WINNIPEG – First Peoples Radio Inc. (FPR) said that it is “back on track” to launch Type B Native FM radio stations in Toronto and Ottawa by next summer.
A non-profit corporation established by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), FPR was awarded the two broadcasting licences by the CRTC in June as part of the Aboriginal radio licences decision, but that decision was then challenged by Aboriginal broadcaster Wawatay Native Communications Society, as Cartt.ca reported.
FPR will operate a station in Ottawa at 95.7 FM and in Toronto at 106.5 FM which are aiming to launch by June 2018. FPR added that it is working in partnership with Corus on studio spaces in those markets, and is developing programming partnerships with local and regional Aboriginal communication societies.
“There is a very strong demand for such a service across Canada. Our research has clearly demonstrated this and now we can move to offer an original voice and sound that will be like no other in the radio industry”, said APTN CEO Jean La Rose, in the news release. “I am very confident that the service will gain broad audiences in the Ottawa and Toronto markets and that our programming will become a favourite of not only Aboriginal Peoples but many Canadians as well”.
