Point 7 of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate mentions that it must be made available throughout Canada by the most appropriate and efficient means and resources as they become available for the purpose.
We feel that the best and most effective way of attaining this objective, which we consider fundamental, is to continue to broadcast CBC/Radio-Canada programs over the air to all Canadians without exception. Indeed, even with the arrival of HDTV and other distribution platforms, all the countries of the world have chosen to continue digital over-the-air broadcasting.
Even today, in 2007, certain households still cannot receive cable or high-speed Internet, because they live in regions too far away from telephone exchanges or in areas that the cable companies do not consider profitable to serve. Even in the medium term, it is highly likely that these areas will not benefit from high-speed Internet or cable because of the cost involved. Moreover, many Canadians, including lower-income Canadians, do not want to pay to subscribe to a television service when the free signals they receive over the air suit them perfectly.
Economically speaking, it will cost our industry less to implement HDTV in a few years than it did, comparatively, to implement analog television in the fifties and sixties for the following reasons: developed transmission sites and access routes already exist; and the infrastructure, such as towers, antennae and buildings, already exist.
Obviously, when we assess the overall cost of implementing HDTV, it may represent a significant amount. However, when we consider the cost of replacing obsolete analog broadcasting equipment, which will have to be replaced in any case, this cost seems more acceptable and justified to us, given that it will make the first public television service available, free of charge, to all Canadians.
We fell that CBC/Radio-Canada, as the public broadcaster, should exercise leadership in the field of digital over-the-air (HD) broadcasting in Canada and thus set an example for the country's private broadcasters.
Once again, we firmly believe that no new platform or new medium will ever replace conventional television around the world. Indeed, according to a number of experts and observers, conventional television will continue to occupy pride of place among consumers as a mass medium for years to come.
If it is possible for the affiliates to renew reasonable affiliation agreements with CBC/Radio-Canada, we plan to invest to convert our broadcasting equipment to HD in a few years in order to continue to properly service the entire population of our regions free of charge.