OTTAWA – Rogers Broadcasting and Astral Media Radio were among a handful of radio broadcasters that received only short term licence renewals after the CRTC questioned their adherence to regulatory obligations.
The Commission renewed the broadcasting licence for Rogers’ CFUN-FM Chilliwack and its transmitters CFUN-FM-1 Abbotsford and CFUN-FM-2 Vancouver for only one year – from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012 – to allow for an earlier review of its compliance with the radio regulations and its conditions of licence. It also issued a mandatory order requiring the station to comply with its conditions of licence relating to local programming.
“By not respecting the above-noted conditions of licence during the current licence term, the Commission is of the view that Rogers has again failed to demonstrate that CFUN-FM’s programming is mainly directed to Chilliwack and the Fraser valley, not Vancouver”, the decision reads.
The CRTC also denied Rogers’ request to amend its condition of licence relating to local coverage.
Astral received a two year licence renewal through 2013 for CIBK-FM Calgary after the Commission said that station was in non-compliance over Canadian content development (CCD) contributions for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 broadcast years, basic annual CCD contributions for the 2009-2010 broadcast year, and filing complete annual returns.
The Commission said that by condition of licence, Astral must make a $10,111 payment to eligible CCD initiatives, and file proof of eligibility and payment by September 30, 2011.
