N.W.T.'s Cabin Radio decries 'incredibly unfair outcome' after FM licence application blocked by CRTC

It appears this story isn't over. The station has launched a page on its website urging listeners to write to the CRTC and complain about the denial decision. It even includes suggestions on how to write the letter and divides its would-be correspondents into various categories - i.e., businesses, area residents, local musicians, etc. 

I doubt it will do any good - the Commission has already determined there's no room for another FM outlet in the city, but perhaps they're hoping a bombardment of emails will get them to reconsider. 

I've seen requests from stations for listener intervention before, but usually before a ruling is made. I can't recall a campaign quite like this one. 

"The CRTC’s decision is wrong not just because the economy clearly can sustain us (we’re right here, guys, and have been for five years) but also because the CRTC believes the finances of a large, southern company should be prioritized over the value we bring to Yellowknife as a station owned by people who live here."

Cabin Radio needs your help to get on FM. Here’s what to do.

The CBC takes up the story.

CRTC decision on Yellowknife's Cabin Radio prompts outcry, campaign

The appropriate methods for getting reconsideration of a decision is to petition the Federal Cabinet to direct the CRTC either set aside the decision or have it reconsidered, or alternatively apply to the Federal Court for leave to appeal.  The latter can be a costly and drawn-out process.
The least contentious approach, without rubbing the Commission's nose in it, is to wait the nominal two years after the decision to reapply.
I doubt that the Commission will entertain a new application immediately after their decision, as this would set a dangerous precedent, not consistent with past practice.
 

They're back!

Despite taking the CRTC to court and openly disagreeing with the Commission over a refusal to grant them a licence, the folks from Cabin Radio in Yellowknife have reapplied to get their Internet presence onto an FM frequency. 

The existing station in town, owned by Vista, has opposed the idea of another outlet in the city, saying the market can't sustain it. Yet their words don't quite match their actions. 

"Vista Radio had told the CRTC that giving Cabin Radio a licence would hurt the viability of True North FM. However, Vista Radio also applied for a second FM licence in Yellowknife at the same time."

Talk about a lack of credibility!

Cabin Radio submits new application for FM licence

Well, this is certainly a reversal of fortune. After turning down Cabin Radio's repeated requests to become a real over-the-air station in Yellowknife (traced on this thread), the CRTC is now seeking applicants for - you guessed it - a new radio station in Yellowknife. 

What changed their minds?

"Cabin Radio filed a new application revealing that circumstances had changed since its original application. Specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic and the wildfires in the Northwest Territories have highlighted the importance of having increased access to radio content in the north.

In light of the change in circumstances since Cabin Radio’s application in August 2019, including the impacts of major events, the Commission considers that the market is not as well served as it could be and that it should issue a call for applications for radio stations to serve Yellowknife."

That's quite a 180 - from no business case to an almost urgent one in just a few years.

If Cabin Radio, which has served the community for years online and has, from what I can see, done a very good job with limited resources and dedicated employees, isn't given this licence, it will be a massive injustice. But the CRTC has been known to make odd decisions before. 

The deadline for applications is May 13th.

CRTC Announcement

It looks like all these years later, Cabin Radio will finally get one more kick at turning its Pinocchio online station into a real boy, with a licence hearing at the CRTC - but not until Feb. 11, 2025. Worth noting that Vista Radio has also applied for a new station in Yellowknife. 

Could there be room for two more? I can only imagine the complaints if the latter gets a licence and the former, after so many years of trying, is shut out again. 

CRTC Hearing Announcement

147k in CTD is a big # for a 500 watt station.

Business must be good up north!

This is mostly a local board, but the story of Cabin Radio continues to be fascinating. They're the online-only station that serves Yellowknife and they've been trying to get an FM licence out of the CRTC for years. 

Their latest application will go before the Commission on February 11, 2025, but the station has announced it's received an amazing 400 interventions on the call for a licence, most of them solidly in favour. That is simply astounding for a place that's not currently on the air and can only be listened to online.

The deadline for submission ended on Monday. The list, which you can see here, goes on for pages and pages and pages. 

One of the naysayers is Vista Radio, which owns an FM in the market. But its response seems contradictory. One the one hand, it argues there's no room in the market for another player. But at the same time, it's applied for a second station there. Talk about having your cake, etc.   

It's a pretty unique situation and I can't recall one quite like this ever coming up before. But given the overwhelming support Cabin has managed to garner, it might be hard for the CRTC to say no to them this time. 

Hundreds of people file comments supporting Cabin Radio’s FM bid