THE CRTC WILL CONSIDER COGECO DIFFUSION’S LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR TWO DEDICATED TRAFFIC RADIO STATIONS IN MONTRÉAL
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
The CRTC will consider Cogeco Diffusion’s licence applications
for two dedicated traffic radio stations in Montréal
Montréal, May 20, 2011 – Cogeco Diffusion, who filed with the Canadian Radio-
television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) applications for two licences to
operate AM specialty traffic news stations in the Greater Montréal area under a
cooperation agreement with the ministère des Transports du Québec, is pleased that the
CRTC has decided to examine these applications without delay. In its filings, Cogeco
Diffusion proposes to operate two AM band stations, one French and the other English.
The request is part of ministère des Transports du Québec measures to reduce the
impact of the major work on the Greater Montréal area road network over the next few
years. Some 1.3 million road users will be affected by the upcoming massive road work
sites that will have serious impacts on traffic to and from the northern and southern
rings, such as the Turcot Interchange and repairs to several bridges accessing the
Island of Montréal.
Because 70% of truckers and drivers in the Greater Montréal area listen to radio while
on the road, radio is the ideal medium for reaching them. Being the only group with the
facilities needed to respond to the urgency of the situation, Cogeco Diffusion will, with
two new stations, reach listeners across a wide territory stretching south from St-Jérome
to the Canada-U.S. border and from Valleyfield in the west to Berthierville and Sorel in
the east. The stations will be heard as far away as Joliette and Granby.
Up-to-date information, all day long
For news on traffic status, roadways to avoid, road work, alternative routes, construction
sites and information on road, weather or public, air or rail transportation conditions,
English and French listeners will be able to tune in to up-to-date, live coverage from 4:30
in the morning „til 1 at night during the week and 6 in the morning „til 1 at night on
weekends. Broadcast times can be extended in exceptional circumstances. The stations
will also carry road safety tips and topical traffic-related interviews with Transport
Québec representatives.
“Cogeco Diffusion believes its project is right on target both for bringing traffic
information to road network users and public, rail or air transportation passengers and
being a information feed for key stakeholders such as the ministère des Transports, site
superintendants, municipal representatives and spokespeople for transit corporations in
the metropolitan area. Our expertise and our facilities are a perfect fit with the traffic
news needs of the Greater Montréal area,” said Cogeco Diffusion Radio Senior Vice
President Richard Lachance.
ABOUT COGECO DIFFUSION
Cogeco Diffusion is a subsidiary of COGECO Inc., a diversified communications
company with subordinate voting shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:
CGO). Cogeco Diffusion operates thirteen (13) radio stations across Québec:
Rythme FM Montréal, CKOI FM, 98.5, The Q92.5 FM and CKAC-AM in Montréal, FM 93
and 102.9 FM in Québec City, CKOI FM Gatineau in Ottawa-Gatineau, CIME-FM in
Saint-Jérôme, Rythme FM Sherbrooke and CKOI FM in Sherbrooke, Rythme FM Trois-
Rivières and CKOI FM Trois-Rivières in Trois-Rivières, making it one of Québec‟s
largest radio broadcasters.
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Information: Marie Carrier
(514) 764-4761