CKEE and CKNW Repeaters DENIED

[radiofan]

Ottawa, 7 August 2015

Four Senses Entertainment Inc.
Whistler, British Columbia

Corus Premium Television Ltd.
New Westminster, British Columbia

Applications 2014-0964-9 and 2014-1106-6

CKEE-FM Whistler and CKNW New Westminster - Addition of transmitters

The Commission denies an application by Four Senses Entertainment Inc. (Four Senses) to amend the broadcasting licence for CKEE-FM Whistler, British Columbia, by adding a new rebroadcasting transmitter in North Vancouver. It also denies an application by Corus Premium Television Ltd. (Corus) to amend the broadcasting licence for CKNW New Westminster, British Columbia, by adding a nested FM rebroadcasting transmitter in Vancouver. A nested rebroadcasting transmitter is a transmitter within the coverage contours of the originating station to supplement coverage to an area experiencing reduced signal quality.

The applicants proposed to use adjacent frequencies so the applications are mutually exclusive on a technical basis. The Commission therefore considers it appropriate to consider both applications in the same decision.

Four Senses application

The Commission considers that the proposed transmitter in North Vancouver is not necessary for the applicant to provide the service that it originally proposed for Whistler. Further, rebroadcasting CKEE-FM in North Vancouver does not constitute the best use of the proposed frequency, given that it could be used for an originating station to serve the market.

Corus application

The Commission considers that the applicant’s proposal does not represent an appropriate solution to interference issues in downtown Vancouver given that the technical parameters are greater than what is necessary for that purpose. Use of the proposed frequency for a rebroadcasting transmitter would also prohibit the use of 99.9 MHz, an adjacent frequency, for a radio station that originates programming. Further, the addition of a nested FM transmitter under the proposed technical parameters would result in Corus having a third FM presence in the Vancouver market, contrary to the Commission’s common ownership policy. The Commission considers that an exception to the common ownership policy is not warranted.

Red the full decision at: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-359.htm

[Tom Jeffries]

I can't pick up CKNW, and I am only blocks from the Black Tower.

The signal has always sucked - and in this new era, this is a body blow....but, that being said - whomever was responsible for writing the request for the change, for the CRTC, should read the rules first.

I was stunned they tried to do something that is a cardinal rule....and a line in the sand for the CRTC.

Bizarre.

[Mike Cleaver]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.
If 980 wants a better signal into downtown, put it on loser 730 and dump the all traffic disaster.
Failing that, dump one of the loser FM formats and put 980 on that.
Problem solved.
Improved signal does not equal improved ratings.
You need real programming for that.

[jergig]

Not a cardinal rule for the CRTC. Cogeco has 3 FM's in the Montreal Franco market. They allowed the exception because one is a News/Talk station. Corus was obviously looking at this as a precedence.

[jon]

Expanding on Mike's concept, since 980 has to protect East for a station in Regina on the same frequency, move the 980 transmitter to a point East of Chilliwack, to serve the Fraser Valley, move CKNW to 730 and use 980 as a repeater, to fill in for a bit of a Null in 730's directional pattern towards the East.

I know there are rules about AM-FM simulcasting, but what about simulcasting a couple of AM's? The situation would be somewhat muted ("same market") with the transmitter move to Chilliwack.