Thank you. Having been so used to having analogue and DTT from the one transmitter for a few years now, I hadn't realised that so many sites were still broadcasting only analogue transmissions and would only go digital after DSO.
Anyone else getting "no information available" for the entire day on ITV1.. Not too unusual to lose data in the EPG, but what's odd about this is the really random timing it's divided up into of around 16-22 minute chunks.
Looks like at least one of the Sky channels may disappear from Freeview with a deal today struck with Top Up TV and BT Vision to bring Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 to digital terrestrial, obviously at the expense of a free to air offering - and possibly putting ESPN in jeopardy too as I can see many jumping ship if it's football they're after.
I would not be surprised at all if Sky close Sky News but then bid for a slot for it's HD channel - crucially blocking a rival entertainment HD channel launching on a rival digital platform.
Really confused by this news, delighted yes, but where the bandwidth is to come from is the question. I doubt that Sky will want to lose any of their controlled bandwidth to TopUpTV as they'll be providing the service. I suspect that Arqiva might be looking to squeeze space with their new encoders ... which actually are working brilliantly to get additiional streams. Whether SS1 and SS2 will be 24/7 on TUTV is another issue to consider too, ESPN isn't.
EDIT - just read the press release. This sounds as if it is totally independent of Sky doesn't it ? A result of the Ofcom ruling that Sky have to make their channels available at a lower price to any platform who wants to pay for them. Therefore it is likely to be on space other than that used by Sky?
Well my understanding is OFCOM can only enforce the price, not force Sky to make the channels available (though possibly already rules in place to that effect).
There is speculation on Digital Spy that Ideal Extra was only given a short term deal which expires by August, so that stream could be used. Also speculation ESPN may be ditched, but can't see that happening due to the obvious issues which would arise.
As for Sky's own space - I may be wrong but I believe their deal gives them a certain share of the mux (either 50% or 2/3 IIRC) rather than a specific number of channels, and from the Picnic stuff we know they were certainly looking at a fourth stream.
I would not be surprised at all if Sky close Sky News but then bid for a slot for it's HD channel - crucially blocking a rival entertainment HD channel launching on a rival digital platform.
In all honesty Sky News wouldn't be a loss for me, however if they did get rid of Sky Sports News I would be rather displeased
I would not be surprised at all if Sky close Sky News but then bid for a slot for it's HD channel - crucially blocking a rival entertainment HD channel launching on a rival digital platform.
In all honesty Sky News wouldn't be a loss for me, however if they did get rid of Sky Sports News I would be rather displeased
I would rather see Sky3 taken off Freeview. There's absolutely nothing on that channel that interests me.
I agree Sky Sports News is the most valued channel Sky provide for Freeview, so feat that's the one they might scrap - though on the other hand it's a 24/7 promo window to subscribe to Sky Sports.
Although I could certainly cope without Sky News, I think it's important to have at least one 24/7 alternative to BBC News - frankly neither are perfect but they complement each other quite well. I wouldn't miss Sky3 much myself either, but I think it is an asset to Freeview.
I suspect we'll hear more about the carriage arrangements on 13th May 2010 when BT announces it's FINAL 2009-10 results. My suspicion is that BT will rent the two BBC B/Arqiva slots being offered and then sublet them to TopUpTV to provide SS1 and SS2 for both providers. It would seem sensible for BT to take the risk on the capacity whilst the legals are sorted and funds mount in escrow. It would insulate TUTV slightly if BSB wins it's OFCOM case. Sky will want to retain it's current capacity to possibly launch Picnic later.
Last edited by DVB Cornwall on 30 April 2010 9:08pm
I would not be surprised at all if Sky close Sky News but then bid for a slot for it's HD channel - crucially blocking a rival entertainment HD channel launching on a rival digital platform.
In all honesty Sky News wouldn't be a loss for me, however if they did get rid of Sky Sports News I would be rather displeased
I would rather see Sky3 taken off Freeview. There's absolutely nothing on that channel that interests me.
Actually good point, I forgot Sky 3 was on Freeview, that's how often I watch it
Although I do have Virgin, I usually watch Freeview the most (due to the fact it's built into my TV), but I'd rather Sky 3 go over Sky News or Sky Sports News anyday. Sky News would suffer in ratings, although I think Soccer Saturday on SSN would take a tumble in ratings if it was removed from Freeview.
I know this Ofcom rule thing is supposed to bring down the price of Sky Sports (which I'm all for), but can you see many people wanting to subscribe to it on DTT? Sky Sports has been round a while now, and people know where it is and how to get it, Pay TV on DTT IMO is just a non-starter, it might do well for a niche market, but I for some reason I can see it doing well in the mainstream, or maybe that's just me.
