The CRTC has approved CBC’s application to operate a new FM station in Vancouver at 88.1 FM. This will improve the quality of signal in Vancouver’s urban core.
Unfortunately, the Commission turned down our request to add an FM transmitter on Gabriola Island at 98.7 MHZ. This transmitter was intended to fill in coverage gaps along the Sunshine Coast that would result from lost signal following the proposed conversion of CBU to the FM band.
In the same decision, the CRTC turned down a separate application to add a transmitter of CBCV-FM Victoria in Nanaimo, British Columbia at 104.1 MHZ. The transmitter was intended to fill in coverage gaps in Nanaimo with the surrounding area that would result from loss of signal following the proposed conversion of CBU to the FM band and provide a Victoria based regional service to the Nanaimo area, which is currently served by CBU Vancouver.
Ultimately, the Commission decided that the public would be better served by using 104.1, the last available FM frequency in the Vancouver market, to provide a new radio service in Vancouver. The frequency was awarded to a numbered company to operate a new commercial FM station with an Adult Alternative Album (Triple A) music format.
Given the scarcity of frequencies in the relevant areas and the applications before it, the Commission decided that most appropriate and efficient way for the CBC to make its programming available to listeners in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast would be to make use of 88.1 MHZ to serve Vancouver and maintain operation at its current AM frequency in Vancouver, to ensure good coverage in outlying areas.
The CBC will continue to operate AM 690.
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| The CRTC, Transmission, Vancouver, Vancouver Island |
This is good news. Finally a better signal for Radio One especially for people in the urban landscape. Any idea on when this might happen?
But, to speak to the darker side of the CRTC announcement: Why not Nanaimo? And why award three remaining FM channels to private broadcasters, which as I understand their applications, will all be providing the same format? Is the CRTC mandate to serve the citizens of the country, or the corporations of the country?
Does this mean no Co-op Radio for Gabriola too? What’s the deal with that arrangement? I thought they were working with the CBC to make that happen.
huh. very cool. weird that we’re getting yet another new station but it makes me happy to hear that CBC is moving to the FM dial.
Now that it’s approved, how long will it take to implement? That is, when will I be able to listen to CBC on FM?