Newcap Inc.

NCCL received CRTC approval to acquire its first radio station, CHTN-AM in Charlottetown, PEI, from Northumberland Broadcasting Ltd.

On June 10th, the CRTC approved the application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited for licences to acquire CFDR-AM and CFRQ-FM Dartmouth from Patterson Broadcasters Limited. Six days later, the CRTC approved the direct transfer of ownership in these stations to Newcap Ltd., a newly formed subsidiary of NCCL, rather than to the parent company. In September, the CRTC approved the renewal of Newcap’s licences for CFDR and CFRQ.

Newcap made its first Ontario station acquisition in April, when it received approval to buy CJLB-AM Thunder Bay from Leader Broadcasting Corporation.

In an unusual move, Newcap made and the CRTC acceded to a request that Newcap’s licences for CKXJ Grand Bank and CFIQ Harbour Grace be revoked. Newcap felt it could not meet the Commission’s requirements for minimum hours of local programming and still keep the stations economically viable.

In December, Newcap broadened its involvement in Canada’s radio world by acquiring a five-year AM Network licence to broadcast Edmonton Oilers’ hockey games.

On June 10, the CRTC approved the transfer of CHRK-FM Kamloops from Newcap to local broadcaster NL Broadcasting Ltd., owner of CHNL AM Kamloops.

Problems with Newcap’s signal for its Thunder Bay AM station CJLB were finally solved with the CRTC’s approval of the station’s move to the FM band.

After maintaining a low profile in the broadcasting acquisitions field for a few years, Newcap was back before the CRTC in September 1997, along with Maritime Broadcasting System Ltd (MBS), to make a joint application for MBS to acquire CJCB-AM and CKPE-FM Sydney, N.S. from Celtic Broadcasting Ltd., as well as CFBC-AM and CJYC-FM Saint John from Fundy Broadcasting. Fundy had in 1990 acquired control of Celtic. As part of the deal, MBS would subsequently assign ownership of the Saint John stations to Newcap. In the same year, Newcap purchased control of Atlantic Stereo Ltd., and with it ownership of CJMO-FM Moncton.

Newcap subsequently elected not to finalize the transaction with MBS to acquire the Saint John stations. In February, Newcap, Sun Radio and CHUM Limited entered into a Local Marketing Arrangement (LMA), whereby Newcap would manage CHUM’s CJCH-AM, and CIOO-FM and CFRQ-FM Halifax, plus Sun’s CIEZ-FM.

In September, Newcap received CRTC approval to move CKXD-AM Gander, Newfoundland, to the FM band, while retaining the same call letters.

On December 6th, Newcap was back again before the Commission, this time to apply to acquire VCOM-AM and several other radio stations in Newfoundland, on behalf of a wholly-owned numbered company.

In March, Harry Steele’s son Robert became President and Chief Operating Officer of Newfoundland Capital Corporation, owner of Newcap. Harry Steele remained as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Newcap’s radio holdings in Newfoundland and Labrador grew even further when, in April, the CRTC approved the sale of Humber Valley Broadcasting to Newcap. This gave Newcap ownership in radio stations CFCB-AM Corner Brook (with retransmitters CFDL-FM in Deer Lake, CFNW-AM in Port-aux-Choix and CFNN-FM in St. Anthony), CFSX Stephenville, CFGN-AM Channel Port-aux-Basques and its transmitter CFCV-FM in St, Andrew’s, as well as CFLN-AM Goose Bay, Labrador and its transmitters CFLW-AM Wabush and CFLC-FM Churchill Falls, Labrador.

In October, Newcap was given approval to move into the Ottawa market for the first time, with the CRTC granting the company a licence for a new dance music station, CIHT-FM. In November, Newcap acquired CHNO-FM Sudbury from Haliburton Broadcasting Group Inc, and in December, Newcap and CHUM Limited jointly acquired ownership of CIEZ-FM Halifax, from Sun Radio Limited.

In April, Telemedia Radio sold off its broadcasting assets in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia to Standard Radio. In turn, Standard sold 15 of those stations in Alberta to Newcap, who thereby acquired stations in Athabasca, Blairmore (where CJPR-AM had a rebroadcaster in Elkford B.C.) , Brooks, Calgary, Cold Lake/Grand Centre, Drumheller, Edson, High Prairie, Hinton, Saint Paul, Slave Lake, Stettler, Wainwright, Westlock and Wetaskiwin (see details below). Standard retained a 24% interest in the stations.

On May 1st, Robert Steele became President and Chief Executive Officer, while his father Harry remained as Chairman.

By this time, Newcap owned 57 broadcasting licences across six provinces, for 42 stations plus 15 repeaters.

On July 25th, in a key move away from print, in order to concentrate on broadcasting, Newcap’s parent company Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited (NCCL) sold its Publishing and Printing Division to Optipress Ltd, retaining only a 20% interest.

While Newcap made no new acquisitions during the early part of the year, it successfully renewed several of its existing broadcast licences. In addition, it received approval to shut down its transmitter in Musgravetown, Newfoundland, CKXB-AM, due to frequent transmitter breakdowns. The CRTC was persuaded that it would be prohibitively costly to replace the transmitter, and noted that the area was already served by three other Newcap stations.

In December, Newcap received approval to launch a new FM radio station in Brooks, Alberta. However, the new station did not go on the air until 2005.

Newcap moved into Lloydminster, Alberta, and into television for the first time, in December, when it received approval to acquire CILR-FM and CKSA-AM radio from Sask-Alta Broadcasters Ltd, and CITL-TV and CKSA-TV, from MidWest Television Ltd. The TV stations were a twin-stick operation, with CITL affiliated with CTV and CKSA with the CBC. In November, Newcap was licensed to open a new radio station, CFRK-FM, in Fredericton, N.B. The station went on the air in July 2005. CIEF-FM Halifax became CKUL-FM.

In May, Newcap acquired the broadcasting assets of Big Pond Communications, which included ownership of CJUK-FM Thunder Bay.

In June, Newcap was licensed by the CRTC to open a second FM station in Ottawa, CILV-FM, which went on the air in December.

In August, Newcap received CRTC approval to make a deal with Corus Radio Company to acquire its Red Deer stations CIZZ-FM and CKGY-FM. Through its acquisition of ownership of CKVN Radiolink System Inc. in November, Newcap became owners of CHNR-FM Winnipeg. This was Newcap’s first broadcast licence in Manitoba. A month later, CKJS-AM Winnipeg was added to Newcap’s line-up of radio stations.

One of the CRTC’s first decisions of 2006 was the awarding of a new licence to Newcap for a new FM station, CJEG-FM, in Lac La Biche, Alberta. In March, Newcap was permitted to change its radio station CHTN Charlottetown, PEI, from AM to FM, and given a licence to launch a new FM station, CKQK-FM. Then in August, Newcap was awarded a licence for a second FM station in Calgary. CFUL-FM would sign on in March 2007.

Newcap’s radio licence holdings increased to 75 in November, when the CRTC gave the company a licence for a new station in Fort McMurray, CHFT-FM.

In May, Newcap announced that it had acquired 100% ownership of the 15 Alberta stations it had bought from Standard Radio in 2002, by picking up the remaining 24% that Standard had originally retained.

In June, on the sale of CHUM Limited to CTVglobemedia, CKUL-FM Halifax became jointly owned by Newcap and CTV.

In July, increasing its already strong Maritime broadcast holdings, Newcap acquired two new licences in Nova Scotia, for CHRK-FM Sydney and CIJK-FM Kentville, as well as being authorized to convert its AM station in Carbonear, Newfoundland, to FM. In addition, Newcap’s CFXE Edson, Alberta, moved from AM to the FM band.

In October, Newcap completed the purchase of the 38% minority interest in Atlantic Stereo Limited, operator of Moncton FM stations CJKL and CJMO.

On April 21, the CRTC announced it had approved an application by Newcap Inc. to convert CHLW, St. Paul AB, to the FM band. The new station would broadcast on a frequency of 97.7 MHz and have an average effective radiated power of 16,000 watts. The station would keep CHLW’s country music format targeting adults between the ages of 25 and 64.

On August 24, at midnight AM 790 CIGM Sudbury finished its last song. Later that morning, simulcasting of the new 93.5 FM began on AM 790. Transfer of ownership of CIGM changed from Rogers to Newcap.

On August 25, Hot 93.5 – Sudbury’s Hit Music Station debuted at 12:00 p.m.

On November 10th, Newcap filed an application with the CRTC for a licence for a new FM station in Fredericton, N.B.

On February 19th, the CRTC approved a Newcap application for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Westlock, Alberta to replace its AM station CFOK. The new call letters would be CKWB-FM. The station would operate at 97.9 MHz (channel 250B) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 27,000 watts (maximum ERP of 48,000 watts with an effective height of the antenna above average terrain of 93.7 metres).

On November 3, the CRTC approved an application by Newcap Inc. relating to CHLW-FM St. Paul, whereby it would relocate the transmitter site and change the authorized contours by increasing the average effective radiated power from 16,000 to 22,000 watts (maximum ERP from 36,000 to 50,000 watts) and by decreasing the effective height of antenna above average terrain from 122.6 to 80.3 metres. The Commission noted that the population served within the 3 mV/m and 0.5 mV/m contours would decrease from 9,447 to 9,324 (1.3%) and from 27,098 to 22,126 (18.34%), respectively.

On November 30, the CRTC renewed CHLW’s licence until August 31, 2017.

On September 6th, Newcap’s new FM station in Westlock, AB, went on the air with the call letters CKWB-FM, replacing their former AM station CFOK.

On September 19, Newcap Inc. applied to convert CKSQ Stettler AB from the AM dial to the FM dial. This was approved on February 22, 2012.

Real Country 97 7 The Spur officially went on the air on December 30 at 10:00 a.m. CHSP-FM was playing New Country and the best country from the 90’s and 2000’s. “We’ll still continue to be an information source for St. Paul and area, providing coverage of local news, agricultural news, sports, weather, and promoting local community initiatives,” said program director Jeff Murray. “It’s an exciting time for Newcap Radio, but we’re even more excited for the communities we serve to be able to provide them a product they can all be proud of,” said Newcap Alberta East GM Chad Tabish.

With the move to 97.7 FM, CHLW-AM 1310 left the air immediately, without utilizing the authorized 90 day simulcast period.

On January 22, Newcap announced that it was exploring the possible sale of its western broadcasting assets which were located primarily in Alberta. The assets consisted of 32 radio stations, 6 repeater licences and 2 TV stations.

The Company said that it had a history of buying and selling businesses as a means to create shareholder value. If the Company was able to reach an agreement at a value the Company considered appropriate, the use of proceeds would be determined by the Board of Directors in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. This might include reinvesting in geographic areas closer to its base in Atlantic Canada, reducing debt or returning capital to its shareholders.

“These broadcasting assets have a strong track record of earnings,” commented Rob Steele, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is a great opportunity for potential buyers as this is the first time in many years that a cohesive group of broadcasting assets has been for sale in one concentrated area in one of Canada’s most prosperous provinces.”

On 7 February 2013 the CRTC approved an application by Newcap to modify the technical parameters of what would be their new Fredericton FM station CIHI-FM by changing the class of its licence from B to C1, by decreasing the station’s average effective radiated power (ERP) from 50,000 to 42,000 watts (and by increasing the maximum ERP from 50,000 to 100,000 watts), by decreasing the effective height of antenna above average terrain from 150.0 to 137.5 metres, by changing the radiation pattern of the antenna from non-directional to directional, and by relocating the antenna and transmitter from Hamtown Corner, New Brunswick, the site specified in the application approved in English-language FM radio station in Fredericton, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-286, 11 May 2012, to Mount Hope, New Brunswick.

On April 23rd, the CRTC approved Newcap’s application for a licence for a new FM station to replace its existing AM station CKKY Wainwright, Saskatchewan. The approval also covered a change to the authorized contours of the Newcap English-language commercial FM radio station CKWY-FM Wainwright in order to reduce signal overlap between its radio stations in the Wainwright radio market and in the adjacent Lloydminster radio market.

On May 3rd Newcap issued a press release stating that it was no longer exploring the possible sale of its western broadcasting assets.

The Company was unable to reach an agreement at a value the Company considered appropriate.

“We appreciate our employees being patient and understanding during this process and I am proud to tell them they are still a part of the Newcap family,” commented Rob Steele, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to continued success in Alberta.”

On May 6th, Newcap launched CHHI-FM – Sun FM – with a Hot AC format on the frequency of 95.9 MHz in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

On May 9th, Newcap received approval from the CRTC for a licence for a new FM station in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed station would operate at 97.1 MHz (channel 246A) with an effective radiated power of 2,500 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 21.2 metres). The station would offer a Hot Adult Contemporary music format targeting listeners between the ages of 25 and 54, slightly skewed towards women.

On June 24 at 7:00 a.m CIHI-FM “UP! 93.1” was launched in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with a modern day interactive format. Studios and offices for Newcap Fredericton (CFRK-FM, CIHI-FM) were located at 495-A Prospect Street.

On August 2nd, the CRTC announced that on October 3rd it would hear an application by Harvard Broadcasting Inc. for authority to acquire the assets of the radio station CHFT-FM Fort McMurray, Alberta from Newcap Inc. and for a new licence to continue the operation of the station under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under the current licence.

On August 26th 2013, Newcap and Bell Media announced that they had entered into an agreement whereby Newcap would acquire from Bell Media Inc. the licences of five radio stations of which BCE had been required to divest itself as part of the CRTC approval for BCE to acquire Astral.

The stations involved were CHBM-FM (Boom 97.3) and CFXJ-FM (93.5 Flow) in Toronto, Ontario and CKZZ-FM (Virgin Radio 95.3), CHHR-FM (Shore 104.3 FM), and CISL-AM (AM 650) in Vancouver, British Columbia.The transaction was subject to approval from the CRTC and the Competition Bureau.

On November 5th, at a hearing in Ottawa, the Commission considered non-appearing applications from Newcap for authority to acquire English-language radio stations CKCH-FM Sydney, Nova Scotia, from 3221809 Nova Scotia Ltd, a subsidiary of Newcap, as part of a corporate reorganization, and CHNI-FM Saint John, New Brunswick, from Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. The Commission reserved its decisions.

On November 7th, the CRTC announced its approval of Harvard’s proposed acquisition of CHFT-FM Fort McMurray from Newcap.

On February 5th, the Commission approved the application by Newcap for authority to acquire from 3221809 Nova Scotia Ltd., as part of a corporate reorganization, the assets of the English-language commercial radio programming undertaking CKCH-FM Sydney, Nova Scotia.

On March 14th, the CRTC approved Newcap’s application to acquire CHNI-FM Saint John from Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.

On 20 February 2014, the CRTC approved an application by Newcap for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Hinton, Alberta.

The new station would operate at 104.9 MHz (channel 285B1) with an effective radiated power of 1,100 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 345.4 metres). Call letters TBA.

The new station would offer a rock based music format targeting adults between the ages of 25 and 54.

On March 19th, the CRTC approved Newcap’s application to acquire ownership and control of two Toronto and three Vancouver radio stations from Bell Media. Bell had been required to divest themselves of ownership of these stations as a condition of their receiving approval to acquire Astral Media Inc.

The stations to be acquired were CHBM-FM Toronto, CFXJ-FM Toronto, CHHR-FM Vancouver, CKZZ-FM Vancouver and CISL-AM Vancouver. The transactions would be effected through the transfer of all of the shares in the share capital of the Bell subsidiaries that owned the stations to Newcap.

In July, CHNI Saint John changed format from News-Talk to Active Rock as ROCK 88.9. Newcap had recently acquired the station from Rogers.

On May 26th, Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited  announced that David J. Murray, Chief Operating Officer, would be retiring effective June 30, 2015. David had been with the Company for 25 years, having occupied the post of COO for almost 8 years and was an integral part of the growth and success of the Company.

Newcap also announced that Ian Lurie had been hired to fill the role of COO effective July 6, 2015. Ian had previously been with Standard Radio for 19 years, with Astral Radio for 6 years, and latterly as Senior Vice President with Bell Media.

On July 3rd the CRTC announced that it had received an application from Newcap for a broadcasting licence to operate a new radio station to serve Kentville, Nova Scotia. This Newcap Inc. radio station would operate on 94.3 MHz FM with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 5,300 watts (maximum ERP of 14,000 watts) , and serve the communities of Kentville, Wolfville, New Minas, Coldbrook and Waterville.  Comment from the public was invited.

.In accordance with Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-554 (the Policy), to provide Canadians with an opportunity to comment prior to a decision on significant market development, such as a call for applications, the Commission requested comments on the capacity of the Kentville radio market to support a new radio station and on the appropriateness of issuing a call for applications for a broadcasting licence to operate a new radio station. Based on factors including market capacity, spectrum availability or scarcity, and interest in serving the market, the Policy set out that the Commission might decide to a) publish the application for consideration during the non-appearing phase of a public hearing, b) issue a call for applications, or c) make a determination that the market could not sustain additional stations and return the application to the applicant.

Early in the year, CIGV Penticton changed branding from Country 100.7 to New Country 100.7. CFRK Fredericton changed branding from Country 92.3 to New Country 92.3. CJXL Moncton changed branding from XL96 to New Country 96.9. CKCH Sydney changed branding from The Eagle to New Country 103.5.

On March 1, the Radioplayer streaming app launched in Canada and featured more than 400 Canadian radio stations, including Newcap stations.

On April 25,  Newcap announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell its Vancouver AM station, CISL, to Rogers Media Inc.Subject to approval from the  CRTC, Rogers would acquire the wholly owned subsidiary of Newcap Inc. that owned and operated CISL. “We are grateful for the contributions of CISL and its employees during their time as part of the Newcap family,” noted Rob Steele , President and Chief Executive Officer.  “While we generally are acquirers, not sellers, we believe that this transaction is in the best interest of our shareholders.  We remain committed to the Vancouver community through our two remaining FM stations, Z95.3 and LG 104.3.”

On May 10, Newcap announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of NL Broadcasting Limited, which owned and operated radio stations CHNL-AM, CJKC-FM, and CKRV-FM in Kamloops, British Columbia, subject to approval from the CRTC..
“We are excited about the opportunity to enter the Kamloops market, where these stations already have a strong presence in the community” commented Rob Steele, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This acquisition continues to expand our presence in British Columbia and fits well with our current operations in Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley.”

In July, CFHI Hinton rebranded from Real Country 104.9 to Boom 104.9. CFXE Edson rebranded from The Eagle to Real Country West. CFXW Whitecourt rebranded from The Rig to Boom 96.7. CHSL Slave Lake rebranded from Lake FM to Boom 92.7. CILB Lac La Biche rebranded from Big Dog FM to Boom 103.5. CIXF Brooks rebranded from The One to Boom 101.1. CJXK Cold Lake rebranded from K-Rock 95.3 to Boom 95.3. CKBA Athabasca rebranded from The River to Boom 94.1. CKKY Wainwright rebranded from K-Rock 101.9 to Boom 101.9.

In early August, CFGN Port aux Basques moved from 1230 AM to 96.7 FM. On August 18, CJKC Kamloops switched to country music as the New Country 103-1.

In the fall, CFXJ added “Toronto’s Hits. Toronto’s Throwbacks” to its branding. The playlist would now reflect music dominating streaming service charts, and home-grown acts would also be prominently featured.

In October, the CRTC denied an application to amend the broadcasting licence for LG 104.3 Vancouver to remove the condition of licence requiring it to devote at least 15 per cent of its musical selections to Special Interest Music. The station argued the requirement was alienating listeners and impacting CHLG-FM’s market share and revenue.

In the fall, six staffers were let go at NL Radio Kamloops (CHNL, CJKC and CKRV).

On November 30, the CRTC approved the application to convert CKJS Winnipeg to the FM band, operating on 92.7 MHz with an average ERP of 19,700 watts.

In February, CKRV Kamloops rebranded from The River to K 97.5 with the format changing from Variety Hits to Classic Hits from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.

Harry R. Steele retired as director and chairman of the board of directors for Newfoundland Capital Corporation. The board designated him Chairman Emeritus. Rob Steele, president and CEO of the company, was appointed chairman of the board. Harry Steele founded Newfoundland Capital in 1972 and stepped down as president in 2002.

On May 2nd, the Stingray Digital Group announced it was planning to acquire Newfoundland Capital Corporation, owners of Newcap Radio, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

In July, Newcap acquired stations CKEC-FM New Glasgow and CKEZ-FM Pictou from Hector Broadcasting.

In the fall, CKQV Vermilion Bay dropped Hot AC in favour of Classic Hits, maintaining the Q104 branding.

On October 23, the CRTC approved an application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, on behalf of Newcap Inc. and its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, for authorization to effect a change in the ownership and effective control of various radio and television broadcasting undertakings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, so that effective control of the undertakings would be exercised by Eric Boyko (Stingray Digital Group Inc.). Stingray took ownership of the stations just a few days later.