Earlier this year, Corus caused controversy when it decided to end its music programming on Q107 in Calgary, replacing it with the talk on its AM counterpart, CHQR.

The issue came before the CRTC this week, and the Commission has now punished the company by renewing the licence for both stations - but only for a reduced term of two years. They say they'll consider reinstating them next time when they're "back in compliance." (Corus has since informed the CRTC it's discontinued the simulcast.)

But it's not just the format duplication that raised the regulator's ire. Apparently, Corus was simulcasting only the programming, but was double dipping when it came to commercials, airing different spots at the same time on the AM and the FM, which isn't allowed. "Given that CFGQ-FM did not originate local programming, Corus was required to refrain from soliciting or accepting any local advertising for broadcast during that period." In other words, the owner should have known better, but chose to ignore the rules anyway. 

None of this is all that surprising in the end - Corus likely knew what would happen, but did it anyway. But it's the intervention from Bell that caught my eye. Check this out:

"In its intervention, Bell submitted that, in regard to CHQR specifically, the Commission should eliminate section 14 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), which relates to a licensee of an FM radio station simulcasting on that station the programming of an AM station operated by the same licensee. Bell considered that section of the Regulations to be outdated."

Hmm, why do you suppose Bell would want to eliminate the rule that disallows simulcasting on AM & FM stations? Do they have similar plans in mind? And if so, what stations would be part of that? Perhaps something to watch in the future, if the CRTC were to strike down this provision. 

CRTC Decision