By Connie Thiessen
The CRTC has set a virtual hearing for April 30, at which it will consider a change of ownership for half a dozen radio stations and an application from CBC to convert its AM station in Cornerbrook, NL to FM.
Among the change of ownership applications is Stingray Radio’s bid to acquire CHUP-FM Calgary, currently branded as Hot AC format C97.7, from Rawlco Radio. Stingray would purchase the assets of the station for $5.5 million, with the total value of the transaction estimated at over $6.1 million.
Rawlco is also seeking approval to acquire 92.9 The Bull (CKBL-FM) Saskatoon from Saskatoon Media Group. Rawlco would purchase the assets of the station for $5 million, with the proposed total value of the transaction $5,075,000.
Two applications by Arsenal Media are also being considered – the first around its effort to acquire French-language sports network BPM Sports from RNC Media, including CKLX 91.9 Montreal, CHXX 100.9 Quebec City, and CFTX 96.5 Gatineau.
Arsenal has requested new broadcasting licences to continue operating the stations and transmitters under the same conditions as those currently in effect, with two modifications. Specifically, it has requested to be relieved of the conditions of service for CHXX-FM and its transmitter CHXX-FM-1 requiring it to maintain a studio in Donnacona and to broadcast at least 14 hours of local programming produced at that studio.
Arsenal would purchase the assets of the stations for $1.45 million, with the total proposed value of the transaction more than $1.8 million. Arsenal has requested an exception from the requirement to pay tangible benefits, noting the stations have experienced financial losses over the last five consecutive years, arguing that the proposed transaction would prevent them from closing, serving the public interest and allowing distinct voices to be maintained.
Arsenal Media is also seeking approval to acquire Radio Classique CJSQ 92.7 FM Quebec City from Gregory Charles’ Groupe Musique Greg. It’s requesting a new broadcasting licence to continue operating the station under the same terms and conditions, with the exception of the condition related to operating the station under the specialty format, which would pave the way for an easier transition to a mainstream commercial format.
The commission will also hear CBC’s application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM radio station to replace its English-language AM CBY Corner Brook, and transfer its transmitters CBDT-FM Deer Lake, CBNA-FM St. Anthony, CBNC-FM Stephenville, CBNE-FM Port-aux-Basques, CBNF-FM Bonne Bay, CBNH-FM St. Andrew’s, CBNJ-FM Port Saunders, CBYM-FM Mount St. Margaret and CBYP-FM Portland Creek to the proposed new FM station.
The public broadcaster is additionally seeking to add an FM transmitter in Lark Harbour, NL to rebroadcast the programming of the proposed new FM station, which would operate at 106.7 MHz (channel 294B1) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 10,000 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain [EHAAT] of 143.8 metres). The transmitter in Lark Harbour would operate at 105.3 MHz (channel 287A1) with an ERP of 240 watts (non-directional antenna with an EHAAT of -12.4 metres).
The deadline for interventions and comments is March 30.
