Too much Okanagan radio. Commission denies Pattison purchases

GATINEAU – Saying that two proposed purchases would violate its common station ownership policy, the CRTC has denied Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s application to purchase two more stations in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. In 2007, Pattison agreed to buy CKIZ-FM Vernon from Rogers Media and CIGV-FM Penticton from Great Valleys Radio for undisclosed purchase prices. However, Pattison already owns two FM stations in Kelowna, which is less than 60 kms from either of Penticton or Vernon and the proximity means that such concentration of ownership in the valley runs contrary to CRTC policy, says the decision. “As set out in...