Any Shaw Direct customers in GVA or Calgary here? I'd think that if Shaw were forced to simsub the Superbowl (by replacing CBS E HD and CBS W HD with CTV Toronto HD for those in GVA and Calgary), they would also be forced to do the same for the NFL playoffs?

If i had to bet I'd say no HD superbowl simsub (outside of Toronto) this year on Shaw Direct, just like last year.

EDIT:
Here's a link that indicates Shaw Direct HD viewers outside of the GTA will likely be able to watch the superbowl on CBS this year:
http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/01/16/crtc-roundup-super-bowl/
This link is from 2009.

I think it will be the same for Shaw Direct this year. There haven't been any sim-subs over CBS/FOX all season for NFL, so I don't expect it to change for the playoffs.

Indeed, the link is from 2009, and it addresses the comments earlier in the thread. I expect no change from last year to this year. The only thing I could see, is if somehow, CTV having OTA HD in Vancouver and Calgary allows them to simsub (the Toronto feed) there, even though Shaw Direct does not carry these feeds. But other than me speculating, I've read nothing about this.

Here we go again. The ANNUAL FRUSTRATION.

It's not like you're missing anything. The best ads are all over the internet the next day. I don't think its a huge deal anymore.
besides, what's wrong with endless canadian tire, tim horton's and rona ads?

Indeed, the link is from 2009, and it addresses the comments earlier in the thread. I expect no change from last year to this year. The only thing I could see, is if somehow, CTV having OTA HD in Vancouver and Calgary allows them to simsub (the Toronto feed) there, even though Shaw Direct does not carry these feeds. But other than me speculating, I've read nothing about this.
I certainly hope there is no change this year. In 2009, Videotron was carrying CTV-HD from Toronto, meaning no simsubs on any HD channels from the USA (FOX, CBS, NBC and ABC). This year, Videotron carries CTV-HD from Montreal (CFCF), but there is no OTA broadcast of CFCF-HD in Montreal, so does the CRTC simsub rule applies in this case? We will have to wait and see...

I certainly hope there is no change this year. In 2009, Videotron was carrying CTV-HD from Toronto, meaning no simsubs on any HD channels from the USA (FOX, CBS, NBC and ABC). This year, Videotron carries CTV-HD from Montreal (CFCF), but there is no OTA broadcast of CFCF-HD in Montreal, so does the CRTC simsub rule applies in this case? We will have to wait and see...
The CRTC authorization to CTV to provide HD versions to cable companies (http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-482.htm)without first broadcasting OTA explicitly did not allow simultaneous substitution. That decision was deferred to be considered in the context of another hearing (http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-411.htm), also held this fall.

I don't know if the simsub issue has been resolved yet. Feel free to research this further.

So if I have Shaw Cable, and live in Edmonton, then the NBC West HD feed should NOT be simsubbed because the only CTV HD channel availible to us (at the moment) is CTV Toronto HD. However the SD feed of course would be simsubbed because there's an SD CTV affiliate here. Right?

So if I have Shaw Cable, and live in Edmonton, then the NBC West HD feed should NOT be simsubbed because the only CTV HD channel availible to us (at the moment) is CTV Toronto HD. However the SD feed of course would be simsubbed because there's an SD CTV affiliate here. Right?

Correct. If there isn't a local CTV HD, the BDU is not required to simsub. As tvlurker said, there is a dispute about what should be done when a direct feed to the BDU is provided. CTV argues that they have bought the Canadian rights and those should be protected. The CRTC says that since they are not honouring their responsibility of broadcasting OTA in HD locally (yet), they don't have all the rights of a local broadcaster.

Correct. If there isn't a local CTV HD, the BDU is not required to simsub. As tvlurker said, there is a dispute about what should be done when a direct feed to the BDU is provided. CTV argues that they have bought the Canadian rights and those should be protected. The CRTC says that since they are not honouring their responsibility of broadcasting OTA in HD locally (yet), they don't have all the rights of a local broadcaster.
So what would happen in Vancouver?

Would the channel: 210 CTV BC HD (CIVT-HD) mean that SHAW in Vancouver with the HD Basic Pack WOULD sim-sub?? ... and I would have to have SHAW DIRECT to NOT get the sim-sub?

Cheers!

Yep, the presence of CIVT-DT means that all the BDUs in the Vancouver area will be simsubbing CTV over CBS during the Super Bowl.

Your only hope is if you can pick up KIRO-DT 39.1, which would require deepest fringe outdoor OTA gear but would still be iffy.

So what would happen in Vancouver?

Would the channel: 210 CTV BC HD (CIVT-HD) mean that SHAW in Vancouver with the HD Basic Pack WOULD sim-sub??

Correct. Since CTV broadcasts OTA in HD in Vancouver Shaw would be required to sim-sub.

... and I would have to have SHAW DIRECT to NOT get the sim-sub?

Not sure as it gets a bit sticky here. Since Shaw Direct doesn't provide CIVT-DT, it really isn't clear what they are required to (or will) do. They got their hands slapped last year, so they may error on the side of causion.

A better option might be to buy a good antenna and pick up the DTV broadcast directly from the US. You will get a much better PQ than any BDU provides.

Yes CaptainCanuck, it's exactly as you described. After the review of the 2008 Super Bowl, Shaw Satellite was basically told to carry on as they had been doing. So unless there is a new development in the next month, they'll be HD-Simsub free outside of the GTA. Shaw cable will have to simsub in Vancouver.

I'll agree though that OTA will likely give a clearer picture. If I had my choice I'd watch CTV HD OTA during the game, and switch to the US OTA for the commercials. CTV often has BETTER PQ as they don't use sub-channels.

You might find going from cable to satellite gives you worse picture quality. And if you leave Shaw Direct after the first year, you'd have to give them your receiver (which you bought) or pay a $200 penalty.

I did some research and found Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-358 (http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2008/db2008-358.htm), which was very interesting and agrees with what ralph_sinclair says.

If you have Bell TV satellite, all of the US feeds will be unavailable during the Super Bowl, as Bell's system is technically restricted, and so applies simsubs across the board (across Canada) from one central office, even though simsubs are not required everywhere in Canada.

If you have Shaw Direct satellite, you will not get an HD simsub if you live anywhere in Canada except within a 50 mile radius of Toronto. Why? Because as per CRTC regulations, BDUs are not required to implement simsubs in any area where there is no local signal (in the case of HD, it must be a local HD signal). Since only the cities of Toronto and Vancouver have a CTV HD signal (unless more HD towers have gone up in other cities that I'm not aware of), these are the only two cities where HD simsubs are required. However, Shaw Direct does not carry CTV HD WEST (Vancouver) on its systems at all, so a simsub would not be implemented in Vancouver on Shaw Direct. In 2010, however, after all the fuss CTV made last year, it is possible that Shaw Direct may implement a simsub for CTV HD Vancouver even though they don't carry that station (since it is required by CRTC regulations).

As for cable providers and/or SD feeds, it depends on a lot of factors. If you have a cable provider and not Shaw Direct or Bell satellite, let me know and I'll explain how simsubbing will work for that provider.

Since only the cities of Toronto and Vancouver have a CTV HD signal
Add Calgary :(

Industry Canada's list of operational DTV stations (digital OTA) is updated here every day:

http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html

Industry Canada's list of operational DTV stations (digital OTA) is updated here every day:

http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html
Well in Montreal Radio-Canada-HD and CBC-HD have been on air for years and they are not correctly listed...

Jay, they are correctly listed since they are temporarily located on top of the SRC building while they await the Mount Royal tower site's final construction. Thus, they are not officially OP yet. You can always track or inquire about their status in this OTA Forum thread: OTA Station Status: Montréal, QC, Northern NY & VT (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=107974)

Let's get back on topic here. The following thread gives Super Bowl OTA viewing options:

2010 SuperBowl OTA in HD: Station list here for Canadians (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=118838)

Anyone know if the HD feed from the US network (this year CBS) will still be available with videotron, without simsub, like it has the past few year, basically since it has been available in HD.

I was under the impression this had to do with the fact that the HD feed wasn't available by OTA in the Montreal area.

Stef...