DTT Channel Speculation

BowWow

BreakingNews.iol.ie

Delegation to examine Oireachtas TV channel feasibility

3/25/2008 - 3:58:05 PM

TDs and Senators are travelling to Westminster next month to investigate the feasibility of establishing a dedicated Oireachtas TV channel.
A delegation from the 24-member Joint Administration Committee is to study the operation of the BBC Parliament channel which broadcasts live proceedings from the House of Commons.
The issue was referred to the Committee by the Taoiseach who suggested in November that coverage of the Dáil and Seanad and Oireachtas Committees could replace the current “rubbish” on the TV schedules.
The high-powered Administration Committee includes Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt, Seanad leader Donie Cassidy and Seanad Leas Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke. It is chaired by Fianna Fáil TD Barry Andrews.
Sources close to the Committee confirmed the visit to Westminster is likely to take place in the early part of April.
Former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte once famously claimed that only “drunks and insomniacs” watched the late-night parliamentary coverage on RTE.
However, Bertie Ahern said in November that a dedicated Oireachtas TV channel would help inform the public about Dáil and Seanad debates as well as topical issues being discussed in the 22 Oireachtas Committees.
Responding to a question from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Mr Ahern told TDs in the Dáil in November: “I am entirely in agreement on a dedicated television station broadcasting unedited recordings of what happens in the House, although perhaps edited if there is repetition.
“I understand that it would be easy enough for us to do it. Presentations made to Oireachtas Committees would fill many television stations.
“Obviously, if the Dáil is being broadcast, everything else could not be, but it would be very suitable for running in the evening or at weekends.
“It might never have high TAM (Television Audience Measurement) ratings, but I do not believe many people watch much of the stuff I happen to flick through when looking for the programme I want to watch.
“I would say that a lot of the rubbish that is on TV does not get much of a TAM rating, although I have to confess that some of the rubbish gets very high TAM ratings.
“A dedicated television service would help to publicise some of the quality presentations which are made.
“It may be the case that not everyone will watch the channel when groups come before the Oireachtas to represent a substantial number of people.”
Mr Kenny said Opposition parties were in consultation with the Ceann Comhairle on the issue.
He added: “I understand the technology is available and that the cost is not too great.
“A dedicated political or Oireachtas channel covering Dáil, Seanad and Committee proceedings would be of enormous interest to people and it would be a great public service.”

© BreakingNews.ie 2008

watty

They just need a DTT network for this stuff:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=4420

Elmo

They just like to travel.

TD = Travel & Discuss, even when there is nothing to discuss.

Was told today from a reliable source that UK channels - BBC's, Channel 4, & ITV will be air in the next few weeks

bassy

sounds great hellboy,how reliable is your source?.

hellboy99 wrote: »

Was told today from a reliable source that UK channels - BBC's, Channel 4, & ITV will be air in the next few weeks

bassy

bassy wrote: »

sounds great hellboy,how reliable is your source?.

Came from a mate of mine that works in a well known electrical store.

bassy

lets hope its true hellboy and the launch the channels very soon hopefully.

bassy

bassy wrote: »

lets hope its true hellboy and the launch the channels very soon hopefully.

hope so, cause it's really no addition without them.

watty

probably confusing Irish DTT Digital with UK Satellite FreeSat.

watty

watty wrote: »

probably confusing Irish DTT Digital with UK Satellite FreeSat.

No, I already asked him that.

watty

Months rather than weeks, if happening.

byte

watty wrote: »

Months rather than weeks, if happening.

Don't be so negative! :pac:

watty

It will be the Autumn before they have rolled out the 4 main channels.

SPDUB

watty wrote: »

It will be the Autumn before they have rolled out the 4 main channels.

What's rolling out the 4 main channels got to do with putting BBC etc on the "trial" now or the next few week

watty

The trail is of no significance.

Only the real rollout has meaning.

SPDUB

watty wrote: »

The trail is of no significance.

Only the real rollout has meaning.

If the rumour is of a few weeks then they are talking about the "trial" whether the "trial" has significance or not

What Real rollout has to do with that you still haven't answered

watty

I mistakenly thought we were taking about the real rollout, since that started before Christmas. I suspect when trial ends that RTE will take over one mux on Three Rock and Clermont.

scath

Eh guys. RTE International looks like its ramping up now. Maybe this should be in another thread-move if so.See contract invitation notice at:

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR100578
"itle attributed to the contract by the contracting authority: Provision
of encoding, uplinking and transponder space at the UK DTH position at
28.2E or 28.5E for provision of TV channel on Freesat plaform.
Radio Telefis Eireann, Ireland’s national broadcaster, is committed to
providing a television service to the Irish communities living in the
United Kingdom. It now wishes to contract for the provision of encoding,
uplinking and transponder space at the UK’s DTH position of 28.2E or 28.5E
for transmission on the Freesat platform. RTE wishes to encode using MPEG2
technology with a combined video and audio rate of 3Mbit. The offered
transponder must have a suitable footprint to offer DTH reception in the
United Kingdom. RTE, or its agent, will deliver the proposed SD channel in
the SDI format with embedded audio to BT Tower in Lonon for onward
carriage to the proposed contractor’s mux site. In addition the contractor
should be in a position to supply connectivity for the delivery of EPG and
SI data to the Freesat platform."

Would that mean they're going for BBC-ITV FreeSat service rather than Freeview? That means they won't need to be on Sky here at all. Of course it would be a paired down channel perhaps of Dail coverage and Irish programmes. However would it not make sense to call it Ireland International and let some TV3 and Channel 6 content on it?

Also how about pay DTT becoming a stakeholder in RTE NL ie rename the arm with RTE holding a majority stake rather than potentially 2 DTT national networks?

byte

On the Full Notice Text, I found this bit:

II.3) DURATION OF THE CONTRACT OR TIME-LIMIT FOR COMPLETION: Starting:
1.9.2008.

Is this an indication as to when the channel will launch?

scath

I'd guess soon after that. Clever they went for Freesat. Does that mean that Sky will be able to pick it up also like with UTV? The musta sorted out the cost delay with the dept of comm's for launching it. A..everything is moving nicely now. I think there'd be sense in Freeview NI, Top-up TV Ni joining up with the DTT ROI consoritum brandwise and NI upgrading to MPEG 4 so ya could have ROI channels up North?

byte wrote: »

On the Full Notice Text, I found this bit:



Is this an indication as to when the channel will launch?

doh.ie

scath wrote: »

That means they won't need to be on Sky here at all. Of course it would be a paired down channel perhaps of Dail coverage and Irish programmes. However would it not make sense to call it Ireland International and let some TV3 and Channel 6 content on it?

I agree. A more Tara-like service would make more sense and be a better representation to the Irish abroad of what's going on at home. (Incidentally, Diaspora TV had better be a development-name. If the actual service ends up being called that, it'll be comical! Awful name.)

The Freesat side of things is a good move - FTA channel available to anyone pointing a dish at Astra/Eurobird, and it can include European homes too. The likely advertising will all be British, though, I expect.

However, don't expect RTE to allow it onto the Irish Sky EPG - like with Tara, they won't want anyone watching the programmes anywhere but on RTE ONE and TWO. We'll all be able to tune it in via Other Channels, of course (might be handy if programmes are timeshifted or scheduled differently). Worth doing that just to spite 'em!

Mossy Monk

3mb that piece mentioned. RTÉ One, Two and TG4 are higher, is that correct?

TARA on the EPG was handy because RTÉ weren't there. There is no need for this to be put on the Sky EPG in Ireland.

How much would you people be willing to pay if anything when the DTT service goes live ?

Mossy Monk

To be perfectly honest I would be happy with the FTA channels. I hardly ever watch subscription tv with the exception of live sport so subscribing to anything would be a waste of my time.

Cuchulain

hellboy99 wrote: »

How much would you people be willing to pay if anything when the DTT service goes live ?

€0 well certainly until analogue is fully decommissioned. Eitherway isnt this what we are paying our TV License for?

DMC

Cuchulain wrote: »

€0 well certainly until analogue is fully decommissioned.

Hardly. People in Britain do buy Freeview receivers, and are quite happy to get them. Once they know its a one off cost, and the receivers are priced right, and they have reception, they can allow themselves to get it.

Thats why its so successful over there.

Fingleberries

DMC wrote: »

Hardly. People in Britain do buy Freeview receivers, and are quite happy to get them. Once they know its a one off cost, and the receivers are priced right, and they have reception, they can allow themselves to get it.

Thats why its so successful over there.

I agree. Freeview works as DTT because it's a one-off payment for the receivers. I can't see a fully subscription based DTT working here as a model - particularly if there are different groups of content providers all providing only 8 channels each? It would be so fragmented and not a viable alternative to Sky, UPC or even FreeSat.

I would see it working best here if the majority of stuff was non-Subscription, with the remaining channels being available like the Top-Up TV you can get in the UK (maybe a premium sports, or movie channel?).

scath

I think a hybrid model of the 2 Muxes consistsing of Irish FTA & Irish FTA+1. I think its better to turn RTE 2 into a kids channel consisting of mostly RTE2 and TG4 kids programming and move foreign content to TG4 former kids prog 12-4pm.

That will allow:
RTE Mux:
RTE1, RTE+1, TV3, Other TV3 channel, TG4, Channel 6, Politics TV, Kids n Ireland TV,

Commercial Mux 1: Courses TV-sub channel (til 2013 then fta RTE arts channel-theatre progs/gigs/club music/concerts/classical concerts) , rest FTA: BBC1, BBC2, C4, UTV-Eolas TV (IrishOpen Uni general pilot progs) during prog rights clash, CITV, Bubble Hits, Sky One.

Commerical Mux 2, Bloomberg,Sky News, BBC World News-(replace with Island of Ireland News channel later), Al Jaz English, France 24, CCTV9, CNN, Russia Today. FTA

Com Mux 3: Sky Sports News, Setanta Sports News, Sky Sports 1, Setanta Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Setanta Sports 2, Setanta Ireland, Sky Sports 3. subscription.

2013-2014, Mux 4: Film 4, E4, Sky Cinema, Sky Movies 1, Nickleodean, MTV UK+I, CBBC. Subscription

2nd RTE MUX- Course TV channels 1-7 Subscription Fees (county exam centres), Campus FTA for as Student TV, innovations, student drama, student union roundup across the country as in UCD presently.

That'll make 3 FTA 1 PPV, Then when the 2 muxes comes on stream in 2013 that'll be 2 more subscription muxes of channels. That'll be 3 FTA and 3PPV. I see the 2nd RTE Mux used for 3rd level open and distance learning as a good use of the 2nd mux. An argument could be made for these 8 all on Sky instead. But then I think use of Sky would be better for these channels on Sky abroad as leaders as DTT will enable campus TV for Irish people, it should be available for everyone. Campus TV is a potential opening up of Open and Distance learning through subs ie useful TV internationally. Ireland could lead!

Open and distance learning using Amigo TV and webcam Microsoft Netmeeting would offer college for reduced fees, software installation support, travel time saving, accommodation saving.

See http://www.hea.ie/odl for more.

That would be my vision of how to use the muxes. Note the inclusion of CITV, UTV to help reciprocity deal and of course BBC 1 & 2 and BBC World to be replaced by Irish news channel using BBC Ni as a partner and someone like ITN/BBC as the international partner.

I think best to call the subscription Extra rather than a seperate name. Unified brand. The BCI preference for pay TV compliant only boxes as assisting that. Also a DTT-cable/DTT-sat combo as assisting that.

Fingleberries wrote: »

I agree. Freeview works as DTT because it's a one-off payment for the receivers. I can't see a fully subscription based DTT working here as a model - particularly if there are different groups of content providers all providing only 8 channels each? It would be so fragmented and not a viable alternative to Sky, UPC or even FreeSat.

I would see it working best here if the majority of stuff was non-Subscription, with the remaining channels being available like the Top-Up TV you can get in the UK (maybe a premium sports, or movie channel?).

Cuchulain

Cuchulain wrote: »

€0 well certainly until analogue is fully decommissioned. Eitherway isnt this what we are paying our TV License for?

Not really, your TV licence is for your TV / receiver wether you watch TV or not. It's a bit of a joke really though when you think about as the TV licence fee funds RTE, so if you have a FTA system you can't receive RTE stations so why should you have to pay ?
And as for people with Sky why do we have to pay a charge for the Irish stations in our subscription fee when we pay for a TV licence , people in the UK don't.

With regards to the DTT service, if it does go ahead according to plan we will see a hike in the TV licence fee, and a monthly / yearly charge for the service.

DMC

hellboy99 wrote: »

It's a bit of a joke really though when you think about as the TV licence fee funds RTE, so if you have a FTA system you can't receive RTE stations so why should you have to pay?

The TV licence fee is now top sliced, it doesn't all go to RTÉ now, but still a huge majority of it. TV3 and the ILR's can apply to the BCI for funding from the licence fee.

hellboy99 wrote: »

And as for people with Sky why do we have to pay a charge for the Irish stations in our subscription fee when we pay for a TV licence , people in the UK don't.

People with cable have been paying to watch RTÉ for years before they dealt with Sky. That was the precedent used. Also, getting encrypted on Sky helped RTÉ get onto satellite, and protect their foreign programming rights, the whole FTA argument again. I would say with 100% certainty, that if Sky didn't do a deal with RTÉ back in the day, RTÉ would not be on satellite today.

Elmo

That will allow:
RTE Mux:
RTE1, RTE+1, TV3, Other TV3 channel, TG4, Channel 6, Politics TV, Kids n Ireland TV,

Commercial Mux 1: Courses TV-sub channel (til 2013 then fta RTE arts channel-theatre progs/gigs/club music/concerts/classical concerts) , rest FTA: BBC1, BBC2, C4, UTV-Eolas TV (IrishOpen Uni general pilot progs) during prog rights clash, CITV, Bubble Hits, Sky One.

Commerical Mux 2, Bloomberg,Sky News, BBC World News-(replace with Island of Ireland News channel later), Al Jaz English, France 24, CCTV9, CNN, Russia Today. FTA

Com Mux 3: Sky Sports News, Setanta Sports News, Sky Sports 1, Setanta Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Setanta Sports 2, Setanta Ireland, Sky Sports 3. subscription.

2013-2014, Mux 4: Film 4, E4, Sky Cinema, Sky Movies 1, Nickleodean, MTV UK+I, CBBC. Subscription

2nd RTE MUX- Course TV channels 1-7 Subscription Fees (county exam centres), Campus FTA for as Student TV, innovations, student drama, student union roundup across the country as in UCD presently.

Far too many Foreign subscription channels on this. Surely an Irish movie channel, News Channel etc would work just as well!!! and actully provide the country with some extra jobs.

Why bother with DTT when it will only give us the same choices we have on Sky/UPC. Sky/UPC would have far more choice on their channel line up if they had to carry all of the TV channel licenced by the BCI. And the public would have a bigger choice.

L1011

DMC wrote: »

The TV licence fee is now top sliced, it doesn't all go to RTÉ now, but still a huge majority of it. TV3 and the ILR's can apply to the BCI for funding from the licence fee.

As can BBC Northern Ireland (who do), UTV and C4 (who don't).

Mossy Monk

The BBC claim some of the Republic of Ireland license fee. Interesting.

Elmo

The BBC claim some of the Republic of Ireland license fee. Interesting.

As can Sky.

RTE and TG4 both claim some of the BCI's fund as well.


It's the independent producers who claim the funding on condition that they have a Broadcaster to co-fund the project. In effect since the money is a grant the shows that are produced from it are co-productions with the Broadcasting Company and the Independent Producers.

As can BBC Northern Ireland (who do), UTV and C4 (who don't).

How do you know that they don't get independent producers to apply for the Grant? The applications could have been refused.

doh.ie

Mossy Monk wrote: »

3mb that piece mentioned. RTÉ One, Two and TG4 are higher, is that correct?

TARA on the EPG was handy because RTÉ weren't there. There is no need for this to be put on the Sky EPG in Ireland.

True, but if the programmes are timeshifted you can be damn sure a lot of people WILL tune it in to a Sky box via Other Channels. If someone wants to catch Prime Time at 11pm instead of 9.30pm or a cleverly scheduled Sunday afternoon repeat of a chat show like The Late Late (for those increasingly rare occasions when it's worth watching), then this new service might prove very useful.

As for DTT in Ireland, to be honest, IMO this plaform will die a death unless all the channels on it are FTA - with 500,000 on Sky, 250-300,000 on UPC (if not more) and only 120-180,000 homes still in 'analogue four channel land, with NI overspill), there is no way DTT can compete. At best, the channel offering will match what you pay less for on another platform. At worst, you'll be ripped off completely!

Now, like the UK experience, a fully free (one-off box/aerial cost) service could definitely work - multiple rooms hooked up to DTT potential here, in particular for homes with Sky but not Sky Multi-Room.

However, I don't think BBC or ITV channels will ever be on Irish DTT *without* a subscription, and considering the current situation on Astra with the UK terrestrials broadcasting FTA (Channel 4 likely to go FTA in summer, I believe), DTT is going to have a struggle to prove worthy of using at all (and especially subscribing to).

ronan.michael@g

watty wrote: »

The 1000 tiral users get a free MPEG4 DTT box.

How do I get listed as a "tester"? Some techie knowledge - avid tv viewer - pensioner but with full faculities still - loads of time to do the testing - can't afford the receiver - all my life in tv technical dept., - I'm ideal for the job!! Michael r. ps
What do I need to see all those other MUX's?

watty

The trial will be over in a few months. I suspect they have handed out all the free boxes.

An DTT receiver is half the price of a TV licence, even HD DTT receiver is 1/3rd price of a decent HD TV

What do you mean you can't afford a receiver?

Anyway, Free Satellite has more variety

bk

Given the discussion over on the Satellite forum that the BBC are about to launch Freesat next month with 80 channels including all the BBC, ITV, C4 and probably C5 channels and many HD channels also, I just can't see anyone willing to pay a cent for Irish commercial DTT channels, other then perhaps sports or movie channels.

People just aren't going to be willing to pay for the UK terrestrial channels when you can get a better line up for free in better picture quality on Freesat.

I can see a lot of combined Freesat + DTT boxes in future, with people only using DTT to pick up the Irish free channels.

doh.ie

bk wrote: »

Given the discussion over on the Satellite forum that the BBC are about to launch Freesat next month with 80 channels including all the BBC, ITV, C4 and probably C5 channels and many HD channels also, I just can't see anyone willing to pay a cent for Irish commercial DTT channels, other then perhaps sports or movie channels..

Couldn't agree more. (Incidentally, the BBC are launching Freesat as an alternative to Sky, yes - in terms of EPG, channel line-up numbering, the non-appearance of subscription channels on the EPG etc., but it is still broadcasting via the same satellites (Astra 2/Eurobird)as Sky Digital itself. You probably already knew that, but the way the line was phrased suggested it was a brand new service from a brand new satellite position. It is basically FTA Sky without Sky's box and EPG tied into it.) Channel 4's encryption deal with Sky ends in May/June - they are likely to go FTA in my opinion - after all, they are signed up as a Freesat partner. This should bring Ch4, Ch4+1, More 4, E4 and their +1s all FTA on both Sky Digital and on Freesat. Five/Five US/Five Life will probably eventually follow. They'd be mad to miss out on a place on Freesat, but rights issues *may* keep them tied to a viewing card for now.

bk wrote: »

People just aren't going to be willing to pay for the UK terrestrial channels when you can get a better line up for free in better picture quality on Freesat.

Yep, agree 100%. Can someone please make commercial partners and the Government aware of this? DTT will be completely inferior to a Freesat offering. At the very most, let the DTT service become like UK Freeview - a good range of channels FOR FREE (beyond box cost.) If it's subscription based in any way, it is doomed. Rip-off Ireland may still be alive and well, but people - particularly in relation to telly, where they are very aware of platforms/pricing etc. - are no longer stupid.

bk wrote: »

I can see a lot of combined Freesat + DTT boxes in future, with people only using DTT to pick up the Irish free channels.

Maybe. But DTT *can* be a success if its channel choice is strong (and yet still non-subscription) because it will lead to units being purchased for bedroom, attic, study TVs etc. where it can actually dent Sky and UPC multi-room (the one area it would have a value-for-money element over its rivals.) In day-to-day viewing, though - no contest.

Elmo

But DTT *can* be a success if its channel choice is strong

Even if only RTE ONE, RTE TWO, TV3 AND TG4 are on DTT it must be rolled out regardless of success. 2012 or is that 2015 now!!!

The line up must include something for the Irish Economy and the Irish Television Sector not just a retransmissions of TV channels available on UPC/Sky.

scath

Have made them aware. Haven't heard back but then until July 21st is a sensitive time commercially so thus I haven't heard back. No doubt they'll be aware of this as FreeSat UK launches

doh.ie wrote: »

Couldn't agree more. (Incidentally, the BBC are launching Freesat as an alternative to Sky, yes - in terms of EPG, channel line-up numbering, the non-appearance of subscription channels on the EPG etc., but it is still broadcasting via the same satellites (Astra 2/Eurobird)as Sky Digital itself. You probably already knew that, but the way the line was phrased suggested it was a brand new service from a brand new satellite position. It is basically FTA Sky without Sky's box and EPG tied into it.) Channel 4's encryption deal with Sky ends in May/June - they are likely to go FTA in my opinion - after all, they are signed up as a Freesat partner. This should bring Ch4, Ch4+1, More 4, E4 and their +1s all FTA on both Sky Digital and on Freesat. Five/Five US/Five Life will probably eventually follow. They'd be mad to miss out on a place on Freesat, but rights issues *may* keep them tied to a viewing card for now.



Yep, agree 100%. Can someone please make commercial partners and the Government aware of this? DTT will be completely inferior to a Freesat offering. At the very most, let the DTT service become like UK Freeview - a good range of channels FOR FREE (beyond box cost.) If it's subscription based in any way, it is doomed. Rip-off Ireland may still be alive and well, but people - particularly in relation to telly, where they are very aware of platforms/pricing etc. - are no longer stupid.



Maybe. But DTT *can* be a success if its channel choice is strong (and yet still non-subscription) because it will lead to units being purchased for bedroom, attic, study TVs etc. where it can actually dent Sky and UPC multi-room (the one area it would have a value-for-money element over its rivals.) In day-to-day viewing, though - no contest.

bk

doh.ie wrote: »

Couldn't agree more. (Incidentally, the BBC are launching Freesat as an alternative to Sky, yes - in terms of EPG, channel line-up numbering, the non-appearance of subscription channels on the EPG etc., but it is still broadcasting via the same satellites (Astra 2/Eurobird)as Sky Digital itself. You probably already knew that, but the way the line was phrased suggested it was a brand new service from a brand new satellite position. It is basically FTA Sky without Sky's box and EPG tied into it.)

Yes, I know all these channels are or will be available FTA on satellite including on Sky boxes. However I do sort of see it as a new platform, as it will have it's own consistent EPG, interactive services, PVR, branding and marketing.

Don't underestimate the importance of the last two, while we of course we know about FTA here on this forum, many ordinary people don't. I expect that the BBC will launch a massive marketing campaign for Freesat similar to it's campaigns for Freeview and DAB. This will massively increase awareness amongst ordinary people and add to that the ability to jsut walk into Argos and Dixons and buy a BBC branded Freesat box, I believe we face a massive milestone in the history of TV viewing in the UK and Ireland.

If that sounds a bit grandiose, I apologise, but just look at Freeview, wall to wall ads on the BBC for it!!! and within just two years it becomes the number one platform for TV in the UK, quickly surpassing Virgin and Sky and scaring the bejesus out of them. Freesat is potentially even more exciting, specially for us here in Ireland and certainly a game changer.

SPDUB

Elmo wrote: »

Even if only RTE ONE, RTE TWO, TV3 AND TG4 are on DTT it must be rolled out regardless of success. 2012 or is that 2015 now!!!

Why would people pay anything for a box to receive just those channels when they can currently get them without paying an additional cent

They woulld quite rightly say 2012 or 2015 can go frak itself

Mossy Monk

The thousands of people with only terrestrial would literally have no tv if they do not get a box.

bk

SPDUB wrote: »

Why would people pay anything for a box to receive just those channels when they can currently get them without paying an additional cent

They woulld quite rightly say 2012 or 2015 can go frak itself

Because come 2012/2015 these channels will be turned off and people with an aerial will be left with no TV.

SPDUB

The thousands of people with only terrestrial would literally have no tv if they do not get a box.

bk wrote:

Because come 2012/2015 these channels will be turned off and people with an aerial will be left with no TV.

Are you planning a coup d'état or something .

You're saying This government who quietly pushed the switch off date to 2015 to put off the evil day to make a decision about turnoff are going to make an actual decision

Mossy Monk

Analogue will be turned off. Only the foolish would say otherwise.

Before you say something about me calling you foolish it is not aimed at you.

lawhec

The main problem as I see it is the the roll-out for DTT in the Republic is stuck in a hard place. As I see it, these are the current options...

1. An all-singing, all dancing mostly subscription based DTT platform. Using DVB-T2 (which the UK plan to use next year) along with MPEG4-AVC across all its available allocations could easily see around 100-150 plus SD channels be made available alongside HD versions of the 4 current terrestrials. Of course this would have to see one company win all three multiplex licences and request the remaining four or five (excluding the PB Mux) to be put up for tender fairly quickly. Were UPC to get this, they could then shut down MMDS.

2. A complete FTA offering. This would almost certainly have to include channels from outside the RoI for it to work, as multichannel TV over the decades has relied heavily on UK channels. Specialist home-based channels won't spring up overnight. Would only need a handful or less multiplexes at first.

3. A "best of" offering similar to the original Top Up TV service in the UK. If the multiplex winner(s) agree on a common set of channels that can take the more popular channels in and cut the very niche offerings and set an attractive monthly price for it, they could get a notable takeup which wouldn't have to be large to be successful.

Finally DTT should on a basic level not be seen as a direct competitor to cable or satellite, in that it is to replace the primary delivery service of television in the country . At the very least a direct replication of RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2, TV3 and TG4 need to be provided and hundreds of thousands of people without cable, satellite or MMDS still rely on the terrestrial network for reception of these channels and even in multichannel homes receivers are going to be there for kids bedrooms etc. who won't be hooked up to a cable or satellite receiver with some form of multiroom package. Its a question of when, not if. Analogue won't be around forever, and even countries that weren't planning a DVB-T network are now doing so (Romania & Israel).

watty

I not sure about DVB-T2 in UK next year?
DVB-T2 has no set boxes and is under development. The saving may not be as much as the 30% with DVB-S2 compared with DVB-S.

MPEG4 does give maybe 220% more channels though. i.e at decent quality 14 channels instead of 6.

Satellite does do multiroom. We need a strategy that includes it (separate from relying on Sky) as DTT can't do the coverage of Analogue, which even now is still very poor compared with UK analogue coverage.

DVB-h is good enough quality for up 12" TV or a larger TV futher away. Ideal for transportable TVs with built on aerials for bedrooms & kitchens etc, not just Nokia Phones The DVB-t as planned needs outdoor aerials for majority of viewers and then gives 80% coverage. The other 20% are of course not in cable areas.

I'd guess UPC is interested in DTT because the clock is ticking and they will lose the 2.5Ghz MMDS to WiMAx in a few years. This could explain why they seem to have abandoned plans to change Chorus MMDS from DTT to DVB-c on MMDS.

BowWow

According to today's Mail on Sunday ( cant find a link) we will be getting an "Irish" film channel as one of the DTT channels when its rolled out.
Any film made in Ireland or starring anyone with an Irish connection will qualify for showing.:D
The channel will be FTA.:rolleyes: