CHCH, CHEK, Corus, Pattison, Independents: DTV Transition Status (closed)
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Reading over the plans for some of the non-network owned broadcasters here is some interesting findings:
Channel Zero plans to transition all of their transmitters in mandatory markets (no additional details provided on that). They expect to keep all five of CHCH's transmitters outside of mandatory markets broadcasting in analog, including CHCH -TV-3 (Muskoka) which is out of band on channel 67 and relocate it within 2-51 (they are waiting for the results of an engineering study before making a final decision). I am not sure if the CRTC will let them relocate without transitioning to digital. It is also possible that the engineering study may show that there is a minimal cost difference between relocating to an analog or digital broadcast in which case they may change their mind.
Corus Entertainment plans to remain on analog everywhere, except CKWS-TV-1 (Brighton) where they are out of band on 66. There they plan to install a DTV transmitter on channel 30 by Sept 1, 2011. Since CKWS-TV (Kingston) will still be analog, the repeater will likely be SD for now (a guess on my part). My guess is the cost difference between relocating in analog or digital is small, so there is no point wasting money on equipment that will likely need to be replaced.
CTS will transition in all cities by Aug 31, 2011. They plan to revert to 36 in Hamilton, move to 42 in Ottawa, remain on 14 in London and 32 in Calgary (PT allocation was 27) and move to 30 in Edmonton (different from their analog, transitional and PT allocations). All of this will be done by Aug. 31, 2011.
CHEK seems to have messed up their tracking spreadsheet (they say that 6 is not only their NTSC channel, but is also their transitional DT allotment and their PT allotment, which it is neither of and they didn't put anything in the PT operational column) but it looks like they plan on staying on channel 6 in Victoria, presumably because migrating to UHF would be too expensive. They also plan on shutting down their Campbell River repeater but there is no mention of their other transmitters, so I assume they will remain in analog.
Newcap will transition both of their stations in Lloydminster to DTV. CITL-TV will remain on channel 4 and CKSA-TV will move to channel 13 (both of which are their PT allotments).
NTV will remain analog everywhere except St. John's, where they will transition to DTV on channel 21 (from analog 6).
Channel Zero plans to transition all of their transmitters in mandatory markets (no additional details provided on that). They expect to keep all five of CHCH's transmitters outside of mandatory markets broadcasting in analog, including CHCH -TV-3 (Muskoka) which is out of band on channel 67 and relocate it within 2-51 (they are waiting for the results of an engineering study before making a final decision). I am not sure if the CRTC will let them relocate without transitioning to digital. It is also possible that the engineering study may show that there is a minimal cost difference between relocating to an analog or digital broadcast in which case they may change their mind.
Corus Entertainment plans to remain on analog everywhere, except CKWS-TV-1 (Brighton) where they are out of band on 66. There they plan to install a DTV transmitter on channel 30 by Sept 1, 2011. Since CKWS-TV (Kingston) will still be analog, the repeater will likely be SD for now (a guess on my part). My guess is the cost difference between relocating in analog or digital is small, so there is no point wasting money on equipment that will likely need to be replaced.
CTS will transition in all cities by Aug 31, 2011. They plan to revert to 36 in Hamilton, move to 42 in Ottawa, remain on 14 in London and 32 in Calgary (PT allocation was 27) and move to 30 in Edmonton (different from their analog, transitional and PT allocations). All of this will be done by Aug. 31, 2011.
CHEK seems to have messed up their tracking spreadsheet (they say that 6 is not only their NTSC channel, but is also their transitional DT allotment and their PT allotment, which it is neither of and they didn't put anything in the PT operational column) but it looks like they plan on staying on channel 6 in Victoria, presumably because migrating to UHF would be too expensive. They also plan on shutting down their Campbell River repeater but there is no mention of their other transmitters, so I assume they will remain in analog.
Newcap will transition both of their stations in Lloydminster to DTV. CITL-TV will remain on channel 4 and CKSA-TV will move to channel 13 (both of which are their PT allotments).
NTV will remain analog everywhere except St. John's, where they will transition to DTV on channel 21 (from analog 6).
So the CHCH that we get here in Ottawa would remain analog for a while. I was hoping they would take over Sun TV's antenna considering they are taking over much of the Sun programming. It sure would be nice to get those shows in HD again starting this fall. It doesn't look like it.
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I remember reading at some point in the forum that Corus was going to transition both CKWS & CHEX to digital. Am I mistaken, or has their been a change in their policy?
Might have been here.
That's my summary of documents submitted to the CRTC relating to Canadians TV companies' expectations when it comes to their digital transition. It includes Corus.
That's my summary of documents submitted to the CRTC relating to Canadians TV companies' expectations when it comes to their digital transition. It includes Corus.
That was likely wishful thinking. The thing is although they got the same programs that SunTV was previously broadcasting, they didn't get them directly from SunTV but instead took advantage of the fact that SunTV decided not to renew the contracts for them.
OTOH, these filings were made prior to SunTV announcing that they plan to become a cable news channel, so anything is possible. Personally, I think it more likely for the equipment to go to TVO, but that is just a guess on my part as I don't even know if SunTV even owns it or if it is just leased.
I sent an email to CHEK a few days ago after they said they'd be OTA DTV sooner than the dead line my email asked if they were going to be able to cover the lower mainland with the DT tramsmisson?. so far no reply I better follow up this week. I will post any reply.
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Chek-TV
Purely an educated guess, but as a relatively new employee-owned station, I'd imagine they'd be especially cautious with any significant investment right now (approx $1M to set up the new transmitter according to a CBC radio segment on their delays). Hopefully I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if they pushed the August deadline limit.
Yours truly,
Fred in Saanich.
Purely an educated guess, but as a relatively new employee-owned station, I'd imagine they'd be especially cautious with any significant investment right now (approx $1M to set up the new transmitter according to a CBC radio segment on their delays). Hopefully I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if they pushed the August deadline limit.
Yours truly,
Fred in Saanich.
CHEK Article
Interesting article about CHEK 6 going digital.
http://www.tvb.ca/pages/independent+broadcasters+say+they+can+meet+the+digital+transition+deadline_htm
From the article:
John Pollard, station manager at independent station CHEK TV in Victoria, B.C., told The Wire Report that the station will probably be broadcasting in digital well before the Aug. 31, 2011 deadline.
Pollard said engineers are now working out a plan for the station, which they intend to have in place by the end of the year.
"With any luck we'll be ahead of [the deadline] next August," Pollard said.
Although some broadcasters are spending $1 million per market to install new, digital transmitters and equipment, Pollard estimated that CHEK will change its transmitter for less than $500,000.
Interesting article about CHEK 6 going digital.
http://www.tvb.ca/pages/independent+broadcasters+say+they+can+meet+the+digital+transition+deadline_htm
From the article:
John Pollard, station manager at independent station CHEK TV in Victoria, B.C., told The Wire Report that the station will probably be broadcasting in digital well before the Aug. 31, 2011 deadline.
Pollard said engineers are now working out a plan for the station, which they intend to have in place by the end of the year.
"With any luck we'll be ahead of [the deadline] next August," Pollard said.
Although some broadcasters are spending $1 million per market to install new, digital transmitters and equipment, Pollard estimated that CHEK will change its transmitter for less than $500,000.
When I spoke Chek I did not ask about what channel however I know there was a american out fit that wanted the 6 but when they found out Check is still going to use it they dropped the application for it so I guess at this time it looks like it is remaining on 6
Okay more info I called again and asked about the channel they are going to off anolog a midnight august 31 2011 and fire up digital on 6 they may get a okay from crtc to do this ahead of time and use 6 from that time but if not then it will be as I said mid night anolog off digital on
Okay more info I called again and asked about the channel they are going to off anolog a midnight august 31 2011 and fire up digital on 6 they may get a okay from crtc to do this ahead of time and use 6 from that time but if not then it will be as I said mid night anolog off digital on
I really hope CHEK decides not to stay on channel 6. Low band VHF (channel 2-6) is AWFUL for DTV reception. American DTV stations on low band VHF have had all kinds of trouble.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32917495/
My favorite quote from the article:
Mark Colombo, a TV enthusiast and electrical engineering student who maintains an online database of the country's TV stations, said "everyone who had any sense" knew that broadcasting digitally on channel 6 or lower would yield terrible reception. Those channels are susceptible to interference from household electronics, spark plugs in passing cars and distant thunderstorms.
I will also be annoyed if CHEK stays on channel 6. You need a huge antenna for low band VHF and it's extremely susceptible to interference.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32917495/
My favorite quote from the article:
Mark Colombo, a TV enthusiast and electrical engineering student who maintains an online database of the country's TV stations, said "everyone who had any sense" knew that broadcasting digitally on channel 6 or lower would yield terrible reception. Those channels are susceptible to interference from household electronics, spark plugs in passing cars and distant thunderstorms.
I will also be annoyed if CHEK stays on channel 6. You need a huge antenna for low band VHF and it's extremely susceptible to interference.
According to the TVB article I posted earlier:
CBC stations in Yellowknife, Regina, Winnipeg, Windsor, Saint-John/Fredericton, Charlottetown, Halifax and St. John will not meet the deadline. For Radio-Canada, the laggards will be in Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg.
So it looks like CBUFT 26 won't be digital before the August 31, 2011 deadline.
CIVI 17 is owned by CTV and they just got bought-out by Bell Canada. I haven't heard what their plans might be.
I also wonder if CHNU 66 is required to convert. I doubt they'll be able to stay on channel 66, but since they're licensed to the Fraser Valley instead of Vancouver I wonder if they're required to go digital?
CBC stations in Yellowknife, Regina, Winnipeg, Windsor, Saint-John/Fredericton, Charlottetown, Halifax and St. John will not meet the deadline. For Radio-Canada, the laggards will be in Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg.
So it looks like CBUFT 26 won't be digital before the August 31, 2011 deadline.
CIVI 17 is owned by CTV and they just got bought-out by Bell Canada. I haven't heard what their plans might be.
I also wonder if CHNU 66 is required to convert. I doubt they'll be able to stay on channel 66, but since they're licensed to the Fraser Valley instead of Vancouver I wonder if they're required to go digital?
ZomerMidia (owners of CHNU) have told the CRTC that they plan to convert all of their stations to DTV by Aug. 31, 2011. No further details were given, but they certainly will not be permitted to stay on 66. IC has said that all stations within 350km of the US boarder may not use channels 52-69 after Aug. 31, 2011.
Might be the huge financial requirements needed to convert their transmitter from VHF to UHF that is holding them back...
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