How Technology and Viewer Interaction Are Changing the Way

Home , Combat Hospital, Rookie Blue

A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet A feast for the eyes tube timeline canada’s high tv’s long and quality programming storied history

August 2011 EVOLUTION OF TELEVISION

GAME CHANGERS 3TIPS How technology and viewer interaction are FOR SETTING UP THE PERFECT changing the way we watch television ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

PHOTO: ROGERS SPORTSNET

TV, entertainment and social networking all in one? Yep. Take a look inside to see how.

ASSESS YOUR HABITS BEFORE WE RECOMMEND PICKING YOUR Editor’s picks GADGETS the newest tech toys for your tv set up.

pAge 7 “tune into the latest accessories for your entertainment system.”

TV anytime, anywhere p. 2 your viewing experience isn’t limited to the living room. The analog switch p. 7 Will you be affected?

Today’s TV enthusiast isn’t just on the outside looking in. Through rapidly changing technology and increasingly popular social media initiatives, viewers are unprecedently connected to their media—and are choosier than ever about their entertainment systems. Create your ultimate entertainment experience our home enter- like a condo, apartment or town- net connection through the power tainment centre house, consider mounting your fl at- grid in your home, so it won’t mat- can be a gathering panel TV on the wall to save valuable ter if the router is two fl oors up place for several space and reduce clutter. By taking from your man cave, for instance. or a place of zen for the TV o an entertainment unit or This setup also works great when one, and no matter stand, you open up valuable space on you have an external hard drive what someone else the top level for whatever compon- or network attached storage (NAS) hasY in their home, your setup should ents you want to hook up. device connected to your rout- always be unique to you. After doing an inventory of what er with all your video, music and But what do you need to know and you’ll be hooking up, decide what photos stored on it. Using a game do to make that happen? Well, for you want to do about the visibility of console or dedicated media player starters, you need to fi gure out what all those wires and cables. You don’t box, you can stream that content Ted Kritsonis it is you actually want to do in your have to drill holes to hide them, as technology blogger over to your big screen on demand. entertainment space. Are you main- there are some neat wire storage Alternatively, you can just plug in ly a TV watcher? A movie bu ? A solutions available that might fi t MY BEST TIPS an external hard drive directly to gaming afi cionado? All of the above perfectly for you. Know your space the media player and watch with- and more? ■ Always take measurements of out any need for Internet access. Getting a good sense of what your Watching the web your space before shopping. habits are likely to be will help you Most entertainment devices, includ- ■ Drill holes to run wires only if Awesome audio understand what you need in in- ing some TVs, have some level of In- you’re absolutely sure you need or As for audio, a surround sound sys- cluding the necessary components. ternet connectivity. You can make want to. tem adds a layer of depth that is hard evOlutiOn Of televisiOn Between an HDTV, cable or satel- use of their Wi-Fi capabilities, but if ■ Contrary to what you might to match otherwise. But be prepared 1st editiOn, August 2011 lite box, game consoles, media play- you’re looking to stream high-defi n- think, music doesn’t sound better to spend some money on a decent Responsible for this issue: ers, Blu-ray players, stereo systems, ition content from the likes of Net- in 5.1 surround. system, and avoid the “Home The- Publisher: Pat Craven surround sound and any other giz- fl ix or from a laptop, you’re always ■ If you want to be able to watch atre in-a-box” products retailers sell [email protected] Designer: Penelope Graham mos that fi t in, the inevitable out- better o with a wired connection. TV remotely on your smartphone because they’re of poor quality. [email protected] come is a sort of organized chaos But how do you do that if the router or iPad, consider buying a Sling- Your home entertainment cen- Contributors: Dave Jacobs, Ted Kritsonis, Marc Saltzman, Andrew Seale that is manageable, but still begs to is far away from your entertainment box. tre can be a fun experiment in de- be streamlined. space? ■ A media player (Boxee Box, sign and functionality, so enjoy Managing Director: Gustav Aspegren [email protected] Use something called a WD TV Live Hub, Asus O!Play) is a the process and then lean back and Business Developer: Chris Vassallo Saving space HomePlug or Powerline adapter. worthwhile investment . take it all in when all is said and [email protected] If you’re living in a smaller space, These work by routing your Inter- done. Distributed within: Toronto Star, August 2011 This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve the Toronto Star or its TV—anytime, anywhere Editorial Departments. The marriage between the In- ing (with optional camera acces- ternet and the television was FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND sory) and video games. TWITTER! an inevitable one. www.facebook.com/MediaplanetCA The future is now www.twitter.com/MediaplanetCA On one hand, you’ve got an online Depending on the television manu- Mediaplanet’s business is to create new medium with limitless content and facturer, there are already hundreds customers for our advertisers by providing interactive opportunities, while of applications (“apps”)—just like readers with high-quality content that motivates them to act. mounted to your wall is a big, wide- your smartphone or tablet—to ar- screen and high-defi nition display range on your television screen. DON’T MISS! capable of delivering so much more Many users enjoy multitasking, than what’s on TV. such as watching a hockey game on And so it’s no surprise your next two-thirds of the screen, while read- TV will likely be a “smart TV,” which ing tweets on a smaller side panel. Or is sometimes referred to as “IPTV” or you might do a Google or Bing search simply “Internet TV.” to look up something you saw on a TV show—in a picture-in-picture Get wired view. ces are the TV networks you watch or satellite box (and high-speed if it weren’t for Essentially, many new HDTVs of- on your television stream video Internet connection) can “sling” fer Internet connectivity—via in- Easy upgrades on their website, too. Or your TV your television shows to you any- philo t. tegrated Wi-Fi (to join your wire- If you’re happy with your existing provider might offer services like where in the world. All you need less network) or a wired Ether- television, you can add Internet con- Rogers On Demand or Bell TV On- is software installed on your lap- farnsworth, net jack—allowing you to access nectivity with a number of small line, which lets you watch select top, or the Slingbox app for smart- online and on-demand content and relatively affordable media programming online. phones and tablets, to watch your inventor of from the comfort of your favourite boxes, including Apple TV, Boxee local TV shows, access video saved television, chair or couch. This includes video Box, LG Smart TV Upgrader or an on- Come on, get appy to a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) streaming services (like You- line-enabled Blu-ray player or video Apps for smartphones and tablets or change channels as if you were we’d still be Tube or Netflix), social network- game console. can also stream video that starts in front of your boob tube at home. ing destinations (Facebook, Twit- and stops when you want. All the This fusion between the Inter- eating frozen ter), “cloud”-based photo galler- TV to go major Canadian TV providers and net and television isn’t a trend— ies (Flickr, Picasa, etc.), personal- Another major television trend networks offer downloadable it’s here for good—and it opens radio dinners. ized radio services or customized is happening in the reverse—the apps so you can tune in wherever up a world of content, control and news, local weather, sports scores, ability to watch your favourite TV and whenever, plus there’s Netflix interactivity for television fans. —Johnny stock quotes and other informa- content on virtually any device, (eight dollars a month) and other tion. wherever life takes you. video services, too. carson With some smart TVs, there’s a Stuck at the office but want to Finally, products like the Sling- MARC SALTZMAN full web browser, Skype video call- catch your favourite show? Chan- box, when plugged into your cable [email protected] A special advertising feature by MediaPlanet A special advertising feature by MediaPlanet august 2011 · 3

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4 · August 2011 A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet INSPIRATION

SUMMER MEDICINE Berries that make you live much longer

1. Anna Silk of Showcase’s Lost Girl. 2. The cast of Global’s Combat Hospital. 3. Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear in History Television’s biopic The Kennedys. 4. The cast of Global’s prime time police thriller Rookie Blue. PHOTOS: SHAW MEDIA 4 With international eyeballs increasingly glued to the screen, Canadian programming is becoming renowned for pushing the envelope, both for its quality and for the interactive opportunities presented to viewers. A growing confi dence in Canadian content HOW WE MADE IT “It’s always part of the conversation,” TUNE IN expensive, it paid o in the end with But the partnership with the United says Freeland. “A lot of projects we have are its popularity. States started with independent Can- Next year, Canadian television will converging projects, they’re not just on the Show times The Shaw Media exec says that cre- adian writers keen eye for fi nding new celebrate 60 years. In the just- air they have a digital o ering as well.” and days ative risk is what has helped Canadian ways to bring reality to the television over-half-a-century since Can- She points to Murdoch Mysteries, a Can- ■ Rookie Blue: content evolve to the quality it is. sets. adians first began broadcasting adian-produced detective show set in turn- Thursday, 10p.m. “The sophistication of our produc- “Five to six years ago that wall start- picture and sound over the air- of-the-century Toronto. ET, Global. tion community, it’s gotten so much ed to crumble with the factual and life- waves, it has drastically evolved Freeland says the television show is a better partly because there’s been style programs,” says Shipton. taking the steps necessary to prime candidate for the interactive por- ■ Lost Girl: more money put into the shows,” says She points out that the growth of remain competitive in the tion, featuring extended episodes and Sunday, 9 p.m. Shipton. specialty TV over the last few years international community and other online content. ET, Showcase both in the States and in Canada has engage fans at home. “The fans want more and it’s a good op- Going international boosted the industry has helped keep portunity to do it,” says Freeland. ■ The Kennedys: Some shows such as Murdoch Myster- revenue fl owing. As the Internet creeps its way into every That interactivity is playing a larger role Monday, 9 p.m. ies, Flashpoint and Rookie Blue have “They’ve gained this confidence facet of daily life, pundits are quick to point in television. ET, Global seen success in the United States and that they can play in this market- out the collapse of television and a move in some cases have received syndica- place,” says Shipton of Canadian pro- towards web-based downloading and The lost experience ■ Combat tion abroad. ducers. streaming. Programs like Lost, the ABC drama about Hospital: “Look at the presence of Canadian Freeman points to another recent Christine Shipton, vice-president of ori- a group of plane crash survivors on a mys- ■ Tuesday, programming now. We certainly have coup by the Canadian programming ginal content for Shaw Media, doesn’t buy terious island really pushed the envel- 10p.m. ET, Global the Americans contacting us,” says industry—the development of Can- into that philosophy. ope when it came to o ering interactive Freeland. “People are interested in the ada’s Got Talent. “From original content perspective, components. Canadian presence and the Canadian The program will follow the same we’re focusing on the television—where The Internet buzzed with everything voice.” format as its American counterpart. the bulk of eyeballs and revenue is,” she from online exclusive webisodes, to video Fear of American infl uence has al- As part of its interactive component, says. “There are some loyal fans that like to games and forums discussing the show, ways helped to shape Canadian pro- those trying out will post their vid- stream (shows) over the Internet, but it’s helping to boost viewership and participa- gramming and in many cases the eos to Youtube and will ultimately be still about developing and commissioning tion in the show. regulations and restrictions that gov- chosen based on those videos. great shows.” Shipton says creative risks are part of the erned it. “That just says how important the That’s not to say the interactive com- industry. “Projects like Combat Hospital and interactive part is,” says Freeland. ponents don’t play a large role in the show, “You could imagine listening to that Rookie Blue are a testament to how our according to Claire Freeland, director of idea in the boardroom—what a risky, risky indigenous programming is compet- development and production for Rogers yes that was (by the network execs),” says ing with the international commun- ANDREW SEALE Media Television. Shipton, noting that even though it was ity,” adds Freeland. [email protected] A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet August 2011 · 5

INSPIRATION TIP 2

PICK AN ONLINE OPTION FOR DON’T MISS! COVERAGE IF YOU’RE ALWAYS ON THE GO A celebration of Canadian programming This year marks the 26th annual Gemini 2 Awards, awarding the best of Canadian TV. Tune in September 7th at 8 p.m. to catch the honours.

Best Comedy Program or Series: ■ 22 Minutes, CBC ■ Call Me Fitz, HBO Canada ■ Good Dog, The Movie Network/ Movie Central ■ Ha!ifax Comedy Fest 2010, CBC ■ Living in Your Car, The Movie Network/Movie Central ■ Rick Mercer Report, CBC

Best Dramatic Series ■ The Borgias, Bravo!/CTV ■ Endgame, Showcase ■ Flashpoint, CTV ■ Skins, The Movie Network/ Movie Central ■ The Tudors, CBC

Best Dramatic Mini-Series or TV Movie ■ Fakers, The Movie Network/ Movie Central ■ The Kennedys, History Channel ■ My Babysitter’s A Vampire, Teletoon ■ The Pillars of the Earth, The Movie Network/Movie Central GAME CHANGERS ■ Sleepyhead, The Movie Net- Former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun, left and former Maple Leafs forward work/Movie Central Nick Kypreos lend their analysis to Rogers Sportsnet. Best Lifestyle/Practical PHOTO: ROGERS SPORTSNET Information Series ■ Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag, W Network ■ Chuck’s Day O , Food Network ■ Design DNA, HGTV ■ Pitchin’ In, Food Network Canada ■ Til Debt Do Us Part, HGTV/ Slice

Best Reality Program or IT’S A WHOLE Series ■ All for Nothing?, W Network ■ Best. Trip. Ever., Discovery Channel ■ CheF*OFF, Food Network Canada ■ Conviction Kitchen, CityTV NEW BALL GAME ■ Dragons’ Den, CBC Sport broadcasting is looking at a bright (and potential- Best Sports ly odd) future, if Scott Moore, Feature Segment president of broadcasting for ■ FIFA World Cup Soccer—South Rogers Media, predicts Africa, CBC correctly. ■ Grey Cup Pre-Game, TSN ■ SportsCentre: Jay Triano and When asked how the industry will Terry Fox Feature, TSN evolve over the next few years, the ■ Vancouver 2010 Olympic award-winning producer jokes Winter Games Anniversary about watching the game through Special, CTV / TSN “a holograph projected from an im- plant in your head.” Best Sports Reporting Granted, if he’s serious he doesn’t ■ HNIC on CBC—Heritage let on, but it wouldn’t be the fi rst Classic, CBC time people sco ed at his forward ■ FIFA World Cup Soccer —South thinking. Africa, CBC In 2007, while at a conference ad- ■ NHL GM Meetings— dressing the future of sports broad- Concussions, TSN ON THE GO casting Moore said people would Mobile devices such as soon be watching the game on mo- smartphones and tablets create portable bile devices. opportunities for streaming “Sport’s sites still didn’t use video sports coverage. back then,” says Moore. Naturally, the crowd didn’t buy in- watch live,” says Moore noting that streams or a pay-per-view system,” other side of the spectrum) poker and to the idea. although an increasing number of he says. darts have had good runs but have Today, you’d be hard-pressed to people are fi nding ways to download But when all is said in done, the begun to recede. fi nd a smart phone or mobile device programming to their mobile de- bandwidth is devoted to the pro- Rogers’s Sportsnet, recently pur- without the capability to stream vices and computers—“sports don’t gramming that is most in demand. chased the soccer and rugby channel games live. tend to be that portable and insensi- “There has to be enough people to Setanta—which Moore says will hope- tive to time.” make it worth the cost of putting it fully capitalize on the “ex-pat” sports. Living in real time He says the future is in bolstering up on the satellite.” “Sports media will evolve the way the interactive side via the web and The rest is in the air all media is evolving—the consum- using it to connect fans. The next big thing “I’d love to tell you where sports pro- er is in charge,” says Moore, who is a “Smart programmers will try to “It’s always the dream of the sports gramming is going to be in the fu- 20-years veteran of the industry. fi nd ways to integrate mobile de- promoter to fi nd the next popular ture but I can’t,” says Moore before Although most broadcasting vices and Internet in a way that will show,” Moore says. “But, at the end of adding “If you fi nd the person who shares similarities, Moore says help the fans to interact and en- the day, in Canada, it’s going to be the does—send them my way and I’ll the increasing role of the Internet hance the live games,” says Moore. top three sports—with hockey ob- either hire them or call them a liar.” doesn’t seem to be encroaching on He notes we might see more on- viously being fi rst.” sports the same way it’s e ecting line channels cropping up that focus He points out that over the past few COURTESY OF ACADEMY OF CANADIAN CINEMA & TELEVISION dramas and lifestyle television. on the more obscure sports. years market demand has bounced ANDREW SEALE [email protected] “Most drama’s you don’t have to “Maybe there will be specialty around— extreme sports and (on the [email protected] 6 · August 2011 A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet

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The TV Timeline

■ ■ ■ Canada’s television history begins On September 6, 1952, the fi rst Can- ■ On July 1, 1966, Canada got its fi rst ■ The idea of high defi nition television At the present time, consumers before the fi rst Canadian broadcast adian television broadcasts signed on glimpse of colour television broadcast- began to take fl ight in Japan in the late looking at purchasing a television have even takes place. Replacing the radio the air as CBFT, in Montreal, and CBLT, ing. Even though colour signals had 1960’s. With the Japan Broadcasting an abundance of choices. From screen as the format of family entertainment, in Toronto. These stations, a part of been available since the mid 1950’s corporation wanting to create a new type, with options like plasma, LED and between 1946 and 1952 thousands the CBC, were soon joined by CKSO, in from the nearby US markets, both the standard in television, they had engin- LCD, to 3D technology, to the emer- of units were installed into Canadian Sudbury, in October of 1953, which was English and French speaking commun- eers set out to create a tv set that would gence of IP or smart televisions to the homes. These units, large numbers ap- the CBC’s fi rst privately owned subsidi- ities saw the fi rst colour broadcasts at have the ability to create over twice market, it defi nitely is an exciting time to pearing in pockets of British Columbia ary station. On July 1, 1958, the CBC’s 12:01 am that morning. Full time col- as many pixels as the standard set. watch TV. What does the future of tele- and Southern/Southwestern Ontario, signal was extended to reach from our transmissions became available Japanese company Panasonic created vision hold? In the not so distant future, had the ability to pick up signals from coast to coast. in 1974. a prototype in 1974 that would be the your average consumer may have the US markets due to the close proximity. fi rst step towards the televisions you option to buy a 3D television that does see on store shelves today. not require lenses; what the next big trend will be can be anyone’s guess.

From humble beginnings of colourless ﬁ gures moving about a bulky box, television has transfixed humankind for decades. The future—and the third dimension–is now upon us. THE ERA OF ENTERTAINMENT It’s been 85 years since Idaho are waiting for more content—and farm boy Philo Taylor Farns- that’s 3DTV—and the other is Inter- worth successfully demon- net-connected televisions, some- strated the first “moving pic- times referred to as “smart TVs” or tures” transmission. the less sexy “IPTV.”

Little did the humble inventor of A whole new dimension television know we’d still be staring 3DTV televisions aim to reproduce at the fruits of his labour well into the movie theatre experience in the the 21st century. home. In case you haven’t yet experi- Available commercially as early as enced a 3D fi lm, the sense of depth the late 1920s, but not widely avail- is truly remarkable. Characters and able in Canada until the late ‘40s and objects also appear to fl oat, pop or early ‘50s, television has evolved sig- stretch right out of the screen. nifi cantly over the decades—from It’s not for everyone, of course, black-and-white to colour broad- plus many don’t want to wear spe- casting in 1966 to an explosion in cial glasses for the e ect, but with cable channels in the ‘80s to digital prices not much more than a regu- television quality in the ‘90s. lar HDTV, you might consider a 3D- ready television whenever it’s time The digital revolution for an upgrade. That, and many more HDTV, or high-defi nition television, movies, TV shows, sports and video is a subset of the digital television games are o ered in 3D, plus there revolution, paving the way for the are many 3D cameras and cam- big and flat televisions we have corders on the market, too. mounted on our walls today. HDTV “widgets”) you can place on your ones and information,” says David the most ambitious out of all of the broadcasts also deliver widescreen Online, any time screen that all o er information or Vitale, senior marketing manager television manufacturers, with presentation—with a 16:9 aspect The marriage between the Inter- media with a push of a button. for Samsung Electronics Canada. more than 100 apps so far, including ratio, like a movie theatre, opposed net and TV is even more exciting as These televisions have integrated “The technology virtually connects many exclusives, as well as o ering to a boxy 4:3 aspect ratio—as deliver it delivers a ton of online and inter- Wi-Fi to join your wireless network, users in the comfort of their homes a search engine, full browser, Skype multi-channel audio, too. active content to your big-screen or can get online via a USB dongle or to programming, on-demand con- calling, interactive games and other And it doesn’t look like the innov- television. This includes on-demand wired Ethernet jack. tent, social networking sites, and compelling features. ation is about to stop anytime soon. video, like YouTube and Netfl ix, on- “Internet-connected TVs open up even video calling all from a single In fact, we’re witnessing two major line photo sharing services, custom- a whole new area of possibilities for beautiful screen for increased con- developments as you read this. One ized radio streams, Facebook and busy consumers who want the abil- venience.” MARC SALTZMAN you’re likely aware of but perhaps Twitter, and many other “apps” (or ity to instantly connect with loved Samsung’s Smart TV is probably [email protected] A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet A speciAl Advertising feAture by MediAplAnet August 2011 · 7 EDITOR’S PICKS

TRICK OUT YOUR TV

2 SMARTEN UP

Tune in to the latest accessories for your entertainment system ■ 1. LOGITECH HARMONY ONE ADVANCED UNIVERSAL REMOTE: Talk about multi-use! One touch of this remote controls a full colour touch screen with up to 15 different devices. www.logitech.com. ■ 2. SAMSUNG SMART BLU-RAY PLAYER HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM: Flanked by elegant tow- er design, this provides an eye-popping visual experience with vivid video and complete surround sound. www.samsung.ca. ■ 3. SAMSUNG SMART TV SERIES : Superslim design, featuring a rich, realistic texture in full HD image. Turn 2D TV into a 3D masterpiece with smart capabilities that will bring life to any living room. www.samsung.ca. ■ 4. BOXEE BY D-LINK: Watch shows from your favourite network on demand, enjoy movies from the web and access all your own videos, songs and photos all from your TV. www.dlink.ca. ■ 5. POWERLINE BY DLINK: Take your wireless connection to the next level. This handy de- 4 5 vice allows you to create a network through existing electrical lines already in place in your home. Your home: a hub of media activity When did houses become number of I.P. (Internet Protocol) Blockbuster and Rogers Video have a 2.4 gigahertz signal,” says Reda says a product called computers? devices running in your home to- have closed.” Reda. However, many other sig- Powerline, which sends Internet day it’s tripled or quadrupled.” Reda says models such as Net- nal-transmitting devices also signals through electrical wire, is Consider the ethernet cables flix are becoming the norm for run on 2.4 including your phone gaining popularity in residences crawling along the baseboards, Neighbourhood traffic providing videos, which he says and—surprisingly enough—your where there is a centralized elec- from home office to the kids’ Needless to say, the modern home is one of the key drivers in the microwave. trical panel. room where the iMac sits; the is a hub of wireless activity. quest for higher-end solutions Dual band routers provide a “It’s a quick and easy way of router perched next to the tele- “The number of competing net- for stronger wireless signals. 2.4 Hz signal and a 5 GHz sig- making connections through an vision—an endless stream of works in any given neighbour- He points out that on average nal, which is a channel with electrical adapter to Ethernet videos, downloads and online hood continue to grow over 60 percent of the network traffic less interference since it is less or T.V.,” says Reda. “It’s a more gaming passing back and forth time,” says Reda, who adds that in a home is video-based. “widely used.” stable connection.” through it’s humming body. Can you don’t have to venture far “As we get into these new chal- Some of the higher-end rout- Like it or not, the future is com- technology keep up? to see the abandonment of the lenges and try to expand the ers will recognize what device is ing—it’s just a question of how “This year is really kind of a physical medium in the name bandwidth in our homes, the drawing the most power and pri- you connect to it. game changer,” says Lou Reda, of media based around Internet technology obviously evolves,” oritize its signal distribution. vice president and general man- connectivity. says Reda. But the technology isn’t all ager of the consumer division of “It’s getting harder and hard- One of those solutions is the wireless-based, some consum- Taiwan-based technology com- er to rent a video,” says Reda. “I use of dual-band routers. ers are looking for that extra ANDREW SEALE pany D-Link. “If you look at the know in my neighbourhood both “Traditionally most routers “oomph”—wireless or not. [email protected]

DON’T MISS! The analog switch: Will you be affected? In a time when television air broadcasting. This change over There are several reasons for this the freed up space and be used for may choose to discontinue broad- technology is constantly will not a ect many viewers who re- change—it’s a step forward for both purposes such as advanced wireless casting in your area. With some of changing, evolving and mov- ceive their programming through a the private television viewer as well and public safety services, such as the channels already broadcasting ing forward, the CRTC is tak- paid for service, have a digital tele- as the public. Digital signals will those used by police and ﬁ re depart- a large portion of their content on- ing a big step forward with vision or have already purchased a boast the viewing experience for ments. line, you can consult their websites signal transmissions. digital to analog converter. Those everyone a ected. With better pic- to see if this could be the alternative viewers who utilize an outdoor ture quality and better sound, view- Who’s affected? for you. On August 31st, 2011, many Can- antenna or “rabbit ears” may be ers who formally used the analog The switch from analog to digital adian local television stations will a ected. signal will now be able to get a more will mean some of your favourite lo- convert all of their analog over-the- advanced experience. Digital sig- cal channels will simply move to an- DAVE JACOBS air broadcasting to digital over-the- Why the switch? nals also take up less airwave space; other analog channel. While some [email protected] 8 · August 2011 A special advertising feature by MediaPlanet

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