CBC's OTA Future: Discussion

[Reed Solomon]

CBC should be expanding upon every effort to make their operation as necessary to Canadians as possible, and undermining the position of their competitors who are almost assuredly hoping the CBC can no longer afford any sporting events, forcing Canadians to subscribe to their particular cable operations and speciality stations.

I'd put CBC News Network on a SD subchannel. Or if not CBC News Network, some other News lite type of network that basically gives the News and weather on a repeated loop. I'd broadcast Environment Canada weather with CBC radio one playing in the background on another subchannel, and maybe a kids channel. Use the vast CBC archives. Play Mr Dressup and Friendly Giant and other timeless old (and probably cheap) programming.

To replace analogue towers in smaller areas with digital, Work with other networks or independent operators or municipalities to multiplex and rent out subchannels and share the costs. Share with SRC.

If they did that, they'd have a bigger piece of the viewership pie and cut into the grossly overinflated CRTC mandated cable monopolies. They'd be unexpendable to Canadians in that future world.

What's stopping them is a management that thinks the CBC is something it isn't, and a workforce that cares more about keeping the sinking boat afloat rather than stepping back and trying something new.

[roger1818]

This has been said many times before, but the CRTC does not want cable channels or channels that compete with existing cable channels on sub channels. However, they have shown a willingness to have multiple stations share a transmitter in small communities, but they need a champion. They may have been hoping that the CBC would take up this leadership role, but obviously they haven't.

I wouldn't expect Bell, Rogers or Shaw to take this lead either, as it would come too close to competing with their BDUs. Better to have a smattering of random transmitters so that people in small markets can only get one or two channels than allowing them to get 5 or 6 channels with one antenna.

[randomusername2]

The point has been made in this thread that analogue broadcasting is ending due to CBC budget cuts. This caused we to wonder what is the cost to broadcast OTA. With the equipment already in place is it possible to just let it run on its own until it fails? Would the remaining cost just be the electricity charges?

I realize corporations don't function this way but it does make me wonder.

[Jakeman3]

In their post, the CBC says that shutting down the 620 transmitters will result in a savings of almost $10M - of course they are all differant sizes and accessibility is differant, but that put the average cost of each one at around $16k each.

The 14 existing digital transmitters will cover approximately 75% of the population leaving about 8,500,000 people without service, or having to pay a monthly fee to a BDU... that's my estimation at least. My opinion is that there is justification to keep at least some of the larger market area's in operation. (go a little deeper than 14 markets)

[El Gran Chico]

Jakeman3, the number CBC provided me last year (they were kind enough to answer my question ) was approximately 60% of anglophone homes would live within a CBC digital contour and approximately 80% of francophone homes would live within an SRC digital contour.

If analogs contours were included, both CBC and SRC rose to approximately 95%

[ScaryBob]

the CBC says that shutting down the 620 transmitters will result in a savings of almost $10M

But the cost to disenfranchised viewers is much greater. I believe that that $10M estimate is over several years.

leaving about 8,500,000 people without service

Which will cost those potential viewers at least $200M a month in BDU or ISP subscriptions to access CBC programming.

[roger1818]

I believe the biggest cost savings comes from not having to distribute all the local broadcasts via satellite. They don't distribute all the HD broadcasts via satellite, but instead 5 master feeds (one for each time zone) and have the local station switch in (via remote control) local programming and advertising. This may help explain them not wanting any repeaters, as they would need to pay to get the local signal from the station to the repeater.

[Reed Solomon]

the CRTC does not want cable channels or channels that compete with existing cable channels on sub channels.

Even if sub-channels had no mandatory carriage requirement?

Seems somewhat anti-competitive.

[tvlurker]

It's only anti-competitive if someone appllies for such a sub-channel, and the CRTC denies their application. So far, NO ONE has applied for any sub-channels.(Well, other than CJON-DT applying for OZFM on a subchannel.) (The current practice of some broadcasters to broadcast on a SUBCHANNEL n SD version of the main HD program does not require a separate license.)

[roger1818]

I wonder if any of the CBC affiliates (or any other station for that matter) would be interested in picking up any of the nearby analog transmitters to expand their coverage. For example CKWS and CHEX could get the ones in eastern Ontario and north east of Toronto and the Thunder Bay affiliate could get some northern Ontario transmitters.

[Jakeman3]

You know, that's not a bad idea..

I actually have a contact over at CHEX, that I sent a note to about this..

The transmitter could probably be had for song, and I can't see how the CRTC would not allow it.

CHEX covers Peterborough the Kawartha lakes and Durham region, I suggested that they assume control of CBC Repeater Channel 8 (Huntsville), this would expand their coverage to a very similar adjacent region that covers Huntsville and the Muskoka lakes, it would guarantee them carriage on the cable systems of Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Parry Sound among others.. a future minor power increase would give them coverage into parts of Simcoe county (Orillia/Midland) that could potentially double the population coverage of that installation..

[roger1818]

Yes, CBLT-TV-2, Huntsville would be an excellent addition to CHEX. They have a repeater (CHEX-TV-1) in Bancroft, so one in Huntsville wouldn't be much of a stretch.

Looking at CBOT's repeaters, CBOT-1, Foymount and CBOT-6, Pembroke would likely be the only ones of interest as the others are mostly covered by CHEX-TV-1. The issue with CBOT-1 though is CBC has agreed to let Global take over its channel for its Ottawa repeater.

[someguy23475]

The CBC might as well sell off these analog transmitters if they can. I can see someone snatching up the larger ones such as CBLN or CBEFT.

[roger1818]

^^^Both those analog transmitters have already been shut down as they were in mandatory markets for transition to digital. If the analog transmitter isn't convertible to DTV, it isn't of much use unless it is in a non-mandatory market. It is doubtful if the CRTC would approve upgrades to an analog transmitter without also converting it to DTV, so the only transmitters of value are the ones that can be re-used as is, in its current location to preserve existing service. Even then, they likely won't get much for them up front, but will get future revenue from leasing space on the tower (assuming the CBC owns the tower). It is unlikely they will sell any towers as they are still needed for radio service.

[someguy23475]

I should have clarified my post. I mean selling the license, which would include the tower/transmitter. This way, a new broadcaster would not have to wait and go through the process of applying and possibly being denied a new license. I'm mostly used to FCC rules, so maybe the CRTC has different guidelines when it comes to selling stations.