OTTAWA, April 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, the CRTC authorized Leclerc Communication's application to acquire radio stations CHOI-FM in Quebec City and CKLX-FM in Montreal.
In Quebec City, the CRTC requires that Leclerc Communication comply with the Common Ownership Policy for Radio, and refused the company's request for an exception. As a result, Leclerc Communication will not be able to operate more than two French-language commercial FM radio stations in this market.
The CRTC has authorized an amendment to CKLX-FM Montreal's licence to remove the conditions related to its specialty spoken word format. This will allow CKLX-FM to become a mainstream music station and thus enhance music programming for the Montreal market and maintain a diversity of voices. Leclerc's proposed format will allow numerous Francophone Canadian artists, especially emerging artists, to increase their visibility.
The new CHOI-FM (Quebec City) and CKLX-FM (Montreal) broadcasting licences will expire on August 31, 2024.
Quote
"Today we are approving a major change in Quebec's radio broadcasting landscape. The proposed format for the Montreal station includes the creation of a newsroom that will add a new editorial voice to the market, in addition to serving as a showcase for emerging artists. In Quebec City, the CRTC will continue to apply its policy to maintain a balance of competition in this market and avoid having any one player dominate in terms of revenues and listenership."
- Dr. Caroline J. Simard, Vice-Chairperson, Broadcasting
Quick Facts
- Leclerc Communication currently owns two French-language commercial FM radio stations in the Quebec City market: CJEC-FM (WKND 91.9) and CFEL-FM (BLVD 102.1).
- The Common Ownership Policy for Radio states that, in markets with eight commercial stations or more operating in a particular language, a person may be permitted to own or control as many as two AM and two FM stations in that language.
- The Policy aims to ensure that Canadians have access to a variety of editorial voices within the radio component of the broadcasting system and that a balance of competition between radio broadcasters in any particular market is maintained.
Related Links
Common Ownership Policy for Radio
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2018-424
Transcript, Hearing of February 20, 2019
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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
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