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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

CRTC OKs two new French-language AM radio stations for Montreal market

By: The Canadian Press

Posted: 11/21/2011 11:03 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 11/21/2011 2:49 PM

OTTAWA - Canada's broadcast regulator has approved two new French-language AM radio stations for the Montreal market and application by Bell Media (TSX:BCE) to switch the frequency of its TSN radio station.

"The change ensures much better reception of TSN Radio’s signal at all times, but especially in the west end of Montreal and in evening hours," Bell Media spokesman Scott Henderson said Monday.

TSN Radio is moving to 690 kHz from 990 kHz in the city.

"We expect that the improved service will increase both listeners and advertising revenue and enable enhanced investment in local programming production," Henderson said.

One of the two new licences was granted by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission went to Tietolman Tetrault Media. It will use the 940 kHz frequency to offer a French-language mostly news and public affairs channel.

Meanwhile, Evanov will operate on frequency 990 kHz, with a French-language music and public affairs station aimed at Montreal's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community. It already operates a similar station in Toronto.

"We are pleased to be increasing the diversity of voices in Montreal's radio market by offering additional choices to listeners," CRTC vice-chairman Tom Pentefountas said in a news release.

"The commission received high quality proposals, but was unfortunately unable to approve all of them."

The market is largely dominated by the ownership groups Astral Media Inc. (TSX:ACM.A) and Cogeco Inc. (TSX:CGO), each operating five stations in the market, broadcast regulator said.

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