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Toronto Broadcasters poised to launch permanent Digital Radio services

Master FM submits purchase order and application for broadcasting certificate;
countdown begins for anticipated 1998 launch of Digital Radio

TORONTO, Ontario October 21, 1997 -- Master FM, the consortium of Toronto broadcasters, announced today at the Canadian Association of Broadcaster's Broadcasting '97 convention that it is submitting its application for a broadcasting certificate to operate Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) transmitting facilities at the CN Tower in Toronto. Master FM will operate three DAB channels to simulcast the signals of 15 private broadcasters in Toronto.

Purchase orders are being placed with selected equipment vendors, conditional upon licensing from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Industry Canada. Itelco USA, a subsidiary of Itelco S.p.A of Orvieto, Italy, will supply the transmitters, audio encoders and DAB multiplexers. Scala Electronic Corporation, a member of the Kathrein Group of Germany, will supply the antenna systems.

Master FM has established agreements with the following broadcasting companies: Rogers Broadcasting Limited (CFTR, CHFI-FM), CHUM Limited (CHUM, CHUM-FM), Standard Radio Inc. (CFRB, CKFM-FM), Radio 1540 Limited (CHIN, CHIN-FM), Shaw Communications (CFNY-FM), Westcom Radio Group Limited (CHOG, CILQ-FM), Telemedia Inc. (CJCL, CJEZ-FM), CJRT-FM INC. (CJRT-FM), and RAWLCO Communications (CISS-FM).

"The application for a DAB certificate and subsequent purchase order is the culmination of two years of effort to bring permanent DAB services to the Toronto market," said Kirk Nesbitt, Director of Engineering Operations, Radio, with Rogers Broadcasting Limited, and President of Master FM. "Master FM has worked in close partnership with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and has had exceptional cooperation from all participating stations to develop the best possible transmitting facility for the 15 private and four CBC radio stations."

Exactly one year ago, the consortium notified the CRTC of their plans to establish full time digital radio transmitters on Toronto's CN tower.

Michael McEwen, senior advisor to the President of the CBC and president of Digital Radio Research (DRRI) Inc., the non-profit joint R&D initiative of private and public broadcasters, hailed today's announcement as the beginning of a new era of radio in Canada. "With receiver manufacturers such as Kenwood, Pioneer, Clarion, Panasonic, Grundig, Fujitsu Ten and Philips in Toronto this week demonstrating commercial receivers for the first time in North America, the announcement by Master FM further strengthens the commitment by both broadcasters and receiver manufacturers to the Canadian roll out of digital radio next year."

The joint Master FM/CBC DAB system at the CN Tower will be comprised of four solid state transmitters and a fully operational spare. The DAB channels will be broadcast with a maximum radiated power of 8.3 kilowatts each.

The development of digital radio in Canada has been a cooperative effort involving both private and public broadcasters, along with Government, over the past seven years. DAB will be implemented as a replacement for analog AM and FM radio. Initially, it will simulcast existing programming of participating stations, offering CD-quality sound. DAB will also provide a range of enhanced consumer services that will clearly establish radio on the Information Highway.

Master FM Limited was one of the founding consortium of broadcasters at the inception of the CN Tower and is owned by Rogers Broadcasting Limited, CHUM Limited, Radio 1540 Limited, Standard Radio Inc., and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Master FM has operated the combined FM Antenna System at the CN Tower since 1976, providing a shared antenna system for 10 Toronto FM radio stations.

For more information, contact Kirk Nesbitt, Rogers Broadcasting Limited, (416) 864-2132, or Brendan Hodgson, Hill and Knowlton, (613) 786-9924.