The CRTC on Wednesday approved an application by Arsenal Media to acquire radio station CJSQ-FM Quebec (currently operating as Radio Classique 92.7 FM) from Media ClassiQ, owned by Gregory Charles’s Groupe Radio Greg.
The commission also approved Arsenal Media’s request for a new broadcasting licence and to convert the radio station from its specialty format (classical music) to a commercial radio station operating under a mainstream format focused on country music. The broadcasting regulator has opted to grant the new licence for CJSQ-FM for an indefinite term.
Based on a transaction value of $894,292, Arsenal is required to pay $53,657 in tangible benefits, in equal installments over seven consecutive broadcast years, to the customary Canadian content development (CCD) funds, including the Canadian Starmaker Fund, Fonds RadioStar, FACTOR, Musicaction, the Community Radio Fund of Canada, and any eligible CCD initiative of Arsenal’s choosing.
In its application to the CRTC, Arsenal indicated CJSQ-FM will broadcast 126 hours of programming per week, including a minimum of 42 hours of local programming, and will devote 90 minutes to local and regional news, 30 minutes to national news, and 15 minutes to international news during each broadcast week. In approving Arsenal’s application, the CRTC said the new station owner’s proposal met the regulatory requirements for local programming and news.
In addition, the radio station is expected to devote at least five per cent of its musical selections to Canadian emerging artists each broadcast week, and to include indigenous musical selections on the station’s playlist.
