Chairman of the CRTC addresses the 2008 Broadcasting Invitational Summit

Key clips:

-I can predict with confidence that in 1,168 days the transition to digital will be August 31, 2011.

-possible exceptions for northern and remote areas where analog interference will not be a problem

-It is already becoming more difficult to export programs – especially to the United States – unless it is in HD format.

-So far, the industry has not shown the sense of urgency that I think is called for right now.

-There is an elephant in the living room and it is moving very fast. Much more action is required to deal with it.

-only 22 OTA digital transmitters have been put on the air in this country. Compare this to the analog transmitters: There are 740 high power and 1400 low power.

-It is the view of the CRTC that broadcasters who propose the abandonment of over-the-air transmission may have been unduly pessimistic about the costs of digital OTA.

I would like to make the CRTC's position very clear. Over-the-air transmission has always been the cornerstone of our broadcasting system. We expect that OTA will move to digital and will continue to play that key role. It is here to stay.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/SPEECHES/2008/s080619.htm

It would be nice to see London get a digital OTA system so I could actually use an indoor or outdoor antenna as A channel has a pretty decent lineup not to mention they could then re broadcast other station

Key clips:

-I can predict with confidence that in 1,168 days the transition to digital will be August 31, 2011.


That was on June 19. It's now down to 1160.

BTW, in the USA it's now down to 235 days for analogue TV and, more importantly, 207 days, 10 hours and 45 minutes (give or take a few minutes) to "Bye Bye Dubya"