News Release

November 11^th, 2003

CRTC announces a framework for the distribution of over-the-air digital television signals

OTTAWA-GATINEAU - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has issued a regulatory framework that sets out the rules for the distribution of over-the-air digital television signals by broadcasting distribution undertakings, including cable television and direct-to-home satellite systems.

Framework

Under the framework, broadcasting distribution undertakings will be able to distribute digital services, under rules similar to those that currently govern their distribution of analog signals.

As under the current rules, the framework will give priority to the carriage of over-the-air Canadian digital television signals. Distribution undertakings will be required to carry both the analog and digital versions of priority services, until at least 85% of their subscribers are capable of receiving digital services, at which point they may apply to the CRTC to stop distributing the analog signals.

Rationale

The distribution of over-the-air digital services is consistent with the Broadcasting Act, which calls upon distribution undertakings to give priority to Canadian programming services. The Act also calls for the Canadian broadcasting system to be regulated in a flexible manner that "is readily adaptable to scientific and technological change." It is also critical to the success of the transition of the Canadian broadcasting system in the digital era, given that 75% of the Canadian television audience receives television services from broadcasting distribution undertakings.

"For the transition to digital to work, digital services need to be widely distributed so that Canadians can watch them," said Charles Dalfen, CRTC Chairman. "Giving viewers better access to digital signals, including high definition signals, will help drive the transition to digital, to the benefit of the broadcasting system as a whole."

Next Steps

The Commission intends to issue for public comment proposed amendments to the Regulations and exemption orders that are necessary to implement this regulatory framework.

The Commission will also launch two follow-up proceedings. The first proceeding will establish a licensing framework governing the transition of pay and specialty services to high definition. It will also establish a regulatory framework for the distribution of such services by broadcasting distribution undertakings. The second proceeding will examine the regulatory framework governing the carriage of high definition services by direct-to-home satellite systems.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

Reference document: Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-61 [.htm] [.pdf]

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Media Relations:
MediaRelations@crtc.gc.ca , Tel: (819) 997-9403, Fax: (819) 997-4245

General Inquiries:
Tel: (819) 997-0313, TDD: (819) 994-0423, Fax: (819) 994-0218
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782), eMail: info@crtc.gc.ca
TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-2782

Copies of today's documents are available through our Internet site (http://www.crtc.gc.ca ) or by contacting the public examination room of any CRTC office. These documents are available in alternative format upon request.

Date Modified: 2003-11-11

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