Anybody else getting tired of the frequent blackouts on CBC-HD (channel 508)? They seem to coincide with hockey games but the last well beyond the end of the game.

I called to find out what is going on. The service rep was new but relayed to me what their operations department have instructed them to tell customers who complain:

"the problem is totally out of Access' control and is caused by their upstream provider"

"Access has no influence or control over what the upstream provider does"

"Part of the problem is that Saskatchewan is a remote area that the Bell signal has trouble reaching. New satellite or satellite equipment is needed to help fix the situation"

"CRTC rules likely prevent Access from using a different upstream provider or from having an backup upstream provider to switch to when Bell is down"

On the face of it, most of this info doesn't really add up. So I've got a call into this operations area to clarify. Just relaying the info received so far.

I can't say that I have every seen a blackout during a hockey game on CBC since I got HD back in November, I have watched just about every Saturday night CBC HD hockey game.

Have the blackouts been recent, like during the playoffs, or did you get blackouts during the regular season as well.

In any case we shouldn't see any blackouts here in Sask, with the exception some home Rider games during the summer....

I think I know what you mean Neil D.

I haven't watched much playoff hockey (no Habs you know!!), but I know my son has had to switch to SD channels several times while trying to watch HD playoff games. He'll be watching for a few minutes, and suddenly just a black screen, no audio. Can last for several minutes, and now he doesn't even try switching back once it happens.

It is disappointing when these problems occur.

BH

"CRTC rules likely prevent Access from using a different upstream provider or from having an backup upstream provider to switch to when Bell is down"

Total BS - they just don't want to send money to their competitor - Shaw for feeds

There is no CRTC requirement limiting sources

Thanks for the clarification bhjv1, sorry about that Neild I completely misunderstood what kinds of blackouts you were talking about.

Thinking about it now in that context, your right I have noticed the 'blackouts' during the games with no picture and sound, and completely agree how irritating it is.

wouldn't Bell also be there competitor?

Bell as a competitor, yes and no. Bell sells signal to end users with Expressvu. But they also have a marketplace selling signal to other operators.

Got some new and more valid sounding information about this.

The problem has been recognized by people in authority. The problem is the Bell receivers that pick up signal from the sky which is then distributed. They've been locking up periodically and nobody knows why yet. It's not all the Bell receivers, just certain ones that were added recently.

Access has just instituted a new practice where off-hours staff can power cycle these receivers to fix the problem. It isn't the final solution, but it should prevent missing an entire game. I have a feeling the PVR won't like the disrupted stream, so my speculation is recordings would be affected. However if you're viewing live and the signal has stopped, call in 24x7, someone is authorized to reset the receivers.