CHPL-FM

On June 29, the CRTC approved the application by Le Club de la radio communautaire de Plamondon-Lac La Biche for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community FM radio station in Plamondon-Lac La Biche, Alberta. Radio Plamondon-Lac La Biche was a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors. The station would operate at 92.1 MHz (channel 221A) with an effective radiated power of 1,215 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 128 metres). The applicant proposed to broadcast 126 hours of programming in each broadcast week, 111 of which would be produced by the station. The remaining 25 hours of programming would originate from the Alliance des radios communautaire du Canada network. A maximum of 80% of the station’s musical selections would be drawn from content subcategory 21 (Pop, rock and dance), while the rest would consist of a variety of musical selections drawn from categories 2 (Popular Music) and 3 (Special Interest Music). The applicant committed to provide, in each broadcast week, programming on local and regional news, announcements from community groups and features on local activities and in particular on the province’s French-language musicians.With regard to the promotion of local artists, the applicant would feature French-language artists from the community in its musical programming, especially during musical discovery programs. The applicant indicated that the training and contribution of volunteers (20 program hosts and 10 technicians), as well as the station’s operating costs, would be reduced through a collaboration with the Association Canadienne-Française de l’Alberta. As such, the station would be able to offer daily programming. In addition, a regular partnership with the Beauséjour school would provide the latter’s students with access to the airwaves. The applicant further indicated that the station would serve as a programming catalyst for all French-language radio stations in the Lakeland region and would allow all French-language communities to contribute to the station’s programming. Moreover, the significant contribution of volunteers should ensure the station’s viability. The applicant stated that it would recruit approximately 10 volunteers to join the existing team to ensure that the station was operational. The licence would expire 31 August 2017.

CHPL-FM began on-air testing in March and was expected to officially launch on June 16.