TVA Group Inc. and the CBC have applied for new digital television transmitters that do not comply with Industry Canada's digital transition plan. Television stations are now coming to the commission with applications to install digital transmitters in line with the CRTC's Aug. 31, 2011 deadline for the transition from analog to digital over-the-air television broadcasting. The CRTC opened a consultation Tuesday on applications for new transmitters. Quebecor Media Inc.'s TVA Group applied for a new digital transmitter serving Chicoutimi, Que., on channel 46, but Industry Canada has allotted it channel six. The commission noted that the new transmitter would decrease the potential viewing audience in the region by 2.98 per cent, from 218,778 to 212,255 viewers. The CBC also applied for a new digital transmitter to serve the Jonquiere, Que. region, but the application proposed "technical parameters" that exceeded the Industry Departments transition plan for digital television broadcasting. The CBC station would operate on channel 12 and, under its proposed radiated power, would decrease the potential viewing audience in the region by 11.4 per cent, from 284,053 to 251,580 viewers. The deadline for public comments on the applications is Feb. 22.
Source: The Wire Report, 02/01/2011