2011.08.31 | CWA Canada Local 30213 | Canadian Media Guild
Everything you need to know about transition to digital TV
… but were afraid to ask
Today's deadline for broadcasters across Canada to transition from analog to digital TV signals is causing a great deal of confusion for consumers and journalists alike.
The Canadian Media Guild, the main union at the CBC, has been following this issue for five years and has presented several briefs on the matter to the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The CMG has issued a primer for reporters covering the transition, but it might also prove helpful for anyone who owns a television.
Guild submissions to CRTC on free TV
Any TV viewer in a major centre who uses rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna (ie. doesn't have cable or satellite) … if they're not ready, their TVs will show nothing but static after today. As well, techies and anyone who likes getting stuff for free will be interested. The new digital over-the-air (OTA) channels are beautiful to look at, once you have the simple equipment needed to pull in the signals over the air.
Any provincial capital, any city with more than 300,000 and/or any city with more than one local station. Some stations in other communities are also going digital. Check with your local station(s) to confirm.
Either 1) a TV bought in the last three to four years (sometimes advertised as an HD TV) that has a digital receiver; or 2) a converter box with two wires: one that attaches to your antenna, and the other to the back of your older TV (where you would hook up cable if you subscribed). Digital converter boxes are available at most electronics stores.
No. This transition affects local, over-the-air stations only, and mostly only those in major centres.
They can stay the way they are, at least for now. For example, CBC is not going digital in Saskatoon, London, Quebec City or Saint John. If you watch CBC over the air in those cities, you should be able to continue to watch them the same way as ever. They might have to reduce power to avoid interfering with stations going digital (ie. in Saskatoon), so the signal might not be as strong as before and there's a chance it won't reach you anymore. Some stations, including Global stations in smaller communities, will be going digital over the next five years. Because of aging equipment and a lack of replacement parts, the old analog transmitters will likely be shut down over the next couple of years. If they are not replaced with digital transmitters, the signals will no longer be available for free over the air. We expect thousands of Canadians to lose access to free TV signals over the next few years.
The government will soon auction off the airwaves that are no longer used for TV. Most of these airwaves, known as frequencies, will be snapped up by cell phone companies for wireless services. The government is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue from the auction; so far, none of that money is being earmarked to improve Canadians' access to free TV signals or high-speed internet.
For interviews or more information, contact Karen Wirsig, Communications Co-ordinator, Canadian Media Guild: karen@cmg.ca | 416-578-1651 or 1-800-465-4149, ext. 243 | twitter: @karenatcmg