EDMONTON – It seemed fitting to see the Edmonton Oilers flag draped over the CRTC panel table for hearing on radio station applications in Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray on Monday.
Gathered at the Westin Hotel in downtown Edmonton were players vying for the rights to operate a new English-language commercial radio station in two northern Alberta, reaping the benefits of oil.
Michel Arpin, vice-chair of broadcasting for the CRTC, and his panel made it through four out of 19 applications for radio stations Monday. All of the applications reviewed were for the Grande Prairie market, although there are several for Fort McMurray to be heard this week, too.
Three applications for English-language radio programming undertaking a classic music hit format were presented by 1097282 Alberta Ltd, Newcap Inc. and OK Radio Group Ltd.
Allan Hunsperger (on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated) applied for an English-language FM commercial specialty service requesting a Christian music service.
“Some applications are competing technically for the use of the same frequencies in the Grande Prairie and in the Fort McMurray markets,” said Arpin.
“The panel will base its decision on several criteria, including the state of competition and the diversity of editorial voices in the market, as well as the quality of the applications. It will also look at the ability of the markets to support new radio stations, the financial resources of each applicant, and proposed initiatives for the development of Canadian talent.”
Those who presented today appear to believe there is room in the Grande Prairie market to not only divide up the pie, but rather, grow the pie. Alberta’s is a growing economy, after all.
NewCap chief executive Rob Steele described Grande Prairie as a market of over 45,000 people, and as the major shopping hub of the Peace country. He also noted that the average of $25,000 sales per capita in retail sales in the area is more than double the national average.
The hearing resumes today at 8:30 am (and with the Oilers loss in Game 7, there won’t be too many bleary-eyes). To listen in, click here.
Besides Arpin, the CRTC panel included commissioners Barbara Cram, Rita Cugini, Ronald Williams, and Stuart Langford.
Tara Blasco Raj is Cartt.ca’s western editor, based in Edmonton.
