CFAO-FM

On July 28, the CRTC approved the application by Frank Rogers, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, low-power commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Alliston. The new station would offer an Adult Contemporary music format, and programming would consist of local news, sports, weather and traffic information, as well as various other musical and spoken word programs. The applicant indicated that the station would broadcast 100 hours of local programming per broadcast week. The applicant proposed to broadcast locally-produced morning, midday and “drive home” shows and to feature programming focusing on issues such as single parenting and community events, programs aimed at different age groups, an emerging artist program entitled “Up and Coming,” and a weekly church service program. The licence would expire 31 August 2014. The new station would operate on frequency 94.7 MHz (channel 234LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.

On May 4, the CRTC approved the application by 2188301 Ontario Corporation to amend the technical parameters of CFAO-FM, by reducing the effective height of the antenna above average terrain from 48.4 metres to 15.53 metres and by relocating its transmitter half a kilometre away from the original site. The applicant explained that these changes were needed because the antenna site it initially proposed was unavailable. It further indicated that the changes to its authorized contours would be minimal.

In June, CFAO began on-air testing. Manager Frank Rogers said that over the next couple of weeks, the station would be adding announcers (75 to 80% would be local residents). Rogers also had a licence to operate a station serving Beeton-Tottenham at 105.1 FM which would also soon be on the air.

Community station CFAO 94.7, only recently launched, was already off the air. Owner-operator Frank Rogers said he wasn’t able to attract ad revenues and, consequently, was evicted from his studio space because of rent arrears. Rogers was also behind in payments to former employees.

CFAO 97.4, off the air since early July because of financial problems, was hoping to be back on the air in November, according to owner Frank Rogers. The CRTC said no specific date was given and that it didn’t know where the new station would be set up. CFAO’s former landlord said it wouldn’t be at his facility because of back rent payments.

On December 19, the CRTC denied the application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language low-power commercial radio station CFAO-FM Alliston. CFAO-FM had been off the air for most of the past licence term and had not resumed operations.