ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-484
This page has been archived on the Web
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-484 |
|
| Ottawa, 12 November 2004 | |
|
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia |
|
|
Application 2004-0340-3 Public Hearing in the National Capital Region 7 September 2004 |
|
CBUT Vancouver - Transitional digital television licence |
|
| The Commission approves the application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for a broadcasting licence to operate a transitional digital television undertaking in association with CBUT Vancouver. | |
The application |
|
|
1. |
The Commission received an application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for a broadcasting licence to operate a transitional digital television undertaking in association with CBUT Vancouver. The applicant proposed that the station simulcast the current analog programming service of CBUT, with the exception of up to 14 hours per week of programming that would not be duplicated on the analog service. The digital undertaking would operate from Mount Seymour on channel 58S with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 15,600 watts. |
Interventions |
|
|
2. |
The Commission received one intervention by Jeff Bear, the president of Urban Rez Productions and the executive producer of the Ravens and Eagles television series. Mr. Bear's comments did not raise matters directly related to the establishment of the transitional digital television station, but concerned the CBC's current licence for CBUT Vancouver. |
The Commission's analysis and determination |
|
|
3. |
The Commission set out its policy framework for the transition from analog to digital television in A licensing policy to oversee the transition from analog to digital, over-the-air television broadcasting,Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-31, 12 June 2002 (Public Notice 2002-31). Based on its examination of this application, the Commission is satisfied that it is in conformity with all applicable terms and conditions announced in Public Notice 2002-31 and in The regulatory framework for the distribution of digital television signals, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-61, 11 November 2003. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for a broadcasting licence to operate a transitional digital television undertaking in association with CBUT Vancouver. The licence will expire on 31 August 2007, coincident with the expiry of the licence for CBUT Vancouver. |
Canadian content |
|
|
4. |
In Public Notice 2002-31 , the Commission stated that: |
|
[its] existing policies and regulations, as well as the conditions of licence currently applicable to a broadcaster in respect of its analog television service will also apply to any transitional digital programming service the broadcaster may be licensed to provide. |
|
|
5. |
The Commission renewed the licence for CBUT in Licences for CBC English-language television and radio renewed for a seven-year term, Decision CRTC 2000-1, 6 January 2000 (Decision 2000-1). The new transitional digital television licence will therefore be subject to the conditions of licence that are applicable to the analog television service CBUT and to those set out in Decision 2000-1, and as may be amended by the Commission. |
The 14-hour program allowance |
|
|
6. |
The CBC made a commitment to simulcast the current programming service of CBUT with the exception of up to 14 hours per week of supplementary programming that would not be duplicated on the analog service. The applicant further committed to ensure that all unduplicated, supplementary programming broadcast on the undertaking is broadcast in a wide screen, high definition (HD) format and that a minimum of 50% of such programming is Canadian. Consistent with the applicant's commitments, the Commission has imposed conditions of licence,set out in the appendix to this decision. |
Simulcast of high definition and wide screen programming |
|
|
7. |
As part of this proceeding, the Commission asked the applicant to comment on the possible imposition of conditions of licence reflecting, among other things, the two key principles set out in Public Notice 2002-31 relating to the simulcast of HD and wide screen programming. Specifically, the Commission asked whether the CBC would adhere to conditions of licence requiring that: |
|
|
|
|
|
8. |
In response, the CBC agreed to accept these conditions of licence. Accordingly, the Commission has imposed these conditions of licence on the new transitional digital television undertaking. |
Data transmission |
|
|
9. |
In Public Notice 2002-31, the Commission expressed the view that HD television (HDTV) should be used to promote the development of new Canadian programming of high quality, and to make this available to viewers in a picture format that is superior to the current analog National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) format. To that end, the Commission emphasized that broadcasters should ensure that the HD programming they purchase or produce is transmitted to viewers without loss of signal quality. Consistent with that aim, the Commission requires, by condition of licence, that the licensee ensure that the transmission of data does not affect the quality or quantity of HD programming. |
Technical considerations |
|
|
10. |
The undertaking will operate on channel 58S with an ERP of 15,600 watts. The Commission is satisfied that these technical parameters will provide effective coverage to the Vancouver area within the constraints of the Department of Industry's (the Department's) DTV Transition Allotment Plan. |
Issuance of the licence |
|
|
11. |
The Commission will issue a transitional digital television licence to the CBC, subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to this decision. |
|
12. |
The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued. |
|
13. |
Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the licensee has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 12 November 2006. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date. |
| Secretary General | |
| This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca |
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-484 |
|
Conditions of licence |
|
| 1. In addition to the conditions set out below, the licence is subject to the terms and conditions applicable to the analog television station CBUT Vancouver, as set out in Licences for CBC English-language television and radio renewed for a seven-year term, Decision CRTC 2000-1, 6 January 2000, and as may be amended by the Commission. | |
| 2. The licensee shall ensure that all programming broadcast by the undertaking is a simulcast of the programming broadcast on CBUT, with the exception of up to 14 hours per week of unduplicated, supplementary programming. | |
| 3. The licensee shall ensure that at least 50% of the unduplicated, supplementary programming broadcast by the undertaking is Canadian. | |
| 4. The licensee shall ensure that all unduplicated, supplementary programming broadcast by the undertaking is broadcast in a wide screen (16:9 aspect ratio), high definition format. | |
| 5. The licensee shall ensure that all programs that are simulcast by the undertaking, and that are available to the licensee in a wide screen (16:9 aspect ratio) format, are also broadcast in that format. | |
| 6. The licensee shall ensure that all programs that are simulcast by the undertaking during the evening broadcast period, and that are available to the licensee in high definition are also broadcast in high definition. | |
| 7. The licensee shall ensure that the transmission of data does not affect the quality or quantity of high definition programming. |
Date Modified: 2004-11-12
- Date modified: