said by elwoodblues:I'm not defending their actions, but it's about cost, as their funding keeps getting reduced, something has to give. If you read the resolutions that passed at the CPC convention, it's only going to get worse.
In the 70's and 80's, it made sense to plant many OTA transmitters in communities of 3000+ residents. Transmitters in bigger markets had higher power.
Unlike analog, digital transmitters need lower power for the same contour and allow digital sub-channels.
The questionnable part is how the CBC handled the situation as they don't give a damn.
For example, Quebec City have access to CBC since 1957 (from CKMI, then CBVE), they have shut down the analog transmitter, then they reduced both CBC and SRC to 720p with a 15 Mbps bitrate. CBVT-DT have plenty of free bandwidth to add CBMT-DT in standard definition as a sub-channel. Better than nothing.
Repeat for Calgary, adding CBXFT-DT (SRC Edmonton) as a SD subchannel to CBRT-DT (CBC Calgary)...
London still have its CBC tower up and running for CBL-FM. the market size is not negligeable to afford a CBLT-DT repeater with a CBLFT-DT subchannel...
said by elwoodblues:Private broadcasters (which are owned by those same satellite/cable companies) are also turning off their OTA transmitters instead of converting to digital again, due to cost.
Example please ?
Shaw Media is converting many Global transmitters to digital and stated their commitment in a CRTC decision.
Bell Media satisfied itself with converting stations in mandatory markets, but other stations are still in SD such as Sydney, Red Deer, North Bay, Yorkton, Timmins... but I don't see any shutdown.