CRTC extends digital deadline for CBC
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has given the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation permission to continue broadcasting analog over-the-air television signals in 22 markets until Aug. 31, 2012. This is intended to give the CBC an extra year to accommodate viewers who may lose access to these signals after the transition to digital television. In 2007, the commission set Aug. 31, 2011 as the deadline for broadcasters to complete the transition from analog to digital television. This transition is mandatory in 28 Canadian markets, including provincial and national capitals, metropolitan areas with populations greater than 300,000, and markets served by more than one local television station. The commission cited the CBC's mandate to serve the entire Canadian population as the reason for this extended deadline.