CHOW-FM

On December 7, the CRTC approved an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type B FM community radio programming undertaking in Amos. The application was by Radio Boréale. The applicant proposed to broadcast 126 hours of programming in each broadcast week. A Type B community station cannot increase or reduce the total number of weekly hours of programming by more than 20% without prior Commission approval. The new station would offer music programming mainly consisting of selections from content subcategory 21 (Pop, rock and dance). Spoken word programming, all of which would be local, would include news and current affairs bulletins and theme programs on the environment and culture. The applicant committed to devote, in each broadcast week, not less than 50% of its news bulletins to local news, 25% thereof to regional news and 25% thereof to international news. The applicant further indicated that all volunteers interested in acting as hosts would be required to take comprehensive training from an organization chosen by the station. To that end, the applicant intends to partner with a host training program being developed in its region. The licence would expire 31 August 2014. The station would operate on frequency 105.3 MHz (channel 287B) with an average effective radiated power of 5,376 watts.

On October 29, the CRTC approved the application by Radio Boréale to change the authorized contours for the French-language, Type B community radio programming undertaking CHOW-FM by increasing the average effective radiated power from 5,376 watts to 17,787 watts, by decreasing the effective height of the antenna above average terrain from 124.4 metres to 106.3 metres and by relocating the antenna. The licensee indicated that the proposed changes were needed to relocate its transmitter and antenna to a new site. All other technical parameters would remain unchanged.

CHOW-FM signed on the air.