What's the frequency, Kenneth?

Yowza. The CRTC has approved a queer radio station. Whatever that is. Details here.

It's a tiny, 50 watt deal -- the radio waves are crowded in Tranna. So that's actually pretty smart, focusing on a small geographical area (helps with making those essential ad sales to retail shops). Maybe it could do better than outTV? OutTV means well, but it's endless reruns are too boring. And the place's finances are impressively sad.

Here's the lowdown: "Approximately 7 hours per week would be dedicated to newscasts and an additional 21 hours to talk and information programs." And the rest?

"During the daytime, the proposed station would feature a mix of Top Forty music, pop, and classic hits from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. In the evenings and on weekends dance music, Rhythm and blues, club mixes, easy listening, contemporary jazz, Latin beat and world music would also be offered. The applicant indicated that during the broadcast day and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays it would devote 40 percent of all music drawn from category 2 (popular music) to Canadian selections. This level would exceed the minimum level of 35 percent required...."

And in terms of supporting local talent: "The applicant indicated that it would not participate in the Canadian talent development (CTD) plan created by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Instead, Rainbow proposed an independent CTD plan with several components. In each broadcast year, a $5,000 scholarship for journalism, artistic, or music studies would be awarded by both the School of Media Studies at Humber College and the School of Journalism at Carleton University. An annual expenditure of $30,000 would be made for musical artists to be showcased at the Pride Week celebrations. Rainbow would fund workshops and seminars at Canadian Music Week, at a cost of $10,000 per year during the first four years of the licence term, and $20,000 in each subsequent year. Rainbow would also fund a gay community showcase and art exhibit, beginning in the fifth year of the licence term, at a cost of $40,000 in that year and in each subsequent year."

We'll see. Or rather, listen, to 103.9 FM. Cuz there'll be an Internet simulcast, right?