Cabin Radio has advised the CRTC of its intention to immediately reapply for an FM licence in Yellowknife.
The CRTC handed down a decision in February finding the market cannot support an additional commercial radio station at this time. Yellowknife is currently served by one commercial radio station operated by Vista Radio, CJCD-FM, one French-language community radio station operated by Société Radio Taïga, CIVR-FM, and one Indigenous (Type B Native) station, CKLB-FM, operated by the Native Communications Society of the N.W.T.
With two dissenting opinions, the commission’s decision was based on the finding that the market is generally underperforming in terms of revenue and profitability when compared to Whitehorse and Iqaluit, as well as nationally, noting CJCD-FM’s declining revenues in the five years period leading up to the pandemic and subsequently.
The online station, which has operated in the market since 2017 under the ownership of five local residents, would ordinarily have to wait two years to reapply. In its letter to the commission, it sets out why that moratorium shouldn’t apply including an unreasonable 42-month wait for the CRTC’s first decision and what it terms “a lack of appreciation” for the fact Cabin Radio is already operating in the market.
Cabin Radio says its application will be supported by hundreds of letters filed by Yellowknife residents and businesses, outlining “their confidence that Cabin Radio can deliver a much-needed service and exist alongside other FM broadcasters in the city.” It’s launched a separate website dedicated to the process.
The issue was raised in the NWT legislature on Monday with Finance Min. Caroline Wawzonek saying she would be among those writing a letter of support for the licence application.
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