Erin Radio now has another challenge to overcome.
The CRTC has denied the bid by Headwaters Radio (Erin Community Radio) to add a transmitter in Orangeville to rebroadcast the programming of the English-language community radio station CHES-FM Erin.
In an email to the Advertiser, Erin Radio board of directors chairman Larry Peters said the board hasn’t met yet to discuss future strategy.
“Until we do, it is business as usual. I will keep you apprized of any further decisions as we move forward,” Peters wrote.
He added a couple board members were away, but he hoped a meeting would be held early next week.
Last May, the station was twinned with The Grand 92.9 FM in Fergus. At that time, Peters said “As a way to reduce costs immediately, the station has initiated a plan that will see the station stay on the air.”
Also announced at that time was the use of internet technology which would allow the station to continue providing service in Erin, with a remote studio setup at the home of Erin Community Radio founder Jay Mowat.
Administration, local News and the radio automation system were to function on a temporary basis from a studio setup within The Grand 92.9FM in Fergus.
But part of the overall future of the station hinged on an application filed last year to add the transmitter to operate on 89.1 FM with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 watts.
Erin radio argued the station’s mandate was to provide service to residents living in the Hills of Headwaters area – a region encompassing Erin and Orangeville, as well as Caledon, Dufferin, Mono and Shelburne.
Proponents of the move noted the station has lost money over the past six years because Erin and its associated advertising base are insufficient to cover the station’s operating costs.
If the status quo was maintained, proponents stated the station would continue operating at a loss, with an even greater decrease in revenue, particularly from advertising.
In the background of the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) report, it was noted that in 2006, the commission approved an original application by Erin Radio to operate a low-power, English-language community FM radio station to serve Erin. Upon that approval, the station launched as CHES-FM in October 2006.
In 2010 the commission approved a frequency change from 101.5 to 88.1 FM and to increase the station’s power from 50 to 125 watts. In that decision, the station’s status changed from that of a low-power unprotected service to that of a regular, Class A1 protected service.
The increase in power allowed the station to cover much more of the Town of Erin and create a stronger audience base, thereby helping it to fulfil its original mandate and ensuring the station’s future economic health.
In 2013 the commission approved an application to increase from 125 to 570 watts.
Erin Radio’s most recent proposal was supported by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) but opposed by Dufferin Communications Inc., licensee of CIDC-FM Orangeville (better known as Z103.5, which plays mostly dance music); My Broadcasting Corporation; and Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation.
The CRTC report stated consideration had to be given as to whether there was a compelling technical or economic need for the transmitter and whether the proposal makes appropriate use of radio spectrum.
In it’s decision, the CRTC noted the original application for a broadcast licence the station did not indicate it wished to serve Orangeville or the Hills of Headwaters in its entirety.
It further noted the station’s current service area, including its interference-free zone, does not extend to provide coverage over Orangeville.
Since the most recent proposal aims to address reception issues within Orangeville, the commission’s view is that a transmitter would increase the station’s coverage to encompass the town, which it is not licensed to serve.
“In light of the above, the commission finds that the licensee has not demonstrated a compelling technical need for the proposed transmitter,” the decision states.
The CRTC report added the station’s “recent financial performance continues to suggest limited growth potential.”
Moreover, whether the station is in a position to improve its financial situation as a result of having improved its signal remains to be seen, the CRTC stated.
In light of the above, the commission found the applicants have “not provided compelling evidence that the proposed transmitter would contribute to improving CHES-FM’s financial viability.
“The commission considers that approval of the licensee’s proposal would result in the under-use of the frequency 89.1 MHz, in a radio market characterized by a scarcity of available frequencies.”
The frequency 89.1 is the last known remaining frequency in the Orangeville radio market that could be used for the operation of a protected Class A radio station.
“Based on the low-power technical parameters proposed by Erin Radio, the transmitter would experience considerable interference from other radio stations. In the commission’s view, other technical parameters could be used to provide greater coverage over Orangeville.”
The report summarized that “Erin Radio’s proposal does not constitute an optimal use of the frequency 89.1 MHz, and would not represent an appropriate use of radio spectrum.
“In light of all of the above, the commission denies the application by Erin Community Radio to amend the broadcasting licence for CHES-FM Erin in order to add a transmitter in Orangeville, Ontario, to rebroadcast the programming of the station.”
