CRTC grants first transitional over-the-air digital TV licence to CHUM’s Citytv

There won’t be much original high-definition (HD) television programming on the digital version of CHUM Ltd.’s flagship Toronto TV station Citytv when it launches January 16 on cable and over-the-air next month. But it will still be the first conventional TV station in Canada to go digital. Last week, the CRTC granted CHUM the first transitional digital TV licence, which allows it to broadcast up to 14 hours of original HD programming on the digital version of Citytv (Broadcasting Decision 2003-8). Rogers Cable Inc., which serves the Toronto area, will be the first distributor to carry the digital signal of Citytv. It is also expected to be picked up by satellite TV operator Bell ExpressVu LP when the new Nimiq 2 satellite becomes operational in March (CCR Update, Jan. 8/03). The difficulty in acquiring HD programming could make it hard for CHUM to distinguish the digital version of the channel – at least initially. CHUM has pledged not to acquire the HD rights to any show to which analog rights have already been acquired by another conventional, specialty or pay television service. CHUM is also operating on the basis that HD and analog rights will always be acquired together. "As HD Citytv will predominantly be a simulcast of Citytv’s existing analog service, all programming commitments (local reflection, cultural diversity, priority programming, closed captioning, descriptive video) will be identical to those in Citytv’s licence renewal application…," CHUM wrote in its application to the CRTC for the transitional digital TV licence. "The HD content will initially just be on a title-by-title basis," explains Peter Miller, VP of planning and regulatory affairs for CHUM Television. "In the future, there might be the opportunity to air concerts and select signature shows in HD." Miller says HD Citytv’s schedule will basically be identical to what currently airs on the analog version of Citytv. Except, of course, that there will digital sound and the programming will be broadcast in widescreen 16:9 digital format, when available. Miller says CHUM has decided to be first out of the gate on an over-the-air digital channel for several reasons. First, he says CHUM wanted to build on Citytv’s reputation as being leading edge. Second, he notes the movies-based nature of the channel makes it conducive to offering HD programming. CHUM has announced that it will air Mission Impossible 2 in HD on January 16 to mark its launch on Rogers Cable. Third, Miller states that CHUM sees tie-in promotions and marketing opportunities with retailers selling HD television sets. "We see great opportunities for partnerships with retailers in creatively helping to market HD," he tells Canadian Communications Reports. The number of viewers capable of receiving digital broadcasting in the HD format isn’t large because few consumers have invested in pricey HD-ready televisions. Michael McEwen, president of Canadian Digital Television (CDTV), the non-profit association formed in 1998 to guide the migration to digital television, tells CCR that only 500,000 HD display units, without tuners, have been sold in Canada that are capable of showing HD content on the screen. According to documents filed with the CRTC, CHUM plans to spend about $1.9 million to purchase equipment to enable it to broadcast a digital signal of Citytv. That figure includes about $1.2 million on studio plant, $457,608 on transmitting plant and $89,159 in a contingency allowance. CHUM chose to broadcast on channel 53C, instead of 66C, as spelled out in Industry Canada’s digital TV allotment plan, because its existing antenna can accommodate that channel but not 66C. CHUM also said it feared that the channels in the 60s would be reallocated by Industry Canada to other uses. HD Citytv will operate with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 600 watts and a maximum ERP of 980 watts, and with an effective antenna height above average terrain (EHAAT) of 515 metres. The technical parameters result in an ERP of less than half the maximum permitted by Industry Canada and a service area significantly smaller than the current analog service area of Citytv. "Moreover, at the proposed ERP level, the digital service area would be further reduced by interference from other stations," the CRTC noted in its decision. The CRTC’s transitional digital TV policy calls for the digital signal to encompass the same area as the analog version. But being first out of the gate, the CRTC gave CHUM some flexibility, giving it a year from the date that the digital version of Citytv goes on air to "increase the undertaking’s ERP to the maximum level permitted by the department." The CRTC noted that, according to CHUM figures, it would cost $92,400 to increase the ERP to the maximum level allowed during the transition year. McEwen says broadcasters may not be able to duplicate their analog coverage area, even at full power. "It’s my understanding that full power enables all the holes in a coverage area – such as in a valley – to be filled, but that it doesn’t extend the actual coverage area." Miller says that requirement might have an impact on other broadcasters thinking to apply for a transitional digital TV licence. "It might not be realistic to go to full power," he notes. Although the channel in its early existence won’t be taking maximum advantage of the promise that digital has to offer – such as more HD, interactivity, unique programming, etc. – McEwen still sees the licensing of HD Citytv as "a great step forward" in the digitization of Canada’s broadcasting system. CHUM’s digital transitional licence for Citytv expires on August 31, 2009.

CRTC grants first transitional over-the-air digital TV licence to CHUM’s Citytv

Broadcast | January 16, 2003

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