Sky swapping SD and HD epg slots in February.

Cantona's Collars

Sky are going to swap epg slots for its HD and SD channels-i.e Sky1 HD is going to 106 and Sky1 to 170.A precurser to the dropping of the HD sub or just a way of showing HD as the norm and expecting everyone to pay for it?

3.4 HD Swap Bouquet

In this section, “HD Simulcast” means a television channel which meets the minimum programming and technical requirements for HD channels as specified in section 1 of this Listing Methodology and which (a) broadcasts identical content to that which is broadcast on an SD television channel broadcast by the same broadcaster or by another broadcaster within the same wholly-owned corporate group, and (b) broadcasts such content at the same time that it is broadcast on the SD television channel, except that:

(i) the HD Simulcast may broadcast different advertisements, promotions, interstitials, on-screen graphics and/or regional programming to those which are broadcast on the SD television channel; and

(ii) in addition to (i) above, up to 5% of the broadcast hours on the SD television channel each day may be blacked out on the HD Simulcast if the broadcaster is unable for rights reasons to broadcast such content on the HD Simulcast.

In order to help viewers more easily locate HD television channels within the EPG, Sky will make two different versions of the EPG line-up available to residential and retail premises: the “Standard Bouquet” and the “HD Swap Bouquet”. The version of the EPG available in the HD Swap Bouquet will be viewable by consumers from the Swap Date (defined below).

The HD Swap Bouquet will be made available to:

(i) residential viewers with an HD set top box and a subscription to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky; and

(ii) retail premises with an HD set top box and an entitlement to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky.

The Standard Bouquet will be made available to all other viewers in residential and retail premises.

The EPG channel line-up in the HD Swap Bouquet will, initially, be identical to the EPG channel line-up in the Standard Bouquet. However, with effect from 1 February 2011 (the “Swap Date”), where the Standard Bouquet lists a SD television channel and its HD Simulcast, and the HD Simulcast is listed beneath the SD television channel, then in the HD Swap Bouquet the EPG channel number of the SD television channel will be swapped with the EPG channel number of its HD Simulcast, unless the broadcaster of the channels exercises one of the opt-outs (as set out below). For example, Sky1 is currently listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 HD is currently listed at channel number 170.

However, in the HD Swap Bouquet, Sky1 HD will be listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 will be listed at channel number 170.

From the Swap Date:

(i) the HD tab will continue to list HD channels in the order in which they appear to the viewer in the “All Channels” menu. Accordingly, where a viewer receives the Standard Bouquet, the HD tab will list the HD channels in the order in which they appear in the Standard Bouquet; however, where a viewer receives the HD Swap Bouquet, the HD tab will list the HD channels in the order in which they appear in the HD Swap Bouquet;

(ii) in the event that a channel evolves from an SD channel or a non-simulcast HD channel into an HD Simulcast, and Sky therefore intends to swap the EPG channel number of that channel with the EPG channel number of the SD version of the channel as described in this section 3.4, Sky will provide the broadcaster with at least 1 week’s notice of the date of the intended swap;

(iii) in the event that a channel launches into the EPG as an HD Simulcast, then with effect from the date of launch, the EPG channel number for such channel will be swapped with the EPG channel number of the SD version of the channel in accordance with this section 3.4.

In the event that a channel ceases to be an HD Simulcast and Sky therefore intends to reverse the swap carried out in accordance with this section 3.4, Sky will provide the broadcaster and/or distributor with no less than 2 working days’ notice of the date of the intended swap reversal.

Opt-out from HD Channel Swap

Subject to the below, broadcasters of channel that meet either one of the following criteria are able to exercise an opt-out from HD Channel Swap, such that HD Simulcasts are not swapped with their SD counterparts:

(i) channels which are regionalised, where the HD version of the channel is not an exact simulcast of the SD version in all regions (an HD version of a channel that broadcasts different advertisements or regional programming will not be an exact simulcast), except that:

a. the swap will be implemented for the UK if the HD and SD versions of a channel are exact simulcasts in respect of the whole of the UK;

b. Sky is currently minded, subject to any further representations on the matter, to require that the swap is implemented for relevant Nations for any National Variants where the HD and SD versions are exact simulcasts in respect of such Nation.

“National Variant” means a single variant of the channel available to all of a Nation. “Nation” means the whole of: England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

(ii) Pay TV channels which are not retailed by Sky may opt out of HD Channel Swap.

All broadcasters entitled to opt-out prior to the initial swap have been contacted about the timeframe for informing Sky of their wish to exercise the option. Following the initial swap (which will occur prior to the Swap Date), in the event that a broadcaster wishes to exercise an opt-out, the broadcaster must notify Sky of its wishes (in accordance with the procedure for giving notices under its EPG Agreement) prior to its channels first being swapped

Kurn

according to digital spy, if you do not have a HD sub the channels don't move...

greendom

johnmryan wrote: »

according to digital spy, if you do not have a HD sub the channels don't move...

Think it says that in the blurb above too. SD and HD bouquets to choose from.

ranger4

wonder are we likely to see Itv2,3 & 4 Hd going fta early 2011.

Cantona's Collars

Interesting line there,no mention of HD pack,just channels

residential viewers with an HD set top box and a subscription to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky

Hmmm.

JDxtra

It might not happen for some channels in Ireland.

Is there a Sky 1 HD Ireland, Comedy Central HD Ireland etc? If not, these channels may opt out and keep the Irish SD versions on their original EPG slots.

Cantona's Collars

JDxtra wrote: »

It might not happen for some channels in Ireland.

Is there a Sky 1 HD Ireland, Comedy Central HD Ireland etc? If not, these channels may opt out and keep the Irish SD versions on their original EPG slots.

Sky just have different ads on Sky1 etc. for Ireland similar to Ch4 having NI centric ads on the Irish epg.So I reckon it would make little difference if the SD versions are moved around.

lgs 4

ranger4 wrote: »

wonder are we likely to see Itv2,3 & 4 Hd going fta early 2011.

never mind them still waiting for C4 HD :rolleyes:

JDxtra

zerks wrote: »

.So I reckon it would make little difference if the SD versions are moved around.

Not to the viewer, but advertisers will demand maximum reach and will insist on the Irish versions staying in their premium slots.

JDxtra

ranger4 wrote: »

wonder are we likely to see Itv2,3 & 4 Hd going fta early 2011.

No. ITV make money from Sky for exclusivity.

200motels

When is this all going to happen?

Cantona's Collars

200motels wrote: »

When is this all going to happen?

Read thread title,clue is there.:D

ScrubsfanChris

Its surely about time they got rid of the premium for the HD pack isn't it.

Didn't they used to charge extra for the SKY+ functionality before?

JDxtra

Not a chance. They earn way too much revenue from it. Their targets are now to increase revenue per user, and this is easy money for them.