NorthEast Radio Watch 1/22/2024: Third FM for Bayshore?

In this week’s issue… Canadian broadcaster seeks third FM – Eskin comes home – Spanish FM shifts in Boston – Remembering Marty on the Mountain

By SCOTT FYBUSH

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*When CANADA‘s regulators revised their rules in 2022 to allow small-market broadcasters to own up to three FM stations, it was only a matter of time until we began to see applications from remaining AM stations in one-AM/two-FM clusters to convert to the FM dial.

That’s what Bayshore Broadcasting now hopes to do in Owen Sound, Ontario, where it’s applied to move the venerable CFOS (560) to 89.3 on the FM dial, where it would run 1500 watts/214 m.

Bayshore, which also owns AC CIXK (106.5) and country CKYC (93.7) in Owen Sound along with seven more FMs in the region, tells the CRTC that “the pace of growth in Owen Sound has left the
CFOS AM signal behind,” that transmission equipment is becoming harder to obtain and that the AM signal can no longer reach listeners who may lack AM radios in their cars or homes.

In order to transition CFOS’ older audience to the FM dial, Bayshore is requesting a waiver of the CRTC’s usual 90-day rule in order to continue simulcasting on AM and FM for a year if its application is granted after it’s heard at a virtual session March 25.