Astral radio shortchanges Cancon in 2008

OTTAWA – Astral Media Radio has offered to donate $750,000 to make up for a 2008 Canadian content development (CCD) contribution shortfall impacting 65 of its commercial radio stations.According to Astral’s application to the CRTC on Monday, the shortfall for the 2008 broadcast year amounted to $659,752, and was due to “a misunderstanding of its transitional CCD conditions of licence”.Astral has proposed directing $450,000 or 60% to MUSICACTION and $300,000 to the Community Radio Fund of Canada to be paid out over the next seven years.The deadline for the submission of comments and/or interventions is October 13, 2009.www.crtc.gc.cawww.astralmedia.com