Here’s the latest news from Gabriola Radio:

Rogers states their reason is to improve service to their existing coverage area but their expansion of 98.5 FM will wipe out the last channel available for Gabriola Radio to use. The issue is the last channel going to a community applicant for a news service or a small amount of revenue for the largest media service in Canada. Rogers revenue projections state they will only make $100,000 in year three and $136,591 in year seven. Corporate greed over public interest.

Gabriola Radio had applied to use 98.7 FM (60 watts) but Rogers objected even though their existing service was fully protected. Rogers technical objection was the reason the Gabriola application was withdrawn.

We are asking all concerned parties to file a CRTC intervention and OPPOSE the Rogers expansion. Should Rogers expansion be denied by the CRTC, Gabriola Radio will re-apply for use of 98.7 FM and, if approved, commence a much needed community service to Gabriola and surrounding area.

If you’d rather have a Gabriola community station than yet another commercial radio station, this is the time to act: the deadline for comments is this Tuesday, September 29th. To make a comment against the Rogers’ application do this:

[Detailed directions removed, because we've passed the deadline for comments, and because the CRTC has re-organized their website, which means that my link to a specific page on their site no longer works.]

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