CBC radio plan hits snag



By Keith Vass
nanaimobulletin.com
Aug 15 2007

The CBC’s plan to bring local service to Nanaimo could be blocked by a Vancouver-based broadcaster eyeing the same spot on the radio dial.

The public broadcaster made an application to the CRTC, Canada’s broadcasting regulator, earlier this year for an FM frequency to carry Radio One programming from Victoria on an FM transmitter to be built on Gabriola Island.

The CBC’s long-term goal is to launch a full station in Nanaimo, which would use the transmitter to broadcast locally produced news and cultural programs to central and northern Vancouver Island.

But last week, the CRTC issued a public notice that it had received an application from an unnamed private radio station in Vancouver for the same frequency the CBC wants to use.

That could squelch the CBC’s plans here, according to Ted Kennedy, chief of staff for CBC English radio.

In an e-mail sent to proponents of the of the planned station, he warned that if the FM frequency goes to the Vancouver station, “there will be no frequency upon which we can deliver Radio One to Nanaimo – either for the Victoria signal ... or for the proposed Nanaimo station.”

The CRTC will continue to accept other applications for the signal space until Oct. 9.

CRTC guidelines say the commission should weigh which of the competing applications best serves the public interest.

Nanaimo city council passed a motion Monday to ask Nanaimo MPs Jean Crowder and James Lunney to support the CBC’s application. The city will also look for support from other Island municipalities north of the Malahat.

http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=51&cat=23&id=1045369&more=0

why doesn't the cbc goto campbell river - more accurate to the north island...although much smaller...and both radio 1 and 2 from vancouver can be heard in nanaimo already....

Nanaimo can't support another commercial radio station. A CBC type solution sounds perfect.