CRTC to allow free sat service

[andyb2]

for the small markets <br />
<br />
c/p CRTC release <br />
<br />
In smaller markets, some local stations may decide not to convert to digital, but instead rely solely on cable and satellite companies to deliver their...

[andyb2]

Added another link from CRTC that shows the proposed working of it and other things

[oldjake]

thanks for the good news:innocent:

[HammerSet]

in case of disaster, a minimum of channel should stay free, to gave info about what to do

it is what i have heard in my corner

the ota emitter will be put definitely offline, and the only way to keep watching tv will be with satellite, in remote area

so, some basic channel will go free

[capt nemo]

So free = $300 for sat receiver & dish. That's typical for CRTC & sat co. What a country!!

[JCO]

Same as in europe, they are going digital like the us has and canada will be going shortly.. OTA digital will be available the problem will be with small broadcasters that wont have the budgets to upgrade the equipment.. 31,000 suscribers is not many not enough to support a sat system either..

[satchick]

I'm thinking it'll be some kind of agreement with Bell/Shaw to provide these channels, since they carry most of them anyways. I have a feeling these channels will only be provided free if your billing address is in one of the remote areas that won't have access to OTA programming after 2011.

As for the $300 of equipment, many viewers would have had to buy new equipment anyways, in order to receive a digital signal.

[jainplane]

we can always hope some genius will figure a way to hack it.

[jechill]

all you should ever have to do is buy the equipment to watch tv
then the providers can send me their message and their commercials/ programming.
you are after all paying for them to send you their vision of the world not yours.
tv was free when i was a kid and we had commercials
now you pay and you still have commercials
sounds like a win win situation for the providers
so im through playing their game and i save over 1,200 dollars a year doing it.

[Kernel Klank]

.... I have a feeling these channels will only be provided free if your billing address is in one of the remote areas that won't have access to OTA programming after 2011.

I would expect there to be a free service nationally by Bell & Shaw at some point. A coming 3rd entry to the Canadian satellite market - Free HD Canada - has already said they will offer a free service of 15 - 20 locals (in HD where available) if you buy their box. For anyone, not just those in remote markets. They expect to launch in early 2012. Once one provider does it, they probably all will. If you already have a Bell or *Choice box, for the price of a card you may be able to get a free pkg of locals, if they want to remain competitive.
Free HD Canada can be found here:
hXXp://www.freehdcanada.ca/