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In his speech to the Broadcast Executives Society on November 10, 2008, CRTC vice-chair Michel Arpin said that Canadian broadcasters need to get moving on digital conversion because they're falling behind other countries.
Arpin pointed out progress being made on digital conversion in the United Kingdom and France, which have later deadlines than Canada's. He explained that France " 'began to deploy digital over-the-air broadcasting in 2005 with a view to replacing analog by the end of 2011. The Conseil sup"rieur de l'audiovisuel reported this past August that 87% of the population in large cities had access to digital signals, either over-the-air or through satellite.' "
Aprin said, " 'similar to France, the transition to digital in Canada will occur on August 31, 2011. The main difference, however, is that the preparatory work here has barely begun. We expect to have a better idea of the broadcasters' plans next year, when we hold hearings to renew the licences of the major conventional television groups.' "
Broadcasters in Canada have put up new antennas in major centres, but have said it would be uneconomical to upgrade to digital transmission in smaller ones, especially since so few people get their TV signals over-the-air.
Arpin explained that " 'digital transmission is a superior broadcasting technology when compared to analog, and its added capacity will create attractive programming and revenue opportunities.' " He pointed out that, " 'digital transmission will make it possible to broadcast more than one standard definition program on the same frequency used to broadcast one analog channel. So while the main channel would carry the station's regularly scheduled program, other sub-channels might be used to carry local weather information and news.' "
Source: Cartt, 11/13/2008
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