Quebec City: During the conference of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in Quebec City, the CRTC unveiled its basic rules for the distribution of over-the-air digital signals by cable outfits, DTH and other broadcast distribution undertakings. The new rules are similar to those that govern analog signals.

The policy, or ‘framework,’ gives priority to the carriage of Canadian over-the-air digisignals, but requires broadcasters to carry both analog and digital versions of those signals until at least 85% of their subscribers have gone digital, at which point they may apply to cut the analog service.

‘For the transition to digital to work, digital services need to be widely distributed so that Canadians can watch them,’ said commission chairman Charles Dalfen. ‘Giving viewers better access to digital signals including high-definition signals will help… the broadcasting system as a whole.’ Seventy-five percent of Canuck viewers get TV services from BDUs.

The feds will seek public comment before fully implementing the framework, and will also launch two follow-up proceedings: one to establish a licensing framework for the switch of pay and specialty services to high-definition, and another to examine the carriage of HD signals by direct-to-home satellite systems.

A full copy of the framework is available at www.crtc.gc.ca.