On March 24, 2006 the CRTC denied an application to change the authorized contours of CFEI-FM by increasing the effective radiated power from 3,000 watts to an average ERP of 33,200 watts and by relocating the transmitter. CFEI-FM operated at 106.5 MHz. Astral stated that the purpose of its application was to improve the reception quality of CFEI-FM's signal in that part of its licensed service area that was currently underserved from a technical perspective. Astral stated that CFEI-FM's service area contained natural obstacles, such as Mont Saint-Hilaire, Mont Saint-Bruno and Mont Rougemont and that with its current ERP, CFEI-FM was not able to offer quality signal reception to residents of Beloeil, McMasterville, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Otterburn Park, Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Sainte-Julie and Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil. The applicant submitted that its proposal was not intended to add communities to CFEI-FM's service area, but rather to improve its signal quality and thus better meet the needs of commercial, government and association advertisers, expand its listener base and
compete more effectively with other media in the market. Astral indicated that it would be prepared to accept a condition of licence prohibiting it from soliciting or accepting advertising in the Montréal, Longueuil, Iberville and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu markets. Given the short distance between Saint-Hyacinthe and Montréal and the proximity of CFEI-FM's current frequency of 106.5 MHz to the 106.3 MHz frequency proposed by the two other applications to operate new radio stations in Montréal, the three applications were competitive on a technical basis. Although the two applications proposing to use 106.3 MHz in Montréal were denied in decisions issued today, the Commission noted that approval of Astral's application could prevent future use of 106.3 MHz in the Montréal area, which was one of the last FM frequencies available in this large market. The Commission noted that Astral stated in its application that its primary goal was to improve the reception quality of CFEI-FM's signal within its current licensed area. Despite the presence of natural obstacles that were a challenge to the propagation of any FM signal in the current service area, the Commission considered that a proposal resulting in the significant expansion of the coverage area by increasing CFEI-FM's ERP was not an appropriate solution under the circumstances. The CRTC was not convinced that the technical solution proposed by Astral was the only solution that would enable it to improve the quality of CFEI-FM's signal in its current market. It was felt that there were other possible technical solutions and that these solutions merit further consideration.

It perhaps does show that there might be a use for 106.7 on the other side of Montreal as well, depending on other signal patterns.

Won't happen because of interference from CFEI-FM on 106.5 in St. Hyacinthe.

it's also an area that is very, very active with local events, fairs, and so on. It's a series of communities that sometimes act almost as one.

I don't think there is a lack of interest in the story Sheldon. Rather, I think there is a lack of controversy. What they are doing makes perfect sense, doesn't really take away from the Montreal market, doesn't really hurt anyone, doesn't really block any signals, and doesn't really duplicate a market already served. It's hard to find fault, except as you noted that perhaps their sales goals are a little too high.

That being said, Dufferin seems to be very much into the small market / niche market radio, and perhaps they have a long term goal of packaging up stations to make is possible for national level advertisers to buy into these markets at good prices, and thus filling in their ad space. Clearly, they have seen something that others have not seen.

There is really nothing there to poke at. It perhaps does show that there might be a use for 106.7 on the other side of Montreal as well, depending on other signal patterns.

Honestly given the size of the Anglophone community in the Hudson/St-Lazare region, I'm really surprised the Dufferin though they could make a go of this, and just as surprised that they were awarded a license.

Dufferin is one of the companies that specializes in small-market radio stations. It thinks it can make a case by being the only local outlet for local businesses to advertise. (CJVD, as a French station, can't really be considered the same market.) It's certainly not as easy to make money with this plan as with the major Montreal radio stations, but I don't think it's impossible to make a modest profit.

Is There a point to such small area casts in 2012, with Internet they could reach the whole country?

So can everyone else. The entire point behind this station is that it would be a local media for people in Hudson/St. Lazare.

I just took a look at the webpage of the French language station in the area, CJVD 100.1 Vaudreuil-Soulanges. There's not much there other than a link to live streaming, an e-mail address and telephone number. They bill themselves as playing "les plus grands succes des annees 70 a 95". Odd, not 70s, 80s and 90s, but 95! What's wrong with 96 to 99 I wonder?

There is no schedule or programming grid.

I have no idea how much advertising they have, but throw a second station into the region fighting for the same advertising dollars from the same merchants and it will certainly be tough for both of them.

Honestly given the size of the Anglophone community in the Hudson/St-Lazare region, I'm really surprised the Dufferin though they could make a go of this, and just as surprised that they were awarded a license.