Campaign for Channel 4/5 and/or RTE/TV3/TG4

LegacyUser

On a post I read earlier I noticed that someone suggested that given the indications that BBC will now be on the EPG, we should focus some pressure on Channel 4 or Channel 5 and/or the Irish channels.

I joined this late - to those who were involved in a campaign for BBC, what did you do, who did you call, write to, email? What did you say.

I don't actually believe that the pressure from this board actually caused the BBC to appear, but I have to imagine that it didn't hurt. Perhaps we can make a difference with the remaining channels.

Thanks,
Mark.

LegacyUser

I agree totally. It wouldn't hurt to campaign for Channel 4, Channel 5 or TV3. RTÉ emailed me telling me that they have no plans to go Dsat becoz of DTT next year (irish DTT is a getting a wee bit late). But there's no harm in campaigning. I for one am up for it! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif" ALT=":hat" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Sadly, C5 have sent me this email:-Date: 24th March 2001


Dear Will

Thank you for your recent e-mail and allow us to apologise for the delay in responding.

We are uncertain as to where you might have heard this rumour that Channel 5 will begin broadcasting to the Republic of Ireland from the beginning of April as, unfortunately, there is no truth in it.

At the present time, Channel 5 only buys the rights for transmission of programmes in the UK. This means that we are, unfortunately, unable to assist viewers in trying to receive Channel 5 outside of the UK. To do so could be interpreted as being in contravention of our copyright agreements. Until the various copyrights change substantially, we have been advised that we are unlikely to increase our transmissions to a new region, such as the Republic of Ireland.

Please note that the contact details for the Channel 5 Duty Office are as follows:

Telephone: 0845 7 05 05 05 Text telephone for use by deaf people: 0845 7 41 37 87
E-mail: dutyoffice@channel5.co.uk
Fax: 020 7550 5678

And the Channel 5 website can now be found at:

www.channel5.co.uk

Thank you for your interest in Channel 5.

Yours sincerely

LegacyUser

Today's Sunday Business Post carries a piece about the BBC launch and Sky are quoted as saying that they would welcome RTE, TV3 and TG4 on their platform. Time to try to get some pressure on the national broadcasters, methinks.

LegacyUser

I agree. I know that this forum alone did not get us the BBC channels, but at least all the e-mails and phone calls to Sky,BBC, I am sure helped in some small way.
Yes I am up for the campaign. With names like Leesider,Gopher,IrishBlimp,MossyMonk,CharlesSlane,BigTanya, ShaneOC, DamoDMC,Mulio123,Digiman2001,(to name but a few) we can all do our bit for the powers that be to at least sit up and notice.
Can Anyone post the respective contact e-mail and phone numbers for Ch4/RTE/TV3..........
Lets start another campaign !!!!!!!!!


keep "WATCHING"

LegacyUser

lets get Irish tv on Sky, it is crazy if we have to fork out on another box just for digital RTÉ, TV3 and TG4. i feel it should be compulsary for RTÉ to go onto Sky as they are paid by the viewers which are......us

LegacyUser

The email addresses for the Irish channels that I could find are below:

RTE: haydej@rte.ie
TV3: info@tv3.ie
TG4: linda.ni.ghriofa@tg4.ie

Mark.

LegacyUser

Okay now that we have the details, lets start.


Lets get going..................

LegacyUser

I'm all for a campaign of action for getting Channels 4 and 5 on Sky Digital, I will help out in what ever way I can, but I wish to go back to the BBC debate momentarily. While delighted that BBC 1 NI and BBC 2 NI's appearence is imminent, I am disheartened that BBC News 24 is not appearing. As it is BBC Worldwide that concluded the carriage deal with Sky, I would like to e-mail them on the BBC Choice/News 24/Knowledge situation. My work lies there for now. Anyone got a contact address for there???

RTÉ is going to be a different kettle of fish. RTÉ, I think, are going to act the same way that ITV have acted in the UK regarding Sky Digital. i.e. when they see their audience share plummet in houses with Sky Digital and the ad revenues have been suffering a steady decline, they will act then. And only then. Mind you, I wonder what the audience figures for Tara in the Republic are like <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" ALT=":)" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

LegacyUser

Apparently every sky viewer spends an average of 2 mins a month watching Tara.Not much is it?

icdg

BBC Worldwide's website is www.bbcworldwide.com

LegacyUser

Maybe that ICDG could have a "Contacts Section" on the board, which would include e-mails and telephone numbers that would include:
RTE
TV3
SKY
BBC
UTV
Ch4
Ch5
TG4
It would be benificial to those now and in the future who may wish to contact the stations.
***Rather than let ICDG do all the usual "hard work" on this forum, perhaps we who use it, should provide the relevent information as required. However we will need the permission of ICDG first. It is HIS board.

LegacyUser

I sent a note to TV3 and I got back the following this afternoon from info@tv3.ie

"There are no current plans to broadcast on Sky Digital, but it is under consideration."

That's the lot. No Hi, Goodbye or anything.

LegacyUser

I sent email to TV3 too, mcglough, and guess what they replied with?

There are no currant plans to broadcast on Sky Digital but it is under consideration.
Regards,
TV3

WOW! Where did i see that before? <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" ALT=":)" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

No Hello or Goodbye!! Totally informal. Anyone would think they weren't interested in our emails! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif" ALT=":hat" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

LegacyUser

I e-mailed RTE over the weekend and received a reply today.
They informed me that RTE had no plans for to be included on the sky digital platform.
I remember receiving an e-mail several weeks ago from BBC telling me more or less the same thing.
Lets get the e-mails going.....
RTE Contacts:
popeb@rte.ie
haydej@rte.ie

Keep "Watching"

LegacyUser

I sent an email to the TG4 email address above and got a response from RTE to it - I assume that TG4 just forwarded it on. In my email, I complained that I was unable to get a decent picture using my rooftop antenna and had long ago given up on Chorus or Cork Multi-Channel. The response is below:

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->
Dear Mark

Your email to TG4 has been passed to me for attention.

There are no plans to broadcast any of the RTE services on Digital Satellite.

I am surprised that you are unable to received good quality TG4 pictures in Cork City as it is served by two UHF transmitters, Collins Barracks and Spur Hill which both carry RTE 1, Network 2, TG4 and TV3. Band III reception of RTE 1 and Network 2 is also available from Mullaghanish, as is TG4 and TV3 on the UHF band from this transmitter.

Should you wish to discuss you TG4 reception problems, please telephone me during office hours at 1850 584 584.

Thank you for your interest in TG4.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

LegacyUser

I should have said - the email regarding TG4 came from popeb@rte.ie but was signed Tom McCarthy.

LegacyUser

I have emailed channel4 twice in the last fortnite but have received no replies from C4. Is the email address <!--EZCODE MAIL START--><a href="mailto: dot4@channel4.com" OLDREF=""> dot4@channel4.com</a><!--EZCODE MAIL END--> going to the correct department. Maybe they don't know what to write as a reply coz they're in deep thought about it and are undecided!! Probably NOT!! I went to the bother of hyperlinking all the other email adds
<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><center> <!--EZCODE MAIL START--><a href="mailto: dutyoffice@channel5.co.uk" OLDREF=""> dutyoffice@channel5.co.uk</a><!--EZCODE MAIL END-->
<!--EZCODE MAIL START--><a href="mailto: haydej@rte.ie" OLDREF=""> haydej@rte.ie</a><!--EZCODE MAIL END-->
<!--EZCODE MAIL START--><a href="mailto: info@tv3.ie" OLDREF=""> info@tv3.ie</a><!--EZCODE MAIL END-->
<!--EZCODE MAIL START--><a href="mailto: reception@bbc.co.uk" OLDREF=""> reception@bbc.co.uk</a><!--EZCODE MAIL END--></center><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->

Happy emailing! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif" ALT=":hat" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

LegacyUser

I think it would be a good idea to thank sky + bbc for the efforts they've made so far. It wouldnt hurt and if they see that their work is being appreciated a wee bit, they may strive to give us the rest of the channels! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" ALT=":)" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Just a thought!

LegacyUser

I think it would be a good idea to thank sky + bbc for the efforts they've made so far. It wouldnt hurt and if they see that their work is being appreciated a wee bit, they may strive to give us the rest of the channels! Just a thought!

---

You're right - it would do no harm to show we appreciated what they've done for us so far. But I'll also be mentioning it in a letter to this "Head of Customer Loyalty" on Backchat (999) concerning this questionaire with a £5,000 prize draw which Irish viewers cannot benefit from (it's been in the last two issues!) and in relation to TiVo which is being heavily plugged in the magazine but is equally restricted from use in Ireland.

It's good to see movement on some matters (BBC, Sky Rewards), but we're still very much the forgotten viewers when it comes to new Sky policies and services in the UK.

LegacyUser

Hello dohie,
Do you have the e-mail address for Sky, and could you post it here so we can contact them aswell.
Good idea IrishBlimp to thank BBC/Sky, Excellent, must be the Donegal air!

LegacyUser

I sent a note to TG4 (referenced above) that I got a reply from RTE to. Last night however, I also got a reply from TG4 to the same email. The named contact I emailed in TG4 forwarded it to two people - one in RTE and a TG4 colleague.

As I said above, RTE said no plans.

However, TG4 said that they plan to speak to Sky and while they acknowledge several hurdles (legal, financial and technical) they were hopeful that something might come of it <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" ALT=":)" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

Incidentally, I threw a letter (a real one!) in the post yesterday to RTE director general (Bob Collins) pushing the same request. Wonder if he will reply?

Mark.