andysradio wrote:

In Phase wrote:

push the CRTC to allow them to multiplex

 

 
The CRTC is not blocking multiplexing. Global is doing it in Kingston and Peterborough

Yes, of course.  The CRTC has never blocked multiplexing.  Historically the programming was to be "unique"

The difference would be to allow broadcasters to multiplex their signals together

CBC, Rogers, Corus, Bell together on one ATSC3 transmitter, possibly owned by a third party (such as Master TV, Inc.)

It might require a couple of TX's in markets such as Toronto or Mt. Seymour in Vancouver, but it could be quite efficient in smaller markets

This would move transmission off the backs of many broadcasters and make it purely an operational expense, something the bean counters might like




 

RadioActive wrote:

I actually prefer OTA to cable. The picture is better....

This is open to debate.  Picture "quality" to totally subjective and dependent on such things as screen size and viewing distance.  Often, people will compare bit rates between OTA, satellite, cable/IPTV and streaming, and say one is better than the other.  The reality is that bit rate is only one parameter.  The real question is what compression system is being used.

In the case of ATSC 1.0 (the current OTA platform) that is MPEG2 which is a 25+ year old compression standard. Streaming platforms are using the latest compression systems which can provide higher "quality" at lower bit rates.

Also, most OTA broadcasters still originate in 1080i.  The "i" meaning Interlace.  Interlace meaning the old NTSC standard from the 1940's (yikes!) of interlacing TV lines on a CRT picture tube.  Interlacing introduces artifacts in moving images.

Modern devices (like your phone, tablet and computer) use Progressive scanning and can handle much higher frame rates (images per second) for smoother images.

ATSC 3.0 will change this however it requires an expensive and wholesale change at the transmission and consumer end.   I'm not sure if Law & Order is worth it.

 

Now, don't get me wrong.  I do not agree with Mr. Bibic's taking government subsidies and then following up with layoffs (which is rather disgusting).

However, he is not going to be the defender of broadcasting, news departments, fibre optics in remote areas, or reducing the cost of my cell phone bill.

His job is to get the stock price up and to "maximize shareholder value" (argh).  He works for "The Board" and on behalf of shareholders.

Bell is a big operation and they don't sit around the corporate boardroom table discussing ways to improve news service or add "personality" to the afternoon drive.  They do discuss increasing market share, acquisitions, government regulations, budgets and quarterly results.

Sadly, for us listeners, viewers, employees, and customers, our expectations of Mr. Bibic are misguided.

BCE stock has troubles

Many investors are watching the saga of BCE (TSX:BCE) as the stock enters the second year of its downtrend. The telco has been in the headlines as it grapples with high interest rates, significant capital spending on 5G infrastructure, rising competition from industry consolidation, falling data prices, and regulatory tussle. It sent BCE stock into a two-year-long downtrend from its peak of above $73 in April 2022 to its 10-year low of around $44, a 39% dip.

As the stock enters the third year of the downtrend, it has made investors apprehensive, making you wonder how low it can go.
 

Glen Warren wrote:

The new service offering from Loblaw / No Frills will be limited to 4G only.

And no "roaming" service if you travel outside Canada.

Still, a good option
 

this thread was overplayed..... 

Many years ago I was giving my parents a tour of the TV station where I worked.  My mother was a big fan of "As The World Turns".  Coincidentally, the station was airing ATWT at the same time as my little tour.  My mother was seemingly uninterested in the tour, but took every opportunity to watch any monitor that had the broadcast feed on it.  Funny how I still remember that.

I'm happily retired and don't need a job, but I can't help but feel a desire to work for Jon Pole 
 

RadioActive wrote:

I heard Oakley say on Wednesday that at some point, the crew from Law & Order Toronto were filming scenes in the AM 640 building at Corus Quay

The short, internal building shot (with all the glass windows) at 42 seconds into the promo, was shot at Corus Quay

 

The humour is George Carlin, but it doesn't sound like him
 

Thanks for the tip

I have had a few similar issues
 

Hansa wrote:

Ok, so now we know Corus never owned the facility, but are long-term tenants. Is there any indication they're actually going to be relocating or downsizing or will they just continue as a tenant? 

Highly unlikely they would relocate.

There is a lot going on under the roof at 25 Dockiside.

It is home to Corus administrative offices, Q107, AM640, The Edge, and Nelvana Animation.  The Global Toronto morning show is shot there. Also, all of their TV properties including all OTA Global TV stations (recently moved from Calgary) and their multiple "specialty" channels (YTV, W, HGTV, Showcase, etc) originate from there.  Corus also operates a separate division that provides third party origination services for Element FM, TVO, TFO, AMI, TLN Media, and Zoomer Media TV channels.
 

RadioActive wrote:

Would CHFI simply be a bland, colourless Toyota?

Possibly a Ford F150 pickup

Practical and not overly sexy, but it sells !
 

"the first to create a transformer that converted AC current to DC directly from a wall outlet"

a curious statement since Edward (Ted) Rogers is generally acknowledged to be the first to develop the rectifier tube that converted AC current to DC
 

Yes, Bell can provide a competitive, lower cost to the consumer, for a short period.

I was paying Rogers over $2,000 per year for a "bundle" (TV, internet & home phone).

Then, Bell installed fibre with their "new customer" discounts.  I switched and saved roughly $1,500 over 18 months.  After 18 months the Bell cost had crept up to that of Rogers.

Now my "savings" are zero, but yes, I am happy with the service.

In 2022 I spent $2,200 with Bell for a "bundle" (TV, internet & home phone) - no cell phones in the package.

By contrast here is what I spent with other important utilities:

Water $440
Natural Gas $1,800
Hydro $1,400


Fibre to the home.   Not a bad business to be in.

 

markow202 wrote:

tvguy wrote:

Brookfield - the leasing manager of First Canadian Place charges broadcasters for the use of the broadcasters' HD-2, HD-3 and HD-4 carriers.   The annual change is in excess of $16,000 per year - per HD channle, plus extras and taxes.  it is more than likely that bean-counters realized that close to $20,000 was being burned up each year and decided to shut down the HD's, which I would guess never generated $1.  BTW the main HD channel (HD-1) does not trigger the annual surcharges.

It appears that Brookfield is unique of tower-site landlords in North America.   When I last checked with Scott Fybush he knew of no other corporation that charges an additional annual rental for each HD that broadcasters use. .
Brookfield also has a usurious cost recovery formula they impose on any station that uses its (analogue) SCMO subcarrier.  But hey, it's their building and their rooftop and there is no viable alternative.  That's business.

What's surprising the most is that the property management is knowledgeable enough in radio engineering to this point, of their billing processes. 

Brookfield has a knowledgeable third party contractor that oversees the rooftop transmission facilities.  I'm sure they provide input to the landlord.