The Canadian Transition to Digital Television
The Government of Canada and the Canadian Radio–television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) have mandated that over-the-air television transmission must switch from analog to digital in many parts of Canada by November 30, 2012.
The majority of Canadians will not be affected by the transition. That's because more than 90% of Canadians today receive their television signals through a cable or satellite provider.
At Shaw Direct, we're here to help make sense of the transition. In short, if you watch TV via cable or satellite, like Shaw Direct, the transition won't affect you.
If you are not watching your television programming through cable or satellite and if you watch analog TV through over-the-air signals via rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, you are most likely watching at least some analog over-the-air channels and may experience a loss of service. If you have a TV in your home away from home that you watch with the use of rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, without a TV or satellite subscription, you may be affected by the transition. In this case, if you wish to continue viewing your local programming, you will need to do the following:
First, confirm whether your TV has a digital tuner. Many newer TVs already have them built in. Look for the term "digital tuner," "ATSC tuner" or "integrated tuner" on your television or consult your owner's manual. If your TV does have a digital tuner, follow the steps in your manual to set it so that you receive digital signals.
If your TV does not have a digital tuner, you have the following options:
- Subscribe to a cable or satellite television provider like Shaw Direct. Find out more.
- Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box (available at many major electronic stores) and confirm you have a suitable antenna.
- Purchase a TV with a built-in digital tuner and ensure you have a suitable antenna.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you ensure you are prepared for the transition to digital television, here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
-
How do I know if my market is affected?
Remember, if you watch television via cable, satellite or the Internet, you will not be affected by the transition to digital television. If you do not, over-the-air television signals serving the following cities and their surrounding areas are required to change to digital transmission by November 30, 2012:
Alberta Calgary, Edmonton, Lloydminster, and Lethbridge British Columbia Vancouver and Victoria Manitoba Winnipeg National Capital Region Ottawa-Gatineau New Brunswick Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton Newfoundland and Labrador St. John's Nova Scotia Halifax Ontario Toronto (including Barrie and Hamilton), London, Windsor, Kitchener and Thunder Bay Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Quebec Montreal, Quebec, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke, Rivière-du-Loup, Saguenay and Rouyn-Noranda/Val d'Or Saskatchewan Regina and Saskatoon
If you live in Burmis (Alberta), Spillimacheen (BC) or Sainte-Famille (QC), some of your stations may also be affected. To find out more about what stations are affected, visit the Canadian Heritage website
. For information on how to continue receiving TV signals in these areas, please call 1.866.782.7690. -
How can I confirm which local channels will be affected?
The following information is for Global channels in specific Global markets only:
- If you live in British Columbia and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 8*
- If you live in Alberta and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 2, 7 or 13
- If you live in Saskatchewan and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 4 or 11
- If you live in Manitoba and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 9*
- If you live in Ontario and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 6, 7, 22, 41 or 55
- If you live in Quebec and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 11, 20 or 46
- If you live in Nova Scotia and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 8
- If you live in New Brunswick and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 11, 12 or 27
- If you live in Prince Edward Island and watch Global via antenna TV on Channel 42
Click here
for more details. To find out what other stations are required by the CRTC to make the transition to digital television after November 30, 2012, visit the Canadian Heritage website
. -
My television service is going to be affected. What are my options?
If your television service is going to be affected, first, confirm whether your TV has a digital tuner. Many newer TVs already have them built in. Look for the term "digital tuner," "ATSC tuner" or "integrated tuner" on your television or consult your owner's manual. If your TV does have a digital tuner, follow the steps in your manual to set it so that you receive digital signals.
If your TV does not have a digital tuner, you have the following options:
- Subscribe to a cable or satellite television provider. Find out more about Shaw Direct.
- Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box (available at many major electronic stores) and confirm you have a suitable antenna.
- Purchase a TV with a built-in digital tuner and ensure you have a suitable antenna.
-
How are Shaw Direct customers affected?
Shaw Direct customers are not affected because your television signals are already being obtained digitally via satellite. Any television sets connected to your satellite service will not be affected by this transition.
-
Will coupons or converter boxes be made available to Canadians who are affected?
The U.S. government funded a subsidy program during its transition to digital television; however, the Canadian government has not set up such a program.
-
I live in a non-mandated area that isn't on the list — when is it going to digital?
Global is in the process of converting all 86 of its over-the-air broadcast facility locations to digital and will be adding new markets/locations on an ongoing basis until all markets have been completed by no later than August 2016.
-
My channels are going dark but I've never been a cable or satellite customer before. What are my options?
If you haven't been a cable or satellite customer in the last 90 days and live in or near one of the cities listed below, you may be eligible for our Local Television Satellite Solution (LTSS) program*. This program will allow you to continue receiving the same or similar Canadian over-the-air channels you've always enjoyed courtesy of Shaw Direct. Please call one of our service representatives before November 30, 2012 at 1.888.782.7602 to see if you qualify.
Barrie Foymount London Saguenay Truro Burmis Fredericton Moncton Saint John Vancouver Calgary Halifax Montreal Sarnia-Oil Springs Victoria Charlottetown Hamilton Ottawa Saskatoon Winnipeg Chatham Kitchener Quebec City Sherbrooke Windsor Digby Lac-Etchemin Quebec St. John's Edmonton Lethbridge Riviere-du-loup Thunder Bay Forestburg Lloydminster Rouyn-Noranda Trois-Rivieres
*Offer subject to change.
To get more answers to your questions about the Canadian Transition to Digital Television, visit the Canadian Heritage website.
Global Television is owned and operated by Shaw Media, a division of Shaw.
*Extent of area affected may change as signal maps are confirmed.
Log in to Self Serve to subscribe today
Sign up for Shaw Direct News
Register for Self Serve
Don't have Shaw Direct? Order today!
