Explainer broadcasts the details on television in the metro.

1. The Berri-UQÀM metro station was the first to see Métrovision screens installed. Twenty-two giant screen displays have been placed along the station's platforms to offer the estimated 7.6 million passengers per month "a more enjoyable experience while informing them about the transit system," according to Métrovision. The company is based here and is a division of Trangesco, an affiliate of the Société de transport de Montréal. Métrovision commissioned a survey of regular metro clients and claims that 90 per cent of travellers said they will consult the screens. "According to a survey we conducted with 1,400 customers, close to 80 per cent of them ranked real-time information as their primary need. Because it offers the possibility to communicate quickly and efficiently with clients, urban television directly answers this need," said Claude Dauphin, chairman of the board of the STM.

2. Each screen will display information such as the weather, time and train schedule in addition to news and other programming. All content will be in French with subtitles (there is no sound), and advertising will make up 50 per cent of programming time, according to company officials. Métrovision has partnered with several companies to supply programming: the National Film Board will contribute animation; RDI will offer news, sports and other information; Cirque du Soleil is offering a four-minute broadcast about its beginnings and current productions; Productions G5MEDIA will provide health-related content; Image Diffusion International will present two-minute clips of interview excerpts and sequences from the latest film releases; and Altau.TV will offer programming on subjects including extreme sports and technology. Content will run in 12-minute loops. The LCD projectors are provided by Sanyo Canada and the screens come in three sizes: 7x4 feet, 12x7 feet and 16x9 feet. All projectors are networked, which enables a central console to control what is being shown at what time where. The projectors are positioned on the platforms across from the screens.

3. So how many of these suckers will we see in the metro? Between now and December 2006, 118 more screens will be installed in 15 other stations, bringing the total up to 140 screens in 16 stations. Starting this January, stations such as McGill, Atwater, Longueuil, Angrignon, Henri-Bourassa and others will be getting hooked up. "Once rollout is completed, 85 per cent of metro clients will have the opportunity to consult the giant screens during their commutes," according to the company.

 
 

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Over saturation is nigh     I already have conflicting signals in the metro, so I'm worried about this. I first have my CD player which I listen to when getting to the metro, and I leave it on because the buskers are getting worse. So there's an aural conflict, and then there's the conflict of homework with Hour and another newspaper that I can't remember the name of. Adding in the television will have the end result of giving me the attention span of a gnat. This is true for all of us. You'll see, we won't be able to concentrate on anything at all after a while.
Nathan Murray	{15 votes}	October 24th, 2004
Outrage is all I have to say.     They increase transportation cost to the point they also have to get money from the gouvernment. Which again we pay in taxes. TV screens that is what it comes too. There is no security in the Metro stations , people are robbed and stabbed and we are get TV screens. What for the , next elections. Hey they can't stop the punks from writting on the Metro walls and they are going to put TV screens. THere are clocks hanging in almost all the stations that aren't working I would say that was more important. There are people getting pushed onto the tracks by teenagers , but hey we need TV screens. There are no public washrooms in the Metro stations but we need TV screens. What is the matter with this country , do people not see anything wrong with this. Do you not see that Metro Stations are not places to lounge around watching TV. You have money to burn then cut the transportation prices down so people will leave there cars at home.
Maria Cecillia Silva	{10 votes}	October 24th, 2004
Good idea/Bad idea/Pointless idea     Good idea: the wonderful frequency of metro service during rush hour, so that (a) people can get to where they have to be on time, and (b) nobody gets too terribly bored while waiting for the next train or trying to avoid the man yelling about [insert favourite yelling-person topic here] at the other end of the platform. Bad idea: metro service ending so early at night. (Despite others' complaints, I can deal with waiting for a train. I know when the trains are frequent and when they are not; a yam could figure this out after a few days of metro usage. I simple plan around it.) Pointless idea: drumroll please - though you know it already - Metrovision! Even more pointless? The fact that they seem to have had an actual GALA to celebrate the new TVs on a platform at Berri-UQAM, or so I gathered as I watched them set up fancy tables while wearing fancy attire one day while on my way to work. The clocks at McGill station are very useful - they're actually on-the-minute correct when it comes to the next two trains! The Metrovision clocks, however, are not. Some mornings I've been blankly gazing at the screen, obviously pre-coffee, wondering what to do for the next 5 minutes when suddenly there's a train in my face and I'm getting on, the doors are closing, and the screen still hasn't realized that any of this has taken place. Nope, no accuracy here. As for the so-called programming? Oh boy, more chances to watch commercials! Blown-up politicians staring at us as we travel! Brand me! Buy me! Vote for me! ...um, no. I'll look up if there's a Cirque du Soleil ad on, because at least that's pretty. And perhaps I'll take a glance at the weather, though my homepage is set to theweathernetwork.ca and I check it religiously, so I already know what I'll see. More likely, my face will be buried between the covers of the book I've brought along with me. And wait a sec - isn't STM supposed to be concentrating on the metro extension to Laval?
Lise Treutler	{8 votes}	October 23rd, 2004
One more drop in the ocean     Why should we feel bad about the installation of large TV screens in the subway? It appears this network will equally provide information (including maybe some safety measures!) and advertisings. It is more or less the same formula used in daily newpapers, as it is the case with the ones which are given for free in the same public space. The public space, as well as the medias (TV, radio, papers and Internet), was already saturated by a wall-to-wall sollicitation of the population. Since there was almost no more space left for such means of communication, there was still the "moving" screen that could be used, i.e. a screen that shows different content as time goes on. However, 90 per cent of the travellers, according to the survey mentioned up above, were in favor for that means of communication. As it is the case in democraty, the majority rules. "Panem et circenses", as the Romans used to say.. That initiative is certainly less "brainly" invasive than the rest of any other average intervention someone could go through on a daily basis. And it's like one more drop in the ocean of information from which we get already overwhelmed. So why make such a fuss with this initiative?
Alain Gauthier	{8 votes}	October 23rd, 2004
'...so well-comme: to the maa-chinee....'     ..the word has become made into the electro-technical signals and codes of information seeking fertile minds to carry forth the ongoing zygote: viral contagions changing the parameters as perceptions are altered: stretched: stirred: and re-arranged until nothing more remains other than the mark of perception that will inform the viewer of the changing landscapes within the synaptical spheres of their minds -- information has become the resurrected silent film: we absorb the images and we absorb the words and we become not immuned to reality as we become deeply aware of the further connecting realites that suggest to us all the relinquishing of the re-inforced fears and doubts to learn to master this tool being given to us as the components of time and space conspire to offer us endless depths to enter and endless paths to consider as we are all invited upon the quest for the grail living within all of us: viewing the metr0-vision screens at the laurier metro station the other day - i was reminded immediately of the cut-up philosophies upheld by such creators as william s. burroughs: tristan tzara: and brion gysin as effective means to alter and re-locate one's immediate reality: as often as i do when i use the metr0 to observe the faces of the riders and individuals waiting to board the next metr0 train -- i often ponder their thoughts while viewing their eyes and it seems very apopros to observe the faces and their eyes while the silent fictions play out their unique silent dramas of un-folding news and the highly agitated images promoting and selling and tempting and offering while the commuters press forth to reach destination points and to reach their appointed rounds underneath the magick windows of pixels and images - the subliminal cues creating a rapid confounding of various subtexturals variables: weather and news converging into the latest ad campaign while the distant eyes look upwards to receive the word from the omnipotent eye knowing them.
Gary Womac	{19 votes}	October 22nd, 2004
The STM introduces TVs in the metro--yes, because *that's* the solution. Yeah, right...     Picture this: you're at the Lionel-Groulx station waiting for your metro to arrive when you vaguely hear the telltale bell tones of the STM intercom going off and this is what you hear... *static crackle*...tissement du ervice sur la li...*thunderous echo of departing metro on the other side of the metro tracks*...cause d'un...*thunderous echo of arriving metro on another one of tracks*...à la station...*static crackle*...ise du service est prévu pour le plus tôt possible...*static crackle*...convénient et nous apprécions votre patience. De nouveau détail suivrons à tout les...*grumbling of the irritated crowd makes it impossible to make out the rest* Oh, I'm sorry, you mean you don't speak intercom metro-ese? Well, let me clear that up for you then. "Il y a un relentissement du service sur la ligne verte pour cause d'un incident à la station Berri-UQAM, la reprise du service est prévu pour le plus tôt possible. Nous nous excusons pour cet inconvénient et nous apprécions votre patience. De nouveau détails suivront à tout les quinze minutes, veuillez attendre pour d'autre instruction." Oh, you mean you don't speak french? Well then, you're screwed and there's nothing anybody can do for you because if and (who's kidding who here?) *when* something goes ass backwards in the STM's metro network you will hear exactly what I've just relayed to you. English? The monkeys at the STM couldn't be bothered to consider that practical reality. We're Quebec after all. Instead of allocating video scroll bars at each of the metro stations like they have in the newer metro cabs for just such emergencies the STM is tinkering with Métrovision which one imagines has got to cost significantly more. The STM may have changed their letters from STCUM but they still have their heads up their asses if they think giving us glorified television instead of better and more practical service is what's really called for here.
Pedro Eggers	{33 votes}	October 21st, 2004
Where will it end ?     Like the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy used to sing in 1992, "Television: The Drug of the Nation". Soon, you won't be able to take the métro without being bombarded with commercial ads. Of course, they say they're installing screens across the stations to make sure that users will know when the next train is coming. Yeah, right. The STM is paying ridiculous amounts of money just to tell us when the next train is coming but the remaining air-time will be carefully used to show tasteful ads. What is really bugging me is that more and more the public realm seems to shrink as more and more public spaces are being used for private purposes. Of course, in the old days public spaces were used to display statues and other ornaments often to convey certain ideas about private individuals. People like the Medici commissioned painetrs and sculptors to make artworks praising the grandeur of their family. But these days, public spaces seem to exist only so they can be plastered with posters or banners adevrtising consumer products. Naomi Klein wrote "No Logo" ? What's the use if you soon won't be able to walk down the street or take the métro without having publicity displayed. It seems that our only choice will be to move to Vermont -where billboard posting is illegal- or close our eyes -since the TVs in the métro will be silent. Or you could always stop taking the métro and buy a car. You could always check out the new models on the métro's TV screen...
Sylvain Provost	{9 votes}	October 21st, 2004
OVERLOAD!!!     My God, Arrgh! indeed...although metro stations are generally incredibly boring after the first 5 minutes of looking at the design etc. and wondering when the next train will make its way down the tracks, this is just too much. It seems that, just as described in No Logo, people are having less and less 'free space', i.e. space without publicity nudging you into looking, listening, thinking, buying products. Of course the consumer has the choice to say no to these pleas, but this is really an infringement of public space. Last time I was at Berri-UQAM I noticed the screens and the only useful information on there was the time of the next train..which was wrong anyhow (only by a minute but still...) This kind of data can easily be displayed in other, less invasive ways such as the info-blocks at McGill (and why these were never introduced in any other metro station remains a mystery). Commuters can watch TV at home, and I for one don't appreciate having my spcae invaded by more publicity and so-called 'interest' programs, even if they are from 'local' companies - I'd much rather continue reading my book, listen to music, or look around me. Another point is that inner-city life is generally a pretty solitary affair, people rarely smile (although they often look), people rarely help others in need - a case in point is an elderly woman who fell down the step of a bus and people walked over or around her to get off instead of helping her up - and this Métrovision really doesn't help to alleviate that in any way. I am definitely not in support of them.
Ellen Reid	{3 votes}	October 21st, 2004
Not as bad as I thought...     I laughed when I heard that there was going to be 'TVs' in the Metro. I tought It was a ridiculous idea... But then it happened. I hate waiting the Metro, always have. But it seems that in the stations where there are screens, the wainting isn't as horrible as it used to be. it's nice to see the latest news, as well as to know how long the Metro will take to get there.
Catherine Recart		September 29th, 2005
Sci-Fi Metros Coming soon to a stop near you!!     Now it's tv's for the metro stations... this reminds me of Sci-Fi movies where you some some funky futuristic stuff and I think a tv in a metro is no exception for heading in that direction, although it may be just a drop in the bucket as a start. Soon we will have hologram sales reps pitching us products as we walk down the streets, and oh yes those lovely flying cars that drive through multiple air built higways!! Why do we need a tv in our Metro system? Are people that bored while they are traveling that they need something to constantly look? And look at the cost to install these tv's would you rather pay less to get somewhere, or pay more so you can see a tv while you wait for a ride? I guess it's too late as they have already started... and we will have to pay!
Andrea Silva		January 9th, 2005
Wasted Resources     Just two days before reading this article I watched a movie (in my Humanities class) called "Advertising and the End of the World". Throughout the film researchers were explaining that our society is so obsessed with advertisements and spending that in the last 50 years we have matched the amount of resources used from the previous thousands of years. They say that as a result of this, it is estimated that by the year 2065 we will run out of resources thereby causing 'the end of the world', unless something is done now to prevent it. The installment of these metro televisions are just adding to the problem because it is a complete waste of money. The only good thing about it is that it will display the metro schedule but we already have things like that at some stations (McGill metro station-tells you how long until the next metro). Also it said that at least 50% of the programming will be advertisements in an effort to get people to spend more money! We need to cut back on spending and restrict advertisements (it is estimated that people see 3600 ads on an average day), NOT add more!!
Carly Coxford		November 1st, 2004
What ?? no washrooms , but TV's ????     I think this is rediculous ?? the people already gaze into nothing .. now you want them to be zombies ? I believe that TV should be there if an international event ( good or bad ) happens ,,,, or even a national one. So many people are glued to the TV already. I suggest they have entertainers to give a few minutes of peace to parents, help their imaginations a little bit. Bathrooms for one thing ...we never had any in the metro'S and of they think there will be drug dealers ... have security 24-7 ( the employement is needed ) also have counselors for people who need to talk ... or even a clown to brighten someones day !! What do all of you think about this ?? Tv'S ... does that sound right to you ????
Nathalie Verbruggen		October 28th, 2004
What's the big deal?     The common opinion seems to be one of outrage. Why? Television is a form of communication. Why is it so different than handing out issues of "Metro" or "24 Heures"? If someone does not want to watch the television, they simply don't have to. Nobody is tying you down, and forcing you to look at it. It seems to be popular to bash television. Television is looked down upon, compared to books or newspapers. But, remember, a few hundred years ago, society looked down on theater.... It's not the medium, but how you use it. And, yes, this will mostly be used for advertising. But this is money that will help keep our buses running, and our metros clean. With no funding coming from the government, how can you blame the STCUM?
Eric Wilson		October 26th, 2004
Commuters don't wear diapers     Advertisers consider us as babies imprisoned in sterile cribs, hypnotized by the pretty colours of a twirling mobile overhead. While the mobile may be the caged baby's only source of entertainment, commuters waiting for the metro have more resources than just Metrovision. Instead of drooling in front of the screen, I have seen metro users read the newspaper, talk, sing, have arguments, dance, fight, and just think. Metrovision doesn't make the metro run faster, or the weather clearer, or the commute shorter, and consequently, most people now ignore it. Here's something actually useful to display on Metrovision: Commuters are not babies that stare at whatever bauble is placed in front of them; they have the capacity to be selective and block out gross stupidities.
Sara Day	{2 votes}	October 25th, 2004
Passengers Need Distractions     Waiting 10 minutes for a Metro train with nothing to do can get very boring. Some people read books or newspapers or even do crossword puzzles. For the rest of us the TV screen will make the wait much more manageable and we will learn something about today's happenings before reaching the office or home. It would be a nice way to be entertained. If it gets too interesting passengers will start missing trains and this will create a huge bottleneck in the same way accidents slow down traffic because everyone is eager to get a closer look. Short passengers will start shoving tall ones in order to get a clearer view of the TV screens. Pickpockets will have a field day with passengers being hypnotized by the screens. Even the YMCA has TV screens installed in front of their treadmills knowing that it takes a lot of willpower to complete a tough exercise session. Hospital rooms have them as well because patients would rather not be there and need to kill time which passes much too slowly. Even parents use the TV to babysit their own children! In the end it is the advertising revenue that makes it so attractive. Unless we want to pay a lot more for transit fare, these screens will remain!
Stephen Talko	{1 vote}	October 24th, 2004
Look at me !     All this began with the newspaper in the metro. The first days, everybody said:" This is great, now we are everyday informed!" And today, what you can see each day, in the metro, garbage many newspaper everywhere. And now in yours metro, you can see or you will see visual garbage. I think, in the morning people don't have time for see the television. Maybe, the news in the Montreal's metro are goods but between two news, we have publicity. This TV in the metro is not for the news but make money and tell to public, to consume.
Monica Meza-Giron		October 22nd, 2004
It's about Time     What took so long for these TV screens to come to Montreal metro system. I wish we could have these TV's at every metro station right now because most of the time we're just sitting or standing there doing nothing and it gets so boring. Now when I'm at the Berri metro station I have something to do. I can't wait to see a metrovision at every metro station. I love TV and I can't live without it and it's great that the TV comes to you. I wish that every metro cart had a TV in it because that would be so cool and who knows, one it will happen. Maybe they can play movies and music videos. Now that's what I call riding the metro and I bet you that there sales will triple if they would do this so they should take my idea into consideration. Thank you!
Carmela Sicurella	{5 votes}	October 22nd, 2004
WHAT NEXT? TV IN THE WASHROOMS?     I think this idea is insane! Everywhere we go we are bombarded with commercials and advertising. When I go to a movie, I first have to watch ten minutes of commercials. I can see that at home and save my $12. Do we really need to hear the weather and the depressing news stories on our commute? I know that I need some down time after a long day at the office. And who is paying for all this equipment and its installation? I wonder!!!!!!!
Heath Abram	{6 votes}	October 21st, 2004
I wouldn't Call That TV!     I think the new screens are a great idea from a business and passenger point of views. Public Transit needs to stand out more to encourage people to use use it. This not a regular TV set that allows you to flip through channels and make your brain dull. The information it displays is pretty useful and quite informative (time, wheather, news, etc...). I guess we can look at the positve side of things and TV is on of those things that can be used for our TRUE benefit. Cheers.
Peter Rice	{2 votes}	October 21st, 2004
Good media of communication     I remember first coming to Montreal and while getting the hang of the metro system was rather easy, learning french proved to be more difficult. I don't know how many countless times when the metro was down that I was the only person sitting on the metro while people filed out in lines. Sadly I couldn't understand the announcements at the time being made, sometimes beause I didn't understand french at the time and beause the public announcement system was so poor it sounded fuzzy. It sounded more to me live Charlie Browns teach talking "wa wawa wa wa." It is great that the television screens installed at various stations in french and subtitled in english. This will allow visitors from other countries to have a better understanding of schedules and any delays. We Montrealers can also enjoy TV entertainment while waiting for our metros on our endless commutes.
Renessa Cabrera	{1 vote}	October 21st, 2004
Not wise to divert your eyes     Pondering the recent shoving of a 55-year-old Montreal woman onto the metro tracks, right in the path of an incoming train, gives one second thoughts about the upcoming Metrovision scheduled to be released upon a passive travelling public in early 2006. The primary concern would be safety. If someone can be that easily toppled onto the highly electrified tracks, by gangs of undisciplined youths, then perhaps there should be more money allocated to metro security. These overly zealous metro cops often spend their professional time picking on the homeless. Where were they during this incident? The money garnered from constantly climbing fares should be used to train these individuals in preventitive measures. We need to watch out for our own personal safety in our metro stations rather than watching television.
Heather Lee	{1 vote}	October 21st, 2004
Only For the Metro     Well its nice to walk to the metro and have a TV, but its not like you going to just sit there and watch it, I mean, you probably have better things to do then watch a TV with a bad picture and probably in a channel you don't care about and with very low sound. But if you are waiting for the metro to come, I guess its better then nothing !
Simon Cardoso		December 6th, 2004
Hmmmm...     From what little I've seen of it, it is mainly advertising. What a surprise! The feature of giving the time of the next passing metro is cool, but I've already noticed that is sometimes off by a few minutes. It is not that noticeable, but I hope it will help to keep the cost of bus/métro tickets and passes down and not add to the growing STM budget deficit, which always ends up on the shoulders of the commuters.
Nicholas Trottier		October 27th, 2004
Waste of money     This is not going to be a good thing. In the long run it is going to hurt the commuters because the stm is going raise the price for the passes and tickets, so we the commuters are going to pay for it. I think if the STM has money to spend there are better things to do, like fix up the metro station, the metros and bus. That should be more important than putting TVs in metros.
John Shannon	{1 vote}	October 26th, 2004
Metro TV     I take the metro to go from a place or get to a place, I don't go there to watch TV. If I want to keep myself informed I'd scan the net, pick up a paper or go watch TV at home. Just arrive on time and stop breaking down and I'll be happy.
Vladimir Joseph	{2 votes}	October 21st, 2004

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