CRTC approves new Chilliwack radio station
Paul J. Henderson, The Times
Published: Friday, May 30, 2008
Chilliwack better get ready to rock.
The CRTC approved the application by Radio CJVR Ltd. for the new FM broadcast licence in Chilliwack on Friday.
Five companies had applied for the 89.5 spot on the FM dial and all gave presentations at a CRTC public hearing starting on Feb. 25 in Vancouver. After considering all the proposals, the CRTC decided that the Saskatchewan-based CJVR Ltd. "best meets the needs of the Chilliwack radio market. In the Commission's view, the proposal by Radio CJVR would augment the diversity of radio voices in the Chilliwack radio market and would add to the news voices in that market."
The CRTC further suggested that the company had a viable business plan, and approval of their application would not have any undue negative financial impact on the radio market in Chilliwack. In January Singer told the Times they had a research firm do a study to figure out the most desired music format for the new station.
"We spoke to 400 people and tested a number of music formats," Singer said. "Four of the five applicants have determined that rock is the opening in the market."
Singer's station will have a "diversified rock" format, which will include a blend of rock including classic rock, 70s rock and modern rock (35 per cent will be music from the last four years). The station has a target audience of 18 to 54 years old, with 40 per cent Canadian content and 120 hours weekly of local programming. The CRTC denied the four remaining applications from Golden West Broadcasting, Vista Radio Ltd., Newcap Inc. and Frank Torres, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated. In early 2007 Elmer Hildebrand of Golden West Broadcasting kicked off the application process with a meeting at CEPCO offices to discuss the proposed station with prominent business leaders and politicians, including Mayor Clint Hames, Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Chuck Strahl and Chilliwack-Sumas MLA John Les.
At that time Hildebrand did not announce the type of music he had planned as he considered it secondary to the local coverage of news and the Chilliwack Bruins.
Vista Radio too planned for a rock station and even set up a website to promote their proposal at www.ChilliwackRocks.com.
DAWG FM wanted to start a station with a blues format.
phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com
source: connect2edmonton.ca
