Music Programming Policy

(Amended August 29, 1994)

Purpose:
The purpose of this policy to set objectives and priorities for CHSR FM’s music programming.

(1) Introduction:

CHSR FM’s music programming endeavours to provide a service to listeners that is not available to them from other media. Our programming will be diverse and eclectic providing listeners with a wide variety of music genres and artists. Music programming will primarily focus on new artists, and emerging musical genres.

(2) Music Programming Objectives:

(i) CHSR FM’s music programming will provide listeners with a diverse range of artists and musical genres.

(ii) CHSR FM will place emphasis upon artists and musical genres who are under or non-represented on other media sources.

(iii) CHSR FM will promote independent artists through the airplay of non-major label recordings, and artist-financed independent and demonstration recordings.

(iv) CHSR FM will promote the artists of Fredericton and the region through the airplay of local artists and musicians.

(v) CHSR FM will promote Canadian artists.

(vi) CHSR FM will promote the music of world cultures.

(3) Types of Music Programmes:

(i) General Music Programme

A music programme which includes a variety of musical genres and incorporates information of general interest to listeners.

(ii) Special Interest Music Programme

A music programme which tends to concentrate on a specific musical genre and includes information of interest to listeners of that musical genre.

(4) Music Content Requirements for Music Programmes:

(i) Music programmers are responsible for all musical selections broadcast during their programme.

(ii) No musical selections shall be broadcast that tends or is likely to subject any individual, group, or class of individuals, to hatred or contempt on basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation.

(iii) Some musical selections may require a brief message of explanation in order to place the selection within the specific context of an issue or theme of artistic expression.

(iv) Some musical selections, due to excessive use of profanity or subject matter, may not be appropriate for broadcast between the hours of 6am – 6pm. Between 6:00pm – 9:00pm choices have to be contextualized within the program for play. Between 9:00pm – 6:00am there are no restrictions on music on profanity grounds. This section is not intended to contradict other policies or other sections of this policy.

(v) Appropriateness of musical selections will be evaluated by the Programming Committee, or the music dept. Musical selections may be deemed;

a) Not appropriate for broadcast.

b) Not appropriate for broadcast without contextual comment or explanation.

c) Not appropriate for broadcast between the hours of 6am – 6 pm.

Musical selections which have been designated as a), b), or c) will clearly identified with the symbol:

N Before 6pm
A Before 9pm
B Must Contextualize

Music selections requiring b) will have a specific message included with the label.

(vi) No Top 40 selections will be broadcast (as defined by the CRTC Music Use Indicators “Hits” definition).

(vii) General Music Programmes (between the hours of 6AM – 12 AM)

(a) 30% of musical selections will originate from the “Playbox”.

(b) 35% of musical selections be Canadian.

(c) 1 selection per hour will be originated from an artist-financed recording.

(viii) Special Interest Music Programmes (between the hours of 6AM – 12 AM)

(a) 12% of musical selections will be Canadian.

(ix) Cultural Programmes (between the hours of 6AM – 12 AM)

(a) 7% of musical selections will be Canadian.

(x) Native Programmes

(a) Native programmes will not be required to broadcast Canadian music.

(xi) Spoken Word Programmes

(a) Subject to music requirements of Special Interest Music Programmes.

(5) Spoken Word Requirements for Music Programmes:

(a) Spoken word requirements for all music programmes is 4 min./hr, or as specifically determined by the Programming Committee.

(6) Definitions:

(i) Canadian (as defined by the CRTC Canadian Content Requirements for Music):

A musical selection is a Canadian selection where it

(a) fulfils two or more of the conditions set out below;

(b) is an instrumental performance of a musical composition that was composed by a Canadian or the lyrics were written by a Canadian; or

(c) is a performance of a musical composition composed by a Canadian for instruments only.

The conditions for (a) are the following:

• music or lyrics are performed principally by a Canadian;
• the music is composed by a Canadian;
• the lyrics are written by a Canadian; and
• the musical selection consists of a live performance that is recorded wholly in Canada, or performed wholly in Canada and broadcast live in Canada.

(ii) General Music:

Music falling under CRTC definitions of Category 2 – Music-General:

• Subcategory 21: Pop, Rock and Dance.
• Subcategory 22: Country and Country Oriented.
• Subcategory 23: Acoustic
• Subcategory 24: Easy Listening.

(iii) Special Interest Music:

Music falling under CRTC definitions of Category 3 – Music-Traditional and Special Interest:

• Subcategory 31: Concert Music (including Classical, Opera, and Broadway).
• Subcategory 32: Folk.
• Subcategory 33: International and World Beat.
• Subcategory 34: Jazz and Blues
• Subcategory 35: Non-classic Religious.

Note: where the CRTC does not explicitly define a music genre, the Programming Committee will assign a category and subcategory for that genre.

(iv) Cultural Music:

a) Music where the lyrics is not English, French or a language of First Nations’ people.

b) Music where the intended focus is toward non-Canadian French or English speaking cultures

(v) Demo Tape:

An artist financed recording.

(vi) Playbox:

A selection of music recordings located in MCR which contains recent releases. It is maintained and administered by the Music Department.