CKNW 980 seeks nested FM repeater in Vancouver

[Dan Sys]

Corus has applied for a nested FM repeater in downtown Vancouver to rebroadcast CKNW 980 New Westminster. The new station will operate on 99.7 with 1,940 watts (6,000 watts maximum ERP). Antenna height will be 75.4 metres (EHAAT) with the radiation pattern being directional. The antenna will be located on the roof of the south tower at Pacific Centre.

Corus states that this will allow CKNW to provide a reliable high quality signal on the FM band to listeners in downtown Vancouver who are no longer able to obtain satisfactory reception of the AM signal, whether in their homes, cars, on public transit or at their place of employment.

 

[fordranger797]

Hmmm... that is interesting.

I recall hearing CISL 650 in my car and in cement buildings in the downtown area not long ago. If CISL could make it into the downtown area with minimal interference, wouldn't CKNW be fine with 50kw?

The only radio station that doesn't work for me downtown is CKST 1040.

 

[Dan Sys]

The problem with CKNW is their transmitter site is located on 176th (aka: Pacific Highway) near Cloverdale which is about 20 miles from downtown. All the other AM transmitters in the area are located in Richmond or Delta and have much cleaner signals downtown. Some have suggested that perhaps CKNW should just relocate their transmitter to sister station CHMJ 730's existing site in North Delta. Might make more sense than going after an FM frequency which in all likelihood will get denied by the CRTC. Corus previously applied for the same type of nested repeaters in Winnipeg with CJOB 680and in Calgary with CHQR 770. Both were rejected by the CRTC

 

[fordranger797]

If the CRTC is going to approve the Whistler translator in Vancouver, I think it would be odd if they approved an adjacent channel in that close of proximity.

 

[Dan Sys]

The chances of that Whistler translator getting approved seem like almost zero to me. First of all the CRTC will likely consider the application as a "backdoor entry" into the Vancouver market, something they have traditionally frowned upon in the past. Then you can be certain that Rogers, Bell, Corus, Newcap, Pattison, et al. will be filing interventions opposing the proposal citing the potential loss of advertising revenue.

 

[fordranger797]

The chances of that Whistler translator getting approved seem like almost zero to me. First of all the CRTC will likely consider the application as a "backdoor entry" into the Vancouver market, something they have traditionally frowned upon in the past. Then you can be certain that Rogers, Bell, Corus, Newcap, Pattison, et al. will be filing interventions opposing the proposal citing the potential loss of advertising revenue.

I bet that Whistler station would undergo a complete rebranding if it gets approved. With the topography in the lower mainland, you are probably going to be able to hear that translator a considerable distance.

 

[Dan Sys]

It might make more sense for Whistler FM to apply for a stick in Squamish. That is the actual commercial center for Whistler (even though it's 30 miles away) with Wal-Mart, Home Depot, & other big box stores appearing on the scene over the past few years. A lot more potential for advertising bucks in Squamish as opposed to Whistler with its mostly mom and pop businesses.

 

[fordranger797]

It might make more sense for Whistler FM to apply for a stick in Squamish. That is the actual commercial center for Whistler (even though it's 30 miles away) with Wal-Mart, Home Depot, & other big box stores appearing on the scene over the past few years. A lot more potential for advertising bucks in Squamish as opposed to Whistler with its mostly mom and pop businesses.

Like with everything, its hard to see things the logical way when they are hell bent on picking up a major metropolitan centre. Considering that the CRTC is pretty strict on move-ins, we'll see if anything happens with this application.