CBEFT-TV

The CBC’s CBEFT began broadcasting on July 10 – on channel 78. The official launch date was July 16 – so the station was on the air in time for the following day’s opening ceremonies of the Montreal Olympic games. In the beginning, CBEFT was a rebroadcast transmitter for CBFT Montreal (French – Radio-Canada). Radio-Canada also owned and operated CBEF-AM 540 in Windsor.

1996

On August 16, the CRTC approved applications by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to continue to operate 22 analog television rebroadcasting transmitters until August 31, 2012 in markets that the Commission identified as mandatory for conversion to digital transmission, and to make associated technical changes. This approval included CBEFT Windsor. In addition, to maximize coverage while avoiding interference to protected services, the CBC also applied to change the channel and make associated technical changes to CBEFT. The Windsor transmitter would operate on channel 35 with an average effective radiated power of 12,000 watts (maximum ERP of 36,000 watts). The station would use a directional antenna with height above average terrain (EHAAT) of 206.8 metres. Approval of the CBC’s proposal, and related technical amendments, would provide additional time for affected households that rely on over-the-air service in mandatory markets to find other means to access the CBC’s television services. Approval of the proposal would also provide an opportunity for the Commission to discuss the CBC’s plans for its over-the-air transmitter system at the time of the CBC’s licence renewal hearing, now scheduled for June 2012. The deadline for conversion from analog to digital in mandatory markets was August 31. On that date, CBEFT moved from channel 54 to channel 35. As mentioned above, the CBC had received permission for CBEFT to remain in analog operation using a different channel until the end of August, 2012.