1998-11-17|Multichannel Television Sound (MTS) Second Audio Program (SAP)
To the Minister of Industry
To the Minister of Canadian Heritage
To the Minister of Bilingualism
To my Member of Parliament
To the Senator
To the Commissioner of Official Languages
To the Chairperson of Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission
To the President of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Ever since the Multi-Channel TV Sound (MTS) standard was established back in the early 1980's, I have been hoping to see this technology widely adopted in Canada, as it is very suitable for a bilingual country like Canada. With the Second Audio Programme (SAP), a single television channel can carry 1 (one) video signal and 2 (two) audio signals at the same time. However, I am disappointed that after almost 15 years of existence, very few, if any, television broadcasters make use of this technology.
By now, most television sets sold in Canada have a built-in MTS decoder, so the effect of any possible directive for manufacturers to equip television sets with an MTS decoder would be minimal. As for broadcasters, any television station that broadcast in stereo already has the capability to broadcast in MTS at present.
There is a great potential for positive cultural impacts and socio-economic benefits by the MTS technology, including relieving of language tensions, drastically and instantly increasing the audience without major costs of new stations or new channels, etc. For example, the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) has been able to carry parliamentary proceedings in 1 channel to both English and French audiences without the expense of occupying an extra satellite transponder. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) would be able to carry Canadian films and documentaries, most of which have already been translated, in 2 languages simultaneously throughout its network from coast to coast to coast. This effectively amounts to channel doubling because the CBC can broadcast "Hockey Night in Canada" in 2 languages while at the same time the SRC can broadcast a Canadian drama in 2 languages.
The upcoming migration towards the Advanced Television (ATV) or High-Definition Television (HDTV) should also take advantage of the MTS technology.
I have witnessed and admired the Federal Government's leadership in the Internet, Encryption and Digital Signature, Digital Radio System, Personal Communication System, National Parks, National Flag, Split-Run Magazines, among others. I believe that there is an immediate opportunity for you to demonstrate a strong leadership in encouraging Canadians to take advantage of this underutilised technology.
