Television

DIGITAL TELEVISION

Does this affect me?

All Canadians should be aware of the upcoming transition and will need to know what type of television they own and how they receive broadcast signals to understand what they may need to do to prepare.

Once the transition takes place, Canadians with analog televisions, using over the air signals, will have to add a digital-to-analog converter box, or use a television with a built-in digital tuner, to continue to view over the air broadcasts.

Canadians who already have televisions with a digital tuner or who subscribe to cable or satellite service should see no change. Related decisions have been made regarding the distribution of cable services. Please see the Summary of Determinations of the Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-61.

Can I learn more?

The following link offers definitions of some commons terms relating to digital television:
Glossary of Terms for DTV and HDTV Consumers

For questions concerning the policy governing the transition from analog to digital, please contact the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (www.crtc.gc.ca) or see the Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2007-53.

If you have any concerns regarding recently purchased television equipment, and feel as though you may have been mislead or the product you purchased was misrepresented, please contact your provincial or territorial office responsible for consumer affairs.

Stayed tuned to ConsumerInformation.ca in coming months for more consumer information about the broadcasting transition from analog to digital.