The UK situation is different because UK has a TV tax which can support such a system. Also consider that the UK doesn't have anywhere near the size of Canada so it's a lot easier to cover the whole country in the UK.

Because of the geography of Canada, the best model for national coverage is satellite. Broadcast works only around the major population areas.

The CBC will be spending the most on the conversion and will have the most broadcasters to convert over. Giving them an extra year isn't so much the issue but it's what they do during that year that matters. If they spend the time replacing analogue with digital systems it's not so bad. But if they just decide at the end of the year to shut down systems rather than replacing them they are not doing their job.

The CBC is in a unique situation because it's essentially government owned and much of the funds are limited to what they get from the government. The mandate states it should "be made available throughout Canada by the most appropriate and efficient means and as resources become available for the purpose." The key word there is resources. If they don't have the funds then they can't provide the service. And since it's essentially the people that pay for the channel then converting all systems would mean the funds to do it would have to come from the taxpayers.

The fact is that the CBC is obsolete. They were established to create and broadcast Canadian productions but there's a few Canadian stations already doing that now.

So some people will have to wait to get digital service. But since the CRTC recognizes the situation the CBC has been put in to it's giving them a break. By law the CBC has to broadcast whereas any other broadcaster would have the freedom just to shut down. And because of the commercial nature of other broadcasters, they tended not to serve areas that didn't already have large populations whereas the CBC did.

And since it's essentially the people that pay for the channel then converting all systems would mean the funds to do it would have to come from the taxpayers.

The problem here is the present government which has made it very clear that they don't care very much for the CBC and would shut it down if they could. There is no reason why they cannot give the CBC the funds that are necessary to convert the analogue transmitters in these 22 markets to digital, considering the fact that they will make this money back (and then some) through the sale of the segments of the radio spectrum that the analogue stations will be vacating once they switch to digital.

The fact is that the CBC is obsolete. They were established to create and broadcast Canadian productions but there's a few Canadian stations already doing that now.

You have your facts mixed up, the CBC produces MORE Canadian content than any other broadcaster in Canada. The private nets only produce a few token shows here and there to justify their existence and to meet their Cancon requirements. If CTV & Global had their way they would only air foreign programming and not bother with Canadian shows which interfere with their profit margins. ;)

WriterPatric, the people do pay. That includes the $1000000+ that London and area generate for the CBC yearly. So to say they have the funds to convert only originating stations doesn't line up with where their investment comes from. The CRTC designated these markets as mandatory to ensure equitable reception. The CBC's choice to cherry-pick the ones they feel are easiest and cheapest is unfair!

And as for Canadian content, PlayItSimple, you nailed it. The quantity and quality that the CBC produces is beyond compare to other "Canadian" broadcasters. There is programming some would argue doesn't belong on a public broadcaster. But still, the CBC is doing the best job.

I just don't see why the free digital terestrial television model won't be as popular in Canada like how it is in the UK.

This model would not work here for the very simple reason that almost ALL conventional stations in Canada are owned by BDU's. They would not support this type of service as they want you to subscribe to their services be it cable or satellite. You can thank the CRTC for this who allowed BDU's to purchase broadcasters- distribution & content should be kept separate and under different ownership IMO. The closest you will get to this type of model in Canada is if Bell TV & Shaw Direct decide to offer a package of locals, free of charge.

Just so im clear this extention only applies to CBC, and in select markets, meaning that all other CBC's will go digital on time?

Blackloz, you are correct. But this stupid CRTC decision effectively stops the re-use of spectrum for wireless services, emergency services etc for the entire country.

Failure to re-use spectrum means less wireless competition and less wireless services for all of Canada.

But this stupid CRTC decision effectively stops the re-use of spectrum for wireless services, emergency services etc for the entire country.

I don't think the CRTC is to blame, the feds are. The CRTC is just doing what is within their power- even if they told the CBC you have to convert the transmitters in these markets to digital the CBC would have just turned around and say 'we can't afford to'. Heritage Canada (or whomever is in charge of the CBC) should just pony up the funds already so that the CBC can convert these transmitters to digital.

I don't think the CRTC is to blame, the feds are.

The CRTC is responsible for this so I think they are to blame for not making it happen.

Heritage Canada (or whomever is in charge of the CBC) should just pony up the funds already so that the CBC can convert these transmitters to digital.

Well there are many of us who believe $20 or $25 million can be better spent elsewhere but that is a different thread.

This thread is strictly about the CRTC decision.

CBC seems to believe they are permitted to remain in analogue in Winnipeg past the cutover date due to "unforeseen problems". However I don't believe Winnipeg was included in the 22 cities list. So they should presumably not be permitted to remain in analogue.

You are not telling the entire story, Reed Solomon. When they tried to set up the DTV gear on their existing tower they discovered that the structure was not strong enough to support it. They have asked for and received an extension in order to have the tower reinforced. It was unforeseen, and if you know about the laws involving occupational safety standards then there is nothing more to be said about it. Should they have known about it beforehand? Well, how exactly would they have done that? (That's a rhetorical question since they could not have done that).

Let me get something straight it not about money 20 millions for a broadcaster who got around 2 freaking billions annually in both public and private funds give me a break! It not like the CRTC came up with this crazy idea out of nowhere last week this is something that was discussed for over a decade.

I believe the current deadline was set in 2007 that four years to plan, invest and spread the cost. In fact of all peoples I would have expected the PUBLIC Broadcaster to jump the gun early and get this done years before. The truth is they just want to do the strict minimum because I suspect they want OTA dead so they can squeeze cable for carriage fees. And by the way that fine and dandy but I want their must carry status to end. You want a carriage fee fine you get it when am able to drop you off like the rest of the crap I don't buy from my BDU.

madhi, been through this discussion five pages ago.

CBC drags feet like most broadcasters do, CRTC's responsibility to make sure it happens.

History shows if you petition the CRTC enough then eventually the CRTC will say OK. Don't believe me, then just look at how the CRTC has ruled on many Global , CRTC, and Chum issues.

CRTC said no to FFC but CTV, Global etc petitioned for it and contacted politicians etc and guess what, we have the LPIF.

In the analog to digital conversion, the CRTC changed the rules several times so why not one one more time?

Want to blame someone, blame the CRTC.

Isn't Globals tower on top of the same building? Could they not have communicated with each other at some point? While I certainly have nothing against a delay for safety reasons, I don't see why it would take a whole month to procure and install the necessary item. And even if it does, I don't feel they should have been allowed to stay on in analogue. I didn't see CRTC approval granted when I made my post yesterday, their webpage said "subject to crtc approval" they will stay on in analogue and if it was listed on the CRTC page I missed it.

I'm not sure exactly how many CBC stations are going to be remaining analogue and how many will be shutting down. There are a number that the CBC was allowed to keep as analogue and the 22 stations are supposedly only in mandatory areas. I tried looking on their site and all they list are cable and satellite stations.
http://www.cbc.ca/frequency/index.html

The amount of money the CBC receives is roughly equal to the "TV Tax" in Great Britain. In that respect, I don't see why Canada does not receive an equal service. That is:
1. Commercial free programming.
2. Regional, originating stations in all major markets. For example, all mandatory digital markets and regional centers.
3. Free carriage on a national satellite service, similar to Freenet.
4. A high number of innovative, recognizably Canadian, high quality dramatic series that are sold internationally to raise revenue.
5. International, recognizably Canadian, CBC news and programming services that are sold in other countries to raise revenue.
6. Programming that is watched by more than a few hundred Canadians. :rolleyes:

How about it CBC? Up to the task? I know a few example can be dragged up in defense but let's face it, the CBC is a joke compared to the BBC or PBS. The way the digital transition is being handled just underscores the CBC's incompetence. Canadians want more than a phony slogan that doesn't ring true outside the GTA. :rolleyes:

Isn't Globals tower on top of the same building?
No. They are nearby on another high-rise rooftop.

This thread, which was about the CRTC's decision to postpone the digital conversion has gone off topic so I am closing.

We have lots of threads on CBC Funding so it doesn't make sense to have this thread too.