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Roundhouse Radio aims to keep it local if it gets on air

A media group has applied to the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a new community-based radio station with a focus on Vancouver.
Shelley Zavitz
Shelley Zavitz is part of a group that wants to launch a community-based talk radio station in Vancouver called Roundhouse Radio. It’s one of 13 competing applications for a CRTC licence in Metro Vancouver. photo submitted

A media group has applied to the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a new community-based radio station with a focus on Vancouver.

Shelley Zavitz, speaking on behalf of Roundhouse Radio and the Kelowna-based numbered company 13.0971197 B.C. Ltd. which is backing the proposal, said if approved the format of the FM station would be 80 per cent talk and 20 per cent music.

“Because the frequency would be low power means it would be very local,” said Zavitz. “We want to focus on the people who live, work and play in Vancouver.”

Topics for the talk-radio format would include food, music, culture, news, weather, sports, the promotion of local events, public affairs, documentaries, radio plays and dramas. She said that means everything from poetry slams, storytelling, the promotion of community cleanups and festivals, fitness events and opportunities for inner city kids.

Zavitz said the station will cover local politics and with an election just a year away, there should be plenty of fodder for discussion.

“But we’ll always make sure to offer a balance of opinions,” said Zavitz.

“And as for the music, it will be at least 50 per cent Canadian with a focus on local musicians and emerging artists. Because we’re going to be offering a storytelling format, we’ll keep that theme with the music as well.”

In March, the CRTC issued a call for applications for broadcasting licences for radio stations to serve Metro Vancouver. In response to that call, the CRTC received a number of applications for new services, as well as several for technical changes involving transmitter additions to the Metro Vancouver radio market.

In total, there are 13 competing applications for the Metro Vancouver licence. Besides Roundhouse Radio, the majority are based out of Surrey, such as Surdel Broadcasting INC., which promises a fusion music format targeting the English-speaking South Asian community; Mosaic Media Inc., which would offer an adult hits format; and South Asian Directory Ltd., which proposes a “third-language news/talk-spoken-word format targeting predominantly third and fourth generations of Canadian-South Asians aged 18 to 30 years old.”

In Vancouver, Roundhouse is up against Idea Broadcasting Corp., which is proposing ethnic programming targeting 18 cultural groups; Sher-E-Punjab Radio Broadcasting Inc., promising an ethnic commercial AM station; and 2308739 Ontario Inc., which wants to launch an English-language commercial AM radio station. The Courier requested an interview with Idea Broadcasting Corp., but no one was available to speak before press deadline.
Zavitz noted a 2012 Vancouver Foundation study that found the city’s residents struggle the most with isolation and loneliness.

“That launched a huge debate among us,” said Zavitz. “It wasn’t all of Canada, but this city, and that’s how the format was born.”

To check out all of the applications visit crtc.gc.ca and search for Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2013-568.

sthomas@vancourier.com
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