Q: How do I apply for a job at Citytv?Q: What is Citytv's main switchboard number?Q: What is the Citytv mailing address?Q: How do I send mail to my favorite on air personalities?Q: How can I get a copy of a news story?Q: I want a copy of a music video, or I missed an episode of my favourite show. Can I get a copy?Q: How do I get a tour of Citytv?Q: How do I find out more information about a guest I saw on "Breakfast Television"?Q: Where do Rob Hislop and Wendy Sandwith of "Breakfast Television" buy their clothes?Q: Does BT do Birthday Announcements?Q: Where do I find Citytv Edmonton on Starchoice and ExpressVU?Q: Can I get Citytv Edmonton off air (UHF or VHF)? Q: Why do the sounds of commercials seem louder than the program?
Q: I'm having trouble with my membership, (login, contests, newsletters, etc). Do you have a special guide for members?
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Q: How do I apply for a job at Citytv?
For specific shows or departments: You can address your resume to the attention of Human Resources via regular post (see mailing address below).
Q: What is Citytv's main switchboard number?
Main Switchboard: (780) 424-2222
Q: What is the Citytv mailing address?
Citytv
10212 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta,
T5J 5A3
Q: How do I send mail to my favorite on air personalities?
A: You can snail mail them at 10212 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 5A3 or email them at newsnow
Marilyn Denis can be emailed at cityline@citytv.com
Email Rob Hislop, Wendy Sandwith, and Bridget Ryan at btedmonton@citytv.com
Q: How can I get a copy of a news story?
A: Unfortunately we do not have a dubbing service. However, if you were interviewed in a story and forgot to set your VCR, you may fax in a request for a copy of the story, provided it is not what we consider "hard news." There is a $55.00 dubbing fee and you must provide a blank VHS tape . All requests must be in writing and approved by our news director. Our fax number is (780) 424-0357. For further details call (780) 424-2222. And next time save yourself $55.00 and set your VCR!
Q: I want a copy of a music video, or I missed an episode of my favourite show. Can I get a copy?
A: No, we're sorry to say we don't offer this service.
Q: How do I get a tour of Citytv?
A: edmontonevents@citytv.com or call (780) 424-2222
Q: How do I find out more information about a guest I saw on "BT-Breakfast Television"?
A: After 10:00am each morning, (Monday - Friday) you can log onto Citytv.com and click on "BT" to see all the info of that day's show.
Q: Where do Rob Hislop & Wendy Sandwith of "Breakfast Television" buy their clothes?
A: Rob shops at Eddie's Menswear while Wendy turns to Thyme Maternity.
Q: Does BT do Birthday Announcements? A: Send your birthday announcement information to edmontonbirthdays@citytv.com or drop off or snail mail a photo. Be sure to get it in one week before the big day and we will do our best to include your birthday announcement in the show.
Q: Where do I find Citytv Edmonton on Starchoice and ExpressVU?
A: Starchoice - ch 347, ExpressVU - ch 241
Q: Can I get Citytv Edmonton off air (UHF or VHF)?
A: Yes. Citytv Edmonton is available on UHF Channel 51.
Q: Why do the sounds of commercials seem louder than the program?
A: This problem is not unique to any one station or company. The phenomenon has a lot to do with the varying sound levels of a television program as compared to the generally consistent sound level of commercials. Broadcasters do not turn up the sound of commercials and in fact, we go to great lengths to minimize the sometimes-jarring effect when transitioning from a program to a commercial.
In an attempt to grab viewer's attention in only 15 or 30 seconds, most commercials are produced to be dynamic and exciting. To achieve this they make the sound at a constant maximum level for the duration of the commercial. In sharp contrast, many TV programs have a wider dynamic range or in other words, they can vary from sound passages as quiet as a kitten purring to loud music and bombs exploding. If the final scene before a commercial is a quieter, subtler scene, the transition to a commercial can make that commercial seem louder and sometimes even send you diving for the remote control to turn it down.
Most TV program producers attempt to "compress" the program sound to lessen the sound difference between the quiet and loud scenes. In addition, Citytv and most broadcasters use sophisticated sound processors to further monitor and "even out" the volume levels. After all, it's in both the producer's and the broadcaster's interest to make the viewer's TV experience an enjoyable one. In spite of these efforts, challenges remain and occasionally the commercials still sound louder. This is particularly true for stations such as Citytv whose broadcast schedules include movies. Most movies are made for a movie theatre and have a wide dynamic audio range. Films specifically designed for the theatre can have sound passages ranging from quiet whispers to extremely loud passages such as bombs or heavy metal music. This can sound fine in a controlled environment like a movie theatre but when the same film is played on TV, the viewer may find it necessary to raise the volume for the quieter passages and perhaps even turn down the volume on the louder passages. There are some producers who will mix the audio twice, once designed for TV and one designed for theater. At Citytv, when we receive a theatrical film release we process the sound so that it is more suitable to television's dynamic range. Citytv and some other broadcasters take the time to "compress" the sound levels of a film or TV program so that the quieter passages are a little bit louder and the louder passages aren't quite so loud. This minimizes, but does not always eliminate some of the jarring effect in the transition to a commercial.
This problem has been around since the beginning of television and at Citytv we go to great lengths to correct this as much as possible. We have installed equipment in our transfer suites and our editing bays to try to reduce and even-out the sound levels as much as possible. We have large amounts of on-air content going through our facility each day and great efforts are made to screen and check that content. It is always a battle between the purists who want to hear the audio as it was produced and the viewers who would like us to reduce the dynamic range of the audio so that the sound levels are more even. There is no magic fix. The reality is it we will not be able to fix all the content to suit all viewers. We make great efforts to find the balance to make the viewing experience as enjoyable as possible. What we cannot and do not do is raise the volume of commercials beyond that of the program because, to do so, would push the commercial sound into the distortion range and that would not make our clients very happy.
At Citytv we are always working hard to improve the viewing experience and we thank you for your comments. It is your comments and feedback that provide us the incentive to review our processes and try to make more improvements. When a viewer has raised concern over general volume or any technical issue, we ask for specific information of channel, date, and time and show name so that we may go back and review the content to ensure that the process was as good as possible.
We are not the only broadcaster to constantly deal with the issue of commercial vs. program volume. Please visit this CRTC site for additional information: CRTC "Fact Sheet". It is called "It's a blast. Loudness of commercials." Click here for more information www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/G3.HTM
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