CRTC Says No to HDTV National Network

The CRTC has said nyet to HDTV Net.

The network’s application to launch Canada’s first free national HD network has been denied. HDTV Networks Inc. confirmed today that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) denied their application for broadcast license. Read the CRTC’s decision for yourself, at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2008/db2008-75.htm

HDTV’s plan was to launch and base the network from Vancouver and broadcast 100 percent HD content. HDTV Networks proposed to devote 126 hours each week to the broadcast of HD programming, and indicated that 60 percent of the programming broadcast between 6 a.m. and midnight, and 50 percent of the programming broadcasting between 6 p.m. and midnight, would be Canadian programming.

But no go.

HDTV’s approach was likened to an effort to create a “superstation,” by Michel Arpin, the CRTC's Vice-Chairman of Broadcasting, in a statement today.

“The programming strategy associated with such a station is inconsistent with the objectives of the Broadcasting Act and the Commission's policies. We have never granted a licence for such a conventional television station in the past and did not find any compelling reason to do so at this time.”

Arpin pointed out that HDTV’s commitment to create local programming was limited to just two hours weekly in the cities it hoped to serve: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

Details of HDTV’s thoroughly impressive application can be found at www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2007/n2007-17.htm#1. Check out Application No. 2006-1658-4.

The switch from analog to digital will cause some shifts in the broadcast landscape. But this decision suggests that those already in the field of play will have the advantage in reaping any benefit from evolving technology. In a dissenting opinion, Len Katz, CRTC Vice-Chairman of Telecommunications was critical of the decision.

“To deny HDTV Networks at this time, I believe, sends the wrong message, not only to the applicant, but to all prospective Canadian entrepreneurs and innovators, that in order to enter the Canadian system, you must make the same commitments as the established players. This leaves little if any flexibility or creativity. I would have preferred that the Commission licence HDTV Networks with clear conditions that would provide some content requirement relief in HDTV Networks’ early years with gradual increases to its commitments as it gets more established,” wrote Katz.