GATINEAU — The CRTC will hold a non-appearing hearing in February regarding an application by Halifax-based Acadia Broadcasting Limited to acquire the FM radio stations CKHZ-FM (Hot Country 103.5) and CKHY-FM Halifax (Jewel 105) from HFX Broadcasting, which is owned by Evanov Radio Group.
Following regulatory approval of the acquisitions, Acadia is requesting two new broadcasting licences be issued in order for it to continue operation of the two radio stations. However, it has requested the deletion of certain conditions of licence.
In the case of Hot Country 103.5, Acadia wants the following conditions removed:
As an exception to the percentage of Canadian musical selections set out in sections 2.2(8) and 2.2(9) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), the licensee shall devote to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety:
- at least 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) in each broadcast week; and
- at least 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in any period beginning on Monday of a week and ending on Friday.
For Jewel 105, Acadia requests the deletion of the following conditions:
The licensee shall, as an exception to the percentage of Canadian musical selections set out in section 2.2(8) of the Regulations, as amended from time to time, in any broadcast week, devote, in that broadcast week, a minimum of 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) to Canadian selections and schedule them in a reasonable manner throughout each broadcast day.
The licensee shall, in any broadcast week, devote a minimum of 10% of all musical selections broadcast to musical selections drawn from content category 3 (Special Interest Music).
Acadia says in its application the estimated purchase price for the assets of the two radio stations is $4.5 million. It has asked for an exception from the application of the CRTC’s tangible benefits policy due to the financial performance of the stations, the Commission says in its broadcast notice of consultation.
The Commission notes in its hearing notice that CKHY-FM (Jewel 105) is currently in non-compliance regarding its condition of licence requirement to devote a minimum of 40% of its popular music selections to Canadian selections each broadcast week, a matter which will be examined during the upcoming hearing, the Commission says.
Interventions to Acadia’s application are due by January 27. The hearing will be held on February 25 at 11 a.m. at the Commission’s headquarters in Gatineau.
