CRTC Questions Bell Media On Proposed Conversion Of TSN Radio To French

The Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunications Commission yesterday was “very skeptical as it grilled Bell Media ... about its proposal to convert TSN Radio 690 (CKGM) from English to French, as part of parent BCE Inc.’s acquisition of Astral Media Inc,” according to Steve Faguy of the Montreal GAZETTE. The plan, which would see the launch of RDS Radio 690 in place of TSN, has “resulted in a surge of complaints from TSN listeners.” More than 700 comments, “most by individuals, were filed with the commission about this application.” Bell said that if the application is rejected, it “would be forced to either sell the station, which operates at a loss and would not have access to Canadiens broadcast rights under a new owner, or it would have to shut the station down and return the licence to the CRTC.” The CRTC until Friday will “hear comments from third parties” about the station license change and the larger application for the purchase of Astral, “after which Bell will get a chance to respond.” A decision on both applications “could take weeks or months” (Montreal GAZETTE, 9/12).

WELL, PILGRIM? Pilgrim Communications is jettisoning its XL 950 sports format from Indianapolis' WXLW in order to begin simulcasting talk "Freedom 95.9" WFDM-FM. Pilgrim said the move will allow its talk format to cover the entire market since the FM signal has only reached the south side of the metro area. The goal is to peel more listeners off from Emmis talker WIBC (93.1) (David Broughton, SportsBusiness Journal).