LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. CTV wants to write its own rules and avoid providing free digital TV in nine Canadian cities, and it is blaming… Industry Canada? (See “Industry Canada delay means CTV wants to direct-feed its HD in nine market", December 2, 2008)
As far as I know, Industry Canada has had the list of frequencies assigned for the transition to digital TV posted on its website since 1999. Broadcasters, including CTV, have used those frequencies to apply for – and receive – transitional DTV licences.
In fact, I currently watch CTV’s HD signal for free in Toronto.
So what’s the real reason CTV is trying to deny the same service to my friends in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Pembroke, Barrie, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Victoria?
I hope it’s not so that CTV can create a precedent that would allow local stations to turn off their transmitters forever, send their signals directly to cable and still reap the benefits of the rules reserved for true over-the-air broadcasters: simultaneous substitution and priority placement on cable.
I really hope that’s not the reason.
Karen Wirsig
Canadian Media Guild
Toronto
