98. The actual sequence of channel changes for individual stations cannot be determined until the new channel assignments are known at the conclusion of the incentive auction.
DECISION 6: The new DTV allotment plan will be developed based on the following design objectives and supporting measures:
The new DTV allotment plan will not include vacant TV allotments.
The new allotment plan will be based on current operating parameters for the TV broadcasting undertakings.
Available channels must be ensured for all operating regular power TV stations in Canada.
In the new DTV allotment plan, regular power TV stations operating in DTV mode will not change the band in which they operate whether it be UHF, HVHF or LVHF; regular power TV stations operating in National Television System Committee (NTSC) mode will not change the band that they were allotted in the current DTV Post Transition Allotment Plan.
Existing TV stations will not be able to switch their band of operation or increase operating parameters until the end of the moratorium on new applications for licensing in the TV broadcasting bands.
The good news is that no Canadian UHF station will be moving to the inferior VHF band., unlike in the U.S. where some stations (most probably PBS) will move to VHF for financial reasons.
