CHBO-FM

On January 25, the CRTC approved the application by Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Humboldt. A competing application from Fabmar Communications Ltd. was denied. Both applicants proposed to use the frequency 107.5 MHz and as such were mutually exclusive on a technical basis. The Commission noted that both Golden West and Fabmar, in their applications and at the hearing, indicated that sufficient demand existed in the Humboldt radio market to support the introduction of a local radio station. In addition, at the hearing, Fabmar questioned whether the introduction of a local station serving Humboldt would have a significant negative impact on the advertising revenues of its stations located in Melfort. Golden West proposed to offer a variety hits music format targeting listeners between 18 and 54 years of age. The applicant indicated that this format was intentionally broad given that the station would be the sole and first local service to the market. The proposed service’s programming would include 13 hours and 56 minutes of spoken word programming per broadcast week, which would consist of news, weather, sports, surveillance material, and local agricultural and farm news. Additionally, the service would provide promotion of local concerts, the local arts community and other community organizations. The Commission noted that Golden West committed, by condition of licence, to devote at least 40% of all of its musical selections from category 2 (Popular Music) throughout the broadcast week and from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, to Canadian selections. There would be 126 hours of local programming per broadcast week (live to air programming: 82 hours) and five hours and 17 minutes would be devoted to news. The new station would broadcast on 107.5 MHz (channel 298C1) with an average effective radiated power of 59,000 watts (maximum ERP of 96,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 164.1 metres). The licence would expire 31 August 2017.

Golden West Broadcasting launched Classic Hits / Hot Adult Contemporary CHBO-FM (107.5 Bolt FM) on October 12. Saskatoon-Humboldt Member of Parliament Brad Trost, Donna Harpauer, Humboldt Constituency MLA Candidate and Mayor Malcolm Eaton were all in attendance at the launch at 640 10th Street studios and offices. Brian Kusch was CHBO’s manager.