Regulators have given approval to a new station in Dauphin for the Aboriginal/Country NCI-FM network, bringing the western Manitoba community of about 8,500 people its second strong FM signal.
The new CIDM-FM will broadcast on 97.3 with 1.65kW/25m (class A). The CRTC said it received no interventions in connection with the application, which had support from the City of Dauphin.
As reported here when the application was first filed back in May, the new transmitter will replace coverage that was lost when NCI sold the 100kW facility of CIWM-FM/91.5 (Brandon) two years ago, citing the high annual cost of running the facility. 91.5 is now used by Westman Media’s CKLQ-FM.
CIWM moved to 107.5 and downgraded to 2.7kW, which is not enough to reach Dauphin. The May application also stated that NCI is also working to establish low-power FM stations in six First Nations communities that lost service in the CIWM downgrade.
The new station will reach just over 10,000 people and will cost an estimated $48,000 to construct. NCI has two years to get it on the air.
CIDM-FM will be only the second strong FM signal for Dauphin, joining CBC Radio One transmitter CBWW/105.3 on the dial. The community is also served by local station CKDM/730, other regional AM signals, and a handful of fringe FM signals from Brandon.
NCI is a public broadcaster owned by Native Communications and has transmitters across the province.