Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Cost Estimate of Digital Television (DTV)
Conversion for Canada

Cost Estimate of Digital Television (DTV) Conversion for Canada
Presented to Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunication
Commission (CRTC)

(This report is available in pdf format)


Signatures

This report has been completed by the undersigned:

Patrice Lemée, ing., P. Eng
OIQ # 127143
Spectrum Expert Inc.

François O. Gauthier, ing., P. Eng
OIQ # 116334
Spectrum Expert Inc.

The signed original version is kept on file at Spectrum Expert Inc.


Table of Content

Signatures

1. Acknowledgement

2. Executive Summary

3. Introduction

4. Description of the scope of work

4.1 Studies Definition
4.2 Scenarios Definition
4.3 Assumptions and Exclusions
4.3.1 General Basic Assumption and Exclusions
4.3.2 Assumptions Related to Specific Scenarios
4.3.3 Source of information

5. Methodology and calculation

5.1 NTSC Parameters Evaluation
5.2 Study 1 - ATSC Parameters Calculation (site staying on the same frequency)
5.3 Study 1 - Systematic ATSC Parameters Calculation (different frequency site, 300,000+)
5.4 Study 1 - ATSC Parameters Calculation (different frequency site, less than 300,000) *
5.5 Studies 2 and 3 - ATSC Parameters Calculation (all Scenarios)
5.6 Differences in ATSC contours between studies 1 and 2

6. Technical Implementation of the Scenarios

6.1 Transmitter Category Serving a Population Greater than 300,000 People
6.2 Transmitter Category other than Scenario A
6.3 Typical Low Power Transmitter Station

7. Detailed cost estimates

7.1 Transmitter Category Serving a Population Greater than 300,000 People
7.2 Transmitter Category other than Scenario A
7.3 Typical Low Power Transmitter Sites
7.4 Typical installation of a Studio to Transmitter Link
7.5 Typical Installation of a Satellite Antenna
7.6 Typical Installation of a Off-air Reception

8. DTV Transmitter retrofit

9. Depreciation of equipment

10. Electrical cost comparison

11. Cost summary table

11.1 Cost breakdown for Study 1 - Full or Ideal Service Replication
11.2 Cost breakdown for Study 2 - Limited Service Replication
11.3 Cost breakdown for Study 3 - Practical Service Replication

12. Strategy and recommendations for conversion to DTV

Annex A - LIST of NTSC transmitter power
Annex B - Transmission line Derated power calculation
Annex C - Coverage Map Presenting the Differences between NTSC and ATSC Contours
Annex D - List of DTV stations per category

Tables and Figures

Table 1 - Summary Cost for the DTV Conversion for Canada
Table 2 - Costs Variations per Frequency Band for study 2
Table 3 - Derating Factor for Average Transmitted Power Based on VSWR 1.5:1
Table 4 - Transmission Line Size Associated with Range of ERP
Table 5 - Transmitter Power Available on the Market
Table 6 - UHF Antenna Selection
Table 7 - High-VHF Antenna Selection
Table 8 - Low-VHF Antenna Selection
Table 9 - Field Strengths Defining Noise-limited Bounding Contours for Primary
Assignments (DTV) F(50,90)

Table 10 - Field Strengths Defining Noise-limited Bounding Contours for Primary
Assignments (NTSC) F(50,50)

Table 11 - Differences Between F(90,90) and F(50,50)
Table 12 - Differences between F(50,90) and F(50,50)
Table 13 - Depreciation Figures
Table 14 - Electrical Consumption Comparison between NTSC and ATSC Transmitters (Study 1)
Table 15 - Summary Cost for the DTV Conversion for Canada including STL's

Figure 1 - Derating Factor vs Frequency due to VSWR (Average Power)
Figure 2 - Transmission Line Attenuation vs Frequency
Figure 3 - Coverage Map Presenting the Differences between NTSC and ATSC Contours
Figure 4 - Typical Schematic for Medium and High Power Station
Figure 5 - Typical Schematic for Low Power station
Figure 6 - Typical Schematic for STL
Figure 7 - Typical Block Schematic for STL Interconnection
Figure 8 - Typical Block Schematic for a Satellite Installation
Figure 9 - Typical Block Schematic for a Translator
Figure 10 - DTV Transmitter TPO vs Electrical Power Consumption
Figure 11 - Timeline for new DTV station changing channel



1. Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the following suppliers for their prompt response. It was essential to have budgetary prices for this study and we wish to thank them for allowing us to publicly disclose this information.

NOVANET - MSC

SBRF

R&S

LARCAN

TELESAT

ACURA TECHNOLOGY GROUP

Special thanks to the following friends and colleagues from the broadcast industry for their time and expertise:

Johanne Lebuis, Eric Pefau, Jim Adamson, Howard Tulloch, Jacques Létourneau, Normand Hubert and Michel Portugais.

Merci!


2. Executive Summary

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) has announced that, on August 31st 2011, the Over-the-Air (OTA) television stations must cease analog (NTSC) transmission. The Digital Television (DTV) post transition plan has been negotiated between Industry Canada (IC) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and this plan was publicly released on December 23rd, 2008.

The purpose of this document is to provide budgetary estimates for the conversion of analog OTA television stations to DTV for the Canadian market. The basic assumption underlying the estimates is the duplication of the current analog service contour, while remaining limited to the maximum technical parameters in the DTV post transition plan in all cases (see section 4 and 5 for details). Three studies were commissioned:

Study 1 - Complete Service Replication1 provides the most realistic DTV duplication of the analog service, which better accounts for the digital cliff effect and the current state of digital reception equipment.

Study 2 - Limited Service Replication2 reproduces the analog service using the method proposed by Industry Canada and the FCC. This approach may result in a loss of coverage for households that were able to receive analog service, especially in the fringe area (limits of the coverage).

The above 2 studies assume that broadcasters implement DTV facilities on the channel identified in the DTV post transition plan.

Study 3 - Practical Service Replication is identical to Study 2, but assumes that all stations in markets where the population is less than 300,000 will re-use the same channel as the analog station in order to reduce costs. This represents mainly VHF stations (TV channels 2 to 13).

With regards to the estimates, it must be understood that all quotations provided by the different manufacturers used in these studies are budgetary estimates based upon the list price of their products. Product prices were based upon prevailing Canadian to US dollar exchange rate and as such may vary over time. Also, additional Supplier discounts at time of purchase are likely to reduce the final equipment cost.

Estimates assume a complete rebuild of transmitter and broadcast equipment (no retrofits were considered), regardless as to whether transitional DTV facilities have been constructed. When a station however, was using the same DTV channel as the NTSC channel, the antenna and transmission line were considered reusable. Cost for the provision of test equipment is not included in the summary table but is included as optional in individual budgetary estimates provided in the report Reference Data for DTV Costs Analysis3. Costs also include the engineering brief, factory compliance tests for antennas and for coverage measurements after implementation.

For all stations in markets where the population exceeded 300,000+, contour calculations were performed systematically4 to best match the existing analog service contour, according to each study case. Estimates for stations serving population less than 300 000 were based on typical scenarios based on the class of the stations.


The costs are broken down into the following station sub-categories:

Transmitters Number of stations Total cost for Study1 Total cost for Study 2 Total cost for Study 3
Serving populations greater than 300,000 95 $76,986,076 $65,228,574 $65,228,574
Serving populations lower than 300,000, with local programming 257 $139,174,668 $125,172,525 $48,800,844
Serving population lower than 300,000, without local programming 386 $208,762,002 $187,758,788 $73,200,665
Grand Total5 738 $424,922,746 $378,160,088 $187,229,883

Table 1 - Summary Cost for the DTV Conversion for Canada


The following table highlights the costs variations per frequency band:

Cost per Implementation VHF UHF
Cheapest $209,231 $203,606
Median $386,885 $302,455
Average $246,718 $1,033,954
Maximum $1,371,825 $4,327,838

Table 2 - Costs Variations per Frequency Band for study 2


3. Introduction

The objective of these studies is to provide a budgetary estimate to convert all OTA stations in Canada. The studies do not evaluate in detail, all different possible scenarios, but rather provide reasonable cost estimation within each defined category. The main focus of the preliminary studies is to initiate discussion regarding the DTV conversion within the broadcaster industry. Given the limited time to complete the studies, it was impossible to do an exhaustive analysis for each particular site. It is a known fact that each case is different, but in these studies, the approach was based on the most common scenarios.

In the NTSC database from IC (as of December 31st, 2008), there are 738 protected analog stations and 1291 Low Power (LP) analog television transmitters. As of July 2008 in Canada, only 28 DTV transitional transmitters had been licensed. Based on these numbers, the CRTC has decided to retain the services of an independent broadcast engineering consulting firm (YRH/Spectrum Expert) to conduct a financial and technical analysis for the DTV conversion of all analog OTA stations in Canada.

Three (3) different studies were evaluated in this document. The first study provides realistic DTV coverage duplication of the analog service, which better accounts for the digital cliff effect and the current state of digital reception equipment (using F(90,90) model). The second study reproduces the analog service using the method proposed by Industry Canada and the FCC (using F(50,90) model). This approach will result in a loss of coverage for households that were able to receive analog service, especially in the fringe area (limits of the coverage). The above studies assume that broadcasters implement DTV facilities on the channel identified in the DTV post transition plan. The final study is identical to Study 2, but in order to reduce cost, assumes that all stations in markets where the population is less than 300,000 will re-use the same channel as the analog station in order to reduce costs. No evaluation of the spectrum availability of the channels considered in study 3 has been performed.

Most of the stations are VHF (TV channels 2 to 13). It represents 117 VHF stations.

Each study is based on the same five (5) scenarios. The first part of the document will be devoted to the presentation and description of the studies and scenarios, including our assumptions and exclusions. The second part we will present our methodology of calculation and evaluation of the NTSC and ATSC parameters. Thirdly, a technical description of the scenarios is presented, explaining all components selected to build the new DTV stations.

After the basic parameters will be defined, budgetary estimates are evaluated for each scenario. The detailed (individual) budgetary estimates are based on the document Reference Data for DTV Costs analysis, provided on the Spectrum Expert web site (www.spectrumexpert.ca), which could help most broadcasters with their specific needs. Because most of the broadcasters are still in the planning phase of the conversion to DTV, it is unknown at this time what type of program feed the stations will be using. Therefore a separate estimate is provided to install a satellite dish. This price is an average between the southern installation and the northern installation. Also, a separate budgetary estimate for off-air equipment and digital microwave is provided.

Additionally, a budgetary estimate is provided to retrofit NTSC transmitters in section 8.

As well as the budgetary estimates for the conversion to DTV for the above stated scenarios, a table representing the different power consumption of the new DTV transmitters, compared to the NTSC transmitters for an equivalent coverage, is provided.

A table representing the expected depreciation of the ATSC equipment is also presented in comparison to the NTSC equipment

Finally, a strategy is presented for a conversion of a typical station. This provides the time scale to be considered for the conversion to DTV.


4. Description of the scope of work

4.1 Studies Definition

Three (3) different studies are presented in this document. Each study is based on the same scenarios but the conversion parameters, and hence the costs differ.

Study 1 - Complete Service Replication: The first study is based on a complete service replication to provide the most realistic DTV coverage duplication of the analog service. This better accounts for the digital cliff effect and the current state of digital reception equipment. It is based on the propagation model F(90,90).

Study 2 - Limited Service Replication: The second study is based on a limited service replication to reproduce the analog service using the method proposed by Industry Canada and the FCC. This approach will result in a loss of service for households that were able to receive analog service, especially in the fringe area (limits of the coverage). It is based on the propagation model F(50,90).

The above 2 studies assume that broadcasters implement DTV facilities on the channel identified in the DTV post transition plan.

Study 3 - Practical Service Replication: The third study is identical to Study 2, but assumes that all stations in markets where the population is less than 300,000 will re-use the same channel as the analog station in order to reduce costs. This lowers the cost of conversion to DTV for those stations. It is also based on the propagation model F(50,90).


4.2 Scenarios Definition

The following is a general description of scenarios selected for the studies:

A. Transmitter category serving a population greater than 300,000 people

Conversion of all the stations in the Canadian markets serving populations greater than 300,000. The following list was sorted from 2006 Canada Census : Toronto (Mississauga, St-Catharines-Niagara), Montréal, Vancouver (Surrey), Ottawa-Gatineau, Calgary, Edmonton, Québec city (Lévis), Winnipeg, Hamilton (Burlington), London, Kitchener (Cambridge, Waterloo), Halifax, Oshawa (Whitby, Clarington), Victoria,(Saanich), Windsor. In this scenario, budgetary estimates will be provided for each NTSC station. Two categories can be identified: A site that remains on the same channel after conversion to DTV and a site that will have a different channel in DTV.

B. Transmitter category other than category A with local programming(i.e. less than 300,000 people)

Conversion of all stations in small and medium markets where broadcasters are producing local programming. This is considering all other stations that are not covered in scenario A, with the exception of Low Power (LP) stations, with local programming.

C. Transmitter category other than category A without local programming

Conversion of all stations in small and medium markets where broadcasters are not producing local programming. This is considering all other stations that are not covered in scenario A, with the exception of Low Power (LP) stations, without local programming.

For sites that will continue to operate on the same channel after post-transition in scenarios B and C, a summary table in section 11 will presents the number of transmitters per category (ATSC transmitter power) multiplied by the cost estimate for this category. For sites that will operate on a different channel after post-transition period, a budgetary estimate was done according to the specific parameters of each station.

D. Typical Low Power transmitter site operating on the same channel in DTV

Conversion of a typical LP station operating on the same channel in DTV

E. Typical Low Power transmitter site operating on a different channel in DTV

Conversion of a typical LP station operating on a different channel in DTV. The cost provided will be for a station that will change from VHF to UHF, resulting in a complete new transmission system design (not re-using existing transmission equipment).


4.3 Assumptions and Exclusions

In order to derive more than 700 budgetary estimates in a short period of time, assumptions have to be made. Therefore, basic information was assumed and resulted in calculated parameters which may be different from the real operating parameters of the station. For example, the IC database does not provide the transmitter power, nor the antenna system gain. Those have to be calculated based on commonly known engineering design constraints. For this reason, antenna gains and transmitter power might differ from the real implementation, but the final ERP values will be the same.

It is also understood that some calculations will not be realistic (some higher, some lower) but the overall results should be accurate within 25% (budgetary estimate level of accuracy).

4.3.1 General Basic Assumption and Exclusions

The general assumptions in this section can be applied to the whole studies. These assumptions should be considered as guidelines in order to limit the scope of the studies. Following is a list of the basic general assumptions:

  • This document is only considering the scenarios where broadcasters are switching directly to post-transition parameters. There is no consideration of re-using equipment purchased for the transitional DTV plan.
  • The stated costs are budgetary estimates with a variance of ±25%.
  • This document covers the portion of the signal from the output of the studio to the transmitter. No cost associated with digital studio conversion is considered.
  • All prices in the budgetary estimates are based on actual budgetary quotes received by manufacturers and are included for reference in annex C of document entitled Reference Data for DTV Cost Analysis located on Spectrum Expert web site (www.spectrumexpert.ca).
  • It is unknown what type of program feed the stations will be using. Therefore, a separate budgetary estimate is provided for the provision and installation of a satellite dish. This price will be an average between the southern installation and the northern installation. Also, a separate budgetary estimate for off-air equipment and Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL) is provided. Budgetary estimated can be found in annex B of document entitled Reference Data for DTV Cost Analysis located on Spectrum Expert web site.
  • All stations will remain at their existing transmission facilities using present average EHAAT parameters. There will be no cost associated for new land and/or building for the new DTV service. Therefore, it is assumed that there is enough space available for the installation of the new DTV service.
  • Tower strengthening and tower upgrades to meet CSA S37-01 ANTENNAS, TOWERS and ANTENNA-SUPPORTING STRUCTURES codes are not considered in the estimates. No cost has been allocated to upgrade towers to meet the code or for antenna installation. Therefore, an additional amount must be considered to our budgetary estimate when a new antenna is installed.
  • No cost associated with the analogue equipment being replaced before the end of its normal replacement cycle, due to the conversion to DTV, will be considered.
  • No cost associated to the depreciation related to existing DTV stations will be considered.
  • No cost associated to the depreciation related to the need to change channel of operation will be considered.
  • All start-up expenses and labour will be considered within each budgetary estimate.
  • The grade B coverage of existing NTSC stations will be replicated based on the three (3) different studies' approach. Systematic coverage analysis to find the ATSC replication parameters will be done only for the major markets (300,000+). See section 5 for details.
  • No frequency coordination has been verified from the IC DTV database for the study 1 and 2. For study 3 (stations in market less than 300,000 re-using the same channel as the analog channel), no verification on the spectrum availability of the channels selected has been performed.
  • No retrofit of any NTSC transmitter to DTV will be considered in this estimate report. Without knowing the details of the transmitter, a cost cannot be provided due to the risk of drastically underestimating the cost of conversion to DTV. Only a separate budgetary cost will be provided in section 8.

4.3.2 Assumptions Related to Specific Scenarios

A) Transmitter category serving population greater than 300,000

In this section, specific sites were selected based on the 2006 census. The following are the assumptions for this scenario:

  • In this scenario, we assume that 4 sites out of 5 are fed via a Studio-to-Transmitter Link. This link will have to be converted to digital. The remaining sites will be considered as using landline distribution. The costs for landline distribution will not be evaluated in this study.
  • Transmitter and monitoring equipment will be installed in parallel with the existing NTSC equipment to avoid disruption of service. Therefore, a budget provision for the electrical, mechanical and architectural modifications to the building will be considered. The on-site installation time will be higher due to the complexity of providing co-location of services.

B) Transmitter category other than section A with local programming

As explained earlier, categories B and C represent all the stations that service less than 300,000 people (excluding Low Power transmitters) and where local programming is being produced. The following are the assumptions for this category:

  • 2 sites out of 5 are fed via a Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL). This link will have to be converted to digital. All other sites will be considered as using landline distribution. The costs for landline distribution will not be evaluated in this study.
  • Transmitter and monitoring equipment will be installed in parallel with the existing NTSC equipment to avoid disruption of service. Therefore, a budget provision for the electrical, mechanical and architectural modifications to the building will be considered.
  • The scenario will present one budgetary estimate for each group of different transmitter power category (not station-specific) for stations that will operate on the same channel in DTV. Station-specific budgetary estimates will be provided for stations that will operate on a different channel in DTV.

C) Transmitter category other than category A without local programming

This section represents the same category as category B for sites where no local programming is being produced. The following are the assumptions for this category:

  • No STL is required in this configuration. All sites will be considered as using landline distribution. The costs for landline distribution will not be evaluated in this study.
  • Transmitter and monitoring equipment will be installed in parallel with the existing NTSC equipment to avoid disruption of service. Therefore, a budget provision for the electrical, mechanical and architectural modifications to the building will be considered.
  • This scenario will present one budgetary estimate for each group of different transmitter power category (not station-specific) for stations that will operate on the same channel in DTV. Station-specific budgetary estimates will be provided for stations that will operate on a different channel in DTV.

D) Typical Low Power transmitter sites operating on the same channel in DTV

Low Power stations would be allowed to continue broadcasting in NTSC after 2011, but will be considered a secondary allocation, as Industry Canada indicated. Therefore LP estimates are not as detailed as the previous categories. In this section, a budgetary estimate will be prepared for a typical low power transmitter site that will continue to operate on the same channel in DTV. The basic assumptions are as follows:

  • The distribution link that feeds the program to the station will not be considered in this estimate.
  • As explained in the 'General basic assumptions', a separate cost estimate will be provided for the installation of a satellite dish (and associated equipment) and another cost estimate for off-air reception. Appropriate scenarios can therefore be built with these estimates.
  • NTSC transmitter and monitoring equipment will be removed from their existing location and then the ATSC equipment will be installed. Due to the small dimension of LPTV building, it is preferable and less expensive to proceed this way. A disruption of service is anticipated. A small budgetary provision for electrical, mechanical and architectural modifications to the building will be considered.
  • A higher budgetary provision for the installation will be considered for this scenario due to the greater distance of the LPTV sites from major centers, and the mobilisation and the mobilization of demobilization of specialized workers.

E. Typical Low Power transmitter sites operating on a different channel in DTV

In this section, a cost estimate will be prepared for a typical low power transmitter site that will operate on a different channel in DTV. The assumptions are identical as those presented for the category D stations.


4.3.3 Source of information

The information for the NTSC stations was taken from the latest Industry Canada database released on December 31st, 2008. The information on the DTV channel allocation was derived from the DTV allotment plan released on December 23rd, 2008.

Budgetary prices used in the cost estimates are based upon recent official quotes from various suppliers and manufacturers. The quotes can be found in Annex C of document entitled Reference data for DTV costs analysis located on Spectrum Expert web site (www.spectrumexpert.ca).

5. Methodology and calculation

In order to evaluate the cost of the DTV implementation, one of the most critical components is the transmitter power. Unfortunately, the NTSC and DTV databases from Industry Canada (IC) only provide the Effective Radiated Power (ERP). The ERP value alone does not provide any information regarding the transmitter power nor the antenna gain, which therefore had to be estimated.

It is important to remember that one of our basic assumptions is that the grade B contour of existing NTSC stations will be replicated by the DTV stations (based on each studies' parameters) as opposed to implementing the maximum parameters permitted in the IC database. So to evaluate the DTV transmitter parameters, we firstly had to derive the NTSC parameters.

It should also be noted that the NTSC parameters are derived using engineering best practices rules of implementation and therefore might differ from reality. As per example, the antenna gain selected in our report might not be able to be implemented in some situation where tower spacing is limited. But, in all cases, the resulting ERP will always be the same as in the IC database (balance between antenna gain, transmitter power and other losses).


5.1 NTSC Parameters Evaluation

For scenarios where the DTV channel is identical to the NTSC channel, we considered that the new DTV implementation will use the same NTSC antenna system and transmission line (see section 5.2). To find the antenna gain of each service, we derived it from the average ERP in the database using the following formula:

 

This formula indicates that the average Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is equal to the antenna gain minus the sum of the system losses and the transmitter power.

 

The three (3) unknowns in this formula are: the antenna gain, the system losses and the transmitter power. Thus, the system losses and the transmitter power had to be assumed, based on industry standard implementations.

First, the easiest variable to establish was the system loss. The losses are based on the transmission line and an additional loss factor to account for all losses due to interconnecting hardware. The distance of the radiation center of the antenna system is used to obtain the length of the transmission line plus an additional 15 meters to cover the average distance between the tower and the entrance of the transmitter building. A loss of 0.35dB was factored in for the interconnecting hardware.

Before evaluating the transmission line size in relation to the transmitter power, it was essential to determine the line capacity based on a VSWR worst case. The following formula was used to determine the derating factor of the transmission line based on a VSWR 1.5:1 for worst case operation:

 

This formula is used to calculate the derating factor based on the worst case value of the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and the F1 factor.

 

 

Where F1 can be found on the following graph:

 

This graph is used to derive the F1 factor which is necessary to determine the derating factor. The intersection between the operational frequency, expressed in Megahertz on the x axis, and the transmission line size, shown by multiple curves, is used to determine the F1 value, expressed as values between 0 and 1 on the y axis.

Figure 1 - Derating Factor vs Frequency due to VSWR (Average Power)



The following transmission lines were selected in our assumption6:


  Transmission Line Derated Average Power for
Tx line size (air) TV Channel 2-6 (50MHz) TV Channel 7-13 (200MHz) TV Channel 14-69 (600MHz)
7/8'' (foam) 7.6 kW 4.5 kW 2.6 kW
1-5/8'' 17.5 kW 10.1 kW 5.8 kW
3'' 46.7 kW 25.4 kW 13.5 kW
4'' 71.6 kW 39.3 kW 21.4 kW
5'' 93 kW 51.8 kW 29 kW

Table 3 - Derating Factor for Average Transmitted Power Based on VSWR 1.5:1



After we have determined the maximum power permitted for each transmission line size, a transmitter power range was derived from an ERP range. This exercise was essential to assign a line size to each station while respecting the line capacity and it was done for each frequency band. Using these results, the transmission line losses were then calculated for all stations 7.

The following table represents the ERP range associated with an estimated transmitter power with the resulting associated transmission line size. The estimated transmitter power must respect the upper limit of the maximum capacity of the de-rated transmission line, while not over-estimating the line size. The following table highlights the assumptions that were made to best match each transmitter power with an adequate transmission line:


ERP(KW) Tx Power(KW) Refer to line derating power BAND ANDREW
MODEL
LINE
TYPE
ATT.(dB/100m)
600+ 30-60KW UHF HJ9HP-50 5'' HP 0,737
280-600 20-30KW UHF HJ9-50 5'' 0,695
250-280 10-20KW UHF HJ11-50 4'' 1,04
6-250 5-10KW UHF HJ8-50 3'' 1,33
6-325 15-30KW L-VHF HJ8-50 3'' 0,316
6-325 10-20KW H-VHF HJ8-50 3'' 0,688
1-6 2-5KW UHF HJ7-50A 1-5/8'' 1,73
1-6 5-15KW L-VHF HJ7-50A 1-5/8'' 0,465
1-6 2-10KW H-VHF HJ7-50A 1-5/8'' 0,958
0,01-1 0,01-2KW UHF LDF5-50A 7/8'' foam 3,1
0,01-1 0,01-5KW L-VHF LDF5-50A 7/8'' foam 0,833
0,01-1 0,01-2KW H-VHF LDF5-50A 7/8'' foam 1,72

Table 4 - Transmission Line Size Associated with Range of ERP



The line attenuation was calculated as described earlier, based on the attenuation from the manufacturer. For each frequency band, when the data was available, it was referenced to the attenuation for the middle of the band. For Low VHF, the attenuation selected was for 50MHz. For High VHF, the attenuation selected was as for 200MHz. For UHF, the attenuation selected was for 600MHz. The line was selected from Andrew's catalogue and the attenuations are shown on the following graph8:

This graph is used to derive the typical attenuation of a particular line type based on the frequency. The intersection between the frequency, expressed in Megahertz on the x axis, and the line type, shown by multiple curves, is used to determine the attenuation, expressed in dB per 100 feet on the y axis.

Figure 2 - Transmission Line Attenuation vs Frequency

To estimate the transmitter power, we considered the various transmitters available on the market9. The following table represents the NTSC transmitter powers that were considered for this study:


VHF BAND UHF BAND
Transmitter model Transmitter Power (W) Transmitter model Transmitter Power (W)
MX series 1 MX series 1
MX series 10 MX series 20
MX series 30 MX series 100
Meridian series 250 Meridian/MX series 1000
Meridian series 500 Meridian/MX series 2000
Meridian/ M series 1000 Meridian series 2500
Meridian series 2000 Meridian series 5000
M series 3000 Eclipse Series 10000
Meridian series 5000 Eclipse Series 15000
M series 6000 Eclipse Series 20000
M series 16000 Eclipse Series 30000
M series 22000 Landmark IOT 40000
M series 30000    

Table 5 - Transmitter Power Available on the Market


The transmitter power selection is the result of an iteration based on the probable antenna gain for the site. If the antenna gain was found to be too high, we increased the transmitter power to the next likely power increment. We tried to maintain a good balance between the transmitter power and the antenna system. For example, we did not consider a 16 bay antenna for a low power transmitter site, nor a 2 bay for a high power site. To be as realistic and practical as possible, the center of radiation of the antenna system was used for the location of the antenna on the tower. When selecting an antenna, the overall dimension of the antenna system was considered and validated with the available antenna aperture on the tower. To evaluate the available antenna aperture, we simply subtracted the radiation center from the vertical height of the proposed antenna. If the proposed antenna height was fitting, we considered that an antenna as such could fit into the tower. For example, we would not select a 4-bay L-VHF antenna system knowing that the tower is 20 meter high and the antenna system itself is 23 meters. There was no consideration of any other antennas on the tower. The following tables show the antenna gains (per bands) that were considered:


UHF model K72 31 4.. Based on KATHREIN Antenna Design
Number of bays Panels per bay** Gain in dBd (referred to half wave dipole)
*1 4 6,3
*2 4 9,3
4 4 12,3
6 4 14,1
12 4 17,1
16 4 18,3
*Approximation of gain, not in catalog
**Equal power splitting

Table 6 - UHF Antenna Selection


High-VHF model K 52 33 5.. Based on KATHREIN Antenna Design
Number of bays Panels per bay** Gain in dBd (referred to half wave dipole)
1 4 6,1
2 4 8,9
4 4 11,8
6 4 13,5
8 4 14,7
*12 4 16,9
*Approximation of gain, not in catalog
**Equal power splitting
NOTE: IF ERP avg is < 1KW and band is H-VHF then use antenna gain of 1,7dB Kathrein model K 52 34 5.; if <500 then use antenna gain of 0dB, Kathrein TVO; if <250 then use antenna gain of -3dB, Kathrein TVO;

Table 7 - High-VHF Antenna Selection


Low-VHF model K 52 31 8.. Based on KATHREIN Antenna Design
Number of bays Panels per bay** Gain in dBd (referred to half wave dipole)
1 4 2
2 4 5
4 4 8,1
6 4 9,9
8 4 11,1
*12 4 12,9
*Approximation of gain, not in catalog
**Equal power splitting
NOTE: IF ERP avg is < 55W and band is L-VHF then use antenna gain of -3dB, Kathrein TVO; if <250 then use antenna gain of 0dB, Kathrein TVO;

Table 8 - Low-VHF Antenna Selection


Kathrein antennas were used as reference for the studies. We considered panel antennas for medium and high power sites, arrays from 1 bay to 12 bays in VHF and from 1 bay to 16 bays in UHF. For lower ERP stations in the VHF band, other models were used. For low VHF, the TVO antenna was selected. For stations with ERP between 55W and 250W, the Kathrein TVO 2 bay antenna with a gain of 0dB was used and for ERP lower than 55W, the 1 bay TVO antenna with a gain of -3dB was used. For High VHF, when stations' ERP were between 500W and 1KW, the Kathrein antenna model K52 34 5. with a gain of 1,7dB was used. For stations with ERP between 250W and 500W, the TVO 2 bay antenna with a gain of 0dB was used and for stations lower than 55W, the TVO 1 bay with a gain of -3dB was used. The resulting NTSC parameter assumptions can be found in annex A.


5.2 Study 1 - ATSC Parameters Calculation (site staying on the same frequency)

For study 1, we evaluated the conversion of the analog coverage into DTV using the F(90,90) curves (see 5.6 for study ATSC Parameters). The selection of F(90,90) results from the experience gained from performing many off-air reception tests on consumer receivers. Empirical data demonstrated the difficulties of receiving a good ATSC signal associated with the F(50,90) contours under normal condition (receiving antenna at 9.1m). More information regarding this choice of parameters can also be found in the document Planning Factors for Fixed and Portable DTTV Reception10.

For scenarios where the DTV post transition channel was the same as the NTSC channel, we considered that the antenna system, transmission line and other equipment where the same as for the NTSC installation (or equivalent). Consequently, we used the antenna gain, cable losses and other losses computed using the methodology described in 5.1.


We used the following table (from Draft BPR 10 V2) to derive the equivalent DTV contours:

Channels Defining field strength, dBu, to be predicted for 50% of locations, 90% of time
2 - 6 28
7 - 13 36
14 - 51 41 - 20 log[615/(channel mid-frequency in MHz)]

Table 9 - Field Strengths Defining Noise-limited Bounding Contours for Primary Assignments (DTV) F(50,90)


As mentioned in the introduction of this section, instead of using the F(50,90) for the targeted DTV contour, we used the same contour values (28, 36 and 41-log) but for F(90,90). We decided to take the prudent approach and applied the F(90,90).


For the NTSC equivalent, we used the following values:

Channels Defining field strength, dBu, to be predicted for 50% of locations, 50% of time
2 - 6 47
7 - 13 56
14 - 51 64

Table 10 - Field Strengths Defining Noise-limited Bounding Contours for Primary Assignments (NTSC) F(50,50)


Also, since the difference in the statistics varies with the frequency band, EHAAT and the distance, we considered the following corrections:

Look-up EHAAT (90,90) -> (50,50)
Class/ EHAAT 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000
UHF A 8.3 8.1 8 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.8 7.8 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.6 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7
UHF B 11.9 10.4 10.1 9.9 9.8 9.7 9.7 9.6 9.5 9.4 9.4 9.3 9.3 9.3 9.2 9.3 9.3 9.2 9.3 9.3
UHF C 18.3 16.1 15.1 14.3 13.8 13.4 12.9 12.6 12.2 12.1 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
VHF L 15.7 14.1 13.2 11.3 11.3 11.3 11.2 11.1 12.4 12.4 12.3 12.3 12.1 12 11.9 11.9 12 11.9 12 12
VHF H 14.8 13 11.7 12.7 12.4 12.3 12.4 12.5 11 10.9 11.1 11.1 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.3 11.3 11.3 11.3

Table 11 - Differences Between F(90,90) and F(50,50)


Since we could not fully implement the F(90,90) and F(50,50) curves into our Excel database, we selected the three(3) classes for UHF (A, B and C extracted from the NTSC database) where the maximum distances of 25, 45 and 70 km were used. We used the maximum distances of 89 km and 82 km for the low and high VHF classes respectively. This approach provides more conservative values in terms of equivalent ERP required for the DTV channels.

Finally, for directional antenna sites, since we are considering the same parameters as for the NTSC sites (so the same antenna pattern), we simply calculated the peak-to-average ratio from the NTSC database (because the average ERP was not available in the DTV database).

So, in order to derive the ATSC transmitter power, we used the following formula:



For example, if we consider a class C UHF NTSC transmitter (of 21,500 W operating power) operating on channel 51, we computed the following:

NTSC TX Power: 10 * log (21500) = 43.32 dB

F(90,90) equivalence at EHAAT (for 286.50m) = 13.7 dB

NTSC Contour: 64 dB

ATSC Contour: 42.06 dB

ATSC Transmitter power = 43.32 + 13.7 - 64 + 42.06 = 35.08

ATSC Transmitter power = 3220 W



Once we evaluated the ATSC transmitter power, we recalculated the resulting ATSC ERP by considering the same antenna gain and system losses as for the NTSC system. If the total ATSC ERP was lower than the value specified in the Industry Canada DTV database, we used the newly found value for the study. If the ATSC ERP was greater than the Industry Canada database, we used the IC database value to derive the ATSC transmitter power (using again the NTSC antenna and cable parameters).


5.3 Study 1 - Systematic ATSC Parameters Calculation (different frequency site, 300,000+)

For sites where both the ATSC channel was different than the NTSC channel and the population was above 300,000, we calculated the ATSC parameters using real F(50,50) vs F(90,90) simulations. We simulated the NTSC actual parameters on a map and best matched it to the ATSC simulation (depending on the channel band used). For the ATSC simulations, we considered the same radiation center and antenna pattern associated with the NTSC parameters.

We used the same ATSC equivalent contours as defined in section 5.2. When the calculated equivalent ATSC parameters were above those specified in the IC DTV database, we selected the smallest parameters of the two values, either the calculated or the maximum IC DTV database.

Once the ATSC ERP was evaluated to ensure that the best match with the NTSC contour had been established, a manual interpretation of the best antenna system, depending on the target ERP power, was selected. The ATSC transmitter power was then calculated using this antenna system along with the probable cable and system losses associated with this maximum power were determined as well as the band to be used (as describe in section 5.1).

The ATSC parameters calculated in this study for the stations servicing 300,000 and more people can be found in Annex D.

5.4 Study 1 - ATSC Parameters Calculation (different frequency site, less than 300,000)

In order to derive the ATSC parameters for stations servicing less than 300,000 people using a different ATSC channel than their actual NTSC channel in Study 1, we considered the following:

  1. Site staying in the same band: For low-VHF to low-VHF implementation and high-VHF to high-VHF implementation we found that the best approximation for the ATSC parameters was, firstly, to derive the operating NTSC parameters as explained in 5.1. Then, we considered that the ATSC propagation will be the same in the new band so we applied the same criteria as in 5.2 (Tables 9, 10 and 11). We used the same logic for the UHF sites, but we did not correct the ATSC contour value differences when moving across the band. After some cross-checking, we found that, on average, this approach was providing very close values (within 2 dB of error) which was leading to similar hardware implementation (so similar costs). So for the budget estimates, we considered that we would keep the antenna system for sites that will continue to operate in the same band (i.e. L-VHF to L-VHF, H-VHF to H-VHF and UHF to UHF).
  2. Site with channel changing band: Since most modifications were a transition from VHF to UHF band, or vice versa, it was found that the maximum parameters from the IC database provided the closest duplication of the coverage, because most simulation required higher parameters and that we could not exceed the IC database parameters. So, even for sites moving from low-VHF to high-VHF, it was found that using the IC database values was the best approach. The antenna system/transmitter power ratios have been manually entered based on common knowledge of the target ERP value. The cost estimates are based on a new antenna, new line and new transmitter.

5.5 Studies 2 and 3 - ATSC Parameters Calculation (all Scenarios)

The processes to compute the ATSC parameters for Study 2 and 3 were exactly the same as for study 1, with the exception that the F(50,90) curves have been used instead of the F(90,90). This resulted in the modification of the table 10 for the following new table:


Look-up EHAAT (50,90) -> (50,50)
Class/ EHAAT 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000
UHF A 1.2 1 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
UHF B 4.8 3.3 3 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2
UHF C 11.2 9 8 7.2 6.7 6.3 5.8 5.5 5.1 5 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.9
VHF L 9.6 8 7.1 6.6 6.3 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.2 6 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.8 5.9 5.9
VHF H 8.7 6.9 5.6 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.1 5 4.9 4.8 5 5 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2

Table 12 - Differences between F(50,90) and F(50,50)


All other rules described in section 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 apply for the study 2. Note that in the cases where the calculated equivalent contours (in F(50,90)) were greater than the IC database, we used the IC database parameters.

Finally, for the sites that were changing band (mainly from VHF to UHF) and that the population was less than 300,000 people, we used directly the IC database parameters, as in study 1. This will consequently lead to the same budgetary estimates values.

The only difference between study 3 and study 2 is that for the sites that were changing band and for which the population was less than 300,000 people, we considered that the DTV implementation will stay on the same channel as the current NTSC channel. Consequently, we applied the same rules as in section 5.2, but using the F(50,90) curves from Table 12. This generally resulted in a substantial budgetary estimate cost reduction.


5.6 Differences in ATSC contours between studies 1 and 2

The following map (see Annex C for a more detailed version) demonstrates the difference between the Industry Canada NTSC official contour (thick black line), the calculated NTSC contour (dashed red line), the calculated ATSC contour F(90,90) for study 1 (blue line), the calculated ATSC contour F(50,90) for study 2 (pink line) and the ATSC maximum contour F(50,90) (green line), when we applied the case for study 1:


This map shows the that the contours for CKEM-TV in Edmonton, Alberta. The analog (NTSC) contour in Industry Canada's database overlaps with the contour calculated using CKEM-TV's technical parameters. The digital (ATSC) contours using F(50, 90) and F(90,90) propagation curves are shown, as is the contour in the Industry Canada Post Transition Allotment Plan. The contour based on the F(90,90) curves practically overlaps the analog contour. The contour based on the F(50,90) curves covers a larger area that the analog contour. The contour based on the Industry Canada Post Transition Allotment Plan covers a larger area than any of the other contours.

Figure 3 - Coverage Map Presenting the Differences between NTSC and ATSC Contours


As one can see, the calculated NTSC parameters provide us the exact same contour as the IC database contour (black vs dashed red contours). The parameters calculated for the ATSC transmitter power in study 1, provides us a good duplication of the ATSC contour (blue line). The difference on this simulation is about 1.4 dB. This error comes from the interpolation between the F(50,50) curves and the F(90,90) curves for different EHAAT and distances. When we counter-verified some examples, the calculated error was always below 2 dB (plus or minus). Since we could not manually calculate all 732 transmitters, we found that our approach was close enough to approximate a probable service duplication.

In this example, the difference between the F(50,90) and F(90,90) is about 7 dB. This means that for study 2 when we calculated the required ATSC parameters, based on the F(50,90) curves, the total ERP considered was 7 dB less than the one considered in study 1. This 7 dB reduction has been balanced between the antenna gain and transmitter power, based on accepted engineering practices.

Finally, the maximum parameters that the station can implement are represented with the green contour. This, of course, leads to an exceedingly high transmitter power and/or antenna system gain values which very few broadcasters will elect to implement. This is why we only used the maximum IC DTV database parameters when the calculated ATSC parameters were greater than those of the IC database (we used the smallest parameters of the two values, either the calculated or the maximum IC DTV database). This scenario typically occurred for a station migrating from VHF band to the UHF band.

6. Technical Implementation of the Scenarios

This section of the document describes the technical design of the proposed DTV station based upon multiple scenarios with corresponding budgetary estimates. All designs are considering only the transmission aspect of the site. Therefore, the program feed is not considered within the technical implementation. It must be understood that the site design is not optimized due to a lack of site-specific information. Many aspects of the design can be changed resulting impact on the cost. This study is generic and should not be considered as final design.


6.1 Transmitter Category Serving a Population Greater than 300,000 People

For this category, since it represents all major cities in Canada, a full redundancy approach was used. From left to right, two (2) ASI Distribution Amplifiers (DA) were used; one (1) for the main feed and one (1) for the back-up feed. The type of feed can be either from fibre, STL or Satellite but the format must be DVB or ATSC ASI.


This block diagram is a visual representation of the detailed text in the preceding paragraph and following three paragraphs.

 

Figure 4 - Typical Schematic for Medium and High Power Station


The outputs of the DA's are feeding two (2) remultiplexers to insert the local PSIP table. The ATSC tables can be sent via a low bit rate channel. Each of the remultiplexer is feeding an exciter to ensure full redundancy. The output of the transmitter is fed through a mask filter sized for the output power of the transmitter. An RF digital Wattchman is used to monitor the forward and reflected power and to feed the demodulator. The demodulator is used to monitor the audio and video. A 4-port RF patch pane is used to sweep the antenna system and to put the transmitter into the dummy load. No patch panels were included on stations with transmitter output power less than 1KW. For monitoring the signal and for troubleshooting purposes, an ASI jackfield is included.

For higher transmitter power, a transmitter with dual exciter was selected. For lower power, a configuration with dual transmitter and transmitter switching control was selected.

For test purposes, a TV analyzer with ATSC module from Rohde & Schwarz model ETL including module for MPEG and Transport Stream analyzer is included as an option in the design.

6.2 Transmitter Category other than Scenario A

For all stations in small and medium markets (less than 300,000 of population), a similar approach was used. The design is identical as the one presented in the previous scenario. The main differences will be in regards to the implementation time and the program feed. In this category, it is considered to have less station feed via STL than in the previous category.

6.3 Typical Low Power Transmitter Station

In this category, the level of redundancy is maintained. The main difference is located at the output of the transmitter. There is no patch panel included in the design. The assumption is there will be less frequent access to the input antenna system and/or dummy load in a low power station. Also, it is easier to manually transfer a low power transmitter to a dummy load than a high power. Therefore, no allocation for RF patch panel was deemed necessary.

A configuration of main/alternate transmitter is used in this category. Due to the level of power involved and lower transmitter price, a full transmitter redundancy was preferred with switching control.

A less expensive and versatile test equipment was selected. This test equipment is also used as demodulator for audio and video monitoring. The RF demodulator/Analyzer AUDEMAT model Golden Eagle is included in lower power site design.


This block diagram is identical to the block diagram discussed in section 6.1, with exceptions as mentioned in detail in the preceding 3 paragraphs.

Figure 5 - Typical Schematic for Low Power station

7. Detailed cost estimates

All budgetary estimates have a confidence level of ±25%. This level of confidence is referred to as the reserve in the summary page of each estimate. All budgetary quotes from the various suppliers and manufacturers can be found in annex C of document entitled Reference Data for DTV Costs analysis located on Spectrum Expert web site (www.spectrumexpert.ca).

It must be noted that all engineering design for the technical brief, project management and field strength coverage is included in the estimates.

There is no cost associated for upgrade, replacement, installation or repairs of the building, tower and antenna.

Finally, all taxes are extra.

7.1 Transmitter Category Serving a Population Greater than 300,000 People

In this category, two (2) groups of stations are identified: stations that remain on the same channel in DTV and stations changing channel in DTV. For stations above 1KW of transmitter power, provision for hardline, patch panel, elbows and coupling was budgeted. When a station is changing channel, a new transmission line, connectors and dehydrator was budgeted.

A provision for air balancing of the existing ventilation system due to removal of the NTSC transmitter is included in all estimates. For stations above 1KW in UHF and 1,5KW in VHF, a liquid cooled transmitter type was selected.

Test equipment is referred as optional for all stations in this category for general information. The item is present in the estimates but not added to the total cost of conversion The TV analyzer with ATSC module from Rohde & Schwarz model ETL including modules for MPEG and Transport Stream analyzer was selected. This is left at the discretion of the broadcaster.

This category covers all major transmitter sites in Canada. It is understood that at many sites, multiple stations are co-located in the same building. A higher provision for engineering and installation time was factored in due to complexity of the work when multiple broadcasters are involved. This may involve all levels of the project from obtaining a release to shut down the site, to accessing the tower to install new hardware. A simulcast of both analog and digital signal will increase the labour time.

In the summary table located in section 11, the overall cost for the conversion to DTV consider that four (4) sites out of five (5) are fed via STL. For individual cost per station, please refer to section 11,1.

7.2 Transmitter Category other than Scenario A

In this category, the stations were divided in two (2) groups: stations staying in the same band and stations with a channel changing band.

The first group involves stations moving from UHF to UHF, Low VHF to Low VHF and High VHF to High VHF.

It is assumed that the continuity of operation within the same antenna and transmission line must be possible. In this category, the stations were divided by transmitter power range. The following transmitter powers were selected:

UHF Band:

  • 1-40 Watts
  • 41-150 Watts
  • 151-450 Watts
  • 451W-1,1kW
  • 1,1-2,1kW
  • 2,1-4kW

VHF Band:

  • 1-40 Watts
  • 1-150 Watts
  • 151-500 Watts
  • 501W-1,1kW
  • 1,1-2,3kW
  • 2,3 - 3,7KW

A typical budgetary estimate was created for each transmitter power range and the stations were sorted based on their transmitter power.

For stations that will operate on a different channel in DTV, an allocation for a new transmission line, connectors and dehydrator was considered. A budgetary estimate was done for each site.

Again, no patch panel is budgeted for stations with transmitter power less than 1KW. Also, for site stations above 1KW of transmitter power, allocation for hardline, elbows and coupling was budgeted.

Again the ETL test equipment is referred as optional in the estimates for general information. It is no added to the total cost of conversion.

In the summary table, the overall cost for the conversion of this category to DTV consider that two (2) sites out of five (5) are fed via STL. For individual cost per station, please refer to section 11.

7.3 Typical Low Power Transmitter Sites

This scenario refers to stations that are not entitled to protection from interference from primary assignments. Those stations are low power transmitters. In VHF, our budgetary estimate is based on a transmitter power of 40 Watts. In UHF, our budgetary estimate is based on a 8 Watts but prices for transmitter power varying from 3 to 40 Watts are shown as reference. For a detailed description, refer to the quotation attached in annex C of the document Reference Data for DTV Costs Analysis.

For low power stations, in order to keep the cost of conversion as low as possible, the demodulator AUDEMAT Golden Eagle was selected. This equipment can also be used as basic test equipment that better fits the needs of low power stations.

No patch panel or hardline is included in the budgetary estimate.

For the low power stations, it was decided to proceed with a hard cut over. This means that the NTSC transmitter and monitoring equipment will be removed from their existing location and then the ATSC equipment will be installed. Due to the small dimension of LPTV buildings, it is preferable and less expensive to proceed this way. A disruption of service will occur. A small provision for electrical, mechanical and architectural work for the building is considered.

On the other hand, a higher allocation for installation and travel is considered in this category due to a greater distance of the LPTV sites from major centers. Specialized manpower may often not be available locally.

7.4 Typical installation of a Studio to Transmitter Link

The STL configuration will most likely be used for major center and where local programming is produced. This budgetary estimate is based on a fully redundant digital microwave link from the studio to the transmitter in the 6 to 7GHz band. The following schematic represents a typical STL:


This figure shows a main and backup digital Studio to Transmitter Link (STL) which operates in the 6 GHz to 7 GHz band. The link originates at the TV studio and terminates at the transmitter site.

Figure 6 - Typical Schematic for STL

This STL can carry one (1) HD signal11. The budgetary estimate comprises two (2) 6-foot microwave dishes at the studio and two (2) 6-foot dishes at the transmitter site. It includes typical installation material for 300 feet of waveguide runs and installation accessories.

The estimate also considers redundant modems at each end with an ASI input up to 20Mbps. The following is the block schematic of the STL:


This figure shows the typical block schematic for a studio to transmitter link (STL). The ASI or HD-SDI signal, at 19.39 Mbps, is modulated for transmission over a studio to transmitter link (STL) at 6-7 GHz. It is demodulated at the transmitter site, and is output as an ASI signal.

Figure 7 - Typical Block Schematic for STL Interconnection


Note that a Remultiplexer is required, and is already included in the budgetary estimated for the transmitter.

7.5 Typical Installation of a Satellite Antenna

This budgetary estimate is for the provision and installation of a 4.5-metre satellite dish. First of all, it is assumed to have line of sight to the satellite and available space for the location of the antenna exists. Following is a typical satellite installation:

This figure shows the typical block schematic for a satellite installation. After reception, the signal is transcoded to DVB ASI, at 19.39 Mbps, before ingress into the DTV over-the-air transmitter.

Figure 8 - Typical Block Schematic for a Satellite Installation


Included in the estimate is a 4.5-meter dish (C-band Receive Only from ASC or Andrew). This antenna is fixed on a tripod mount and fully equipped with a polarizer, anchor bolt and lightning rod kits, Interfacility Link (IFL) cable and two (2) Phase Lock Loop (PLL) LNB's.

This installation is based on an average price of a 4,5m C-band ASC satellite receive only dish. The installation costs are an average between Southern and Northern installation.

The technology used in the estimate is DVB-S2 and MPEG-2. The CISCO receiver model D9850 DVB-S2 MPEG 2 decoder was selected. The price for an MPEG-4 decoder is also provided and only the decoder needs to be added to the estimate. The CISCO Advanced Receiver model D9858 is equipped with a transcoder for conversion from MPEG-4 to MPEG-2.

Note that a remultiplexer is required and was included into the transmitter budgetary estimate.

7.6 Typical Installation of a Off-air Reception

In the event where a broadcaster elects to convert his station into a translator, he must be aware that the ATSC table at the translator will be identical as the main station. This may create confusion for the viewer (his receiver might not report the correct channel number). A typical installation is comprises an antenna, a band pass filter and a translator. The functionality of the translator is to receive the modulated 8-VSB signal on a specific channel, to transpose to Intermediate frequency (IF), then convert to the final broadcasting frequency and to provide the signal to the amplifier. This translation is entirely done on the modulated RF signal (no demodulation into bit-stream). The main advantage is that no exciter is required in the setup. See functional diagram below:

This figure shows the typical block schematic for a translator, as described above.

Figure 9 - Typical Block Schematic for a Translator

8. DTV Transmitter retrofit

In this study, the conversion of NTSC transmitter to ATSC is not covered exhaustively. The Larcan transmitter manufacturer was approached through NOVANET and has provided budgetary costs for conversion of some of their transmitters. It must be noted that the retrofit for UHF and VHF transmitters must be considered on a case by case basis. The budgetary range is as follows:

  • for a 1 KW analog to 350 W digital output transmitter = 35,000$
  • for a 11 KW analog to 3.5 KW digital output transmitter = 70,000$

Other manufacturers may also offer retrofit possibilities of their transmitter to ATSC. This needs to be confirmed with each individual manufacturer.

9. Depreciation of equipment

The following information was gathered from the annual reports of the three (3) major public broadcasters, with complementary information from one private broadcaster. No differentiation between DTV vs Analog equipment is made by the broadcasters. The following table highlights the depreciation figures used by these broadcasters.

  Public 1 Public 2 Public 3 Private 1
Buildings 33 years Not Specified 30 years Not Specified
Transmitters 20 years 20 years 17 years 20-25 Years
Antenna Tower 20 years 20 years (10 years for improvements) Not Specified 20-25 years
Electrical Equipment 16 years 10 years Not Specified Not Specified
Transmitter Monitoring Equipment 10 years 10 years 7 years 5-7 Years
In House Technical Equipment 10 years 15 years 7 years 5-7 Years
Computer (Server) 5 years 5 years 5 years Not Specified
Micro-Computer 3 years 5 years 5 years Not Specified

Table 13 - Depreciation Figures


An outstanding question regarding the depreciation rate of the new DTV equipment still exists. How to calculate the depreciation rate of new DTV equipment that incorporates computer based control (such as exciters, monitoring equipment, etc). If this equipment falls into the computer category, then a depreciation rate of 5 to 10 years could be considered.

Again, this table is provided for information purposes only and could differ for broadcasters in the private sector.

10. Electrical cost comparison

It is a well known fact that the transition to DTV should generally reduce the overall electrical consumption per km² of coverage. For the same power output, to achieve a better linearity for DTV operation, the power consumption of an ATSC transmitter is slightly higher. On the other hand, the required DTV power to achieve the same coverage is generally from 7 to 12 dB lower than the NTSC power.

Since each case has its own parameters and since each transmitter manufacturer has different power efficiencies, the following table highlights possible values that could be achieved for Study 1 only, when randomly selecting 3 different transmitter powers for each band (when considering same channel replacement):


Band NTSC Parameters Equivalent ATSC Parameters. Reduction from Analog
  TX Power Electrical Pw TX Power Electrical Pw  
Low-VHF 9600 W 20.5 kW 1740 W 10.7 kW 47%
Low-VHF 3500 W 7 kW 1208 W 7.1 kW +1.42%
Low-VHF 9600 W 20.5 kW 650 W 3.56 kW 83%
High-VHF 1415 W 3.5 kW 287 W 1.53 kW 56%
High-VHF 20.2 kW 41 kW 2.4 kW 11.34 kW 72%
High-VHF 15.5 kW 31.7 kW 1.5 kW 14.17 kW 55%
UHF 925 W 4.6 kW 30 W 0.45 kW 90%
UHF 5400 W 23.4 kW 457 W 2.5 kW 91%
UHF 30 kW 36 kW (IOT) 2.8 kW 15.9 kW 56%
Average         61%

Table 14 - Electrical Consumption Comparison between NTSC and ATSC Transmitters (Study 1)

On the average, the conversion to digital television will result in a power consumption reduction of about 61%. For Study 2, since the reduction of about 7 dB in terms of ERP is generally balanced between the antenna gain and transmitter, the total required transmitter power will generally be reduced by 3-4 dB on the average. One could derive a new table using this value.

It should be noted though that for broadcasters that will be migrating from a VHF channel to a UHF channel, the full service duplication will only be achieved at the cost of a very high power UHF system (transmitter and antenna). The UHF ATSC transmitter required power will be approximately 30 kW (with a consumption of about 180 kW for solid state and 90 kW for IOT transmitters). The equivalent low-VHF 30 kW transmitters will generally have a consumption of about 60 kW for solid state.

The following figure12 provides additional information on DTV (ATSC) transmitter power output (TPO) vs electrical consumption:


This graph shows the typical power output (TPO) for tube and solid state transmitters. Solid state transmitters are able to handle more power than tuble transmitters, and are more versatile in low power situations.

Figure 10 - DTV Transmitter TPO vs Electrical Power Consumption

11. Cost summary table

This cost summary table represents a total cost of conversion per study considering replacement of analog STL with new digital STL. Also, the LPTV cost is presented. The costs are broken down into the following station sub-categories:


Category Number of stations Study#1 Study#2 Study#3
A Transmitter category serving populations greater than 300,000 people Note:4 sites out of 5 are feed STL13 Same Channel 46 $22,468,438 $19,438,416 $19,438,416
New Channel 49 $71,484,668 $62,757,388 $62,757,388
B Transmitter category other than section a) with local programming Note:2 sites out of 5 are feed STL1 Same Channel 210 $70,782,876 $56,780,733 $56,780,733
New Channel 47 $91,341,933 $91,341,933 $14,969,852
C Transmitter category other than section a) without local programming Same Channel 315 $78,044,763 $57,041,549 $57,041,549
New Channel 71 $130,717,239 $130,717,239 $16,159,116
Grand Total14 738 $464,839,918 $418,077,260 $227,147,055
Budgetary variations (±25%)   $116,209,979 $104,519,315 $56,786,764
    Number of stations   Average cost per station15
D Typical Low Power transmitter site operating on the same channel in DTV 1291 stations based on NTSC databases of January 2009 VHF $189,690
UHF $144,925
E Typical Low Power transmitter site operating on a different channel in DTV VHF-UHF $163,825

Table 15 - Summary Cost for the DTV Conversion for Canada including STL's


11.1 Cost breakdown for Study 1 - Full or Ideal Service Replication


Qty 95 - Transmitter category serving population greater than 300,000 people
Province City Call sign DTV channel NTSC channel Cost
AB Calgary CBRT 9 9 $377,681
AB Calgary CIAN-TV 13 13 $719,306
AB Calgary CBRFT 16 16 $226, 606
AB Calgary CKCS-TV 27 32 $344,650
AB Calgary CFCN-TV 29 4 $4,280,000
AB Calgary CJCO-TV 38 38 $463,894
AB Calgary CICT-TV 41 2 $4,297,469
AB Calgary CHCA-TV-1 44 44 $327,056
AB Calgary CKAL-TV 49 5 $4,291,018
AB Edmonton CBXT 11 5 $1,371 825
AB Edmonton CITV-TV 13 13 $437,963
AB Edmonton CHCA-TV-2 17 17 $327,056
AB Edmonton CKES-TV 23 45 $386,763
AB Edmonton CJAL-TV 26 9 $799,981
AB Edmonton CBXFT 42 11 $3,206,900
AB Edmonton CJEO-TV 44 56 $909,419
AB Edmonton CFRN-TV 47 3 $4,302,306
AB Edmonton CKEM-TV 51 51 $596,268
BC Vancouver CHAN-TV 8 8 $226,606
BC Vancouver CKVU-TV 10 10 $236,106
BC Vancouver CIVI-TV-2 17 17 $327,056
BC Vancouver CHNM-TV 20 42 $398,578
BC Vancouver CBUFT 26 26 $244,606
BC Vancouver CIVT-TV 32 32 $327,056
BC Vancouver CBUT 43 2 $725,744
BC Victoria CHNU-TV-1 21 21 $226,606
BC Victoria CIVI-TV 40 53 $288,150
BC Victoria CHEK-TV 49 6 $730,056
MB Winnipeg CKY-TV 7 7 $442,338
MB Winnipeg CKND-TV 9 9 $442,338
MB Winnipeg CBWT 27 6 $4,327,838
MB Winnipeg CIIT-TV 35 35 $235,594
MB Winnipeg CBWFT 51 3 $3,226,194

 

Province City Call sign DTV channel NTSC channel Cost
NS Halifax CBHFT 13 13 $255,183
NS Halifax CIHF-TV 26 8 $979,506
NS Halifax CBHT 39 3 $4,298,006
NS Halifax CJCH-TV 48 5 $4,294,513
ON Hamilton CHCH-TV 11 11 $356,433
ON Hamilton CKXT-TV-1 15 45 $293,513
ON Hamilton CITS-TV 36 36 $465,300
ON Kitchener CKCO-TV 13 13 $440,619
ON Kitchener CBLFT-8 17 61 $609,994
ON Kitchener CICO-TV-28 28 28 $438,028
ON Kitchener CBLN-TV-1 29 56 $905,019
ON London CBLFT-9 7 53 $449,039
ON London CFPL-TV 10 10 $440,619
ON London CICO-TV-18 18 18 $209,231
ON London CJMT-TV-1 20 20 $226,606
ON London CHCH-TV-2 24 51 $786,056
ON London CITS-TV-2 38 14 $292,244
ON London CFMT-TV-1 48 69 $889,034
ON London CBLN-TV-1 49 40 $1,295,725
ON Oshawa CHEX-TV-2 22 22 $226,606
ON Ottawa CIII-TV-6 6 6 $365,808
ON Ottawa CBOFT 9 9 $214,388
ON Ottawa CJOH-TV 13 13 $362,683
ON Ottawa CJMT-TV-2 17 14 $664,238
ON Ottawa CITY-TV-3 20 65 $665,294
ON Ottawa CHCH-TV-1 22 11 $3,205,894
ON Ottawa CICO-TV-24 24 24 $357,878
ON Ottawa CBOT 25 4 $3,205,369
ON Ottawa CFMT-TV-2 27 60 $1,205,344
ON Ottawa CITS-TV-1 42 32 $389,200
ON Ottawa CHRO-TV-43 43 43 $528,088
ON Toronto CFTO-TV 9 9 $209,231
ON Toronto CICA-TV 19 19 $528,088
ON Toronto CBLT 20 5 $687,575
ON Toronto CBLFT 25 25 $438,028
ON Toronto CKXT-TV 40 52 $267,594
ON Toronto CIII-TV-41 41 41 $528,088
ON Toronto CJMT-TV 44 69 $651,950
ON Toronto CFMT-TV 47 47 $569,550
ON Toronto CITY-TV 51 57 $599,656
ON Windsor CBET 9 9 $465,300
ON Windsor CHWI-TV-60 25 60 $288,975

 

Province City Call sign DTV channel NTSC channel Cost
ON Windsor CICO-TV-32 32 32 $463,894
ON Windsor CBEFT 35 54 $429,034
QC Hull CIVO-TV 30 30 $463,894
QC Hull CFGS-TV 34 34 $357,878
QC Hull CHOT-TV 40 40 $411,415
QC Montreal CFTM-TV 10 10 $440,619
QC Montreal CFCF-TV 12 12 $440,619
QC Montreal CBFT 19 2 $4,266,294
QC Montreal CBMT 21 6 $3,191,581
QC Montreal CIVM-TV 26 17 $676,519
QC Montreal CFTU-TV 29 29 $226,606
QC Montreal CFJP-TV 35 35 $463,894
QC Montreal CJNT-TV 49 62 $273,881
QC Montreal CKMI-TV-1 51 46 $380,994
QC Quebec CBVT 12 11 $793,050
QC Quebec CIVQ-TV 15 15 $528,088
QC Quebec CKMI-TV 20 20 $209,231
QC Quebec CBVE-TV 25 5 $806,484
QC Quebec CFAP-TV 39 2 $4,286,719
QC Quebec CFCM-TV 49 4 $3,208,781

 

Transmitter category serving population less than 300,000 people
Qty 85 -UHF STATIONS
1-40Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
Province City Call sign DTV channel NTSC channel Cost
AB Bow Island CJIL-TV-1 39 39 $208,638 each station.
AB Grande Prairie CBXFT-8 19 19
AB Grouard Mission CFRN-TV-8 18 18
AB Lethbridge CBXFT-3 23 23
AB Lethbridge CJIL-TV 17 17
AB Medicine Hat CBXFT-11 34 34
AB Red Deer CBXFT-4 31 31
AB Burmis CBRT-8 32 47
AB Burmis CJIL-TV-2 51 55
AB Plamondon/Lac Labiche CBXFT-9 21 22
BC Dawson Creek CBUFT-5 33 33
BC Chilliwack CBUFT-6 15 14
BC Enderby CBUT-44 26 26
BC Enderby CHBC-TV-5 16 16
BC Fernie CBUBT-8 21 21
BC Kamloops CBUFT-2 50 50
BC Kelowna CBUFT-1 21 21
BC New Denver CBUCT-6 17 17
BC Penticton CBUT-40 17 17
BC Radium Hot Springs CBUBT-5 17 17
BC Vernon CBUT-41 18 18
BC Wilson Creek CHAN-TV-6 23 23
BC Spillimacheen CBUBT-6 39 69
MB Manigotagan CBWGT-3 22 22
NB Fredericton CBAFT-10 19 19
NB St-Stephen CIHF-TV-12 21 21
NS Antigonish CIHF-TV-15 21 21
NS Mulgrave CIHF-TV-16 28 28
NS New Glasgow CBHFT-7 15 15
NS Truro CIHF-TV-4 18 18
NS Digby CBHFT-6 17 58
ON Maynooth CBOT-4 48 51
ON Barry's Bay CBOT-2 19 19
ON Fort Frances CBWFT-11 15 15
ON Hawkesbury CHLF-TV-2 39 39
ON Mcarthur's Mills CBOT-5 33 33
ON Nipigon CBLK-TV 16 16
ON Nipigon CBLFT-19 26 26
ON Sarnia CBLN-TV-2 34 34
ON Sault Ste Marie CBLFT-20 26 26
ON Sault Ste Marie CHCH-TV-5 38 38
ON Normandale CBLN-TV-6 42 44
ON Wawa CBLFT-23 16 16
ON North Bay CHCH-TV-6 22 32
ON Barrie CBLFT-11 42 55
ON Prescott CKWS-TV-2 48 26
ON Brighton CKWS-TV-1 30 66
ON Parry Sound CICE-TV-11 31 42
ON Chatham CBLN-TV-3 42 64
ON Smiths Falls CKWS-TV-3 47 36
ON Temagami CBCQ-TV-1 18 15
ON Mattawa CBLFT-27 43 26
QC Lac-Etchemin CBVT-4 22 55
QC Port-Daniel CBVF-TV 19 16
QC Thetford-Mines CBVT-9 23 21
QC Thetford-Mines CBMT-4 42 32
QC Alma CBJET-1 32 32
QC Baie-Comeau CBMIT 28 28
QC Chandler CBVB-TV 23 23
QC Chapeau CIVP-TV 23 23
QC Escuminac CBVA-TV 18 18
QC Gaspé CBVG-TV 18 18
QC Gaspé CIVK-TV-3 35 35
QC Ile du Havre Aubert CBIMT-1 16 16
QC Maniwaki CBVU-TV 15 15
QC Mont-Louis CBGAT-10 19 19
QC Mont-St-Michel CBFT-9 16 16
QC New-Richmond CBVR-TV 27 27
QC Percé CBVP-TV 14 14
QC Percé CIVK-TV-2 40 40
QC Rimouski CJPC-TV 18 18
QC Rivière-St-Paul CBST-16 21 21
QC St-Fulgence CKTV-TV-1 27 27
QC Stoneham CBVT-8 44 44
QC St-René-de-Matane CBGAT-7 30 30
QC Ste-Famille CBVT-2 43 55
QC Chicoutimi CBJET 21 58
SK Bellegarde CBKFT-9 26 26
SK Debden CBKFT-3 22 22
SK Gravelbourg CBKFT-6 39 39
SK Leoville CBKFT-11 31 31
SK Moose Jaw CBKFT-10 16 16
SK Ponteix CBKFT-7 22 22
SK Willow Bunch CBKFT-8 21 21
SK Zenon Park CBKFT-5 21 21
Qty 24 - UHF STATIONS
41-150Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
AB Forestburg CBXT-12 35 52 $229,763 each station
BC Kelowna CBUT-38 45 45
MB Brandon CBWFT-10 21 21
MB Oak Lake CBWFT-12 32 32
NB Miramichi City CIHF-TV-13 40 40
NS Digby CBHT-7 19 52
NS New Glasgow CIHF-TV-8 34 34
NS Yarmouth CJCH-TV-7 40 40
NS Yarmouth CIHF-TV-10 45 45
NS Truro CBHT-8 42 55
ON Hawkesbury CICO-TV-96 48 48
ON Fort Erie CIII-TV-55 48 55
ON Little Current CBCE-TV 16 16
ON Manitouwage CBLFT-25 15 15
ON Peterborough CBLFT-12 42 44
ON Penetanguishene CBLFT-15 34 34
ON Sault Ste Marie CICO-TV-20 20 20
ON Sudbury CHCH-TV-4 41 41
ON Sarnia-Oil Springs CBLFT-17 17 68
PE Charlottetown CIHF-TV-14 42 42
QC New-Carlisle CBVN-TV 38 45
QC Sherbrooke CBMT-3 50 50
SK Gravelbourg CBKGT 45 45
SK North Battleford CBKFT-12 41 41
Qty 10 - UHF STATIONS
151-450Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
BC Fraser Valley CHNU-TV 47 66 $312 213 each station
MB Piney CBWT-3 29 29
NB Woodstock CIHF-TV-11 38 38
ON Foymount CBOT-1 14 59
ON Chatham CICO-TV-59 33 59
ON Pembroke CHLF-TV-13 16 17
ON Cloyne CICO-TV-92 44 55
QC Trois-Rivières CBMT-1 28 28
QC Rivière-du-Loup CFTF-TV 29 29
QC Carleton CFTF-TV-11 44 44
Qty 17 - UHF STATIONS
451W-1,1KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
AB Red Deer CBXT-13 22 22 $394,303 each station
NB Moncton CIHF-TV-3 27 27
NS Middleton CBHFT-5 46 46
NS Wolfville CIHF-TV-5 20 20
ON Penetanguishene CICA-TV-51 29 51
ON Kingston CBLFT-14 36 32
ON Pembroke CICE-TV-16 28 29
ON Kenora CICO-TV-91 44 44
ON Belleville CICO-TV-53 26 53
ON Kingston CICO-TV-38 38 38
ON Barrie CBLT-TV-1 16 16
PE Charlottetown CBAFT-5 32 31
QC Sherbrooke CFKS-TV 41 30
QC Carleton CIVK-TV 15 15
QC Sherbrooke CIVS-TV 24 24
QC Val-d'Or CFVS-TV 25 25
QC Rouyn-Noranda CFVS-TV-1 20 20
Qty 15- UHF STATIONS
1,1-2,1KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
ON Wheatley CHWI-TV 16 16 $446,550 each station
ON Mcarthur's Mills CICO-TV-93 46 42
ON Belleville CBLFT-13 15 15
ON Sudbury CICO-TV-19 19 19
ON Sudbury CHLF-TV-1 25 25
ON Sarnia-Oil Springs CIII-TV-29 29 29
ON Peterborough CICO-TV-74 18 18
ON Orillia CFTO-TV-21 21 21
ON Stevenson CIII-TV-22 22 22
ON Sarnia CKCO-TV-3 27 42
ON Muskoka CHCH-TV-3 23 67
ON Wiarton CBLN-TV-5 35 20
QC Grand-Fonds CIVB-TV-1 31 31
QC Gascons CIVK-TV-1 32 32
QC Trois-Rivières CFKM-TV 34 16
Qty 7- UHF STATIONS
2,1-4KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
ON Peterborough CFTO-TV-54 35 54 $550,800 each station
ON Pembroke CJOH-TV-47 36 47
ON Peterborough CIII-TV-27 27 27
ON Woodstock CITY-TV-2 31 31
ON Wingham CBLN-TV-4 45 45
QC Rimouski CIVB-TV 22 22
QC Trois-Rivières CIVC-TV 46 45
Qty 61 - VHF STATIONS
1-40Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Jean D'Or CBXAT-9 13 13 $218,964 each station
BC Bonnington Falls CBUDT 13 13
BC Burns Lake CH4333 7 7
BC Burns Lake CKHS-TV 13 13
BC Chetwynd CBCD-TV-2 7 7
BC Fernie CBUBT-9 8 8
BC Fraser Lake CFFL-TV-1 9 9
BC Golden CBUBT-2 13 13
BC Hazelton CHHZ-TV 9 9
BC Houston CFHO-TV 8 8
BC Nelson CBUCT 9 9
BC Ootsa Lake CH4467 5 5
BC Penticton CHBC-TV-1 13 13
BC Purden Lake CBUHT-1 10 10
BC Smithers CBCY-TV-2 5 5
BC Smithers CFHO-TV-1 13 13
MB Flin Flon CKYF-TV 13 13
MB Grand Rapids CBWHT 8 8
MB Pine Falls CBWFT-6 11 11
MB The Pas CBWFT-1 6 6
MB The Pas CBWIT 7 7
MB The Pas CKYP-TV 12 12
MB Thompson CBWTT 7 7
NF Clarenville CJCV-TV 11 11
NF Millertown CBNAT-5 9 9
NF Sunnyside CBNT-41 9 9
NS Aspen CBHT-14 5 5
NS Dingwall CBIT-16 12 12
NT Fort Providence CBEBT-3 13 13
NT Hay River CBEBT-1 7 7
NT Inuvik CHAK-TV 6 6
NT Rae-Edzo CFYK-TV-1 10 10
NT Yellowknife CFYK-TV 8 8
NT Yellowknife CHTY-TV 11 11
NT Yellowknife CH4127 13 13
ON Dryden CBWDT 9 9
ON Sioux Lookout CBWDT-1 12 12
PE Elmira CBCT-2 11 11
QC Chandler CHAU-TV-4 6 6
QC Fermont CBFT-13 7 7
QC Fermont CBMRT 9 9
QC Grande-Vallée CBGAT-3 6 6
QC Havre-St-Pierre CBST-1 12 12
QC La Tabatière CBMLT 10 10
QC La Tuque CBMET 9 9
QC L'Anse-à-Valleau CHAU-TV-9 12 12
QC Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan CBST-18 6 6
QC Matagami CJDG-TV-4 9 9
QC Radisson CFBJ-TV 10 10
QC Radisson CJBJ-TV 13 13
QC Rivière-St-Paul CBMPT 11 11
QC Schefferville CBSET-1 7 7
QC Schefferville CBFT-8 9 9
QC Waskaganish CBFHT 9 9
SK Big River CIPA-TV-2 7 7
SK Ile-A-La-Crosse CBKCT 9 9
SK Palmbere Lake CBKDT-1 8 8
SK Southend CBKST-8 13 13
SK Uranium City CBKAT 8 8
YT Dawson CBDDT 7 7
YT Watson Lake CBDAT 8 8
Qty 127 - VHF STATIONS
41-150Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Burmis CFCN-TV-4 5 5 $237,214 each station
AB Chateh CBXAT-7 5 5
AB High Level CBXAT-4 8 8
AB Hinton CBXT-3 8 8
AB Lac La Biche CBXT-5 10 10
AB Peace River CBXFT-5 9 9
AB Rocky Mountain House CFRN-TV-10 12 12
AB Slave Lake CBXAT-11 11 11
AB Whitecourt CFRN-TV-3 12 12
AB Slave Lake CFRN-TV-9 5 4
BC 100 Mile House CFJC-TV-6 5 5
BC Alert Bay CBUT-16 11 11
BC Canal Flats CBUBT-1 12 12
BC Clinton CFJC-TV-4 9 9
BC Courtenay CBUT-1 9 9
BC Cranbrook CFCN-TV-9 5 5
BC Cranbrook CBUBT-7 10 10
BC Fort Fraser CBCB-TV-2 13 13
BC Fort Nelson CBUGT 8 8
BC Fort St John CBCD-TV-3 9 9
BC Oliver CHBC-TV-3 8 8
BC Oliver CBUT-42 6 6
BC Ootsa Lake CHBL-TV 11 11
BC Ootsa Lake CHHH-TV 10 10
BC Penticton CHKL-TV-1 10 10
BC Salmon Arm CHBC-TV-4 9 9
BC Sparwood CBUBT-10 11 11
BC Terrace CBUFT-3 11 11
BC Valemount CBUHT-5 12 12
BC Vernon CHBC-TV-2 7 7
BC Vernon CHKL-TV-2 12 12
BC Whistler CBUWT 13 13
BC Woss Camp CBUT-13 12 12
MB Flin Flon CBWBT 10 10
MB Jackhead CBWGT-1 5 5
MB Leaf Rapids CBWQT 13 13
MB Little Grand Rapids CBWZT 9 9
MB Mccusker Lake CBWUT 10 10
MB Melita CKX-TV-2 9 9
MB Thompson CKYT-TV 9 9
NF Carmanville CBNAT-7 7 7
NF Clarenville CBNT-10 7 7
NF Conche CBNAT-8 12 12
NF Corner Brook CJWN-TV 10 10
NF Deer Lake CBYAT 12 12
NF Deer Lake CJLW-TV 8 8
NF Goose Bay CHTG-TV 12 12
NF Hampden CBNAT-23 13 13
NF Labrador City CBFT-12 11 11
NF Labrador City CBNLT 13 13
NF Marystown CJMA-TV 11 11
NF Portland Creek CBYT-8 13 13
NF Ramea CBNT-25 13 13
NF Red Rocks CJRR-TV 11 11
NF Rose Blanche CBYT-11 9 9
NF Springdale CBNAT-13 13 13
NF St Alban's CBNT-4 9 9
NF St Mary's CBNT-6 10 10
NF St Vincent's CBNT-26 7 7
NS Bridgewater CIHF-TV-6 9 9
NS Cheticamp CBHFT-4 10 10
NS Inverness CBIT-19 8 8
NS Isle Madame CIMC-TV 10 10
NS Liverpool CBHT-1 12 12
NU Cape Dorset CBEJT 9 9
ON Chapleau CITO-TV-4 8 9
ON Atikokan CBWCT-1 7 7
ON Chapleau CBCU-TV 7 7
ON Fort Albany CBLDT 8 8
ON Geraldton CBLFT-26 7 7
ON Gogama CBLFT-21 12 12
ON Hearst CBLFT-5 7 7
ON Kapuskasing CITO-TV-1 10 10
ON Kenora CJBN-TV 13 13
ON Kenora CBWAT 8 8
ON Marathon CBLAT-4 11 11
ON Red Lake CBWET 10 10
ON Timmins CHCH-TV-7 11 11
ON White River CBLAT-2 12 12
PE St Edward CBAFT-6 9 9
PE St Edward CKCW-TV-2 5 5
QC Baie-Comeau CBST-19 10 7
QC Aguanish CBST-7 8 8
QC Baie-Comeau CFTF-TV-5 9 9
QC Beauceville CBVT-6 6 6
QC Blanc-Sablon CBMST 5 5
QC Carleton CHAU-TV 5 5
QC Chandler CBGAT-15 8 8
QC Chapeau CBOFT-1 11 11
QC Chibougamau CBFAT 5 5
QC Cloridorme CBGAT-16 8 8
QC Gaspé CBGAT-17 9 9
QC Gaspé CHAU-TV-6 7 7
QC Harrington-Harbour CBST-11 8 8
QC Harrington-Harbour CBMUT 13 13
QC Jonquière CKTV-TV 12 12
QC Joutel CJDG-TV-3 11 11
QC Lac-Mégantic CBVT-3 12 12
QC Mont-Climont CBGAT-1 13 13
QC Port-Daniel CBGAT-21 7 7
QC Radisson CBFRT 8 8
QC Rimouski CFER-TV 11 11
QC Rivière-au-Renard CHAU-TV-7 4 4
QC Sept-Îles CFTF-TV-7 7 7
QC Sept-Îles CBST 13 13
QC Sept-Îles CFER-TV-2 5 5
QC Sherbrooke CKMI-TV-2 11 11
QC Sherbrooke CKSH-TV 9 9
QC St-Fabien-de-Panet CBVT-5 13 13
QC Temiscaming CBFST-2 12 12
SK Beauval CBKBT 7 7
SK Buffalo Narrows CBKDT 11 11
SK Fond Du Lac CBKAT-2 10 10
SK Hudson Bay CICC-TV-3 11 11
SK Hudson Bay CBKT-10 9 9
SK Island Falls CBWBT-2 7 7
SK La Ronge CBKST-2 12 12
SK Montreal Lake CBKST-5 11 11
SK Nipawin CBKST-15 10 10
SK Pelican Narrows CBWBT-3 5 5
SK Riverhurst CBKT-5 10 10
SK St Brieux CBKFT-4 7 7
SK Stanley Mission CBKST-4 8 8
SK Stony Rapids CBKAT-3 7 7
YT Whitehorse CBFT-15 7 7
YT Whitehorse CHWT-TV 11 11
Qty 91 - VHF STATIONS
151-500Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Athabasca CFRN-TV-12 13 13 $338,464 each station
AB Athabasca CBXT-1 8 8
AB Bonnyville CKSA-TV-2 9 9
AB Etzikom CBCA-TV-1 12 12
AB Fort Mcmurray CBXT-6 9 9
AB Fort Mcmurray CBXFT-6 12 12
AB Fort Vermilion CBXAT-5 11 11
AB Grande Prairie CFRN-TV-1 13 13
AB Lougheed CFRN-TV-7 7 7
AB Manning CBXAT-3 12 12
AB Medicine Hat CFCN-TV-8 8 8
AB Peace River CBXAT-1 7 7
AB Red Deer CFRN-TV-6 8 8
AB Whitecourt CBXT-2 7 9
BC Campbell River CHEK-TV-5 13 13
BC Courtenay CHAN-TV-4 11 11
BC Crawford Bay CBUCT-1 5 5
BC Dawson Creek CJDC-TV 5 5
BC Mcbride CBUHT-3 6 6
BC Port Hardy CBUT-19 6 6
MB Dauphin CKYD-TV 12 12
MB Fairford CBWGT-2 7 7
MB Fisher Branch CBWGT 10 10
MB Gods Lake Narrow CBWXT 13 13
MB Waasagomach CBWWT 9 9
MB Dauphin CBWST 9 8
NB Bon Accord CBAT-TV-1 6 6
NB Chatham CBAT-TV-3 6 6
NB Edmundston CBAFT-2 13 13
NB Edmundston CIMT-TV-1 4 4
NB Moncton CBAT-TV-2 7 7
NB Moncton CBAFT 11 11
NB Saint John CKLT-TV 9 9
NB Upsalquitch CKAM-TV 12 12
NF Cow Head CBYT-6 8 8
NF Goose Bay CFLA-TV 8 8
NF Marystown CBNT-3 5 5
NF Musgrave Harbour CBNAT-11 9 9
NF Placentia CBNT-2 12 12
NF Port Au Port CBFNT 13 13
NF Roddickton CBNAT-22 11 11
NF St Andrew's CBYT-5 6 6
NF St Anthony CBNAT-4 6 6
NF Stephenville CBYT-1 8 8
NF Wesleyville CBNT-9 5 5
NS Canning CJCH-TV-1 10 10
NS Middleton CBHT-6 8 8
NS Sheet Harbour CBHT-4 11 11
NS Shelburne CBHT-2 7 7
NS Sydney CBHFT-3 13 13
NS Yarmouth CBHT-3 11 11
ON Chapleau CBLFT-22 13 13
ON Elliot Lake CBEC-TV 7 7
ON Geraldton CBLGT 13 13
ON Hearst CBCC-TV 5 5
ON Kapuskasing CBLFT-4 12 12
ON Manitouwage CBLAT-1 8 8
ON Midland CIII-TV-7 7 7
ON Sturgeon Falls CBLFT-1 7 7
ON Sudbury CBLFT-2 13 13
ON Thunder Bay CBLFT-18 12 12
ON Timmins CIII-TV-13 13 13
PE Charlottetown CBCT 13 13
QC Forestville CFTF-TV-4 4 4
QC Iles-de-la-Madeleine CBIMT 12 12
QC Iles-de-la-Madeleine CBMYT 7 7
QC Malartic CBVD-TV 5 5
QC Matane CBGAT 6 6
QC Mont-Tremblant CBFT-1 11 11
QC Murdochville CBGAT-2 10 10
QC Percé CHAU-TV-5 13 13
QC Percé CBGAT-20 11 11
QC Rivière-au-Tonnerre CBST-6 7 7
QC Rivière-du-Loup CIMT-TV 9 9
QC Roberval CJPM-TV-1 10 10
QC Sherbrooke CHLT-TV 7 7
QC Ste-Marguerite-Marie CHAU-TV-1 3 3
QC Trois-Rivières CKTM-TV 13 13
SK Alticane CIPA-TV-1 10 10
SK Fort Qu'Appelle CKCK-TV-7 7 7
SK Greenwater Lake CBKST-11 4 4
SK La Loche CBKDT-2 13 13
SK Meadow Lake CBCS-TV-1 8 8
SK Moose Jaw CBKT-1 4 4
SK Nipawin CKBQ-TV-1 12 12
SK Norquay CICC-TV-2 7 7
SK Saskatoon CFQC-TV 8 8
SK Stranraer CBKST-1 9 9
SK Willow Bunch CKCK-TV-2 6 6
SK Willow Bunch CBKT-2 10 10
SK Wynyard CBKT-8 6 6
Qty 52 - VHF STATIONS
501W-1,1KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Ashmont CFRN-TV-4 12 12 $396,088 each station
AB Bonnyville CBXFT-1 6 6
AB Drumheller CFCN-TV-1 12 12
AB Falher CBXFT-2 6 6
AB Grande Prairie CBXAT 10 10
AB Lloydminster CITL-TV 4 4
AB Red Deer CITV-TV-1 10 10
BC Prince George CIFG-TV 12 12
BC Trail CBUAT 11 11
MB Fisher Branch CKYA-TV 8 8
MB Portage La Prairie CHMI-TV 13 13
NB Campbellton CBAFT-7 9 9
NB Saint John CIHF-TV-2 12 12
NF Bonavista CJWB-TV 10 10
NF Corner Brook CBYT 5 5
NF Fox Harbour CBNAT-10 7 7
NF Grand Falls CBNAT 11 11
NF Mt St Margaret CBNAT-9 9 9
NF Port Rexton CBNT-1 13 13
NF St John's CBNT 8 8
NS Antigonish CJCB-TV-2 9 9
NS Caledonia CJCH-TV-6 6 6
NS Inverness CJCB-TV-1 6 6
NS Mulgrave CBHFT-2 7 7
ON Dryden CBWFT-9 6 6
ON Elliot Lake CBLFT-6 12 12
ON Fort Frances CBWCT 5 5
ON Huntsville CICA-TV-13 13 13
ON Kearns CITO-TV-2 11 11
ON Kingston CKWS-TV 11 11
ON North Bay CICA-TV-6 6 6
ON Paris CIII-TV 6 6
ON Sudbury CFGC-TV 11 11
ON Thunder Bay CICO-TV-9 9 9
ON Timmins CBLFT-3 9 9
ON Wawa CHBX-TV-1 7 7
ON Wawa CBLAT-3 9 9
PE Charlottetown CKCW-TV-1 8 8
QC Rivière-du-Loup CKRT-TV 7 7
QC Rouyn-Noranda CIVA-TV-1 8 8
QC Rouyn-Noranda CFEM-TV 13 13
QC Trois-Rivières CHEM-TV 8 8
SK Carlyle Lake CIEW-TV 7 7
SK Leoville CBKST-3 12 12
SK Norquay CBKT-9 13 13
SK Prince Albert CIPA-TV 9 9
SK Prince Albert CBKST-9 5 5
SK Regina CFRE-TV 11 11
SK Saskatoon CBKST 11 11
SK Shaunavon CBCP-TV-1 7 7
SK Swift Current CBKT-4 5 5
SK Swift Current CKMC-TV 12 12
Qty 34- VHF STATIONS
1,1-2,3KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Coronation CBXT-14 10 10 $667,119 each station
AB Lethbridge CISA-TV 7 7
AB Lethbridge CBRT-6 10 10
AB Lethbridge CFCN-TV-5 13 13
AB Rosemary CBRT-5 11 11
BC Courtenay CKVU-TV-1 5 5
MB Foxwarren CKX-TV-1 11 11
NS Mulgrave CBHT-11 12 12
NS Sydney CIHF-TV-7 11 11
ON Huntsville CKNY-TV-11 11 11
ON North Bay CKNY-TV 10 10
ON Owen Sound CICA-TV-12 12 12
ON Peterborough CHEX-TV 12 12
ON Sudbury CBLT-6 9 9
ON Timmins CBLT-7 6 6
QC Baie-Trinité CIVF-TV 12 12
QC Chicoutimi CJPM-TV 6 6
QC Chicoutimi CIVV-TV 8 8
QC Sept-Îles CIVG-TV 9 9
QC Ste-Anne-des-Monts CBGAT-11 8 8
QC Val-d'Or CIVA-TV 12 12
QC Val-d'Or CFEM-TV-1 10 10
QC Val-d'Or CJDG-TV 7 7
SK Colgate CKCK-TV-1 12 12
SK Golden Prairie CKMC-TV-1 10 10
SK Moose Jaw CKMJ-TV 7 7
SK North Battleford CFQC-TV-2 6 6
SK North Battleford CBKST-10 7 7
SK Regina CBKT 9 9
SK Regina CBKFT 13 13
SK Saskatoon CBKFT-1 13 13
SK Wynyard CIWH-TV 12 12
SK Yorkton CICC-TV 10 10
SK Yorkton CBKT-6 5 5
Qty 2- VHF STATIONS
2,3 - 3,7KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
BC Trail CKTN-TV 8 8 $701,963 each station
ON Timmins CICA-TV-7 7 7
Qty 118- Different channel NOTE: including stations moving from L-VHF to H-VHF, H-VHF to L-VHF, VHF to UHF and UHF to VHF.
AB Burmis CISA-TV-1 9 3 $386,476
AB Coutts/Milkriver CBRT-16 9 4 $490,164
AB High Prairie CBXAT-2 39 2 $4,249,038
AB Hinton CBXFT-7 13 3 $487,076
AB Lac La Biche CFRN-TV-5 7 2 $561,288
AB Lethbridge CKAL-TV-1 46 2 $4,270,000
AB Lloydminster CKSA-TV 13 2 $1,089,125
AB Medicine Hat CHAT-TV 36 6 $4,268,994
AB Peace River CFRN-TV-2 15 3 $4,250,919
AB Pivot CHAT-TV-1 13 4 $852,975
AB Red Deer CHCA-TV 28 6 $4,262,744
AB Red Deer CKEM-TV-1 45 4 $4,257,638
BC 100 Mile House CITM-TV 7 3 $488,214
BC Burns Lake CBCY-TV-1 32 4 $3,157,256
BC Chilliwack CBUT-2 7 3 $1,042,869
BC Creston CBUCT-2 7 3 $488,620
BC Houston CBCY-TV 22 2 $1,170,431
BC Kamloops CHKM-TV 11 6 $1,075,881
BC Kamloops CFJC-TV 13 4 $1,075,881
BC Kelowna CHBC-TV 8 2 $487,158
BC Kelowna CHKL-TV 24 5 $854,081
BC Nelson CKTN-TV-3 7 3 $387,208
BC Oliver/Osoyoos CKKM-TV 12 3 $487,645
BC Pemberton CBUPT 7 4 $842,656
BC Prince George CBUFT-4 14 4 $295,169
BC Prince George CKPG-TV 34 2 $3,160,756
BC Prince Rupert CFTK-TV-1 7 6 $488,783
BC Salmon Arm CBUT-43 33 3 $615,238
BC Terrace CFTK-TV 35 3 $708,975
MB Brandon CKX-TV 49 5 $1,286,238
MB Brandon CKYB-TV 50 4 $1,294,263
MB Flin Flon CBWFT-2 8 3 $322,720
MB Lac Du Bonnet CBWT-2 21 4 $4,254,413
MB Mafeking CBWYT 10 2 $1,238,438
MB Mccreary CKX-TV-3 19 11 $3,155,156
MB Minnedosa CKND-TV-2 44 2 $3,215,356
MB Ste Rose Du Lac CBWFT-4 14 3 $859,321
MB Thompson CBWFT-5 11 5 $487,888
NB Allardville CBAFT-3 36 3 $4,261,400
NB Campbellton CKCD-TV 21 7 $3,169,756
NB Campbellton CBAT-TV-4 34 4 $854,878
NB Florenceville CKLT-TV-1 24 3 $3,161,156
NB Fredericton CBAFT-1 31 5 $3,184,000
NB Fredericton CIHF-TV-1 44 11 $3,184,000
NB Moncton CKCW-TV 29 2 $3,168,106
NB Saint John CBAT-TV 42 4 $933,988
NF Argentia CJOM-TV 45 3 $3,174,325
NF Baie Verte CBNAT-1 22 3 $3,179,163
NF Bonne Bay CBYT-3 50 2 $3,168,413
NF Grand Bank CJOX-TV-1 43 2 $3,168,413
NF Grand Falls CJCN-TV 44 4 $3,179,431
NF Hawke's Bay CBYT-9 24 4 $610,281
NF Hermitage CBNT-24 24 4 $3,157,394
NF Port Aux Basques CBYT-4 25 3 $769,596
NF St John's CBFJ-TV 17 4 $402,478
NF St John's CJON-TV 42 6 $3,176,475
NF Stephenville CJSV-TV 14 4 $3,163,838
NF Trepassey CBNT-39 17 4 $572,438
NS Caledonia CBHT-9 30 2 $277,069
NS Cheticamp CBIT-2 50 2 $3,164,381
NS New Glasgow CBHT-5 47 4 $3,170,563
NS Port Hawkesbury CJCB-TV-6 41 3 $3,170,563
NS Sheet Harbour CJCH-TV-5 44 2 $618,319
NS Shelburne CIHF-TV-9 28 10 $503,406
NS Sydney CJCB-TV 14 4 $3,170,563
NS Sydney CBIT 36 5 $3,179,969
NS Yarmouth CBHFT-1 50 3 $4,260,594
ON Bancroft CIII-TV-2 8 2 $864,025
ON Barrie CKVR-TV 10 3 $993,800
ON Chatham CBLFT-10 12 48 $480,925
ON Cornwall CJOH-TV-8 45 8 $4,274,569
ON Deseronto CJOH-TV-6 49 6 $4,265,969
ON Elliot Lake CICI-TV-1 30 3 $4,241,513
ON Hearst CITO-TV-3 42 4 $4,258,981
ON Huntsville CBLT-TV-2 45 8 $4,265,163
ON Kapuskasing CBLT-9 17 2 $4,255,756
ON Kearns CBLT-8 28 2 $4,254,950
ON Kenora CBWFT-7 50 2 $4,249,038
ON North Bay CFGC-TV-2 32 2 $4,252,531
ON North Bay CBLT-4 38 4 $4,264,894
ON Owen Sound CIII-TV-4 26 4 $4,264,963
ON Pembroke CBOT-6 39 3 $4,271,075
ON Pembroke CHRO-TV 51 5 $4,266,506
ON Sault Ste Marie CHBX-TV 13 2 $1,080,356
ON Sault Ste Marie CBLT-5 21 5 $4,260,325
ON Sudbury CICI-TV 8 5 $962,931
ON Thunder Bay CHFD-TV 46 4 $3,215,356
ON Thunder Bay CKPR-TV 49 2 $3,184,031
ON Timmins CITO-TV 48 3 $4,260,862
ON Wiarton CKCO-TV-2 17 2 $4,281,288
ON Wingham CKNX-TV 33 8 $4,273,225
PE St Edward CBCT-1 26 4 $503,681
QC Bearn/Fabre CKRN-TV-3 7 3 $1,347,089
QC Blanc-Sablon CBST-17 8 3 $462,031
QC Carleton CBGAT-14 47 2 $1,170,706
QC Chibougamau CBMCT 8 4 $459,513
QC Cloridorme CHAU-TV-8 16 11 $328,600
QC Jonquière CFRS-TV 13 4 $785,888
QC La Tabatière CBST-13 7 4 $487,645
QC La Tuque CBFT-14 11 3 $1,084,119
QC Mont-Laurier CBFT-2 44 3 $4,254,950
QC Radisson CH2440 7 6 $313,726
QC Rapides-des-Joachims CBOFT-2 31 8 $340,784
QC Rimouski CJBR-TV 45 2 $3,155,856
QC Rivière-au-Renard CBGAT-22 25 2 $4,231,031
QC Rouyn-Noranda CKRN-TV 9 4 $956,106
QC Sept-Îles CBSET 11 3 $982,500
QC St-Michel-des-Saints CBFT-3 31 7 $4,255,756
QC St-Pamphile CBSPT 27 3 $338,753
SK Cypress Hills CBCP-TV-2 27 2 $4,262,006
SK Melfort CKBQ-TV 36 2 $4,259,788
SK Ponteix CBCP-TV-3 8 3 $1,174,188
SK Prince Albert CBKFT-2 46 3 $4,256,563
SK Regina CKCK-TV 8 2 $1,270,938
SK Saskatoon CFSK-TV 42 4 $4,240,169
SK Spiritwood CBKST-13 38 2 $3,165,956
SK Stranraer CFQC-TV-1 51 3 $4,268,994
SK Warmley CBKT-7 46 3 $3,205,206


11.2 Cost breakdown for Study 2 - Limited Service Replication

Qty 95 - Transmitter category serving population greater than 300,000 people
Province City Call sign DTV channel NTSC channel Cost
AB Calgary CBRT 9 9 $377,681
AB Calgary CIAN-TV 13 13 $377,681
AB Calgary CBRFT 16 16 $210,606
AB Calgary CKCS-TV 27 32 $293,188
AB Calgary CFCN-TV 29 4 $4,280,000
AB Calgary CJCO-TV 38 38 $310,181
AB Calgary CICT-TV 41 2 $4,297,469
AB Calgary CHCA-TV-1 44 44 $235,594
AB Calgary CKAL-TV 49 5 $4,291,019
AB Edmonton CBXT 11 5 $1,371,825
AB Edmonton CITV-TV 13 13 $437,962
AB Edmonton CHCA-TV-2 17 17 $235,594
AB Edmonton CKES-TV 23 45 $295,300
AB Edmonton CJAL-TV 26 9 $479,171
AB Edmonton CBXFT 42 11 $895,188
AB Edmonton CJEO-TV 44 56 $540,269
AB Edmonton CFRN-TV 47 3 $4,302,306
AB Edmonton CKEM-TV 51 51 $439,771
BC Vancouver CHAN-TV 8 8 $226,606
BC Vancouver CKVU-TV 10 10 $236,106
BC Vancouver CIVI-TV-2 17 17 $226,606
BC Vancouver CHNM-TV 20 42 $283,975
BC Vancouver CBUFT 26 26 $226,606
BC Vancouver CIVT-TV 32 32 $327,056
BC Vancouver CBUT 43 2 $354,544
BC Victoria CHNU-TV-1 21 21 $203,606
BC Victoria CIVI-TV 40 53 $270,650
BC Victoria CHEK-TV 49 6 $730,056
MB Winnipeg CKY-TV 7 7 $442,338
MB Winnipeg CKND-TV 9 9 $442,338
MB Winnipeg CBWT 27 6 $4,327,838
MB Winnipeg CIIT-TV 35 35 $210,594
MB Winnipeg CBWFT 51 3 $1,220,269
NS Halifax CBHFT 13 13 $226,606
NS Halifax CIHF-TV 26 8 $527,800
NS Halifax CBHT 39 3 $4,298,006
NS Halifax CJCH-TV 48 5 $4,294,513
ON Hamilton CHCH-TV 11 11 $356,433
ON Hamilton CKXT-TV-1 15 45 $276,013
ON Hamilton CITS-TV 36 36 $280,713
ON Kitchener CKCO-TV 13 13 $440,619
ON Kitchener CBLFT-8 17 61 $440,809
ON Kitchener CICO-TV-28 28 28 $280,713
ON Kitchener CBLN-TV-1 29 56 $675,763
ON London CBLFT-9 7 53 $337,463
ON London CFPL-TV 10 10 $440,619
ON London CICO-TV-18 18 18 $226,606
ON London CJMT-TV-1 20 20 $210,606
ON London CHCH-TV-2 24 51 $680,788
ON London CITS-TV-2 38 14 $276,244
ON London CFMT-TV-1 48 69 $647,115
ON London CBLN-TV-1 49 40 $677,981
ON Oshawa CHEX-TV-2 22 22 $210,606
ON Ottawa CIII-TV-6 6 6 $365,808
ON Ottawa CBOFT 9 9 $214,388
ON Ottawa CJOH-TV 13 13 $362,683
ON Ottawa CJMT-TV-2 17 14 $425,571
ON Ottawa CITY-TV-3 20 65 $483,796
ON Ottawa CHCH-TV-1 22 11 $1,204,319
ON Ottawa CICO-TV-24 24 24 $243,675
ON Ottawa CBOT 25 4 $3,205,369
ON Ottawa CFMT-TV-2 27 60 $649,309
ON Ottawa CITS-TV-1 42 32 $297,738
ON Ottawa CHRO-TV-43 43 43 $280,713
ON Toronto CFTO-TV 9 9 $209,231
ON Toronto CICA-TV 19 19 $280,713
ON Toronto CBLT 20 5 $687,575
ON Toronto CBLFT 25 25 $280,713
ON Toronto CKXT-TV 40 52 $278,025
ON Toronto CIII-TV-41 41 41 $280,713
ON Toronto CJMT-TV 44 69 $473,421
ON Toronto CFMT-TV 47 47 $352,028
ON Toronto CITY-TV 51 57 $473,421
ON Windsor CBET 9 9 $377,681
ON Windsor CHWI-TV-60 25 60 $271,463
ON Windsor CICO-TV-32 32 32 $280,713
ON Windsor CBEFT 35 54 $374,219
QC Hull CIVO-TV 30 30 $280,713
QC Hull CFGS-TV 34 34 $272,106
QC Hull CHOT-TV 40 40 $243,675
QC Montreal CFTM-TV 10 10 $440,619
QC Montreal CFCF-TV 12 12 $440,619
QC Montreal CBFT 19 2 $4,266,294
QC Montreal CBMT 21 6 $3,191,581
QC Montreal CIVM-TV 26 17 $522,438
QC Montreal CFTU-TV 29 29 $210,606
QC Montreal CFJP-TV 35 35 $280,713
QC Montreal CJNT-TV 49 62 $273,881
QC Montreal CKMI-TV-1 51 46 $280,544
QC Quebec CBVT 12 11 $793,050
QC Quebec CIVQ-TV 15 15 $280,713
QC Quebec CKMI-TV 20 20 $209,231
QC Quebec CBVE-TV 25 5 $494,390
QC Quebec CFAP-TV 39 2 $4,286,719
QC Quebec CFCM-TV 49 4 $3,208,781

 

Transmitter category serving population less than 300,000 people
Qty 80 - UHF STATIONS
1-40Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
Province City Call sign DTV channel NTSC channel Cost
AB Bow Island CJIL-TV-1 39 39 $208,638 each station
AB Grande Prairie CBXFT-8 19 19
AB Grouard Mission CFRN-TV-8 18 18
AB Lethbridge CBXFT-3 23 23
AB Lethbridge CJIL-TV 17 17
AB Medicine Hat CBXFT-11 34 34
AB Red Deer CBXFT-4 31 31
BC Dawson Creek CBUFT-5 33 33
BC Enderby CBUT-44 26 26
BC Enderby CHBC-TV-5 16 16
BC Fernie CBUBT-8 21 21
BC Kamloops CBUFT-2 50 50
BC Kelowna CBUFT-1 21 21
BC Kelowna CBUT-38 45 45
BC New Denver CBUCT-6 17 17
BC Penticton CBUT-40 17 17
BC Radium Hot Springs CBUBT-5 17 17
BC Vernon CBUT-41 18 18
BC Wilson Creek CHAN-TV-6 23 23
MB Brandon CBWFT-10 21 21
MB Manigotagan CBWGT-3 22 22
MB Oak Lake CBWFT-12 32 32
NB Fredericton CBAFT-10 19 19
NB Miramichi City CIHF-TV-13 40 40
NB St-Stephen CIHF-TV-12 21 21
NS Antigonish CIHF-TV-15 21 21
NS Mulgrave CIHF-TV-16 28 28
NS New Glasgow CBHFT-7 15 15
NS New Glasgow CIHF-TV-8 34 34
NS Truro CIHF-TV-4 18 18
NS Yarmouth CJCH-TV-7 40 40
NS Yarmouth CIHF-TV-10 45 45
ON Barry's Bay CBOT-2 19 19
ON Fort Frances CBWFT-11 15 15
ON Hawkesbury CHLF-TV-2 39 39
ON Hawkesbury CICO-TV-96 48 48
ON Little Current CBCE-TV 16 16
ON Manitouwage CBLFT-25 15 15
ON Mcarthur's Mills CBOT-5 33 33
ON Nipigon CBLK-TV 16 16
ON Nipigon CBLFT-19 26 26
ON Penetanguishene CBLFT-15 34 34
ON Sarnia CBLN-TV-2 34 34
ON Sault Ste Marie CBLFT-20 26 26
ON Sault Ste Marie CHCH-TV-5 38 38
ON Sault Ste Marie CICO-TV-20 20 20
ON Sudbury CHCH-TV-4 41 41
ON Wawa CBLFT-23 16 16
PE Charlottetown CIHF-TV-14 42 42
QC Alma CBJET-1 32 32
QC Baie-Comeau CBMIT 28 28
QC Chandler CBVB-TV 23 23
QC Chapeau CIVP-TV 23 23
QC Escuminac CBVA-TV 18 18
QC Gaspé CBVG-TV 18 18
QC Gaspé CIVK-TV-3 35 35
QC Ile du Havre Aubert CBIMT-1 16 16
QC Maniwaki CBVU-TV 15 15
QC Mont-Louis CBGAT-10 19 19
QC Mont-St-Michel CBFT-9 16 16
QC New-Richmond CBVR-TV 27 27
QC Percé CBVP-TV 14 14
QC Percé CIVK-TV-2 40 40
QC Rimouski CJPC-TV 18 18
QC Rivière-St-Paul CBST-16 21 21
QC Sherbrooke CBMT-3 50 50
QC St-Fulgence CKTV-TV-1 27 27
QC Stoneham CBVT-8 44 44
QC St-René-de-Matane CBGAT-7 30 30
QC Trois-Rivières CBMT-1 28 28
SK Bellegarde CBKFT-9 26 26
SK Debden CBKFT-3 22 22
SK Gravelbourg CBKFT-6 39 39
SK Gravelbourg CBKGT 45 45
SK Leoville CBKFT-11 31 31
SK Moose Jaw CBKFT-10 16 16
SK North Battleford CBKFT-12 41 41
SK Ponteix CBKFT-7 22 22
SK Willow Bunch CBKFT-8 21 21
SK Zenon Park CBKFT-5 21 21
Qty 9 - UHF STATIONS
41-150Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
MB Piney CBWT-3 29 29 $229 763 each station
NB Moncton CIHF-TV-3 27 27
NB Woodstock CIHF-TV-11 38 38
ON Kenora CICO-TV-91 44 44
ON Kingston CICO-TV-38 38 38
QC Carleton CFTF-TV-11 44 44
QC Carleton CIVK-TV 15 15
QC Rivière-du-Loup CFTF-TV 29 29
QC Sherbrooke CIVS-TV 24 24
Qty 16 - UHF STATIONS
151-450Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
AB Red Deer CBXT-13 22 22 $312 213 each station
NS Middleton CBHFT-5 46 46
NS Wolfville CIHF-TV-5 20 20
ON Barrie CBLT-TV-1 16 16
ON Belleville CBLFT-13 15 15
ON Orillia CFTO-TV-21 21 21
ON Peterborough CICO-TV-74 18 18
ON Sarnia-Oil Springs CIII-TV-29 29 29
ON Stevenson CIII-TV-22 22 22
ON Sudbury CICO-TV-19 19 19
ON Sudbury CHLF-TV-1 25 25
ON Wheatley CHWI-TV 16 16
QC Gascons CIVK-TV-1 32 32
QC Grand-Fonds CIVB-TV-1 31 31
QC Rouyn-Noranda CFVS-TV-1 20 20
QC Val-d'Or CFVS-TV 25 25
Qty 4 - UHF STATIONS
451W-1,1KW
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from UHF to UHF.
ON Peterborough CIII-TV-27 27 27 $394 303 each station
ON Wingham CBLN-TV-4 45 45
ON Woodstock CITY-TV-2 31 31
QC Rimouski CIVB-TV 22 22
Qty 179 - VHF STATIONS
1-40Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Burmis CFCN-TV-4 5 5 $218 964 each station
AB Chateh CBXAT-7 5 5
AB Fort Vermilion CBXAT-5 11 11
AB High Level CBXAT-4 8 8
AB Hinton CBXT-3 8 8
AB Jean D'Or CBXAT-9 13 13
AB Lac La Biche CBXT-5 10 10
AB Peace River CBXFT-5 9 9
AB Rocky Mountain House CFRN-TV-10 12 12
AB Slave Lake CBXAT-11 11 11
AB Whitecourt CFRN-TV-3 12 12
BC 100 Mile House CFJC-TV-6 5 5
BC Alert Bay CBUT-16 11 11
BC Bonnington Falls CBUDT 13 13
BC Burns Lake CH4333 7 7
BC Burns Lake CKHS-TV 13 13
BC Canal Flats CBUBT-1 12 12
BC Chetwynd CBCD-TV-2 7 7
BC Clinton CFJC-TV-4 9 9
BC Courtenay CBUT-1 9 9
BC Cranbrook CFCN-TV-9 5 5
BC Cranbrook CBUBT-7 10 10
BC Fernie CBUBT-9 8 8
BC Fort Fraser CBCB-TV-2 13 13
BC Fort Nelson CBUGT 8 8
BC Fort St John CBCD-TV-3 9 9
BC Fraser Lake CFFL-TV-1 9 9
BC Golden CBUBT-2 13 13
BC Hazelton CHHZ-TV 9 9
BC Houston CFHO-TV 8 8
BC Nelson CBUCT 9 9
BC Oliver CBUT-42 6 6
BC Oliver CHBC-TV-3 8 8
BC Ootsa Lake CH4467 5 5
BC Ootsa Lake CHHH-TV 10 10
BC Ootsa Lake CHBL-TV 11 11
BC Penticton CHKL-TV-1 10 10
BC Penticton CHBC-TV-1 13 13
BC Port Hardy CBUT-19 6 6
BC Purden Lake CBUHT-1 10 10
BC Salmon Arm CHBC-TV-4 9 9
BC Smithers CBCY-TV-2 5 5
BC Smithers CFHO-TV-1 13 13
BC Sparwood CBUBT-10 11 11
BC Terrace CBUFT-3 11 11
BC Valemount CBUHT-5 12 12
BC Vernon CHBC-TV-2 7 7
BC Vernon CHKL-TV-2 12 12
BC Whistler CBUWT 13 13
BC Woss Camp CBUT-13 12 12
MB Flin Flon CBWBT 10 10
MB Flin Flon CKYF-TV 13 13
MB Gods Lake Narrow CBWXT 13 13
MB Grand Rapids CBWHT 8 8
MB Leaf Rapids CBWQT 13 13
MB Little Grand Rapids CBWZT 9 9
MB Mccusker Lake CBWUT 10 10
MB Melita CKX-TV-2 9 9
MB Pine Falls CBWFT-6 11 11
MB The Pas CBWFT-1 6 6
MB The Pas CBWIT 7 7
MB The Pas CKYP-TV 12 12
MB Thompson CBWTT 7 7
MB Thompson CKYT-TV 9 9
NF Carmanville CBNAT-7 7 7
NF Clarenville CBNT-10 7 7
NF Clarenville CJCV-TV 11 11
NF Conche CBNAT-8 12 12
NF Corner Brook CJWN-TV 10 10
NF Deer Lake CJLW-TV 8 8
NF Deer Lake CBYAT 12 12
NF Goose Bay CFLA-TV 8 8
NF Goose Bay CHTG-TV 12 12
NF Hampden CBNAT-23 13 13
NF Labrador City CBFT-12 11 11
NF Labrador City CBNLT 13 13
NF Marystown CJMA-TV 11 11
NF Millertown CBNAT-5 9 9
NF Portland Creek CBYT-8 13 13
NF Ramea CBNT-25 13 13
NF Red Rocks CJRR-TV 11 11
NF Rose Blanche CBYT-11 9 9
NF Springdale CBNAT-13 13 13
NF St Alban's CBNT-4 9 9
NF St Mary's CBNT-6 10 10
NF Sunnyside CBNT-41 9 9
NS Aspen CBHT-14 5 5
NS Bridgewater CIHF-TV-6 9 9
NS Cheticamp CBHFT-4 10 10
NS Dingwall CBIT-16 12 12
NS Inverness CBIT-19 8 8
NS Isle Madame CIMC-TV 10 10
NS Liverpool CBHT-1 12 12
NS Sydney CBHFT-3 13 13
NT Fort Providence CBEBT-3 13 13
NT Hay River CBEBT-1 7 7
NU Cape Dorset CBEJT 9 9
ON Chapleau CBCU-TV 7 7
ON Chapleau CBLFT-22 13 13
ON Dryden CBWDT 9 9
ON Geraldton CBLFT-26 7 7
ON Gogama CBLFT-21 12 12
ON Hearst CBLFT-5 7 7
ON Kapuskasing CITO-TV-1 10 10
ON Kenora CBWAT 8 8
ON Kenora CJBN-TV 13 13
ON Marathon CBLAT-4 11 11
ON Red Lake CBWET 10 10
ON Sturgeon Falls CBLFT-1 7 7
ON Timmins CHCH-TV-7 11 11
ON White River CBLAT-2 12 12
PE Elmira CBCT-2 11 11
PE St Edward CKCW-TV-2 5 5
PE St Edward CBAFT-6 9 9
QC Aguanish CBST-7 8 8
QC Baie-Comeau CFTF-TV-5 9 9
QC Blanc-Sablon CBMST 5 5
QC Chandler CHAU-TV-4 6 6
QC Chandler CBGAT-15 8 8
QC Chapeau CBOFT-1 11 11
QC Chibougamau CBFAT 5 5
QC Cloridorme CBGAT-16 8 8
QC Fermont CBFT-13 7 7
QC Fermont CBMRT 9 9
QC Gaspé CHAU-TV-6 7 7
QC Gaspé CBGAT-17 9 9
QC Grande-Vallée CBGAT-3 6 6
QC Harrington-Harbour CBST-11 8 8
QC Harrington-Harbour CBMUT 13 13
QC Havre-St-Pierre CBST-1 12 12
QC Iles-de-la-Madeleine CBIMT 12 12
QC Joutel CJDG-TV-3 11 11
QC La Tabatière CBMLT 10 10
QC La Tuque CBMET 9 9
QC Lac-Mégantic CBVT-3 12 12
QC L'Anse-à-Valleau CHAU-TV-9 12 12
QC Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan CBST-18 6 6
QC Matagami CJDG-TV-4 9 9
QC Mont-Climont CBGAT-1 13 13
QC Port-Daniel CBGAT-21 7 7
QC Radisson CBFRT 8 8
QC Radisson CFBJ-TV 10 10
QC Radisson CJBJ-TV 13 13
QC Rivière-au-Tonnerre CBST-6 7 7
QC Rivière-St-Paul CBMPT 11 11
QC Schefferville CBSET-1 7 7
QC Schefferville CBFT-8 9 9
QC Sept-Îles CFTF-TV-7 7 7
QC Sept-Îles CBST 13 13
QC St-Fabien-de-Panet CBVT-5 13 13
QC Temiscaming CBFST-2 12 12
QC Waskaganish CBFHT 9 9
SK Beauval CBKBT 7 7
SK Big River CIPA-TV-2 7 7
SK Buffalo Narrows CBKDT 11 11
SK Fond Du Lac CBKAT-2 10 10
SK Fort Qu'Appelle CKCK-TV-7 7 7
SK Hudson Bay CBKT-10 9 9
SK Hudson Bay CICC-TV-3 11 11
SK Ile-A-La-Crosse CBKCT 9 9
SK Island Falls CBWBT-2 7 7
SK La Loche CBKDT-2 13 13
SK La Ronge CBKST-2 12 12
SK Meadow Lake CBCS-TV-1 8 8
SK Montreal Lake CBKST-5 11 11
SK Nipawin CBKST-15 10 10
SK Palmbere Lake CBKDT-1 8 8
SK Pelican Narrows CBWBT-3 5 5
SK Riverhurst CBKT-5 10 10
SK Southend CBKST-8 13 13
SK St Brieux CBKFT-4 7 7
SK Stanley Mission CBKST-4 8 8
SK Stony Rapids CBKAT-3 7 7
SK Uranium City CBKAT 8 8
YT Dawson CBDDT 7 7
YT Watson Lake CBDAT 8 8
YT Whitehorse CFWH-TV 6 6
YT Whitehorse CBFT-15 7 7
YT Whitehorse CHWT-TV 11 11
Qty 89 - VHF STATIONS
41-150Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Athabasca CBXT-1 8 8 $237 214 each station
AB Athabasca CFRN-TV-12 13 13
AB Bonnyville CKSA-TV-2 9 9
AB Etzikom CBCA-TV-1 12 12
AB Fort Mcmurray CBXT-6 9 9
AB Fort Mcmurray CBXFT-6 12 12
AB Grande Prairie CBXAT 10 10
AB Grande Prairie CFRN-TV-1 13 13
AB Lougheed CFRN-TV-7 7 7
AB Manning CBXAT-3 12 12
AB Medicine Hat CFCN-TV-8 8 8
AB Peace River CBXAT-1 7 7
AB Red Deer CFRN-TV-6 8 8
BC Campbell River CHEK-TV-5 13 13
BC Courtenay CHAN-TV-4 11 11
BC Crawford Bay CBUCT-1 5 5
BC Dawson Creek CJDC-TV 5 5
BC Mcbride CBUHT-3 6 6
MB Fairford CBWGT-2 7 7
MB Fisher Branch CBWGT 10 10
MB Jackhead CBWGT-1 5 5
MB Waasagomach CBWWT 9 9
NB Campbellton CBAFT-7 9 9
NB Edmundston CIMT-TV-1 4 4
NB Edmundston CBAFT-2 13 13
NF Bonavista CJWB-TV 10 10
NF Cow Head CBYT-6 8 8
NF Fox Harbour CBNAT-10 7 7
NF Musgrave Harbour CBNAT-11 9 9
NF Placentia CBNT-2 12 12
NF Port Au Port CBFNT 13 13
NF Port Rexton CBNT-1 13 13
NF Roddickton CBNAT-22 11 11
NF St Andrew's CBYT-5 6 6
NF St Anthony CBNAT-4 6 6
NF St Vincent's CBNT-26 7 7
NF Stephenville CBYT-1 8 8
NF Wesleyville CBNT-9 5 5
NS Canning CJCH-TV-1 10 10
NS Middleton CBHT-6 8 8
NS Sheet Harbour CBHT-4 11 11
NS Shelburne CBHT-2 7 7
NS Yarmouth CBHT-3 11 11
NT Inuvik CHAK-TV 6 6
NT Rae-Edzo CFYK-TV-1 10 10
NT Yellowknife CFYK-TV 8 8
NT Yellowknife CHTY-TV 11 11
NT Yellowknife CH4127 13 13
ON Atikokan CBWCT-1 7 7
ON Dryden CBWFT-9 6 6
ON Elliot Lake CBEC-TV 7 7
ON Fort Albany CBLDT 8 8
ON Geraldton CBLGT 13 13
ON Hearst CBCC-TV 5 5
ON Huntsville CICA-TV-13 13 13
ON Kapuskasing CBLFT-4 12 12
ON Manitouwage CBLAT-1 8 8
ON Sioux Lookout CBWDT-1 12 12
ON Sudbury CBLFT-2 13 13
ON Thunder Bay CICO-TV-9 9 9
ON Thunder Bay CBLFT-18 12 12
ON Timmins CBLFT-3 9 9
ON Timmins CIII-TV-13 13 13
ON Wawa CHBX-TV-1 7 7
ON Wawa CBLAT-3 9 9
QC Beauceville CBVT-6 6 6
QC Carleton CHAU-TV 5 5
QC Forestville CFTF-TV-4 4 4
QC Iles-de-la-Madeleine CBMYT 7 7
QC Jonquière CKTV-TV 12 12
QC Malartic CBVD-TV 5 5
QC Matane CBGAT 6 6
QC Mont-Tremblant CBFT-1 11 11
QC Murdochville CBGAT-2 10 10
QC Percé CHAU-TV-5 13 13
QC Rimouski CFER-TV 11 11
QC Rivière-au-Renard CHAU-TV-7 4 4
QC Roberval CJPM-TV-1 10 10
QC Sept-Îles CFER-TV-2 5 5
QC Sherbrooke CKSH-TV 9 9
QC Sherbrooke CKMI-TV-2 11 11
QC Ste-Marguerite-Marie CHAU-TV-1 3 3
SK Alticane CIPA-TV-1 10 10
SK Greenwater Lake CBKST-11 4 4
SK Nipawin CKBQ-TV-1 12 12
SK Norquay CICC-TV-2 7 7
SK Shaunavon CBCP-TV-1 7 7
SK Willow Bunch CBKT-2 10 10
SK Wynyard CBKT-8 6 6
Qty 70 - VHF STATIONS
151-500Watts
NOTE: including station operating on the same channel NTSC in DTV and stations moving from L-VHF to L-VHF and H-VHF to H-VHF.
AB Ashmont CFRN-TV-4 12 12 $338 464 each station
AB Drumheller CFCN-TV-1 12 12
AB Falher CBXFT-2 6 6
AB Lethbridge CBRT-6 10 10
AB Lethbridge CFCN-TV-5 13 13
AB Red Deer CITV-TV-1 10 10
AB Rosemary CBRT-5 11 11
BC Courtenay CKVU-TV-1 5 5
BC Prince George CIFG-TV 12 12
BC Trail CBUAT 11 11
MB Dauphin CKYD-TV 12