|
Broadcasting
Decision CRTC 2006-325
|
|
Ottawa, 2
August 2006 |
|
Tiessen Media Inc.
Airdrie and Cochrane, Alberta |
|
Application 2005-0263-4
Public Hearing at Calgary, Alberta
21 February 2006 |
|
Eclectic Adult
Contemporary FM station in Airdrie and Cochrane
|
|
In this decision, the Commission
approves in part an application by Tiessen Media Inc. (Tiessen) for
a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language, commercial FM
radio station in Airdrie, with a transmitter in Cochrane. However,
Tiessen must, within three months of the date of this decision, submit
for the Commission’s approval, an application proposing the use of
another frequency and technical parameters that are acceptable to the
Commission and the Department of Industry for the Cochrane transmitter.
|
|
Background
|
1.
|
At the 21 February Public Hearing in
Calgary, the Commission considered ten applications for broadcasting
licences to operate new radio stations to serve Calgary, as well as
three applications to serve the nearby community of Airdrie, which is
considered to be part of the Calgary Central Market Area. The applicants
were as follows: |
|
Calgary
|
|
- Touch Canada Broadcasting Inc. (Touch Canada)
- CHUM Limited (CHUM)
- 1182743 Alberta Ltd. (1182743 Alberta)
- Evanov Radio Group Inc., on behalf of a corporation to
be incorporated (Evanov)
- Calgary Independent Radio Broadcasters Inc. (Calgary
Independent)
- Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner)
and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on
business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership (Pattison)
- Yadwinder S. Sivia, on behalf of a corporation to be
incorporated (Sivia)
- Rawlco Radio Ltd. (Rawlco)
- Harvard Broadcasting Inc. (Harvard)
- Newcap Inc. (Newcap)
|
|
Airdrie
|
|
- Tiessen Media Inc. (Tiessen)
- Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. (Golden West)
- Newcap
|
2.
|
The Commission’s determination that the
Calgary market can support the introduction of four new commercial
FM radio stations, as well as a new radio station to provide local
service to Aidrie is set out in Licensing of new radio stations
to serve Calgary and Airdrie, Alberta – Introduction to Broadcasting
Decisions CRTC 2006-321 to 2006-326,
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2006-97
(Public Notice 2006-97),
of today’s date. That public notice also summarizes the rationale
underlying the Commission’s approval, in whole or in part, of the
applications by Harvard, Rawlco, Newcap and CHUM to serve Calgary,
as well as the application by Tiessen to serve Airdrie. |
3.
|
In Denial of various applications proposing
radio service for Calgary and Airdrie, Alberta, Broadcasting Decision
CRTC 2006-326, also dated today, the
Commission has denied the competing applications for broadcasting
licences to operate new radio stations in Calgary by Touch Canada,
Evanov, 1182743 Alberta, Calgary Independent, Pattison and Sivia,
as well as the applications for broadcasting licences to operate new
radio stations in Airdrie by Golden West and Newcap. |
|
The application
|
4.
|
Tiessen has experience in the field of
professional sports and entertainment, and produces network radio
programming broadcast throughout Alberta. |
5.
|
The applicant proposed to establish an
English-language commercial FM radio station that would operate at 106.1
MHz (channel 291A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of
3,600 watts. An additional transmitter would be established at Cochrane
that would operate at 99.1 MHz (channel 256LP) with an average ERP of 15
watts. |
6.
|
The proposed station would offer an
Eclectic Adult Contemporary music format that would feature a blend of
pop, soft rock, country and roots-oriented music and artists designed to
appeal to listeners between 25 and 54 years of age. A minimum of 40% of
all musical selections from category 2 (Popular Music) aired during the
broadcast week, and a minimum of 35% of all musical selections from
category 2 aired between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday would
be Canadian selections. |
7.
|
The applicant indicated that the station
would broadcast at least 26.5 hours of scripted spoken word programming
during each broadcast week, including news and related surveillance
material, the majority of which would relate to Airdrie, Cochrane and
the surrounding area. The applicant indicated that eventually it hoped
to provide approximately 22 hours per week of spoken word programming
other than news. The applicant further stated that it would ensure that
the proposed station’s programming orientation would remain dedicated to
the communities of Airdrie and Cochrane. |
8.
|
Tiessen indicated that it would participate
in the Canadian talent development (CTD) plan created by the Canadian
Association of Broadcasters (CAB). Under the plan, accepted by the
Commission in Contributions by radio stations to Canadian talent
development – A new approach, Public Notice CRTC 1995-196,
17 November 1995, licensees serving markets the size of Airdrie are
required to contribute, through eligible third parties, a minimum
yearly amount of $400 to the development of Canadian talent. Tiessen
indicated that it would exceed that requirement. Including contributions
made under the CAB CTD plan, Tiessen stated that it would expend $1,000
in each of the first three years of the licence term, $2,000 in each
of the fourth and fifth years, and $3,000 in each of the sixth and
seventh years of the licence term, for a total of $13,000 over seven
consecutive broadcast years upon commencement of operations. Annual
expenditures would support a music scholarship program in area schools
and the purchase of new musical instruments within the local school
system. |
|
Interventions
|
9.
|
The Commission received numerous
interventions in support of this application, and one intervention in
opposition to this application, submitted by Mr. Eric Cartman. The
Commission also received interventions offering general comments,
submitted by Brenda Irwin, the Canadian Independent Record Production
Association (CIRPA) and by Corus Entertainment Inc. (Corus). |
10.
|
Mr. Cartman’s opposition to Tiessen’s
application was based on his contention that the Commission should not
award frequency 99.1 MHz for use in Airdrie; rather it should reserve
the eventual use of that frequency for the rapidly growing Calgary
market. |
11.
|
Brenda Irwin expressed the opinion that a
local station with a local owner supporting local businesses would be
good for the community. |
12.
|
CIRPA indicated that it generally supports
applicants that offer higher levels of Canadian musical selections,
contribute to diversity of ownership in the marketplace and offer
programming diversity both in terms of musical format and with respect
to the selections included in their playlists. CIRPA also expressed a
general concern with the level of CTD funding proposed by applicants to
be directed to the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records
(FACTOR). In CIRPA’s opinion, the recording industry in Canada would be
better served if a substantial portion of CTD funds were directed to
supporting FACTOR, an organization that assists in the development of
new artists and the marketing of existing ones. |
13.
|
Corus, licensee of three existing
commercial radio stations serving the Calgary market, recommended that
any of the applicants in this proceeding that receives a licence to
serve the Calgary market should make a commitment to maintain its
proposed format throughout its first term of licence. |
14.
|
Tiessen did not reply to the interventions
by Mr. Cartman, Brenda Irwin, CIRPA and Corus. |
|
Commission’s analysis
and determinations
|
15.
|
In Public Notice 2006-97,
the Commission set out its determination that, on the basis of the
strength of the Calgary market and the current profitability of Calgary
commercial radio stations, the Calgary radio market can support the
introduction of four new commercial radio stations to serve Calgary
as well as a new radio station to provide local service to Airdrie,
without an undue negative impact on existing stations. |
16.
|
The Commission concluded in Public Notice
2006-97 that the application
by Tiessen presented the strongest proposal of the three applicants
to provide a first local radio service to Airdrie. The Commission
is of the view that the proposed Eclectic Adult Contemporary format
targeted to listeners between 25 and 54 years of age, which is the
broadest demographic group proposed by the three applicants for Airdrie,
would have wide appeal. |
17.
|
The Commission notes that Tiessen would be
a new entrant to the Canadian broadcasting system, that it presented a
more comprehensive proposal with respect to local spoken word
programming, and that the majority of that programming would relate to
Airdrie, Cochrane and the surrounding area. The Commission further notes
the applicant’s plans for the development of Canadian talent, and the
commitment to broadcast a level of Canadian music in each broadcast week
that exceeds the regulatory minimum. |
18.
|
The Commission notes the concerns expressed
by CIRPA. The Commission considers that the initiatives proposed by the
applicant will provide valuable support for the development of Canadian
talent. |
19.
|
The Commission does not consider that it is
appropriate to impose a condition of licence requiring the applicant to
maintain its program format throughout the first licence term, as
suggested by Corus. |
20.
|
In light of all of the above, the Commission
approves in part the application by Tiessen Media Inc. for
a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM
radio programming undertaking at Airdrie, with a transmitter at Cochrane.
The Airdrie station will operate at 106.1 MHz (channel 291A) with
an average ERP of 3,600 watts. The licensee proposed to operate its
transmitter in Cochrane at 99.1 MHz. However, the Commission awarded
the use of frequency 99.1 MHz to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
in CBK Regina, CHFA and CBX Edmonton, CKSB St-Boniface and CBW
Winnipeg, and CBR Calgary – Addition of FM transmitters, Broadcasting
Decision CRTC 2006-84, 16 March 2006.
The Commission’s approval is therefore subject to Tiessen filing an
amendment to its application proposing the use of an acceptable alternative
frequency for its transmitter in Cochrane within three months of this
decision. |
21.
|
The Commission notes the applicant’s
commitments to the broadcast of Canadian music and its contributions to
CTD. A condition of licence is set out in the appendix to this
decision requiring the applicant to adhere to its commitments to minimum
annual financial contributions to CTD. The Commission expects the
applicant to contribute a total of $13,000 over a period of seven
consecutive broadcast years, upon commencement of operations, as
proposed. |
|
Cultural
diversity
|
22.
|
In Commercial Radio Policy, 1998,
Public Notice CRTC 1998-41,
30 April 1998, the Commission encouraged broadcasters to reflect the
cultural diversity of Canada in their programming and employment practices.
|
23.
|
The Commission expects Tiessen to reflect
Canada’s cultural diversity in its programming and employment practices. |
|
Employment
equity
|
24.
|
In accordance with Implementation of an
employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59,
1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the applicant to
consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all
other aspects of its management of human resources. |
|
Issuance of the
licence
|
25.
|
Subject to the limitations set out below
at paragraph 26, the licence issued to Tiessen will be effective 1
September 2006, and will expire 31 August 2013. It will be subject
to the conditions set out in New licence form for commercial
radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137,
24 August 1999. |
26.
|
The Commission will only issue the licence,
and it will only be effective at such time as: |
|
- The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised
the Commission that, while this application is conditionally
technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting
certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical
parameters for the Airdrie undertaking will not create any
unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.
|
|
- The Department notifies the Commission that its
technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting
certificate will be issued, pursuant to section 22(1) of the
Broadcasting Act.
|
|
- The applicant submits, within three months of the date
of this decision, an amendment to its application proposing the use
of an FM frequency and technical parameters for the Cochrane
transmitter that are acceptable to both the Commission and the
Department. This amended application will form part of a public
process.
|
|
- The applicant has informed the Commission in writing
that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking 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 2 August
2008. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a
timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before that
date.
|
|
Secretary General |
|
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
|