Television technological change in Canada is leaving people like Barb White behind. White, a Woodstock, Ontario woman, is bracing for a change that will see the bulk of local television stations across the country switching their broadcasting from an analog signal to digital effective Aug. 31, 2011.
The change won’t affect people who get their signals by cable, satellite or other television services, according to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC, accessed May 25 at www.crtc.gc.ca). However, White – who lives “way below” the poverty line – can’t afford a monthly television service bill and uses “rabbit ears” to get signals from Kitchener and London, Ontario. Those ears won’t work when stations in those centres move to digital broadcasting – other options, including newer televisions with digital tuners or digital to analog converter boxes, which can come with price tags of several hundred dollars for the former and up to $100 for the latter, are also out of range of White’s budget, which is sometimes stretched beyond the limit in providing her with the basic necessity of groceries. “I wouldn’t know how to trust any of that (newer technology),” she said, “whether it’s cheaper or not.”
Woman on Disability
“It seems to me that I’m being forced,” White said of the television change. “I feel it’s going to be forced on me, and I don’t know how I can fit it into my budget. What am I going to have to live without? That’s almost like having to decide to pick my groceries or this box that I can’t even afford. The machine is not going to feed my belly,” she continued.
“I’m already on a limited income, because I’m on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program).” She is on social assistance due to her bipolar disorder and severe arthritis in her arms, both conditions that call on her to take daily medications. “I can’t work,” she said.
“I didn’t choose to be disabled. Now they’re telling me to choose whether or not to watch television. More than half my money goes for rent. You can only budget for so long and you don’t know where to turn. All of my life, everyone’s complimented me on my ability to budget. Now, with groceries getting higher… I’ve had to cut back on eating fresh food. I’m the one that’s losing out. I’m the one who’s a lost consumer,” White said.
“My TV’s my main source of entertainment. I can’t afford to go out to the show. It’s my main way to keep current (by watching the news). I had to get an apartment with heat and hydro included (to make ends meet),” she said. The coming change depresses White, she said, and “part of my disability is depression. It’s every day.”
Reason for Change
The television signal change was decided on by the CRTC, according to digitaltv.ca, accessed May 25. “Digital signals provide better picture and sound and take up less airwave space. The freed up space will be used for other purposes like advanced wireless and public safety services, such as those used by police and fire departments,” according to the website. Calls to the CRTC for further comment on the situation had not been returned as of this writing. The reasoning for the digital change comes as little comfort, however, to people like White. “I don’t know… what kind of solution is there?” she asked.
Sources:
- Interview with Barb White, conducted May 25
- Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission website, Crtc.gc.ca, accessed May 25
- Digital Television website, Digitaltv.ca, accessed May 25
Eric Schmiedl - Eric Schmiedl is an award-winning reporter and editor who has worked in journalism since 1989. He has a degree in English language and ...
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