Modernization of the CBC/Radio-Canada antenna on Mount Royal

MONTREAL, June 22 /CNW Telbec/ - CBC/Radio-Canada will be modernizing its antenna located at the top of Mount Royal for the benefit of practically all Montreal broadcasters.

The work will be carried out between June and August, enabling radio stations to improve their technical parameters and TV stations to install the antennas they need to move into the digital age. The work will also ensure compliance with the new Health Canada and Industry Canada standards relating to Safety Code 6 for the 3 kHz to 300 GHz frequency range.

The antenna, erected in 1960, provides Montreal residents with a unique service that will once again be improved for listeners and viewers.

Occasional radio and television broadcast interruptions

The interruptions, which will be targeted and very brief, are necessary to ensure worker safety. The workers will be on a crane at the same height as the tower. To minimize the impact on park users, the work will be carried out at night after the area closes. The required lighting will be positioned to ensure worker safety while minimizing its visual impact. "Everything has been planned so that the work causes the least possible inconvenience, with admirable cooperation from the City, the Ville-Marie borough and security services," says John Lee, Executive Director of Media Technology Services at CBC/Radio-Canada.

The work on the Mount Royal antenna will require occasional temporary interruptions in radio and television signals, but these interruptions will be timed to occur at night, weather permitting. For television services, the impact will be felt only in households receiving over-the-air transmissions from the Mount Royal antenna. There will be no impact for the clients of service providers like Videotron, Bell TV or Shaw Direct. Each broadcaster will notify its audience of any potential service interruptions.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in French, English and eight Aboriginal languages.

For further information: Marco Dubé, Director, Media Relations and Issues Management Corporate Communications, CBC/Radio-Canada, Telephone: [phone]