New CBC Saskatoon broadcast licence delayed

The launch of the over-the-air component of CBC Saskatchewan's new digital service, Saskatoon Morning, has been delayed due to a licencing issue, according to managers of the corporation.

Saskatoon Morning will begin service April 29.

It will not, for now, be on 94.1 FM. But the complete program will be available online.

The digital service includes the Saskatoon Morning program and live news streaming, as well as a dedicated CBC Saskatoon website.

John Agnew, the managing director of CBC Saskatchewan, said it was unfortunate the over-the-air component of the service would be delayed.

"Hugely disappointed, of course," Agnew said. "But immediately after that we just started planning on how we can keep things moving forward and how we can continue to work to get this program out to the people of Saskatoon."

Saskatoon Morning, with host Leisha Grebinski, will live-stream online.

While the licence issue is sorted out, the 94.1 FM slot on the radio dial will offer The Morning Edition radio show.

Agnew said he did not know how long it would take to sort out the licence matter. He said it could be a couple of months but has also been told it could take longer.

Agnew said CBC officials with the corporation's regulatory affairs unit were working on the licence, which involves the federal agency known as the CRTC.