FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jim Pattison Broadcast Group contributes $12,000,000.00 to Canadian Content Development
including $6,350,000.00 to BC’s emerging recording artists

(Vancouver, BC – June 3, 2008)  The Canadian Television and Radio Broadcasting Commission (“CRTC”) announced the licensing of two new FM licenses for the City of Vancouver. Jim Pattison Broadcast Group was awarded a new AAA format license: 100.5 THE PEAK. As part of this new FM license award came a commitment to make, amongst other financial commitments to Canadian Content Development totaling twelve million dollars ($12,000,000.00), a significant contribution to the Music BC programming. Music BC Industry Association will administer the Peak Performance Program, a six million dollar ($6,000,000.00) program rolled out over seven years for developing emerging music artists in BC. In addition, there will be a further three hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($350,000.00) over seven years contributed to enhancing Music BC’s existing provincially funded MITAP travel assistance program funding tours, showcases and music business travel.

The Peak Performance Program will start with a call from all musicians and bands in BC. From this incredible talent pool, 20 artists will be selected to take part in an intensive residential music boot camp focusing on the art and business of music. Then these twenty artists will perform and market themselves in a series of Peak sponsored live events. From these, 5 artists will be put in the studio to create commercial quality demos for themselves and a radio compilation CD. Finally, three artists will be chosen and will receive substantial recording and marketing funds to launch their careers. This process will repeat for seven years eventually helping over 140 BC artists develop their careers in order to be ready for the world stage. The Peak Performance program will focus on fostering artistic excellence and business acumen in order to grown artistic careers and to help to develop the BC Music Industry.

In addition to the Peak performance program, the new station will contribute $50,000 per year to help enhance Music BC’s existing provincially funded MITAP travel assistance program. This program is focused on helping artists to tour and showcase internationally. Also, the program will help to send music business personnel to key industry conferences and events in order to secure deals for their artists.

Bob D’Eith, executive director of Music BC goes on to say, “These contributions to the development of emerging artists will make a dramatic impact on BC Music Industry and the careers of many artists. The Peak Performance program will more than double Music BC’s operating budget and will undoubtedly launch a number of careers over the next seven years. Additional funds to the Province of BCs vastly oversubscribed MITAP program will be very helpful to touring artists and the music business.

Jim Pattison Broadcasting worked with Music BC to create an emerging artist development program that would be truly impactful. It is a partnership which will lead to incredible results. It is a dream come true for us and BC based artists.”

Gerry Siemens of the Jim Pattison Broadcasting Group adds, "we are absolutely delighted with the CRTC'S decision to allow the conversion of our existing Victoria based AM station to an exciting new FM station for Vancouver.  As part of that, we are very excited to be working with Music BC on the Peak Performance Project which we believe will have a dramatic and lasting impact on the recording industry in British Columbia."

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For further information, please contact: 

Contact: Bob D’Eith
Executive Director
Music BC Industry Association
(604) 873-1914
(604) 873-9686 fax
bob@musicbc.org
www.musicbc.org
530 - 425 Carrall Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 6E3