RTE prog times

Heckler

Are RTE actually capable of showing a program at it scheduled time ? 11.35 now for an 11.20 advertised program. (Entourage) At least tv3 with all its faults is always dead on with its programming times. Couple of minutes no worries but 15 minutes ? And no, I don't have anything better to be worried about.

copacetic

tv3 show very few live programs, it is live programs that mess up schedules, especially sport. I believe the confederations cup final ran a fair bit later than it was scheduled and knocked everything else out by the same time.

mike65

RTE has never been punctural, never. Making the 6 o'clock deadline for the bongs is hard enough for them. By late evening, if setting the timer on a recording device you need to give it 10 mins at least either side.

Heckler

copacetic wrote: »

tv3 show very few live programs, it is live programs that mess up schedules, especially sport. I believe the confederations cup final ran a fair bit later than it was scheduled and knocked everything else out by the same time.

I understand live progs throwing things out of whack but mike65 is right, they are easily 10-15 minutes out even on a regular schedule on a regular basis. I know its not the end of the world but it can be annoying. Usually happens later in the evening i.e. 11pm onwards

lostexpectation

count yourself lucky the confederations match didn't go to extra time and penatlies...

whirlwind

Heckler wrote: »

I understand live progs throwing things out of whack but mike65 is right, they are easily 10-15 minutes out even on a regular schedule on a regular basis. I know its not the end of the world but it can be annoying. Usually happens later in the evening i.e. 11pm onwards

iam sorry i have to disagree RTE don't be 10-15 mins out on a regular basis. I often record programmes after 11 and yes they can be out by a few mins but they are never 10 mins out unless they have live sport, they arent that bad.

They get an awful hammering on here some of which is deserved but much of it is not

Quazzie

RTE's timing is that crap it negates any benefit of having Sky+.

Entourage being on so late is a disgrace to start with and then they hold it up even more by showing pointless GAA matches. Even true GAA fans didn't wanna be watching Ulster Hurling and Camogie.

Mossy Monk

RTÉ were probably obliged to show the camogie and Ulster hurling.

Our man in Havana

Really?

Anywhoo back on topic. The other night RTE were 10 mins late by the time they were finsihed with "Quiz Show". Anyone recording it via Sky + would be fecked.

Basq

Just put up the recording padding on start / end on your Sky+ recording by 10 - 15 minutes.

Problem solved!

Our man in Havana

10 minutes is the max padding allowed. Even it such an extreme measure RTE can frustrate you.

Mossy Monk

Sky boxes are also the manual setting up of recordings

_Kaiser_

I don't think that's the point though. The issue is why RTE can't reasonably keep to a schedule when every other channel can do so.

whirlwind

Just to warn ye i reckon that with the last question and answers on tonight it will run a bit late and hence programmes will be later than stated. It was a good programme and i think with a programme like this if a discussion is good and its a special occasion letting it run late is justified.
I really don't think though overall that rte is all that bad with the late night and general time keeping.
However one weak spot in my opinion is that they shouldnt be afraid to use 5s or 10s in programme times. For instance when they show Eastenders, a 28 mins programme from bbc, they stick on add into it and after it. So rather than starting at 20.00 it starts at 19.58 and then the next programme starts at 20.35, Why not simply state this on the TV guide.

whirlwind

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I don't think that's the point though. The issue is why RTE can't reasonably keep to a schedule when every other channel can do so.

i think they keep pretty resonably to the schedule though with only a few exceptions. i dont think any day with live sport like last saturday and Sunday is fair to cite. just look at bbc today with the murray match BBC1's programmes were on bbc2 till 10 after the tennis went on bbc1 from 8 till 10.40 then the news started 40 mins late

The BBC is pretty good in general at keeping to a scheldue but itv/Utv can be pretty bad. Tv3 and tg4 as well have offended too.

The point about showing Ulster hurling etc, while iam not sure what programme that was in on the night entourage was so late, Rte as a responability to show provinical finals. The match between Down and antrim was quite good and close so iam sure that many people up there and indeed now here would wanted to see it.

Our man in Havana

The difference between the BBC and RTE is that the BBC alter their EPG data in real time to reflect late running of programmes. RTE do not.

heyjude

RTE timekeeping is very poor, especially on Network 2. Its such a rarity for a programme to start on time, that I often wonder why they bother putting times on their tv schedules at all, maybe they should put +/- 10 minutes opposite each time slot on the TV listings.

As for the explanation/excuse that Live programmes have overrun their timeslot, while I accept that this can happen, they also run late on evenings on which they haven't had any live programmes. It is also infuriating when you find they are running 5+ minutes late and instead of showing the next programme, they run advert after advert for programmes that are on tomorrow or next week. I accept they need to show paid adverts, but surely when they are running late they could leave out the adverts plugging future programmes.

NormanNicetouch

Oh yippee. Set dvd to record the last Questions and Answers last night. It being RTE allowed extra ten minutes at the end for usual overrun/atrocious timing. Still got cut off before programme ended. Reasons we all love RTE number 126.

Our man in Havana

NormanNicetouch wrote: »

Oh yippee. Set dvd to record the last Questions and Answers last night. It being RTE allowed extra ten minutes at the end for usual overrun/atrocious timing. Still got cut off before programme ended. Reasons we all love RTE number 126.

That would never be allowed to happen on the BBC. They would have had updated the programme data before it was originally scheduled to end. Result, the full show records.

copacetic

Bond-007 wrote: »

That would never be allowed to happen on the BBC. They would have had updated the programme data before it was originally scheduled to end. Result, the full show records.

Not if you are using a simple dvd recorder.

Mossy Monk

Bond-007 wrote: »

The difference between the BBC and RTE is that the BBC alter their EPG data in real time to reflect late running of programmes. RTE do not.

Ask yourself. Are RTÉ actually able to do that. I have heard they cant so that is an unfair criticism.

Our man in Havana

If they paid sky the money for a live link they could.

kippy

Its mad, we've come from 2 channel land on black and white 12 inch sets (not that overly long ago), to being a bit pissed because our sky+ box missed a few minutes of a programme we wanted to record (a program which , in general, will be on another channel again sometime or even repeated on the same channel again).

How I miss the good old days of the RTE screen test.

mike65

BBC 4 actually had a filler last night. The 8 pm prog ended at 8.55 so they decieded to give "London to Brighton in three and a half minutes" short film a spin out.

Our man in Havana

Or the ever reliable Coast.

NormanNicetouch

Surely RTE could at least update its Aertel listings when programmes are running late due to live programme overruns or schedule changes. They never do. I've noticed in recent days when the BBC has changed its schedules for live Wimbledon coverage its Ceefax listings have been regularly updated within minutes to give the new programme information. It'd hardly take a great effort on RTE's part.

Our man in Havana

NormanNicetouch wrote: »

Surely RTE could at least update its Aertel listings when programmes are running late due to live programme overruns or schedule changes. They never do. I've noticed in recent days when the BBC has changed its schedules for live Wimbledon coverage its Ceefax listings have been regularly updated within minutes to give the new programme information. It'd hardly take a great effort on RTE's part.

Indeed. It would not take that much effort.

Dodge

For the record BBC's schedules were all over the place last night thansk to Wimbledon and sky plus did not adjust. Either way its not really fair to compare their massive, massive resources with RTE's.

I also believe people are massively overreacting to what isn't anything as regular as some posters are making out. When sport isn't involved I doubt its ever an issue. it certainly has never been an issue for me

MOH

Dodge wrote: »

I also believe people are massively overreacting to what isn't anything as regular as some posters are making out. When sport isn't involved I doubt its ever an issue. it certainly has never been an issue for me

Record Eastenders on RTE every day (or whatever days it's on) for 2 weeks. Allow 1 minute either side of the scheduled recording. I'd be surprised if you're not missing the start (usually) or end on at least 2 days.

Our man in Havana

The main problems are when sport, current affairs and chat shows over run. The Late Late Show and Tubridy Tonight frequently over ran making the subsequent timings unreliable. The problem could easily solved by removing the pointless promo ads during the early morning programmes. Breaking a film to show Fair City promos at 2am is completely pointless IMHO.

Mossy Monk

Bond-007 wrote: »

If they paid sky the money for a live link they could.

Its as easy as that? Then we will have people moaning about RTÉ hiring someone to sit on their arse doing nothing for most of the week. They can never win

Our man in Havana

The versatile continuity announcer can be trained to use the machine.

Dodge

With your deep and insightful knowledge of RTE you should be a mod here

Oh I see...

copacetic

Bond-007 wrote: »

The versatile continuity announcer can be trained to use the machine.

the machine?

what machine exactly can do all this?

Our man in Havana

What ever device that update Sky EPG data in realtime.

legendal

Bond-007 wrote: »

Breaking a film to show Fair City promos at 2am is completely pointless IMHO.

I don't mind ads in the middle of movies too much, RTÉ need to make their money and all that. But breaking for 40 seconds with two promos is pretty annoying, because it feels so unnecessary.

NormanNicetouch

Dodge wrote: »

For the record BBC's schedules were all over the place last night thansk to Wimbledon and sky plus did not adjust. Either way its not really fair to compare their massive, massive resources with RTE's.

But BBC Ceefax did.Within a few minutes and was regularly updated. It hardly takes massive massive resources to update a few programme listings. Presumably there's someone on duty in the Continuity department at all times who could do this with minimal effort. After all, they're probably sat watching the telly scratching their holes most of the time like those of us at home.

Dodge wrote: »

I also believe people are massively overreacting to what isn't anything as regular as some posters are making out. When sport isn't involved I doubt its ever an issue. it certainly has never been an issue for me

You're obviously not a late-night viewer. Try recording a few movies or shows after 11pm on RTE and see how often you miss the start or end if you go by RTE's listings - even when there is no live programming apart from the news earlier in the evening. Happens with shocking regularity. Do the same thing on any of the other Irish/Uk channels and you will find they nearly always run to schedule.

afatbollix

Bond-007 wrote: »

The versatile continuity announcer can be trained to use the machine.

all pre recorded these days... the guy for UTV does it all in 2 days for 3 months and goes back to his other job in london... same with every other channel these days.. too much to go wrong doing it live..

Basq

afatbollix wrote: »

all pre recorded these days... the guy for UTV does it all in 2 days for 3 months and goes back to his other job in london... same with every other channel these days.. too much to go wrong doing it live..

The majority are pre-recorded.. but not all.

I've personally heard an announcer flub a line on Dave, RTE and Sky1 over the last month or so.

afatbollix

Dave is deffo not done live.. know for a fact... runs all off server...

you can hear the same one being said after top gear alot..

they like to take the piss off themselfs so that mistake might of been there for a reason..

Sky 1 and RTE could prob do it live so you have me there..

Basq

Yeah, Dave is quite "jokey" with their voiceovers so definitely a possibility it was done for comic effect.




And how I laughed! :rolleyes:

Dodge

NormanNicetouch wrote: »

But BBC Ceefax did.Within a few minutes and was regularly updated. It hardly takes massive massive resources to update a few programme listings. Presumably there's someone on duty in the Continuity department at all times who could do this with minimal effort. After all, they're probably sat watching the telly scratching their holes most of the time like those of us at home.

Look at slow news and sport is to be updated at Aertel. It does take resouorces, and unfortunately RTE doesn't have them

You're obviously not a late-night viewer.

I am actually, and I've never found it to be a problem

NormanNicetouch

afatbollix wrote: »

all pre recorded these days... the guy for UTV does it all in 2 days for 3 months and goes back to his other job in london... same with every other channel these days.. too much to go wrong doing it live..

With this may be true for the non terrestrial channels, BBC and UTV continuity is still mostly live. Otherwise why do we still hear things like "due to the tennis/extended news etc. , programmes are now running 13 minutes behind schedule" followed by details of the revised programmes? And as far as I know Julian Simmons, UTV's Mister Camp, is based in NI these days and he certainly gets more than 8 days work a year.

Dodge

NormanNicetouch wrote: »

With this may be true for the non terrestrial channels, BBC and UTV continuity is still mostly live. Otherwise why do we still hear things like "due to the tennis/extended news etc. , programmes are now running 13 minutes behind schedule" followed by details of the revised programmes?

Its the other way around. Its mostly pre-recorded and they have "emergency staff" in to cover, well, emergencies...

Our man in Havana

They even can't get it right in the daytime. Shortland Street started 3 mins early.

MOH

MOH wrote: »

Record Eastenders on RTE every day (or whatever days it's on) for 2 weeks. Allow 1 minute either side of the scheduled recording. I'd be surprised if you're not missing the start (usually) or end on at least 2 days.

1 from 1 last night, started a couple of minutes early, Sky+ missed the start.

whirlwind

MOH wrote: »

Record Eastenders on RTE every day (or whatever days it's on) for 2 weeks. Allow 1 minute either side of the scheduled recording. I'd be surprised if you're not missing the start (usually) or end on at least 2 days.

As i said back on the first page Eastenders is a 28 min bbc programme that rte stick a 3 min add into the middle of. therefore to offset the the fact that it becomes essentially a 35 min programme they start it at 19.28 or 19.58 always. It there just changed the schedule to reflect they need 35 mins to show it then the problem would be solved.

My advice, if you are recording eastenders on rte give it 4 mins early and a few after too.

Dodge

Or record it on BBC without ads...

whirlwind

NormanNicetouch wrote: »

You're obviously not a late-night viewer. Try recording a few movies or shows after 11pm on RTE and see how often you miss the start or end if you go by RTE's listings - even when there is no live programming apart from the news earlier in the evening. Happens with shocking regularity. Do the same thing on any of the other Irish/Uk channels and you will find they nearly always run to schedule.

Iam a late night viewer and often enough if i am not up or gone out i record. I leave plenty of time either side (8-10) mins regardless of channel. But in my experience problems with rte late night are few and far between. So i have to disagree on that point.
However they do have other issues with them on what they schedule and when. Also the things like eastenders annoy even though i dont want to watch/record it that much anyway.

whirlwind

Dodge wrote: »

Or record it on BBC without ads...

True its also on the rte player on their website

Spiritoftheseventies

yes its the same on BBC2. Have recorded two different episodes of the wire and they both ran out before the end. Infuriating. As for RTE moving Scrubs from 9pm to 11.40 pm when there are there are only three episodes left of the series is lunacy. Father Ted on now in its slot.