TORONTO (CP) - HDTV Networks Inc. said Friday it has applied to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for a licence to begin a free national over-the-air broadcast of high-definition television.

HDTV Networks has proposed to deliver programming to viewers in Canada's eight largest English television markets, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

The Vancouver-based firm is a subsidiary of CSR Investments Inc., a company controlled by Toronto businessman John Bitove, who owns almost 60 per cent of CSR and also heads the Priszm KFC and Pizza Hut income trust (TSX:QSR.UN).

CSR also controls the Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. and the XM Satellite Radio brands in Canada.

"Canadians are drastically falling behind in HDTV technology and it is critical that as a country we deliver high-definition programming around the clock to all Canadians," Bitove said in a release.

"Our broadcast system needs to stay relevant to consumer needs and offer the latest in technology at no cost to the public."