CIMT-DT

CIMT-DT is a French-language television station based in Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec, Canada. Broadcasting on channel 9, it is affiliated with TVA, one of Quebec’s principal French-language television networks. The station was launched on September 17, 1978, and operates as a regional broadcast outlet rather than as a standalone national media company. The station is owned by Télé Inter-Rives, a regional broadcasting group that operates several television properties in eastern Quebec and New Brunswick. CIMT-DT forms part of a broader cluster of related stations that has historically included CKRT and CFTF, creating an unusual multi-station ownership structure sometimes described as a “triple-stick.” Télé Inter-Rives also owns CHAU-DT, the TVA affiliate serving Carleton-sur-Mer. CHAU-DT receives the TVA network signal from CIMT-DT, and the stations’ relationship is reflected in promotional materials. CIMT-DT’s principal studios are in Rivière-du-Loup, at facilities associated with Rue de la Chute and Rue Frontenac. Its main transmitter is located near Chemin du Mont Bleu in Picard. Because the region includes hilly and rugged terrain, the station has also relied on additional transmission facilities to make its programming available in areas where the principal signal is difficult to receive. Since 1999, a low-power nested transmitter, historically identified as CIMT-DT-6 or CIMT-6, served western Rivière-du-Loup, where portions of the city were poorly covered by the main channel-9 signal. The station’s reach extends beyond Quebec. CIMT-DT operates or has operated rebroadcast facilities in several smaller communities, including Edmundston, New Brunswick. Its signal is distributed by cable across much of northern New Brunswick and in portions of northern Maine. Together with Télé Inter-Rives sister station CHAU-DT and its rebroadcast network, CIMT-DT contributes to TVA coverage across New Brunswick. CIMT-DT completed the conversion of its transmitters to digital broadcasting by the August 31, 2011 deadline. Although only the Rivière-du-Loup facilities were in a market required to convert under Canada’s digital television transition rules, the station converted its other transmitters as well. Later technical planning was influenced by Canada’s 600 MHz spectrum reallocation. In 2016, the station applied to move the CIMT-DT-6 repeater from UHF channel 41 to channel 35. The eventual solution differed from that proposal: in November 2021, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission authorized a move using the former CKRT-DT-3 facility, while the older UHF repeater was decommissioned. The change was associated with improved reliability, reduced power consumption and lower operating costs. CIMT-DT’s brand identity is therefore centered on regional French-language news, entertainment and network programming delivered under the TVA banner. Its importance lies primarily in local service, regional coverage and its role within Télé Inter-Rives’ interconnected eastern Canadian broadcast system.

CIMT-DT began broadcasting on September 17, 1978, from Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec. From its inception, the station operated as a French-language broadcaster serving a regional market and was affiliated with TVA. Its service area has included communities in eastern Quebec, while additional transmitters and cable distribution have extended access into northern New Brunswick and parts of northern Maine. The station became part of Télé Inter-Rives, a regional broadcasting group with several interconnected properties. Its ownership structure has included CIMT-DT, CFTF and CKRT, a combination that has been characterized as a rare regional “triple-stick.” Télé Inter-Rives also owns CHAU-DT in Carleton-sur-Mer. CHAU-DT receives the TVA signal from CIMT-DT, linking the two stations operationally and allowing the group’s facilities to support TVA service across a broad area of eastern Canada. CIMT-DT’s main studios are located in Rivière-du-Loup, with facilities associated with Rue de la Chute and Rue Frontenac. The principal transmitter is near Chemin du Mont Bleu in Picard. Local terrain has affected reception in the Rivière-du-Loup area, particularly in lower parts of the city where the main channel-9 signal can be difficult to receive. To address this limitation, the station operated a low-power nested rebroadcaster beginning in 1999. This facility was known as CIMT-DT-6, and earlier as CIMT-6, and primarily served western Rivière-du-Loup. The broadcaster also developed a wider transmission footprint through rebroadcast facilities in smaller Quebec communities and in Edmundston, New Brunswick. CIMT-DT has been distributed by cable across most of northern New Brunswick and in portions of northern Maine. Alongside CHAU-DT’s own network of rebroadcasters, CIMT-DT helps provide TVA programming throughout New Brunswick. CIMT-DT converted all of its transmitters to digital operation by August 31, 2011. Rivière-du-Loup was among the Canadian markets required to complete the digital transition, but the station also converted transmitters that were not individually subject to the mandatory deadline. This preserved a consistent technical standard across its service area. The station later faced frequency-planning issues arising from Canada’s 600 MHz spectrum auction and the removal of television channels 38 through 51 from television use. In 2016, CIMT-DT applied to move its UHF repeater from channel 41 to channel 35, partly in response to international frequency coordination with the United States. The final regulatory outcome was different from the original application. On November 24, 2021, the CRTC authorized use of the former CKRT-DT-3 facility for the service. The arrangement allowed the former facility to return to active use and the older CIMT-DT-6 repeater to be retired. The cited practical benefits included greater reliability and lower power consumption, reducing operating expense compared with the UHF installation. Today, CIMT-DT remains a regional TVA-affiliated station whose role combines network distribution with local market coverage. Its identity is tied to Rivière-du-Loup and to Télé Inter-Rives’ broader broadcast infrastructure in Quebec and New Brunswick.

• 2021

  CRTC approves revised repeater arrangement

  [1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The CRTC authorizes use of the former CKRT-DT-3 facility, enabling the older CIMT-DT-6 installation to be decommissioned.

• 2016

  Frequency-change application filed

  [1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The station applies to move the CIMT-DT-6 repeater from UHF channel 41 to channel 35 following the Canadian 600 MHz spectrum reallocation.

• 2011

  Transmitters converted to digital broadcasting

  [1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CIMT-DT completes digital conversion across its transmitter network by the national transition deadline.

• 1999

  Low-power Rivière-du-Loup rebroadcaster begins operation

  [1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  A nested low-power transmitter, later identified as CIMT-DT-6, is used to improve reception in western Rivière-du-Loup and other areas affected by local terrain.

• 1978

  Station launches in Rivière-du-Loup

  [1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  CIMT-DT begins broadcasting on September 17 as a TVA-affiliated French-language television station.

A regional French-language TVA affiliate focused on serving Rivière-du-Loup, eastern Quebec and connected communities in New Brunswick through local broadcasting, network programming and terrestrial transmission.

• Terrestrial television service · 1978

  CIMT-DT channel 9

  The station’s principal over-the-air service from the Rivière-du-Loup area, operating on channel 9 and carrying French-language TVA programming together with regional broadcast content.

• Low-power rebroadcast service · 1999

  CIMT-DT-6

  A low-power nested transmitter introduced in 1999 to improve coverage in western Rivière-du-Loup, where the main signal was affected by rugged terrain. The installation was later replaced through a CRTC-approved arrangement using the former CKRT-DT-3 facility.

• Rebroadcast network

  Edmundston and regional rebroadcast coverage

  CIMT-DT’s associated transmission facilities extend TVA service beyond the main Quebec market, including Edmundston and other communities. Cable carriage further expands access across northern New Brunswick and parts of northern Maine.

• 2021

  Replace the older low-power repeater arrangementStrategy

  Background

  The existing UHF repeater was less attractive operationally than the available former CKRT-DT-3 facility, which offered reliability and energy-use advantages.

  Action taken

  The CRTC authorized CIMT-DT to use the former CKRT-DT-3 facility and to decommission CIMT-DT-6.

  Aftermath

  The revised arrangement restored the former facility to active use and was expected to reduce power consumption and operating costs.

  Source

• 2016

  Apply to relocate the CIMT-DT-6 frequencyStrategy

  Background

  The Canadian 600 MHz spectrum reallocation removed television channels 38 through 51 from television use and created coordination requirements affecting the repeater’s UHF channel.

  Action taken

  CIMT-DT applied to move the repeater from UHF channel 41 to channel 35.

  Aftermath

  The proposed channel move was not the final solution. The CRTC later approved use of the former CKRT-DT-3 facility instead.

  Source

• 2021

  CRTC authorizes replacement transmission arrangement for CIMT-DT-6[1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  On November 24, 2021, the CRTC authorized CIMT-DT to use the former CKRT-DT-3 facility for the repeater service, restoring that facility to active use and allowing the earlier CIMT-DT-6 installation to be decommissioned.

• 2016

  CIMT-DT seeks a new frequency for its Rivière-du-Loup repeater[1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  Following the Canadian 600 MHz spectrum reallocation and related coordination with the United States, CIMT-DT applied to move the CIMT-DT-6 repeater from UHF channel 41 to channel 35.

• 2011

  CIMT-DT completes digital conversion of its transmitters[1]CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  CIMT-DT converted its transmitters to digital broadcasting by Canada’s August 31, 2011 digital television transition deadline. The conversion included facilities beyond those legally required to make the change.

1. 1CIMT-DTen.wikipedia.org
2. 2CIMT-CHAU official websitecimtchau.ca