1 of 1- RadioActive
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Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
And the answer is----no.
The CRTC has denied Sauga960's request to allow further ethnic programming on the station. While it acknowledes this is a tough time for AM stations, the Commission didn't buy the argument that it needs to increase its foreign language programming from 15% to 40%.
"...the Commission finds that the record of the proceeding does not demonstrate an economic need for the requested licence amendment. Furthermore, approval would not be consistent with the Commission’s licensing rules, which are in place to ensure that markets are as well served as possible, that all radio stations are treated fairly and consistently, and that they respect their commitments and their obligations. Accordingly, the Commission denies the application."
There were also concerns about other ethnic stations in the area, most especially those serving Mississauga and Brampton and what that increased competition would do to them.
It was apparently the second time the owners filed the same request, and it was denied both times.
If Sauga's argument is that it can't survive without the changes - which it will now have to - it will be interesting to see if the broadcaster can continue on as they presently are. It already warned the CRTC that it was not doing well financially, and it saw this as a way to staying on the air.
"The licensee noted that multiple radio stations are closing down due to financial strains on the industry and difficulties covering operational costs. It stated that this also impacts CKNT, whose financial performance has fallen short of expectations, and that its goal is to ensure the station survives economic challenges and to provide opportunities for producers."
CRTC Decision
- RadioActive
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
It's interesting that CINA, the Indian-programmed station at 1650 AM and the owner of now Punjabi-oriented CHAM at 820, was one of the intervenors in this case and a competitor for the market Sauga was seeking to expand into. It strongly advocated for the request to be denied.
Others objecting included CHIN, CIRV, CIRF, CHLO, CJSA, CHTO, CHKT, and CJRK, all ethnic radio stations in the GTA.
And the Commission agreed with their arguments that with so many foreign language stations already licenced and struggling in the GTA, it would only hurt them to have even more competition.
It's also noteworthy that Sauga's solons admitted that their revenues were likely to increase, even if they didn't get their request.
This decision is also remarkable because it involves a dissent from a single Commissioner, who wanted to grant Sauga 960's request. It's reprinted at the end of the decision.
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Thread Starter- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
Why are CHTO and CJRK even intervening?
I don't think CJRK's signal even goes into Missisauga.
And I did'nt read the application, but does sauga want to serv the greek, serbian, and croatian communities along with punjabi?
Because CHTO nolonger airs punjabi programming.
And, CJRK's mostly tamil for scarborough, markham, and durham.
- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
RadioActive wrote:
It's interesting that CINA, the Indian-programmed station at 1650 AM and the owner of now Punjabi-oriented CHAM at 820, was one of the intervenors in this case and a competitor for the market Sauga was seeking to expand into. It strongly advocated for the request to be denied.
Others objecting included CHIN, CIRV, CIRF, CHLO, CJSA, CHTO, CHKT, and CJRK, all ethnic radio stations in the GTA.
And the Commission agreed with their arguments that with so many foreign language stations already licenced and struggling in the GTA, it would only hurt them to have even more competition.
It's also noteworthy that Sauga's solons admitted that their revenues were likely to increase, even if they didn't get their request.
This decision is also remarkable because it involves a dissent from a single Commissioner, who wanted to grant Sauga 960's request. It's reprinted at the end of the decision.
Sauga just neads to shut down or be sold to whiteoaks.
If sauga shuts down, maybe CHTO can move to 960 because there rebroadcaster's not even on air yet.
- RadioAaron
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
And I did'nt read the application, but does sauga want to serv the greek, serbian, and croatian communities along with punjabi?
They'll serve whoever wants to pay them for the airtime.
- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
And I did'nt read the application, but does sauga want to serv the greek, serbian, and croatian communities along with punjabi?
They'll serve whoever wants to pay them for the airtime.
Then Why do CHTO and CJRK care so much when punjabi is a minor part of there day and when 1 of which does'nt reach missisauga?
Maybe CJRK's woried about there streaming audience in missisauga?
The rest have a right to care because sauga would steel there audience, there advertizers, and maybe there broakers or for red fm, there hosts.
- Skywave
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
As Yogi Berra used to say, "it ain't over 'til it's over." There is yet another shoe to drop, because the Commission hints at a follow-up hearing to delve into the non-compliance accusations:
"26. The Commission notes the issues expressed by the Coalition, and notes that any instances of apparent non-compliance with regulatory obligations will be examined in the context of a future proceeding."
This can give rise to a microscopic examination of music playlists, Cancon, third language content, etc. It could be in the context of "show cause" hearing, which can have very serious consequences, including license revocation.
Stay tuned, while you can.
- darcyh
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
I find it curious the CRTC is so strict about ethnic programming, while it has does not seem to care how many / most stations have closed local studios, ended live programming, dumped news / weather / sports and shuttered any semblance of a local presence. As long as they play the forced can-con everything's okay. I once thought the airwaves were considered public property and broadcasters had a responsibility to serve the community.
- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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Re: Can Sauga960 Survive Now That The CRTC Denied Their Ethnic Expansion?
Sauga was originaly going to serve missisauga in english.
When I tune in, there not doing that.
That station's a dump and a waste of air and a dylehog.
We have tomany dylehogs in the gta.
Let me list a few.
CKOC, if it does'nt add any real programming, it will be a jukebox dylehog.
CFAJ, Only 2 live shows with most of the day being a jukebox.
Chin 91.9, Only weekday mornings have original programming, with mid days being a bollywood jukebox.
Why does the gta have so many wastes of air when we can make better use of our radio spectrum with unique programming serving areas outside of downtown toronto and for ethnic listeners, communities other than southasians like 91.9 was originaly licenced for?
Last edited by Scarboroughbluffsradiof99 (October 22, 2026 8:59 pm)