervener
claimed is still adjusting to the new competition offered by CKQV-FM.
Norwesto further argued that the introduction of satellite radio is
fragmenting the radio market in Canada and that the full extent of the
impact of satellite radio on the Kenora radio market is still unknown.
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5. |
Norwesto also submitted that the
programming to be offered by the proposed transmitter would not be local
and would, in fact, be produced outside the province. Accordingly, the
intervener claimed that the proposed transmitter would not benefit the
local community in terms of providing local content or establishing a
local studio and would consequently not generate any local jobs or
regional economic growth. |
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Licensee’s reply
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6. |
In response to Norwesto, NCI submitted that
the proposed transmitter would offer a completely different radio
service than that provided by CKQV-FM and would therefore not compete
directly with CKQV-FM. NCI explained that its radio network service,
which has been in operation since 1971, is targeted primarily to
Aboriginal peoples, and broadcasts Aboriginal and country music, Ojibway-
and Cree-language programs and news and information about Aboriginal
peoples and northerners. NCI noted that there is currently no radio
service directly targeted to the Aboriginal market in the Kenora area.
It further contended that more time is needed to ascertain the impact of
satellite radio on the Kenora radio market. |
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7. |
NCI confirmed that, if its application were
approved, CINC-FM’s newscasts would include local news as well as
regular weather and marine reports reflecting Kenora and surrounding
area. NCI also indicated that it would hire a stringer in Kenora to
report on stories of local interest, upcoming events, and news items
from Kenora and area for broadcast on CINC-FM, thereby providing local
Aboriginal organizations and groups with an opportunity to communicate
their events and information to their community. |
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Commission’s analysis and determination
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8. |
The Commission has reviewed the application
carefully taking into account the views presented by the interveners and
NCI’s response to the opposing intervener, Norwesto. |
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9. |
The Commission notes that Norwesto’s
original application for a broadcasting licence to operate a radio
station in Kenora was approved in April 2004.1
Since then, local and national advertising revenues in the
Kenora radio market increased marginally for the broadcasting year
ending 31 August 2005. |
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10. |
The Commission notes that NCI is proposing
to add a transmitter in Kenora and that it would not be allowed to sell
local advertising in that radio market. Accordingly, the Commission is
satisfied that approval of this application would have limited impact on
the other Kenora radio stations. |
| 11. |
In light of the above, the Commission
approves the application by Native Communication Inc. to amend the
broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CINC-FM
Thompson, Manitoba, in order to operate a transmitter at Kenora, Ontario
at 100.5 MHz (channel 263B) with an ERP of 40,000 watts. |
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The Commission reminds the licensee that,
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. |
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The transmitter must be operational at the
earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the
date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is
approved by the Commission before 24 October 2008. In order to ensure
that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be
submitted in writing at least 60 days before that date.. |
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This decision is to be appended to the
licence. It 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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Footnote:
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