The CRTC will hold a virtual hearing on July 6 to consider two AM to FM conversions, and new licences for Winnipeg, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and Oromocto, NB.
Maritime Broadcasting System (MBS) has applied for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Sussex to replace its English-language commercial AM radio station 590 CJCW Sussex. The station, which would retain its “hits of yesterday and today” format, would operate at 92.9 MHz (channel 225A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 725 watts.
Stingray Radio has also applied for an FM licence in Drumheller to replace CKDQ Drumheller, saying conversion is necessary due to failing, legacy equipment and infrastructure, in addition to declining revenues. Real Country 910 currently carries a Country format. The station would operate at 92.5 MHz (channel 223B) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 24,500 watts.
New licence applications include Gospel Music Radio Inc., which seeks to operate an English-language commercial specialty (Religious music) FM station in Oromocto. It would operate at 94.7 MHz (channel 234A1) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 250 watts. The applicant proposes to broadcast 126 hours of programming per broadcast week, of which 50.5 hours would be devoted to local programming, with 100% of all musical selections from content subcategory 35 (Non-classic religious).
Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Language and Cultural Centre has applied for a broadcast licence to operate an Indigenous (Type B Native) FM radio station in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, east of Belleville, ON. The station would operate at 89.5 MHz (channel 208A) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,100 watts. The applicant proposes to broadcast 126 hours of programming per broadcast week, of which 119 hours would be devoted to local programming and seven to wrap-around programming. The applicant proposes to broadcast 105 hours of English-language programming and 21 hours in Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk language), per broadcast week. Approximately 53 hours a week would be devoted to spoken-word programming and 73 to musical content, of which 10% of musical selections would be performed or composed by Indigenous creators.
Winnipeg-based community media outlet U Multicultural Inc. has applied for both TV and radio licences to operate an English-language community FM radio station, with a focus on ethnic programming, and a multilingual community television station.
The radio station would operate at 88.7 MHz (channel 204A) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 800 watts. The applicant proposes to broadcast 126 hours of local programming, per broadcast week, of which 40 hours (31%) would be broadcast in third-languages (Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu and Bangla), and two hours in French-language and/or Indigenous languages (Inuktitut, Ojibwe and Cree).
The applicant has requested an exception to the 15% limit on third-language programming a community station may broadcast in a week if there is at least one ethnic station licensed in the market. U Multicultural is seeking to air third-language programming up to a maximum of 40% of a broadcast week.
The television station would broadcast a minimum 80% Canadian programming, with a minimum 60% local. A maximum of 40% would be dedicated to third-language programs, targeting a minimum of nine ethnic groups in nine languages.
The deadline for interventions is June 5.
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