CTV and Global financial woes = no HD

[TimLemieux]

I guess with CTV laying off staff and Canwest Global's stock in the tank, we won't be seeing them upgrading their HD programming anytime soon.
I don't know how they aren't embarrassed that their flagship newscasts are still only in SD, when the CBC (which is supposed to always be stretched for cash), CityTV (tiny station) and all those two-bit American local newscasts can manage HD.

[hugh]

If both companies feel that the lack of HD News is costing them ratings then I'm certain they would invest quite quickly in the switch.

The truth is up til now, they haven't felt the investment was worthwhile and with the bulk of Canadians still watching SD, the decision was probably fiscally prudent

[scrooloose]

But more importantly, we're stuck with SD only versions of stations like SPACE and HGTV.

-Mike

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by TimLemieux

I guess with CTV laying off staff and Canwest Global's stock in the tank, we won't be seeing them upgrading their HD programming anytime soon.

Is this just your opinion or did you hear something from the inside?

Regarding digital OTA station plans there has not been any changes regarding Global and CTV according to the broadcast authorities, so I'm eager to know what you've heard.

[nicohockey9]

I find both companies to be in a horrble state right now, they simply have more they they can handle, I think another company needs to step in to offer bids for the channels that re really suffering, or CTV and Canwest need to be going out and looking for buyers... Simply shutting down the channel would make consumers get very angry.

[hugh]

stampeder,

old news

CTV announces layoffs and spending cuts

Will Canwest survive?

[stampeder]

Of course I know about the public news, I'm asking if the OP has insider info or if its just conjecture.

[Lindsay649]

If Lloyd (CTV National) and Dave (CTV Toronto) would retire before they die on air......plenty of money would be left to equip with the latest in HD technology.

[TimLemieux]

No, no inside scoop unfortunately.
I just thought they would have done it by now, especially to cover things like the Canadian and US elections. But since they haven't done it now, it'll probably get put off for a while.
I'd always thought (before the downtown anyway) that the private stations were flush with cash to invest in the latest technologies like that. Or at least more than a public broadcaster.
I realize the HD vs SD viewer numbers maybe don't justify it, but its surprising an independent station (at least until recently) like CityTV could afford to make the jump quite a while ago. Or PBS.

[Francois Caron]

Simply shutting down the channel would make consumers get very angry.

Or very happy. If both CTV and Global go out of business, that would eliminate most forms of simsubbing.

That would also mean less competition for my own channel.

[Walter Dnes]

Maybe this would be a good time for the CTV/CITY/Global/E! networks to align 1-to-1 with ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC and at least do simsubs right. By aligning 1-to-1, Canadian networks won't be forced to make choices about what to do when a program from US network X ends at 2 minutes after the hour, and a program from US network Y begins on the hour . Start the simsub at 7:00 PM and keep it going till 11:00 PM.

Before all the nationalists start jumping up and down, this won't really increase American programming on Canadian TV sets all that much, except reduce simsub screwups. It'll also reduce competitive bidding for US programs, so Canadian networks' finances will improve. Those of you who want LibLeft KanKon, please tune in to CBC.

[nicohockey9]

But alot of programs that air on american networks like the major ones you just named actually don't air on a Canadian channel, yes it might be the less popular shows, but some people really enjoy watching them.

[slipperbomb]

Looks like CTV Toronto is moving ahead with their HD Plans

[nicohockey9]

Cool! Finally CTV moving the NAtional news to HD, I much rather CTV's national news to CBC's ... I expected CTV to start moving to HD soon enough. But canwest will probally only move to HD right before the 2010 olympics.

I am wondering if they will convert Canada AM to HD?