CTV pushing Christian station WDCX 99.5 off the radio

Unbelievable. CTV, either knowingly or unknowingly, is seeking a license from the CRTC to move CKKW Kitchener from the AM to the FM band. But in so doing, they're going to push WDCX, the best full time Christian radio station within broadcasting range of the GTA and southern Ontario, off the dial from the 99.5Mhz slot in the FM band here in Ontario.

I flipped on the radio on Tuesday, and pressed the #1 preset for WDCX... which I've had at my #1 slot in all three cars I've owned. And I heard a different style of music, and I thought to myself, "This is a different style for WDCX". Then I heard the dreaded words I'd heard once before... "This is a test signal for blah blah blah..." I actually slammed my steering wheel, and said to myself, "Here we go again".

This happened once before, back in 2003-2004, with "Kicx 96", a country station also based out of Kitchener. They later moved up the dial and became "Kicx 106", and stopped interfering with WDCX 99.5Mhz, to the delight of many believers across the GTA and SW Ontario.

WDCX has been broadcasting since 1963, and has been a mainstay in many Christian households in the area for generations. I remember listening to them on the way to school with my mom for years, and then listening to the likes of Steve Brown and Ravi Zacheriah on my way to work when I commuted to work, just like thousands of other Christians here on this side of the border.

Yes, they are a US broadcaster out of Buffalo, but they carry a whole lot of content for Canadian churches, along with a whole host of advertising for Canadian businesses. Just take a look at their banner from their homepage:

Yea, that's the CN Tower and Toronto City Hall, proudly on display.

Last time this happened, I didn't think there was much I could do to stop them. Since then, I've discovered the power of blogging, and how much people do honestly listen when issues like this are raised. It's my hope that a campaign can be started, petitioning the CRTC to deny CTV's request to broadcast at 99.5Mhz on the FM band... and that the CRTC will finally stop attempting to issue new licenses for this frequency.

Here's the info on the CRTC's approval from October of this year. Wonderful... we don't hear a word about it until it's all over. Except here's the thing... what on earth were they doing holding the "Public Consultation" on this issue IN ALBERTA, and not here in SW Ontario? Anyone else think that kinda stinks? The only folks who were able to show up for the "Public" consultation were the suits from CTV who wanted the license for the Kitchener area!

Application 2007-1504-7, received 22 October 2007
Public Hearing in Edmonton, Alberta
27 May 2008

Stay tuned for more information, I'll be posting more on this story as things develop.

UPDATE: According to an e-mail I just received, this whole issue may simply go away... last time someone took this slot, they went to the CRTC practically begging to move because of the sheer power that WDCX uses... 110kw vs 2.2kw of FM power.

I've also obtained the relevant phone numbers for the CRTC and CKKW. You can call the CRTC at 1.877.249.2782, and the local CKKW station at 519.884.4470. Let them know how you feel about suddenly not being able to hear WDCX anymore. Flood the phones, make sure you're voice is heard.