Cable and broadcasting industries disagree on rules for DTV/HDTV rollout

Both the cable and broadcasting industries agree that widespread acceptance of over-the-air digital television (DTV) and high-definition television (HDTV) is a long way off, but they can’t agree on how best to phase in the new technology. Anticipating a slow rollout of DTV/HDTV, broadcasters are calling on the CRTC to establish must-carry rules for distributors to ensure the transition to digital broadcasting succeeds with consumers. But must-carry provisions are a non-starter for Canadian cable operators, as they have been for the cable industry south of the border. The positions of both sides are laid out in submissions filed with the CRTC on a proposed policy to oversee the transition of over-the-air television from analog to digital – PN 2001-62. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) notes that 75 per cent of Canadians receive their television signals from broadcast distribution undertakings (BDUs), the vast majority of them from cable. "The CAB acknowledges that it will take some time for consumers to acquire DTV equipment," the association states in its Oct. 26 second-round comments. "As a matter of public policy, however, BDUs should be expected to support a broadcasting environment that will stimulate the growth and acceptance of DTV by consumers. "If DTV is to succeed, television broadcasters must be able to reach all potential viewers with their digital signals, not just the 25 per cent or so who are not served by a licensed BDU," the association continues. As in the analog world, the CAB proposes a Canada-first approach. However, the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) contends in its Oct. 26 second-round submission that it is premature for the commission to establish any rules to govern the carriage by BDUs of DTV signals. The CCTA encourages the commission to adopt the same policy framework of open experimentation that it did with digital radio. "Consistent with this policy framework, distributors should not be mandated to distribute conventional DTV/HDTV signals during a transitionary period," the association states. "Instead, distributors should be encouraged to stimulate the rollout of digital receivers and set-top boxes that decode HDTV by permitting consumer access to all available HDTV programming." The CAB counters that over-the-air digital television is a "replacement technology" for analog and will become the new cornerstone of Canadian broadcasting, and should not be viewed as "discretionary." The cable industry also warns that if cable operators are required to free up space for DTV/HDTV channels, they may have to reduce the number of Category 2 digital services they plan to carry. The CCTA suggests that for every non-affiliated Canadian HDTV service a BDU carries on a voluntary basis, it be permitted to add another affiliated Category 2, above any permitted under the existing five-to-one linkage rule. The CAB replies that any capacity concerns would be alleviated by its phased rollout plan, with DTV gradually entering large markets first with a shared transmitter, and then progressing to smaller markets over time. Broadcasters also reject the CCTA’s proposed new linkage rule on the grounds that as a fundamental principle, Canadian over-the-air digital signals should be mandatory, on the same basis as existing analog channels. As well, it argues that "linkage of Category 2 services with DTV signals could further disadvantage unaffiliated Category 2 services not yet distributed." CCTA president and CEO Janet Yale tells CCR: "What we’ve said is that there should be a market-based evolution to HDTV, that the business case is so tenuous right now to know if the broadcasters are even going to go high definition. We can’t put in place rules until we understand that there’s a business case."

Cable and broadcasting industries disagree on rules for DTV/HDTV rollout

Broadcast | November 9, 2001

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Cable and broadcasting industries disagree on rules for DTV/HDTV rollout

Broadcast | November 9, 2001

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Trump’s trade rep targets Online Streaming Act, Online News Act, raising questions about future of Canada’s cultural exemption

Producers challenge 20 per cent copyright threshold in new CanCon policy

Streamers challenge CRTC decision to publicly disclose financial information

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us