BBC goes FTA: 10th July

watty

Originally posted by carrolls:
<SNIP>Sky have said that the regional option won't be available for 2 years at the earliest.
<Snip>The regional versions of BBC 1 and 2 will be grouped at the bottom of the Entertainment Menu option.

TWO YEARS!! For a five minute piece of code. Either they have a very paranoid SW QA dept or trying to call BBC's bluff.

I'm sure we can all live with London BBC Free To Air and the Regions in the 200s region when we reboot with ROI card upside down ...

carrolls

I actually prefer the London version of BBC1.
Bet the guys at BBC1 NI are worried now.

Mossy Monk

i prefer it as well. BBC1 NI is really terrible on Friday nights with the local stuff. thank god i have a choice of 3 different versions

johnnyq

As the magazine is stating that ITC are siding with the BBc does this mean that there is still a chance for MAY 31?

muffinhead

i hate BBC1 NI, that is why I made the effort to get an FTV card off some friends in England and not the relatives up north!

Is it me or do you just want to slit your wrists when you watch BBC Newsline?;)

Also they have the crap regional stuff that overides the main BBC programming!

dmeehan

have a very paranoid SW QA dept

i dont think they have SW QA dept at all, the amount of bugs i have seen in the software is unbelieveable, it makes microsoft look brilliant:rolleyes:

Capt'n Midnight

Swings and Roundabouts really
You already should have 4 BBC2 regions (102 / 960,962,962)
& UTV usually beats most other ITN regions...
& C4 / C5 are not regionalised apart from the Ads

Though some years ago one of the Lads I worked with took a day off with the intention of relaxing in front of the usual easter epics - feet up - can a' beer - Ben Hur - serious veg-ing - and instead he got six channels of updates every half hour on the latest on the Good Friday Agreement ...

Re: Bugs / Sw - wouldn't it be nice to add a few features:
a) previous channel button
b) adding other channels to favorites
c) assigning numbers 0-099 to favorites and/or other channels
d) displaying the frequency of channels in services
e) frequency search (OK big warning about waiting HOURS)
f) Disable red button
g) skip channels you are not subscribed to

- Unfortunately since all of these measures would mean you more easily choose to not watch Ads (Ad breaks & subscription info & non-EPG channels) - probably a snowballs chance of it happening.

BTW: What is the latest SW version and which is most stable one ?

Koyaanisqatsi

& UTV usually beats most other ITN regions...

What?
Oh yes, its that Julian Simmonds factor.
"And now on the UTV, Les Battersby is up to no good etc etc.":ninja:

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
UTV usually beats most other ITN regions...

:eek:
what other regions have you seen. UTV for me is the worst. even that Channel Islands one is better

Ro

The BBC has delayed the launch of a new satellite service that would enable thousands of Irish households to receive its eight digital television channels and all its radio stations for free.

The service, which was originally expected to begin broadcasting later this week, will not now begin broadcasting for at least six weeks due to a dispute between the BBC and BSkyB.

The delay has been caused by the BBC's decision to challenge a threat by the dominant satellite provider BSkyB to relegate the BBC's channels on its own electronic programme guide (EPG).

BSkyB's EPG is a menu function for its digital television services that lists all available channels and programmes in an easily accessible form for users.

BSkyB's British customers currently receive BBC1 and BBC2 at the prominent channel positions 101 and 102 on their electronic programme guide. But following the BBC's decision to broadcast its channels on a rival satellite, BSkyB has threatened to shift the BBC channels to the bottom of its EPG, thereby making them more difficult for consumers to access.

BSkyB considers the BBC's support for a rival satellite system called Astra 2D as a competitive threat to its own platform. It also means that BSkyB has lost a lucrative contract with the BBC to provide access to its own platform.

The BBC said yesterday it had referred the dispute to the British regulator, the Independent Television Commission, because it believes BSkyB must give its channels due prominence because of the BBC's public service remit.

A BBC spokesman said the regulator had asked both BSkyB and BBC not to take any action that would be detrimental to viewers until it had ruled on the issue. This means the BBC will not begin broadcasting on the new satellite until July, according to the spokesman. BSkyB would not comment on the dispute.

The delay to the BBC's new satellite plan means consumers in the Republic will have to wait at least another six weeks before they can access the new service.

The service is potentially a competitive threat to BSkyB and the cable firms that currently dominate the Irish pay TV sector.

It would enable BSkyB subscribers to let their subscriptions lapse and still receive eight digital BBC television channels and all its radio channels for free. In addition, up to 100 other television channels would be available to any consumer with a satellite dish and a standard set top box.

BSkyB subscribers could use their existing set-top box and satellite to access the new services but cable customers would have to purchase new equipment, which retails for about €380.

But with subscription to the basic TV packages offered by BSkyB, Chorus and NTL costing about 18 per month it would take less than 18 months for users of the system to recoup the cost of buying this satellite equipment.

Despite the delay to the BBC's satellite plan, the broadcaster said yesterday it did not affect its commitment to broadcasting for free on the Astra 2D satellite .

The BBC channels that will be available under the new service include BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, and BBC4. BBC News 24, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC Parliament will also be broadcast via satellite.

The Minister for Communications, Mr Dermot Ahern, said last month his department would consider how the BBC's satellite plans would affect the Republic.

carrolls

BSkyB subscribers could use their existing set-top box and satellite to access the new services but cable customers would have to purchase new equipment, which retails for about €380.

Actually the cheapest FTA Digital box is now £79 Sterling in What Satellite? magazine.

Richard

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
:eek:
what other regions have you seen. UTV for me is the worst. even that Channel Islands one is better

I think that UTV has the largest audience share of any ITV1 region. I really don't know why.

DMC

Originally posted by Ro
snip

Hi Ro, whats the source on that?

carrolls

Hi Ro, whats the source on that?

Sounds like 'Irish Times Speak' to me.
But where did they get the news of that BBC announcement yesterday?

DMC

Yes, carrolls, since ireland.com went PPV, I dont look there anymore, but I see it on the News Digest.

Its the 1st reputable publication to run with that story.

ShaneOC

Originally posted by Richard
I think that UTV has the largest audience share of any ITV1 region. I really don't know why.

Because they count numbers in the republic too. Still can't see how ITV London wouldn't beat it.

Charles Slane

I would guess that it's not the actual number of viewers but the percentage of viewers available.

I must say that I've always had a dislike of UTV and would watch almost any other ITV region in preference to it. I guess it has something to do with growing up with all my favourite programmes being interrupted by the legendary announcement - "Would key-holders in the Falls Road please return to their premises".

On the main topic. From the article quoted by Ro -

"BSkyB considers the BBC's support for a rival satellite system called Astra 2D as a competitive threat to its own platform."

It makes you wonder whether the people who write these articles have the first clue about the subject.

ShaneOC

And it's not as if it would be too difficult to find out the facts.

Ro

Originally posted by carrolls
Sounds like 'Irish Times Speak' to me.
But where did they get the news of that BBC announcement yesterday?

It is indeed the Irish Times. It was written by Jamie Smyth - their technology journalist.

I saw the bit about the Astra 2D rival system this morning and I have to agree it's badly researched.

Richard

Originally posted by ShaneOC
Because they count numbers in the republic too. Still can't see how ITV London wouldn't beat it.

No, I'm talking about audience SHARE within Norn Iron. I think they've got a higher percentage of the market share than any other ITV1 region.

muffinhead

Oh don't talk to me about UTV! All those current affairs programmes - the ultimate cure for insomnia ! I hope sky will give us the option to select (or manually tune in) our own ITV region if UTV comes to the Sky ROI service!

irishgeo

Originally posted by muffinhead
Oh don't talk to me about UTV! All those current affairs programmes - the ultimate cure for insomnia ! I hope sky will give us the option to select (or manually tune in) our own ITV region if UTV comes to the Sky ROI service!

Dream on. Look how they control the BBC.(Well did).

byte

The only good thing on UTV was RPM Motorsport!

Richard

Originally posted by muffinhead
Oh don't talk to me about UTV! All those current affairs programmes - the ultimate cure for insomnia ! I hope sky will give us the option to select (or manually tune in) our own ITV region if UTV comes to the Sky ROI service!

Well at the moment, ITV1 and Channel 4 operate an "all or nothing" system on their channels - they either all decrypt (if you're in the UK and have the appropriate card) or none of them do (if you don't have a card or have an ROI card). I think this saves them money, so I doubt they would change it.

Richard

Originally posted by irishgeo
Dream on. Look how they control the BBC.(Well did).

This was the BBC's doing, though, so it wouldn't affect their rights. And, of course, within the UK, only BBC ONE was restricted by region all the time.

watty

Originally posted by Richard:
<snip>Channel 4 operate an "all or nothing" system on their channels - they either all decrypt (if you're in the UK and have the appropriate card) or none of them do <snip>

I think there are 5 other C4 you can add via "Other Channels"
The C4 regions only differ in adverts.

You can add all the other ITVs in "Other Channels" (Except ITV2), but there mostly is little point as very often they only differ now in Adverts.

Some variation on Sunday Matinia Films (sp). Ulster and Scotland seem to have the most variation from other ITVs, so about 3 covers it.

(all assuming you have a FTV card, UK sub or cancelled UK sub, i.e. not an ROI card.)

Capt'n Midnight

Something about needing 1m viewers before it was worth their while adding a new advertising region - maybe it was another station..

carrolls

Something about needing 1m viewers before it was worth their while adding a new advertising region - maybe it was another station..

I would assume they have that quota of potential viewers already on Sky Digital in the South.

byte

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
Something about needing 1m viewers before it was worth their while adding a new advertising region - maybe it was another station..

Well, since it was worth their while giving E4 a different advertising region (ROI) then it's definitely worth their while doing the same for their main channel, Channel Four.

maisflocke

Originally posted by Ro
It is indeed the Irish Times. It was written by Jamie Smyth - their technology journalist.

I saw the bit about the Astra 2D rival system this morning and I have to agree it's badly researched.

Badly researched??

not researched at all, if you ask me.


How could Astra 2D be a rival to Sky? they also use transponders on 2D

Tha Gopher

What is the bbc frequency?This thread is so big I cant be arsed going through it all.

robert muldoon

Originally posted by Tha Gopher
What is the bbc frequency?This thread is so big I cant be arsed going through it all.

I am also interested in this frequency

byte

Astra has confirmed which transponders on Astra 2D will be used to broadcast the BBC's channels on a free-to-air basis later this year. They will be transponders 45 (10.773GHz/H, SR 22,000, FEC 5/6) and 47 (10.802GHz/H, SR 22,000 FEC 5/6).

HTH

carrolls

At last its May 30th, the original D-Day for the Beeb going FTA.
This means that because Sky extended the BBC's contract by a Month, our next D-Day is June 30th. This is the date the BBC will end its new contract (1 Month) with BSkyB.
Interesting to see what happens on this date.
In the meantime we can enjoy the new BBCi interface.

Richard

Originally posted by irishbyte
Well, since it was worth their while giving E4 a different advertising region (ROI) then it's definitely worth their while doing the same for their main channel, Channel Four.

Yes, though there would be less to gain from an ROI region on Channel 4, since there is a already an NI region on Ch4 which they could use to show ads relevent to the South. But if they had the capacity, they'd probably do it if/when Ch4 is on Sky on ROI.

Does Channel 4 have a seperate advertising region for Wales? After all, Welsh viewers can get proper Channel 4 on every multichannel platform.

johnnyq

As today is the 31 th MAY 31 th MAY edit> that didn't turn out right !!<edit

What is the betting that some tech. will make BBC free to air anyway ww)

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by Richard
Does Channel 4 have a seperate advertising region for Wales?

viewers in Wales get the London advertising region

sceptre

Originally posted by Ro
It is indeed the Irish Times. It was written by Jamie Smyth - their technology journalist.

Jamie gets lambasted on a regular basis over on the IOFFL forum(s) for less than dedicated research. Let's say it wouldn't be the first time.

waifster

I recently bought a Televes FTA box. After getting it hooked up i found that none of the BBC channels were on it and although the Irish channels were there, they were blocked. Has the BBC channels not come on yet or do i have to do a manual search?

Charles Slane

Here's the latest news that I've read on Media Guardian, contained in a story about people over 50 getting Freeview (!?!) -

"The BBC has also reiterated its determination to start broadcasting its channels "in the clear" on digital satellite, regardless of the decision of the independent television commission, which recently intervened in the row between the BBC and Sky over whether the broadcaster was able to demote the BBC's channels to a lowly position on its viewing guide.

The ITC has yet to rule on the matter but the corporation said it was determined to press ahead with the plan, whatever the watchdog's decision.

Carolyn Fairburn, the BBC director of strategy, said the corporation had set a date of mid-July to switch off Sky's encryption system, a move the corporation believes will save it £85m over five years.

For the first time viewers will be able to receive BBC channels over digital satellite without a special viewing card and Ms Fairburn hinted that, over time, it hoped the platform would grow into a free alternative to Freeview."


Full story at -

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,973928,00.html

By the way this thread could possibly be merged with the existing "BBC to go FTA in May" thread (although that thread could maybe do with a name-change too - maybe just "BBC to go FTA" ).

What do you think Damo ?

DMC

Oh yes!

watty

Originally posted by waifster
I recently bought a Televes FTA box. After getting it hooked up i found that none of the BBC channels were on it and although the Irish channels were there, they were blocked. Has the BBC channels not come on yet or do i have to do a manual search?

Unless something catacyslmic happens the Irish channels will stay blocked. For a long time. The teletext ought to work though.

Probabily you need to update the Televes box "transponder listing" to get the BBC. The Radio ought to work except 5Live and 5Extra, The rest in 14th July ...

irishgeo

The BBC channels wont be FTA till early july. RTE were never FTA so you wont get them till they tell Sky to go shove which is not likely to happen for a long time.

Charles Slane

From MediaBullet (again) -

"10/06/03 BBC slips FTA plans

In addition to the previous news, we can exclusively announce the the BBC have pretty much firmed up their plans for broadcasting their digital channels in the years to come. Basically, it would seem that they have resigned to the fact that they will place the regional BBC1 services and alternative BBC2 national regions to the mid-900's, from EPG approx. 950 to 970, althought the exact positioning is yet to be finalised. BBC1 London and BBC2 England will reside on 101 and 102 across the UK, with a region list available by accessing BBCi. There should be a formal announcement in the next 7 days, and we will bring you more on this story as we get it."

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by Charles Slane
a region list available by accessing BBCi

so all BBC1 and BBC2 regions will be available without the need of adding them to Other Channels. sounds good because it will put less strain on the constantly deleting Other Channels list. all the English regions are practically identical except for regional news anyway

Charles Slane

Maybe not.

There's nothing to say that they'll appear on the Irish EPG (RTE have 101 and 102 for a start).

We may still have to use "Other Channels".

Mossy Monk

what i meant was selecting a region through BBCi on either BBC1 NI or BBC2 NI which will surely still be on the EPG

robert muldoon

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
what i meant was selecting a region through BBCi on either BBC1 NI or BBC2 NI which will surely still be on the EPG

The question now framing up is: Where will BBC1 & 2 be on the Irish EPG?

carrolls

I assume the Irish EPG is not going to change at all.
They are not going to put all BBC regions on the Irish epg.

Richard

Originally posted by carrolls
I assume the Irish EPG is not going to change at all.
They are not going to put all BBC regions on the Irish epg.

It would be ironic if BBC ONE and TWO NI appeared on the ROI EPG in their current places, whilst viewers in Northern Ireland itself had to go to the 900s to find the channels.

If the BBC channels appeared in the upper 200s it wouldn't be so bad...