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fredr123 · 03-27-2008, 10:50 AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...echnology/home

Most of Canada's biggest radio broadcasters have either been approved to flip at least a few of their AM stations in certain markets, or are awaiting clearance to do so. Some other small Canadian cities, such as Thunder Bay, have also seen the AM dial fall silent.

Figures kept by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission indicate there were 178 commercial AM stations at the start of 2007. This is outside of the CBC, which is a public broadcaster. However, at least a dozen stations a year have been seeking to flip.

Were it not for limited space on the FM dial in major markets, coupled with restrictions on how many FM stations a company can own in any one market, AM stations in Canada would be dwindling even faster, several broadcasters say.

Ownership rules limiting broadcasters to a pair of English and French FM stations in any given market also stand in the way of such aspirations. Corus applied last year to simultaneously broadcast one of its AM formats in Winnipeg on FM to get a better signal in the city. It was turned down by the CRTC because the move would have given the company three FM stations there.

03-27-2008, 10:50 AM	#12
fredr123 Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Exp:	http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...echnology/home Most of Canada's biggest radio broadcasters have either been approved to flip at least a few of their AM stations in certain markets, or are awaiting clearance to do so. Some other small Canadian cities, such as Thunder Bay, have also seen the AM dial fall silent. Figures kept by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission indicate there were 178 commercial AM stations at the start of 2007. This is outside of the CBC, which is a public broadcaster. However, at least a dozen stations a year have been seeking to flip. Were it not for limited space on the FM dial in major markets, coupled with restrictions on how many FM stations a company can own in any one market, AM stations in Canada would be dwindling even faster, several broadcasters say. Ownership rules limiting broadcasters to a pair of English and French FM stations in any given market also stand in the way of such aspirations. Corus applied last year to simultaneously broadcast one of its AM formats in Winnipeg on FM to get a better signal in the city. It was turned down by the CRTC because the move would have given the company three FM stations there.