OTTAWA – Toronto’s crowded FM dial may be the home to another new station after the CRTC issued a call for new applications to serve the Toronto market.
The Commission said Wednesday it issued the call after receiving an application by Dufferin Communications to change the frequency of its station CIRR-FM Toronto (also known as Proud 103.9) from 103.9 MHz to 88.1 MHz, as well as to increase its transmitter power. Dufferin is owned by independent radio broadcaster Evanov Radio Group.
Applications are due by December 19 and must include evidence giving clear indication that there is demand and a market for the station and the proposed service. All necessary technical documentation must be submitted to the Department of Industry by the same date.
During its evaluation, the CRTC said that it would consider the quality of the application, the diversity of news voices in the market, market impact, and the competitive state of the market. At a later date, the Commission will announce the public process for considering applications which will include how the applications may be examined by the public and the opportunity to comment on any application through written interventions.
Of course, 88.1 FM is the slot formerly occupied by Ryerson University radio station CKLN, which had its licence revoked earlier this year for being in non-compliance with its licence conditions for some time.
