The CRTC on Tuesday launched a consultation on the market capacity and the appropriateness of issuing a call for radio applications for a new station to serve Kelowna, B.C.
The broadcasting regulator’s call for comments comes after it received an application from CIAM Media and Radio Broadcasting Association for a licence amendment to operate a rebroadcasting transmitter to serve Kelowna. The applicant operates the English-language community FM station CIAM-FM Fort Vermilion in Alberta and is proposing to use one of the last known frequencies in Kelowna — 92.3 MHz — for a new rebroadcasting transmitter, with an average effective radiated power of 3,400 watts.
The CRTC is now seeking comments on the capacity of Kelowna to support a new radio service and on whether the regulator should issue a call for applications for new stations to serve this community.
The deadline for interventions is Aug. 27. Replies are due by Sept. 11.
If little or no interest is expressed during the intervention period to serve the Kelowna radio market, the CRTC says it will publish CIAM’s application for consideration during a public hearing rather than issue a call for applications.
