In reading on in the fuller document, there's this interesting little tidbit:

"[The CRTC] is also providing greater flexibility by introducing a one-year trial allowing stations to simulcast their AM station on the FM band within the same market, and to broadcast spoken word programming without changing format."

"After the 1-year trial period, licensees will either have to revert to their original programming and cease simulcasting, or submit an application to revoke the AM licence."

I guess that's a good thing, if there's room on the FM dial for a signal. I'm not sure how much it will benefit Toronto stations. But it would be a big boon to 680, 640 and perhaps 1010 if they could find a way to make it happen. 

Some more highlights from this major announcement:

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The CRTC addressed the spoken word format on FM. I have to admit I didn't realize the rules prohibited FM stations from going all talk. That seems just crazy to me, but it might explain why there are no real fulltime FM talk stations in this or any other Canadian market. 

This whole thing doesn't make a lot of sense to me. On the one hand, the Commission concedes:

"While the licensee of an FM station must obtain permission to operate within the specialty format, which includes the spoken word format, licensees of AM stations can already move their stations between formats without the Commission’s approval."

How does that make sense and why are there even rules about this? Didn't the so-called "foreground format" for FM expire years ago? But that seems to be changing. 

"The Commission intends to introduce a one-year trial period for commercial FM stations looking to devote more than 50% of their broadcast week to spoken word content...After the one-year trial period, if the licensee wishes to continue broadcasting more than 50% spoken word programming, it may apply for a specific permanent condition of service requiring it to do so."

I will never understand why a government agency gets to stick its nose into format issues, regardless of which band the station is on. But at least they're looking at loosening this rather ridiculous rule. 

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And then there's this head-scratcher. 

"...an individual suggested incentives for broadcasters to program content other than AM simulcast on their HD Radio subchannels. Sauga 960 AM indicated that the Commission should grant total flexibility to stations to run programming that reflects the audience they seek to reach."

That forced the CRTC to remind the owners of CKNT:

"...the Commission notes that stations can already use HD Radio to offer additional programming, provided they register the HD Radio service with the Commission."

How could Sauga 960, which makes some of its money on ethnic programming, possibly not know this already? And exactly where would they put this HD signal? I find this whole thing about their ignorance baffling. 

Why is talk considered a "specialty format?" Who decided that FM can only air music programming and almost nothing else? It's 2025 - these ideas seem completely outdated to me. 

RadioAaron wrote:

Ostensibly to protect AM stations.

Judging by the recent ratings, that's not working. 

I can't help but wonder if, say, a CHML might still be around if there weren't these silly rules about what can be done on FM. I guess we'll never know. 

RadioActive wrote:

I can't help but wonder if, say, a CHML might still be around if there weren't these silly rules about what can be done on FM. I guess we'll never know. 

They would not have had anywhere to go on FM, it would mean displacing CJXY or CING. They could've applied to move CHML to CING but they didn't (it would be more expensive to operate in that format)

Aytononline wrote:

The only thing I can see Bell, Rogers and Corus doing in Toronto and other big city's is shutting down the AM stations, buying some FM stations that reach Toronto or are in Toronto and move the News/Talk/Sports formats to FM (if they still want this type of format)
At this point I don't see the CRTC saying no.

For putting the format there, they now lo longer have to even ask. At least for the first year. Some on-the-market frequencies may have just become a little more valuable.

A 20 year license for community radio is a mistake. The possibility of losing everything is what kept the talk programming hosts in check. Now that they know there are no consequences it's going to be a decolonial intifada jubilee. I'm being polite here. The clueless elite in the CRTC have effectively announced that Radio plays no role in the onset of subnational violence. While proposed Bill C8 and C9 will constrict digital communications (ostensibly to maintain civil order) ota community broadcasting is going to be open frontier, a new Wild West.

RadioAaron wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

Some more highlights from this major announcement:

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The CRTC addressed the spoken word format on FM. I have to admit I didn't realize the rules prohibited FM stations from going all talk. That seems just crazy to me, but it might explain why there are no real fulltime FM talk stations in this or any other Canadian market.  

It's allowed, you just have to apply to convert to a specialty license. Montreal has a full-time FM talk (french) and it's consistently #1 in the market and often the most listened to station in the country.
 

CBC Radio 1 is in every Canadian market and on FM.  It would be considered talk/information and depending how you read the ratings is usually in the top 3 in many markets across the country. 

I was addressing RA's point that there were no real fultime FM talk stations in Toronto or any other Canadian market.  Montreal has a french FM talker as you pointed out and CBC Radio 1 which is FM talk and available in all markets has been around for years. 

paterson1 wrote:

I was addressing RA's point that there were no real fultime FM talk stations in Toronto or any other Canadian market.  Montreal has a french FM talker as you pointed out and CBC Radio 1 which is FM talk and available in all markets has been around for years. 

You always miss the context man.....

Is it true that AM 640 Toronto has its transmitters in Lincoln, Ontario, 60km away from downtown Toronto. I found this on google. If it is I don't understand how a station with transmitter towers closer to Niagara Falls can be considered a Toronto when it should be a St Catherine's.

Also google says its really a Richmond Hill station  with its CRTC License.

Aytononline wrote:

Also google says its really a Richmond Hill station with its CRTC License.

Historically, the CRTC picks and chooses which stations it cared about when it comes to their city of license and which they actually serve. CFNY is licensed to Brampton, CIDC to Orangeville, CFMZ was technically a repeater of their Coburg sister station until recently, and so on...

Transmitter location has never mattered on AM.  Signal strength within the market you are licensed to serve is what matters.

Shooting across Lake Ontario with a very directional pattern pointing at Toronto works really well because there is very little signal loss over a body of water.

It originally worked like this:  figure out what directional pattern you get stuck with if you want 50,000 watts but cannot cause interference for other stations on the same frequency and even adjacent frequencies.  Then locate your transmitter so that your major directional lobe points at your licensed Market, and completely covers that Market.