RTE's etc on Sky

dmeehan

has anyone seen any rte tests on sky since last week?
can anyone narrow down the list of frequencies to try checking?

redzer007

try 11.488 H FEC 2\3

dmeehan

whats the bit rate 22 or 27.5?

TinMan

With 22.0 or 27.5 I get "No Signal Found" I have tried all the frequencies given in other posts and still the same.

jez

Lads,

Why are ye all getting excited about rte being on Sky Digital.The great thing about the ordinary RTE aerial is you get four channels which you can watch at any time on any TV and record any of them. On Sky I presume it becomes Pay Per View(if its only in family pack).It will be interesting though if you have to subscribe to Sky to get RTE. Then you could all give the goverment some stick!!:cool:

Leesider

Came across this on another forum - anyone on this forum hear anything??

>>>Had a phonecall from gerry in the Northern ireland RTE Office this
morning. from his point of view the situation is as follows
RTE1, network2 aaand TG4 will begin broadcasting on Sky Digital in the
South of Ireland in Mid to late April
There is no date for transmissions to begin in Northern ireland as the
carriage of the Channel by Sky has been challenged by Channel Four and
Channel Five who have Northern rights for such programmes as ER and
Friends etc. Talks are ongoing but there is as of today no news as to
when (if ever) Rte will be broadcast in the North on Sky.
With regards to TV3 an email I received from them today states that no
conclusion to talks with Sky has yet been reached
This is as much as I can find out at present. i guess it is a case of
watch this space!
Ella

--
Ella Patterson
Cataloguing Department
Main Library
The Queen's University of Belfast
University Road
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT7 1LS<<<<

PacMan

Leesider, this is an interesting turn of events.
However just how big is the Channel four Audience in Northern ireland. Take this quote from the UTV website, which was issued today. It is part of a statment from the UTV press office about the success (Their choice of word) of UTV increase of its audience share:
>>>>""John McCann said: "......., UTV's peak-time share of viewing in 2001 was 37.7%, well ahead of the ITV network average of 34.8% and substantially ahead of our nearest competitor BBC NI at 23.3% and our nearest commercial competitor Channel 4 at 7.2%. <<<<<<<<

Out of a total of 1 million in Northern ireland, a 7.2% share is not that high. As stated elsewhere on this forum, Channel4 and UTV rely on their advertising which is aimed at the Republic.

Genghis

Does anyone believe that a 'contra' deal might be negotiated - Ok RTE you can broadcast in NI, as long as you don't mind us broadcasting in ROI?

After all RTE have always survived with the other channels, them moving to Sky may not have as much negative impact as the positive of the ability to sell ads north of the border would.

Or am I dreaming - such an arrangement would put the viewer first, not something any of the organisations involved are renowned for ...

icdg

Just an update on this, it appears the uplink equipment has arrived at Montrose! There is a large dish lying flat on its back at the site where RTE have been working for the past few weeks or so. I presume this is the one that will be used for Sky.

As for RTE on Sky NI, this is an interesting turn of events. I wonder if RTE will now object to Channel 4 broadcasting in the Republic? It would be sad if this deal were to lead to C4 being removed from ROI cable systems.

ICDG,
I Suspect that RTE has already objected to ch 4 and 5 being on Sky in the Republic.
And the post above are those stations doing a quid pro quo.

It was always in RTE's interest to limit UTV et al in the South-so it would make sense that they threw the spanners in first!
Whereas Ch 4 have too much incentive to move south(Brookie is very popular:p )

So RTE by objecting could now be getting a taste of the medicine back-pity as it doesn't auger well for the Rest of the UK's appearing in ROI.

mm

Marconi

I doubt if RTE have ever objected to Ch 4 & Ch5 being available through SKY in the Republic - after all, Ch.4 has been around on cable and MMDS for years. Don't forget that it was RTE who introduced "piped TV" to the masses in the '70s through RTE Relays - talk about shooting yourself in the foot! The attitude in RTE today is "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"...

ICDG, as regards that dish in Montrose, no it's just a big rain collector installed by MET Eireann last week to measure all the rainfall over Paddy's weekend on account of there being such a dark cloud hanging over RTE for some time now!':p'

Charles Slane

Originally posted by Marconi
ICDG, as regards that dish in Montrose, no it's just a big rain collector installed by MET Eireann last week to measure all the rainfall over Paddy's weekend on account of there being such a dark cloud hanging over RTE for some time now!':p'

lol.

I heard it was Gerry Ryan's umbrella (what with the size of his head and all that !!)

jez

Lads,

I ask the question again... Why the big panic for Irish Channels to be on SKy Digital . They will then be pay per view surely on Sky Family Pack ????

Just stick up the aerial and watch ,what you want ,where you want when you want and tape what you want!!

Sounds better to me.


Jez:cool:

ShaneOC

Jez,

The big panic for RTÉ on Sky is for a number of reasons.

Most people that I know who have Sky have found that their viewing of the Irish channels has dropped since they got Sky. This is due to the fact that there are no listings for them on the EPG. It may just be laziness but most people tend to just check what is on on the digital channels. This is not helping RTÉ's viewing figures so it is in their interest to get onto the EPG as soon as possible.

Quite a number of people on this board do not have a very good reception of RTÉ. Many people have ditched Chorus but are still using their cable for the irish channels. The quality of these signals are very poor and there is no stereo sound available. These people will greatly benefit from having RTÉ on Sky.

Some people have widescreen sets and are hoping that like the UK terrestrial stations the irish ones will make full use of the technology and give the viewers the chance to watch in widescreen.


RTÉ have got a very good deal from Sky to get free carriage. Although there will not be a FTV scheme like there is in the UK there is no way that you can say they will be pay-per-view. There may be some people in Ireland who have a digibox without a subscription to Sky but this number is most likely tiny (I am excluding people with specific boxes for UK FTV channels). The rest of us are already paying Sky some amount each month. We are going to get the benefit of having RTÉ available digitally for no extra cost.

Originally posted by Marconi:

I doubt if RTE have ever objected to Ch 4 & Ch5 being available through SKY in the Republic - after all, Ch.4 has been around on cable and MMDS for years. Don't forget that it was RTE who introduced "piped TV" to the masses in the '70s through RTE Relays - talk about shooting yourself in the foot! The attitude in RTE today is "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"...

When I used to live in dublin and RTE still had some of their hands on cablelink-There was always a humming noise on the UK channels.
We as students had the theory, that it was RTE forcing us to watch them.
We did anyway as non payment of cablelink bill made the reception even worse:D
mm

DMC

In a further responce to Jez,

We want to see RTE testing on Sky Digital too. RTE has never appeared over satellite TV before, so this is a milestone.

Those TV anoraks amougst us (and I count myself as one! Zip that hoodie up!) want to be the first to tune into the tests of RTE, see test cards and what other mularkey RTE get up to when they are testing

April was always mentioned when RTE and BSkyB signed the deal, and with Ronan's news today, I'd say we would be looking at 10 days to 2 weeks minimum before RTE tests get started. (looking like after Easter Monday, I feel)

Until then, I will be looking at forums and scouring Lyngsat.com for that line "RTE 1 / Network 2 / TG4 on Astra 2A/B/D or Eurobird at 28° E"

A great big dirty test card, thats what I want to see

DMC

RTE have never been shy of competition. They've had it since Day 1. So for the thought of RTE blocking Channel 4 for me would be an unprecedented development, and one that is very unlikely. RTE would have already shown programmes bought by Ch4 from America, RTE have them first.

Its a shame Channel 4 appear to be blocking RTE's launch in NI. It's in Ch4's interest not to have RTE on, because of Friends, ER, Ally etc, are going out on RTE ahead their E4, their pay-tv channel.

Hopefully it can be sorted out, without the need for "08" screens while programmes are on.

Damo and Marconi: Point taken regarding RTE giving out about, the UK terrestrials here on Irish EPG.
They won't be ringing them to tell them to hurry up though:p

Weren't the popular pirates of the early eighties Radio Nova, blaming RTE for jamming their transmissions-they weren't keen on them.
mm

brenny2506

My needs for RTE/TV3 on Sky are simple

I have Sky Digital - perfect reception!!!

I also have RTE and TV3 on Ariel - reception absolute disgrace ( I live in the SE, 80 miles from Dublin and when I mean absolute disgrace I mean these stations are unwatchable not just poor reception)

Called Chorus to install MMDS System to at least get UK TV stations. Installer called, looked at my reception for RTE/TV3 and said no point bothering to try, packed up and left.

I haven't watched Irish Terrestrial for the last year.

RTE/TV3 on Sky ASAP Please!!!!!!!!!

shinobi

RTE as part of the family pack???? Surely as paid license holders,
RTE should be FTA ROI viewers just as BBC is in britain.

Shinobi,
In theory it should be FTV.
But 1. RTE are too cash strapped to provide the logistics for an RTE card.
and 2. The number of Sky digital users in the Republic who don't at least have the family pack is tiny,so it wouldn't be justified,even if they had the money to do it.
So no issue really.
mm

DMC

I refer the honorable gentleman to the reply I gave some moments ago (last week) here

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44376

and the followups.

swoopster

Going back to the rumour of RTE tv services not being made available to NI viewers, correct me if I am wrong; doesn't RTE1 & Network 2 broadcast to NI viewers via cable - ntl?? And if this is true - are some programmes blocked to NI viewers?

Charles Slane

Originally posted by swoopster
are some programmes blocked to NI viewers?

I believe Home and Away was blocked at the insistence of Channel 5. Anyone know if this is still the case ?

DMC

It was still a couple of months ago, yes.

Those Channel 5 folk are awful picky!

Elmo

Why doesn't RTE just make a new channel for NI relaying all of the irish programmes on to one station for the North.

i.e. 6.1 news
News 2

Elmo

Interlink each of the 2 networks

Also since NTL and Couras are require by law to provide RTE on there service free of charge to both the consumer and to RTE should this not be the case with Sky.

I know that sky are not regulated in the Republic but it should be, It is not only good for Irish TV but also for the consumer, i.e. we can go some were to get help, when we are angry at sky.

As for C4 and C5 could RTE not just go as pay per view in the North if it relly wants to broadcast all of its programming there

Also I guess UTV will be angry when TV3 arrives in NI, since it shows Corrie and Emmer and champions league and Cold feet and Heartbeat and then what about sky and C4 and C5 because they show malcome in the middle, will and grace, Family affairs, sex in the city, buffy, angel etc.

Maybe they could just carry Ireland AM, the news and sports tonight and agenda and the week in review only to the north what do you think

guess they wouldn't have the rights to show The weakest link up their either.

Elmo

Will BBC 1, BBC2, UTV, C4 and C5 be free to air on irish digital once it is set up????????

PacMan

The Weakest link rights are owned here in the ROI by TV3. The programme is also on BBC2, and IMHO, is a far better programme than the TV3 version. (Love Eamonn Dunphy on TodayFM, but his TV3 series s**ks)
The same applies to coronation street. Rights owned in the ROI by TV3, but if you have cable, you can have a choice of watching it on UTV if you prefer. The list goes on and on. UTV and Channel 4 are still not on Sky here, and somebody is not telling us why????

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by swoopster
doesn't RTE1 & Network 2 broadcast to NI viewers via cable - ntl??

yes they do but there seems to be a different rule for cable and satellite. some British broadcasters say they have no rights for broadcasting in the south via satellite while they are widespread on cable. maybe it will be the same in the north

jez

I see your point saying RTE could not provide cards etc etc...
But why not? It's the same old story here, we always have to pay for what they get for nothing in the UK . Why could a similar deal not be brought out here. I.E. Free Digibox and 75£ installation if you subscribe to minimum sky package or Free digibox and £150 installation if you only want FTA options. They should include Irish Channels and would also include all other FTA channels. At least this gets punter onto Digital and they may subscribe to Sky later.
I think if this does not happen we will then be paying twice for RTE. i.e. via TV Licence and through SKY.

I think this could be a political "HOT" potatoe,
Jez

dmeehan

as much as i cant wait for rte's etc. to be on sky, I dont like the idea of having to pay for them twice

then again, i already have the family pack so it wont make any difference to me, unless of course they up the price to add "new channels" like they did when bbc arrived

cableskeptic

Originally posted by PacMan
The Weakest link rights are owned here in the ROI by TV3. The programme is also on BBC2, and IMHO, is a far better programme than the TV3 version. (Love Eamonn Dunphy on TodayFM, but his TV3 series s**ks)
The same applies to coronation street. Rights owned in the ROI by TV3, but if you have cable, you can have a choice of watching it on UTV if you prefer. The list goes on and on. UTV and Channel 4 are still not on Sky here, and somebody is not telling us why????

The answer is contained in your post: ownership rights and who do you think is blocking UTV and C4 not being on Sky.......

cableskeptic

Originally posted by Elmo
Will BBC 1, BBC2, UTV, C4 and C5 be free to air on irish digital once it is set up????????

No the Irish DTT company will have to pay for the UK content so obviously that cost has to be passed onto the consumer of the service.

icdg

Originally posted by jez
I see your point saying RTE could not provide cards etc etc...
But why not? It's the same old story here, we always have to pay for what they get for nothing in the UK . Why could a similar deal not be brought out here. I.E. Free Digibox and 75£ installation if you subscribe to minimum sky package or Free digibox and £150 installation if you only want FTA options. They should include Irish Channels and would also include all other FTA channels. At least this gets punter onto Digital and they may subscribe to Sky later.
I think if this does not happen we will then be paying twice for RTE. i.e. via TV Licence and through SKY.

I think this could be a political "HOT" potatoe,
Jez

Since Christmas, Sky has discontinued the "Non-Subscription" option for new customers in the UK - the only way to get a Sky digibox now in the UK is to subscribe to Sky.

Besides, look at the channel selection for free-to-view cards if one existed in ROI:

UK: BBC ONE, BBC TWO, BBC CHOICE, BBC FOUR, BBC NEWS 24, ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C. (Have I forgotten anything?).

IRL: RTE ONE, N2, TV3, TG4. (All of which are available through the aerial anyway).

And the only market for FTV cards in ROI would be Sky subscribers who have cancelled their subscription.

They are not getting the BBC for nothing in the UK. They have to pay a TV Licence costing £109, which is going up soon. It will be a lot more expensive than the Irish licence. I think you'll find a lot of British people are quite annoyed to see Irish people getting for a very small fee what they have to pay quite a lot for.

DMC

Originally posted by jez
I see your point saying RTE could not provide cards etc etc...
But why not? It's the same old story here, we always have to pay for what they get for nothing in the UK . Why could a similar deal not be brought out here. I.E. Free Digibox and 75£ installation if you subscribe to minimum sky package or Free digibox and £150 installation if you only want FTA options. They should include Irish Channels and would also include all other FTA channels. At least this gets punter onto Digital and they may subscribe to Sky later.
I think if this does not happen we will then be paying twice for RTE. i.e. via TV Licence and through SKY.

As I said in the other thread, RTÉ's appearance on Sky is in a similar way that the cable co's retransmit RTÉ. IF you want to watch RTÉ via another method other than aerial, you have to pay a service provider, NTL or Chorus, and now Sky.

Cut the cable, no RTE via cable. It's still there on the aerial.

Also, it would be commercial suicide of they hand out only FTA channels, and then subscribe to Sky.

Jez, Sky are only playing by the existing rules here. Thats why there will never be RTÉ FTA cards.

bucks73

Personally I feel that once you have paid your license fee you are entitled to receive the RTE channels no matter the format, digital or analogue.

Theres no reason why Sky cant issue FTV cards for Irish terrestrial channels for anyone without a subscription or for a second box. Apart from the cost.

DMC

Originally posted by bucks73
Personally I feel that once you have paid your license fee you are entitled to receive the RTE channels no matter the format, digital or analogue.

Theres no reason why Sky cant issue FTV cards for Irish terrestrial channels for anyone without a subscription or for a second box. Apart from the cost.

If this happened, the cable co's will be up in arms, go to court, indefinatly block RTÉ from Sky Digital from unfair business practices.

Different rules. We are in a different jurisdiction!

Ok,We'd all have to altruistically(spellings:D ) contribute.
But lets line the border with 100 kw transmitters, every 10 miles or so and put them on a few boats 12 miles off the north and East coast of NI in international waters.
I say that would get the signal in...I say that would get it in...:D

mm

ShaneOC

madman is off on his ramblings again.

Just to further add to the confusion...

I knocked the wall down over the weekend and still no sign of UTV. Do I have to buy a boat?

Charles Slane

Originally posted by ShaneOC
Do I have to buy a boat?

Yes, but remember to knock two cabins into one.

mm

Marconi

RTE's uplink dish was hoisted by crane onto its 'tripod' yesterday evening. It was still pointing straight upwards this morning - I'll let you know when it appears to be aligned to 28deg east......

DMC

Inching ever closer..........

Cheers Marconi.

Damien.

(PS. did your family own a house in the environs of D4 at any stage

byte

Originally posted by Marconi
RTE's uplink dish was hoisted by crane onto its 'tripod' yesterday evening. It was still pointing straight upwards this morning - I'll let you know when it appears to be aligned to 28deg east......

All they need to do now is stick the digital meter on it, align to Astra 2, and finally stick a bit of coaxial cable into the transmitting LNB!

How big is the dish exactly? I imagine the dish would be motorised? And will need to be cabled.

West Briton

Re FTV cards for RTE, It ain't gonna happen guys.

Why? RTE struck a deal with Sky that didn't involve it paying money to put its channels on the platform.

If RTE are pulling the plug on Tara, are they going to pay for the administration of an Irish FTV card system?

The only remote possibility (Cableskeptic?) of getting FTV digital would be as part of the Irish DTT platform, and seeing as that will be a commercial operation AND Irish analogue switch off being much further away than the UK's I can't see that happening.

The only way for the next few years to get FTA Irish Television, subject to having a licence paid, will be off-air analogue.

Genghis

Originally posted by Marconi
RTE's uplink dish was hoisted by crane onto its 'tripod' yesterday evening. It was still pointing straight upwards this morning - I'll let you know when it appears to be aligned to 28deg east......

This is fantastic! RTE are going to have the milestone event of their first satellite broadcast tests announced to the world by a passenger on a passing bus!! And, may I say, no finer person to do so than Marconi!!:D

Keep us posted!

BeatTun

i couldnt careless if rte went digital, as it is now all i have to do is plug the ariel into the tv for the 4 channels

however, since i got sky digital, i cancelled my NTL account which gave me utv, the bbcs and channel 4 as well

so with sky digital + ariel for the irish channels im still without utv and channel 4, so would be nice if they just added them to digital and leave rte as it is.

Marconi

This is fantastic! RTE are going to have the milestone event of their first satellite broadcast tests announced to the world by a passenger on a passing bus!! And, may I say, no finer person to do so than Marconi!!

I'm blushing!!:rolleyes:

By the way, I think the dish looks about 5 to 7 metres in size - not the sort of thing to have in the back garden! Also, it's a Cassegrain design i.e., there's a small dish at the focal point (where the LNB would normally reside) and this is reflecting the signal from the feedhorn which sticks out of the centre of the main dish. Yez got that, huh?...

CHRISTYG

According to an e-mail I've just recieved from a gentleman called Tom McCarthy, RTE launches on Tuesday April 23, and WILL be available throughout Ireland. However, Mr McCarthy states that "there are some minor difficulties regarding performing rights in the North of Ireland and we expect them to be ironed out"

byte

Great news, ChristyG. Just another month to go....

Edit: What the heck happened my post-count? I had nearly 400.