New digital advertising screen now active at Granville and Smithe in Vancouver
A large LED screen approved by Vancouver City Council in September 2025 is now operating at the northwest corner of Granville Street and Smithe Street.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on dailyhive.com.
A large LED advertising screen at the corner of Granville Street and Smithe Street in Downtown Vancouver is now fully operating. Daily Hive reported on November 4, 2026 that the screen is installed and activated, more than a year after the previous Vancouver City Council approved it in September 2025.
The screen sits at 897 Granville Street, on the rooftop of the building that holds a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant. It is 7.5 feet tall and 29 feet wide, with a total display area of 517 square feet, perched 13.5 feet above the rooftop, according to Daily Hive.
What the screen shows
The agreement is with Astral Out-of-Home Bell Media. Under its terms, the screen can only show static images. Moving video, animations, and dynamic images are not allowed, Daily Hive reported.
The screen has a built-in system to adjust brightness and light direction by time of day.
What the City earns and receives
The agreement pays the City $80,000 in its first year, with a 3% annual increase built in. By year 10, Daily Hive reports the baseline payment reaches $104,000 per year. The building's property owner also pays the City half of their 30% share of net revenue from the sign.
The City also receives 20% of the screen's display time at no cost, for public messaging such as local arts, culture, events, festivals, and business announcements. Daily Hive reports this in-kind time has a market value of $150,000 to $200,000 per year at current advertising rates.
Why this location
The City's Granville Street Plan encourages digital screens in the entertainment district, particularly near Granville and Robson streets. Daily Hive notes the City has been supporting modern lighting and LED technology to bring more activity to the area, following decades when neon signage was restricted by bylaws introduced in the 1970s.
When City Council approved this screen in September 2025, it also approved a new citywide framework to govern and expand digital advertising screens across Vancouver.
Residents can read the Granville Street Plan at vancouver.ca to see which areas of the city allow this type of signage.
Questions this story answers
Where is the new digital screen in Vancouver?
The screen is at 897 Granville Street, on the rooftop of the building at the northwest corner of Granville Street and Smithe Street in the Granville Entertainment District in Downtown Vancouver. Daily Hive reported it is now fully activated after being installed in November 2026.
Who approved the digital advertising screen?
The previous makeup of Vancouver City Council approved the installation in September 2025. At the same meeting, Council also approved a new citywide policy framework to regulate and expand digital advertising screen opportunities across Vancouver, according to Daily Hive.
How big is the new screen at Granville and Smithe?
According to Daily Hive, the screen measures 7.5 feet (2.44 metres) in height and 29 feet (8.8 metres) in width, for a total screen area of 517 square feet (48 square metres). It sits 13.5 feet (4.1 metres) above the rooftop.
What can the screen display?
Under the agreement with Astral Out-of-Home Bell Media, the screen can only display static images. It cannot show moving video, animations, or dynamic images, according to Daily Hive. The screen has a built-in system to adjust brightness and light direction depending on the time of day.
How much revenue does the City of Vancouver earn from the screen?
Daily Hive reports the agreement gives the City an $80,000 annual payment in its first year, with a 3% annual increase. By the tenth year, the annual baseline payment reaches $104,000. The building's property owner also pays the City half of their 30% share of net revenue.
Does the City get any display time on the screen?
Yes. Under the agreement, Astral must give the City 20% of the screen's display time for public uses, such as promoting local arts, culture, events, festivals, businesses, and other public messaging. Daily Hive reports this in-kind benefit has a market value of between $150,000 and $200,000 per year at current advertising rates.
Why is the City encouraging digital screens in this area?
According to Daily Hive, the City's Granville Street Plan encourages digital screens, especially near the intersection of Granville and Robson streets. In recent years the City has been supporting lighting and modern technologies to bring more activity to the Granville Entertainment District.
What comes next for digital advertising in Vancouver?
The City of Vancouver approved a new citywide policy framework for digital advertising screens alongside this specific project in September 2025. Residents can read the City's Granville Street Plan at vancouver.ca for details on where such screens are permitted.
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