CTV Position Statement - High Definition

[Max Power]

CTV Position Statement - High Definition
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/1069256347830_64665391?hub=HDTV

February 2007,

CTV is profoundly interested in the growth of High Definition in Canada. We
applaud and support any conventional or specialty broadcaster investing in
the growth of this new and exciting technology.

From its perspective, CTV has two HD Channels, CTV HD East and CTV HD West,
and have installed over-the-air HD transmitters in both Toronto and
Vancouver. From a Specialty perspective, both TSN and Discovery Channel were
the first to launch in HD and each has grown tremendously since in this
area. In 2006, TSN's HD line-up featured more than 1,500 hours of HD
programming, and in September became the first Canadian broadcaster to
launch a daily newscast (SportsCentre) in HD. Meanwhile, Discovery has since
launched Canada's first 24/7 HD service with Discovery HD, featuring a
line-up filled with the very best HD programming.

We believe in a Canadian solution and to that end, it's imperative that
Canadian broadcasters advance their plans for HD to ensure that capacity is
available through satellite and cable distributors as the demand for
bandwidth increases exponentially.

One of the perceptions that exists in our Industry is that Americans enjoy
far more HD than Canadians. On conventional television in Canada, virtually
all prime-time programming is available in HD from U.S. sources or through
Canadian broadcasters. CTV is adding to this mix and has confirmed that its
entire Canadian scripted slate will be presented in High Definition. The
slate consists of original scripted series -- including Corner Gas,
Degrassi: The Next Generation, Instant Star and Whistler -- and numerous
Canadian MOW titles. Joining them Top 20 favourites: Desperate Housewives,
Lost, ER, The CSI and Law & Order franchises, Medium, Studio 60 and more.

In Specialty, the gap is closing as more Canadian services launch in High
Definition. The major difference between Canada and the U.S. in terms of
total number of hours is in movies and local news, the latter of which skews
the numbers significantly for them.

In summary, we've made a good start, we're determined to grow and we
appreciate the support of our distributors. At the end of the day, Canada is
well positioned to be a leader in the growth of HD on a global scale.
Below is a timeline of HD developments for CTV Inc.

Timeline:
Aug. 15, 2003- TSN HD and Discovery HD channels are launched;
-> they are the first two Canadian specialties to broadcast in HD.
Nov. 19, 2003- CTV launches "CTV HD East"
June 1, 2004 - CTV launches "CTV HD West"
April 5, 2005 - CTV launches "CTV HD East" over-the-air via Toronto
transmitter, available on Channel 40 UHF.
April 21, 2005 - CTV Specialty files application for Discovery HD Theatre,
Canada's first 24-hour HD specialty service.
June 21, 2005 - CTV launches "CTV HD West" over-the-air via B.C.
transmitter, available on Channel 33 UHF.
Sept. 25, 2005- CTV News Special featuring the installation of the Gov.
General is the first ever delivered in High Definition.
Dec. 19, 2005- Discovery launches Discovery HD Theatre
Sept. 25, 2006- TSN launches SportsCentre in HD, the first CDN broadcaster
to convert its news operation to HD.
Oct. 2, 2006 - TSN launches Molson That's Hockey Launches in High Definition

Below is a recap of CTV Inc.'s HD highlights and initiatives ...

CTV
- CTV has 2 HD signals - CTV HD West and CTV HD East.
- CTV was the first national conventional broadcaster to launch in HD (Nov.,
2003).
- Virtually every hour in primetime is available in HD.
- Became the first broadcaster to deliver a news special in full HD when it
aired special coverage featuring the installation of the Governor General in
September, 2005.
- CTV's entire 2006-2007 Canadian dramatic slate will be presented in High
Definition.

Discovery
- Along with TSN, the first Specialty service to launch in HD (August, 2003)
- Since then, Discovery has aired more than 500 hours of HD programming.
- Discovery Channel's EPI Production is a leader in HD production (non
sports).
- Discovery HD is Canada's first 24/7 HD service, featuring a schedule that
is 100% High Definition.
- Discovery will deliver more than 100 hours of new Canadian HD content for
2007.

TSN
- Along with Discovery, the first Specialty service to launch in HD (August,
2003)
- In 2005 featured 645 HD hours from more than 200 national and
international events.
- In 2006, TSN delivered more than 1,500 HD hours, more than twice the
number from 2005.
- Additionally, nearly 700 Canadian-content-HD-hours will be delivered in
2006.
- On Sept. 25, 2006, TSN became the first CDN broadcaster to deliver a daily
newscast in HD with SportsCentre.
- 2007 Programs in HD include:
- SportsCentre
- Molson That's Hockey
- Select NHL on TSN
- CFL on TSN
- NFL on TSN
- IIHF World Junior Championship
- Blue Jays Baseball
- NBA on TSN - regular season
- NBA on TSN - playoffs
- Canadian Open (golf)
- Other Golf: Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Sr. PGA Championship,
Women's U.S. Open
- NASCAR
- Skate Canada
- U.S. Open Tennis
- U.S. NCAA College Football
- Breeder's Cup
- Alpine Skiing
- NHRA Drag Racing
- Timeless (soccer doc)
- Fins & Skins