The CRTC has approved an application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Fort Saskatchewan.
The Commission received an application by Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM radio station in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The new station would operate at 107.9 MHz (channel 300B1) with an average effective radiated power of 11,000 watts (maximum ERP of 20,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 70.2 metres). Golden West is controlled by Elmer Hildebrand.
Golden West proposed a mixed Classic Hits/Classic Rock music format. The 14 hours 5 minutes of spoken word programming proposed by the applicant would be comprised of local news (6 hours, 5 minutes), local weather, local sports, local surveillance, local farm and agriculture reports as well as oil and gas news. The station would also promote local concerts and the activities of the vibrant local arts community and other community organizations.
In its application, Golden West indicated that it would accept a condition of licence requiring it to broadcast 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular music) during the broadcast week and between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday to Canadian selections. It also committed, by condition of licence, to contribute $93,500 over and above the basic contributions to Canadian content development over seven years.
The Commission received interventions in support of this application as well as interventions opposing the application from Newcap Inc., Rogers Broadcasting Limited, Astral Media Radio G.P., 1572422 Alberta Ltd. and an individual. Newcap, Rogers and Astral intervened regarding the impact of the proposed service on the Edmonton market. The individual argued that the format would overlap with other stations in the market and 1572422 Alberta Ltd. requested to set aside the application in order to allow it to submit a competing application for a new undertaking in Fort Saskatchewan/Lamont. .
In their interventions, Newcap, Rogers and Astral, all owners of Edmonton stations, highlighted the negative undue impact the new service proposed by Golden West would have on the Edmonton market. The interveners indicated that Fort Saskatchewan is located within the Edmonton market. Rogers argued that Fort Saskatchewan could not support a local radio service and that revenues would be drawn from Edmonton in order to survive. Newcap stated that the proposed mixed Classic Rock/Classic Hits format would be directly competitive with its stations as well as other stations in the market.
In its reply, Golden West noted that the opposing interventions are focused on the Edmonton market and ignore the needs and unique nature of Fort Saskatchewan. The applicant argued that its application is not a back-door entry into the Edmonton market and its focus is to serve Fort Saskatchewan. Golden West submitted that Fort Saskatchewan is capable of supporting its own local radio station and that its proposed station would not impact the broader Edmonton market.
In its application, Golden West stated that it was proposing a first service for Fort Saskatchewan. The Commission notes that the community of Fort Saskatchewan is included within the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area, which forms the BBM Canada Edmonton central radio market. However, the 3 mV/m contour proposed by the applicant does not encompass the city of Edmonton. Based on the definition of a market in the Radio Regulations, 1986, which is the 3 mV/m contour of the FM station or the central area as defined by BBM Canada, whichever is smaller, the market served by Golden West would be Fort Saskatchewan and the surrounding communities, excluding the city of Edmonton.
Therefore, the Commission is of the view that Golden West's application would constitute a first service for Fort Saskatchewan.
The Commission notes that the proposed 0.5 mV/m contour would encompass part of the city of Edmonton. To ensure that the licensee directs its programming to the market it is licensed to serve, the Commission deems it appropriate to impose a condition of licence preventing the licensee from soliciting advertising in the city of Edmonton as identified by Statistics Canada.
The Commission reminds Golden West of its commitment to provide a local radio service to the communities it is licensed to serve. The Commission therefore expects Golden West to maintain its focus on local programming for Fort Saskatchewan.
