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Yes, we have high definition television! Contrary to what you may have heard, a wide variety of free off-air digital HDTV programming is available in the Greater Toronto and Buffalo areas. This page contains a list of all current and future Canadian and American channels for the region, their status and power levels, plus a location map of all HDTV transmitters currently broadcasting in the Southern Ontario and Western New York areas.
(720p/5.1) Thanks to its 1000kW power, WUTV is one of Buffalo's most reliable signals - and they even have a great quality SD upconversion. Since upgrading from 35kW their transmitter is now directional and sends very little power to the North, with reports indicating that it can be difficult to receive in the north-west. Shows some syndicated content in HD, including Two and a Half Men and Seinfeld. As of March 2010, has discontinued the SD subchannel.
(1080i/5.1) CHCH is surprisingly easy to receive in the GTA area, even if other Hamilton stations can't be tuned. Owned since September 2009 by Channel Zero (Movieola, Silver Screen Classics) CHCH now exclusively broadcasts local news during the day and movies at night.
(1080i/5.1 & 2.0) The CBC shows true commitment to high definition programming, with practically everything they produce being in true HD - from documentaries, to entertainment, to news, to reality shows! Goood quality image and an exceedingly reliable signal. Plus you can even catch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD!
(720p/2.0) Began broadcasting digitally in the vacated channel 23 as of June 12, 2009. One year later in June 2010, they've upgraded their primary channel to 720p resolution and dropped the 51-4 religious subchannel. The situation is a little confusing now - with "channel 23" broadcasting on 32-1, and "channel 51" broadcasting on 23-1...
51-2
qubo
(480i/2.0) Childrens' programming made up of a 6-hour block of shows repeated 4 times each day.
51-3
ION Life
(480i/2.0) Lifestyle programming: health and wellness, cooking, home decor, travel and more.
(480i/2.0) Religious network. WNYB has applied for an increase to 1000 kW transmission power.
26-2
TCT-HD
(1080i/2.0) Interestingly, the high definition channel is a subchannel rather than the primary channel. Occasionally shows old TV shows such as Bonanza.
(1080i/5.1) WGRZ can be one of the more difficult channels from south Buffalo to receive reliably, even compared to the lower-powered WKBW. As of March 2009 has upgraded full time to 5.1 audio.
2-2
NBC Universal Sports
(480i/2.0) The new NBC Universal Sports channel replaced Storm Team 2 Weather Plus on June 1st, 2009. Fairly blurry image quality, although this appears to be more related to the source than the compression.
2-3
Retro Television Network
(480i/2.0) RTN fans rejoice - as of June 12, 2009, WGRZ is the new Buffalo RTN affiliate! A sharper image than on 2-2.
(1080i/5.1) Crossroads HD is on the air, however reports (and my own experience) indicate that it can be very difficult to receive unless you are close to the broadcast tower.
(720p/5.1) Despite WKBW's power level and distance, their signal has been unexpectedly reliable for me personally - better than the higher powered WIVB or WGRZ. Former channel 7-3, WCSN SD "World Championship Sports Network" is no longer being carried. Heavy echo effect used to matrix local 2.0 audio to 5.1 surround can be distracting.
(1080i/5.1) Considering their high power levels, WIVB is inexplicably one of the most difficult of the 3 South Buffalo channels to receive reliably from my location. Otherwise, all of their early growing pains regarding sound and picture issues have been corrected.
(1080i/5.1 & 2.0) Very reliable signal, although their PSIP information randomly corrupts - so you may receive CTV as 9.1, 40.1 or even 40.4. A nice alternative for HD programming when the US network may not be available. Amazingly, for at least the third year running, CTV is showing So You Think You Can Dance in widescreen SD - not high definition like Fox.
CFTO is the TVGOS (TV Guide) host for Toronto, but not yet in digital.
(1080i/5.1 & 2.0) As close to rock solid 24 x 7 HDTV as you can get. Or, at least it was constant HDTV until the shift from the PBS National HD feed to WNED's own feed in February 2009. The end result is more local and special programming, but far less HD.
WNED is the Digital TVGOS (TV Guide) host for Buffalo.
17-2
PBS SD
(480i/2.0 & 1.0) WNED-SD channel duplicate. With the shift from the national to local feeds, this channel seems unnecessary.
(720p/5.1) On June 12th 2009, WNYO successfully switched to broadcasting on true digital channel 49-1. The transmitter has also been moved from Grand Island back to its original location near Wyoming/Erie. From my location the signal is no longer nearly as strong, but their core Buffalo viewership should see an improvement. As of March 2010, has discontinued the SD subchannel.
(1080i/5.1 & 1.0) Generally very reliable, but directional antenna limits reception possibilities for viewers south of the CN Tower. Keep an eye out for their HD movie marathon months!
(1080i/2.0) Broadcasting full time since June 2008 (20 months after their first OTA test). A noticably weaker signal than OMNI2, likely due to its transmitter location at First Canadian Place.
AUD
680 News
(1.0) AM news radio station available as a secondary audio program (labelled "French").
(1080i/5.1) Global shows a wide range of high definition content, although I personally find their image a touch on the soft side compared to other stations and occasionally suffers from visible compression artifacts. Note to Global engineers: please turn off the volume nomalizer!
(720p/2.0) After being dark for nearly a year, WNGS resumed broadcasting on May 22, 2010 due to an upcoming FCC deadline. It is currently in a testing phase at reduced power. Daystar, a religious network, currently owns and programs WNGS, however it is expected to be sold to ITV in the near future.
67-2
Daystar SD
(480i/2.0) Currently experiencing some audio/video issues. After ownership of WNGS changes from Daystar to ITV, this subchannel will likely remain.
Assigned channel. No building plan in effect; will likely begin broadcasting on channel 19. Expects to be broadcasting digitally in major Ontario markets by the CRTC deadline of August 2011.
(1080i/2.0) A surprisingly strong signal in the Toronto area, despite its relatively low power. Due to the number of subchannels and the 1080i resolution of its main channel, compression on HD shows is quite apparent.
21-2
PBS World
(480i/2.0) WXXIwld
21-3
Think Bright
(480i/2.0) WXXIcre, kids' educational.
21-4
PBS SD
(480i/2.0) WXXI SD duplicate channel.
AUD
WXXI-AM 1370
(1.0) Can be difficult to receive as it is not properly configured.
Yes, we have high definition television! Contrary to what you may have heard, a wide variety of free off-air digital HDTV programming is available in the Greater Toronto and Buffalo areas. This page contains a list of all current and future Canadian and American channels for the region, their status and power levels, plus a location map of all HDTV transmitters currently broadcasting in the Southern Ontario and Western New York areas.
