Kelowna classic rock radio station K96 wanted to move it's transmitter to Okanagan Mountain, as pictured from Mt. Boucherie in West Kelowna, so it's signal would reach Penticton. The application was denied by Canada's broadcast regulator.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
October 06, 2014 - 12:04 PM
PENTICTON – Radio listeners in Penticton won’t be able to enjoy the classic rock offerings of a Kelowna radio station anytime soon thanks to a decision from Canada’s broadcast regulator.
K96 wanted to move its transmitter to the top of Okanagan Mountain so its signal would beam into the South Okanagan, specifically Penticton.
Newcap Radio, the company which owns the Kelowna radio station, applied to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for a change to the contours of its broadcast signal.
In a recent ruling, the Commission said the technical change would provide a strong signal to Penticton, which could have a negative impact on the existing Penticton radio stations. The commissioners argued Newcap would take advertising dollars away from those businesses.
The decision also said approving the application would essentially have allowed a new radio station in the city without following the competitive licensing process.
Newcap argued in its application that being allowed into the Penticton market would “bring the station to a level of profitability that would ensure continued service to Kelowna.”
Country 100.7 FM in Penticton is also owned by Newcap.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014