CRTC pauses new licence applications
The Canadian radio regulator, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced that it will not process any new radio station applications for a period of around two years. It is focusing on implementation of the Online Streaming Act. This was communicated in Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2023-278 on 23rd August. The bulletin said that the Act will “bring major changes to the Canadian broadcasting system”. CRTC will process change of ownership requests.
The last new station in Canada on MW was CFAJ 1220 which took five years to get on the air.
CHTO-1 on 1490 was issued a construction permit which was renewed a couple of times then expired last September unbuilt. Set against this is the steady loss of Canadian stations. It is unclear whether this announcement will delay applications for AM – FM conversions.
(theprovince.com, CRTC and own records)
Medium Waves News Sept. 2023 (2023-08-29)