July 23, 2014 · 0 Comments
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved an application by My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for a broadcasting licence to operate a commercial FM radio station in Orangeville.
The new radio station will provide residents of Orangeville and surrounding communities with a local radio service with Orangeville programming. MBC has had plans to locate in Orangeville for several years but has pursued the application actively since May of 2011.
MBC Vice-President Andrew Dickson says the goal is to have the station up and running by next spring, although he’d like to see it operational before Christmas this year if at all possible.
The station will have an office in Orangeville and will replace an existing tower on Blind Line in Mono. r. Dickson owns the corporation, along with partner and president Jon Pole.
The station will feature adult contemporary music and will employ four to five people (news and sales staff and a manager). The station will be required to broadcast a minimum of 42 hours of local programming per week.
Based in Renfrew, MBC operates radio stations in several Ontario communities, including Alliston, Arnprior, Brighton, Exeter, Gananoque, Goderich, Kincardine, Napanee, Pembroke, Peterborough, Port Elgin, Renfrew, Simcoe, St. Thomas, and Strathroy.
“We’re really pleased to finally get the Orangeville application approved and we’re looking forward to becoming an integral part of the community,” Mr. Dickson said. “We’re on it and we’re moving ahead as quickly as we can. There will be some technical details to handle in the weeks ahead.”
“The start-up of a radio station in a community is a significant investment and we welcome the commitment shown by My Broadcasting Corporation,” said Mayor Rob Adams. “It’s a new business that not only brings more jobs but one that will engage the community with news, weather, music and contests. A radio station that delivers local programming on a regular basis provides a valuable service for area residents – on a daily basis and in emergency situations. A radio station offers an immediate form of communication and it will be an exciting day when MBC goes on the air in Orangeville.”
This year marks MBC’s 10th anniversary. Mr. Pole has spent the last 20 ears working in local radio in Pembroke, Sarnia, Chatham and Owen Sound and also spent three years in Toronto working at CFRB 1010. He as also worked with some of Canada’s largest broadcasting companies, elping them grow revenue in key markets. e currently resides in Renfrew, with is wife Sasha and three children.
Mr. Dickson began his radio career n Renfrew and included stops in Pembroke, Ajax and Ottawa. e currently lives n Ottawa with his wife Karen and three daughters.