---
title: "New digital advertising screen now active at Granville and Smithe in Vancouver"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/granville-smithe-digital-advertising-screen-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-04T23:59:09.257Z"
---

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.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.