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Home My WebLink AboutADMIN-4-94 THE CORPORATION OF THETOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMI Date: MARCH 21 1994 Res. #C4J'- e- '2. Report#: d3M1N..e."4File #: Ry-Law# Subject: Radio Station CHOO-AM Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That Report ADMIN 4 - 94 be received; 2. That Council support the application made on behalf of Durham Radio Inc. in regards to the transfer of ownership of radio station CHOO-AM; and 3. That the Municipal Clerk advise the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Ottawa of such support. BACKGROUND: At its meeting held on March 14 1994, Council referred the enclosed correspondence from Durham Radio Inc. to the Chief Administrative Officer with instructions to discuss the matter with Radio Station CHOO and report back to Council at an early date. The Chief Administrative Officer has discussed the matter with Mr. Steve Cassay, Program Director of CHOO-AM who advised that the transfer of ownership of the station from the present owners, Golden West Broadcasting of Altona, Manitoba to Durham Radio Inc. of Ajax is a normal business transaction supported by both parties. It is the intention of Durham Radio Inc. to provide a Country and Western music presentation on the FM band as per their request to the CRTC. i U H PAPIER PAPEEHo RE—LE iH IS G PR.lflED-PEDVDIED PAPER ADMIN 4-94 -2- The Chief Administrative Officer sees this as a friendly sale and sees no reason why the Municipality's support should be withheld. Respectfully submitted, W. H. Stockwell, Chief Administrative Officer WHS:nof att. i I i i i � � L Uil, Lk i JLU„ D-14 AdIft ®IOU IV IUA%n1k�i IVA®I®II(C INC QVX- UUN 752 UXBRIDGE— uNTA Vj,U [;'/ lei{ �nli L91D IN2 March 1 , 1994 Mr. P . Barrie, Municiple Clerk The Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3A6 Dear Mr. Barrie: CHOO-AM needs your help to serve you better. In late April of this year, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will hear applications by Durham Radio Inc . to purchase the assets of CHOO-AM and at the same time, to convert CHOO to the FM band. The conversion of CHOO.-to the FM band will dramatically improve our sound and particularly the nighttime signal . The people of Durham have already made the decision to tune to FM, the latest figures indicate that over 61% of the hours tuned within the Region are to stations on the FM band . The new FM service will renew CHOO Country' s commitment to serve the Region of Durham. The new station will - continue to play country music - offer a much improved signal 24 hours per day - keep residents of Durham up to date with local news and the pertinent local information they need - offer Durham businesses and organizations an improved and more effective advertising medium. We need strong community support to ensure the CRTC understands the needs of Durham Region and therefore approves our applications . TE1LE1D1HCNE (416)852-3891 FAX (4jC)47C-((5875 Attached is a background package on how to support the application. Detailed copies of the applications are available for viewing at the offices of Walker Head, 1305 Pickering Parkway, Suite 506 , Pickering, Ontario, L1S 7J6 . Thank you in advance for your help. We appreciate the support which will assist us in providing better radio for the communities of Durham Region. Yours truly, Douglas E . Kirk' Robert J. Marshall Chairman President f 1 , 04 : � Here's how to become part of the process (i) Write a letter to: Mr. Allan Darling, Secretary General The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON2 I (ll) Regarding Application Nos: 931179600 and 921180400 by Durham Radio Inc. (iii) State whether you support or oppose the transfer of ownership to a local goup; Durham Radio's concept for improving the local service and; improved nighttime coverage offered by CHOO as outlined previously. Offer any reasons you feel are appropriate to tile,situation. It's your right to do so. (iv) Indicate whether you do or do not want to appear at the CRTC hearing in April in Ottawa to present your intervention. (Note: It is not necessary to appear to have your views considered by the CRTC. This is entirely optional on your part.) (v) The intervention must arrive at the CRTC by April 5, 1994. Please indicate that a true copy of your letter has been sent to Durham Radio Inc. at the address above or Durham Radio Inc. c/o CHOO Radio 339 Westney Road South Suite 201 Ajax, Ontario LIS 7J6 (vi) Ensure that you are identified in your letter and, if you are writing on behalf of an organization, that it is described. If you would like to view the full applications, they are available during normal business hours at: Walker Head 1305 Pickering Parkway Suite 506 Pickering, Ontario L1V 3P2 (vii) If you have any questions regarding the application or the intervention process please call us and we will assist you. Douglas E. Kirk, Durham Radio Inc. (905)428-1390 (leave message) (416)486-3760 Robert J. Marshall, Durham Radio Inc. (905)428-1390 (leave message) Andrew Forsyth, Forsyth Consulting (416)964-0812 I V.1o. IBUX 752 p uac®Rtu�E. �ore�r,��t�o L91D 1 N2 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: Contact: Robert J. Marshall ( 905 )428-1390 ( leave message) Douglas E.Kirk ( 416 )486-3760 or ( 905 ) 428-1390 ( leave message) New Owners Plus An FM Pro osed For CH00 Count ry Ajax, Ontario March 1 , 1994 Durham Radio Inc . has applied to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to purchase the assets of CH00-AM. At the same time, they have made application to convert CH00 to an FM frequency. CH00-AM is currently owned by Golden West Broadcasting of Altona, Manitoba . Durham Radio is headed by Robert J. Marshall , a long time resident of Durham Region and Douglas Kirk of North York, a media analyst and broadcast owner. "CH00-AM has served the Durham Region for over twenty-five years and has served the community well . However, in recent years increasing interference has impaired CH00-AM' s coverage particularly during nighttime hours . Only a small portion of Durham receives nighttime interference free reception. The conversion to FM will improve the quality of the signal and dramatically improve nighttime reception" , explained •Marshall , President, Durham Radio Inc . "FM tuning now accounts for 61% of the hours tuned within Durham. Increased tuning will mean that CH00-FM will be able to serve the Region with increased community involvement . " 1U6 i } Marshall stated "the country music of CH00-AM will be maintained. The station will focus on Durham Region news and events . Currently, no station in the area focuses solely on serving the region . It will also mean the addition of both full and part time positions at the station . " "If we win the changes we are asking for, the residents of Durham Region win too, " says Marshall "CH00-FM will be able to serve the region with better news , sports and community coverage along with a much improved signal, clearly a win for Durham. At the same time, the improved service will be more useful for advertisers and organizations . " If the application for transfer is approved, CHOO will be the only independent and locally owned station in Durham Region . It is hoped the CRTC will announce its decision in time for a late summer launch of a new.'FM service. -30- i