Ethnic radio pitch gets good reception, but there's no room
January 06, 2009
Carmela Fragomeni
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/491315
A Toronto man is trying to start an ethnic radio station in Hamilton but is having trouble finding an available FM radio frequency on which to broadcast.
Kumar Nadarajah, who owns two ethnic radio stations, one in Toronto and one in Montreal, said Hamilton ethnic leaders have been positive about his proposal.
Industry Canada, which regulates radio frequencies, says there are no available FM frequencies left in the Hamilton area because of all the radio stations broadcasting to the area.
Nadarajah said, "That's what they say, but some intelligent engineers, if they are good, can come up with some frequencies." He has hired consultants who are confident of finding a low frequency not in use, he said.
A lower frequency broadcast means not all of Hamilton will be able to pick up the station.
Industry Canada spokesperson Christiane Fox said it is possible broadcast consultants could find an FM frequency that would work in Hamilton and won't interfere with other stations.
However, she said, given the airwaves congestion here it is highly unlikely. In Hamilton a multitude of both AM and FM signals are received from across southern Ontario and upper New York state.
Nadarajah wants to create a 24-hour radio station employing 10 to 15 people to primarily serve the local South Asian community, but also with programming in Polish, Romanian and other languages.
If Nadarajah finds a suitable frequency, he will apply to Industry Canada for it and then apply for a broadcast licence from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
The process could take two to three years.
In 2007, CBC Radio also eyed Hamilton for a new station if it could secure a $50-million expansion plan that would have created 15 new stations across Canada.
Although facing the same frequency problem, CBC Radio held informal talks with McMaster University's student radio station CFMU to share its frequency, according to Sandeep Bhandari, CFMU administrative director.
"It was vague at the time. They weren't asking for (our) frequency, but a partnership where they could broadcast some CBC programming."
However, the corporation indicated last January it was not pursuing the idea for now, Bhandari said.
CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay said the broadcasting corporation is still interested in Hamilton but doesn't currently have the funding.
Although McMaster's station carries ethnic programming, Bhandari would welcome a full- time ethnic station in Hamilton.
Nadarajah plans to continue meeting with Hamilton's ethnic communities and local politicians to garner support for his proposal.
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