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TH
Thinker
They have regional SIDs for all the SVT1 and SVT2 regional variations. Most of the time they point to the PIDS for the Network SVT1 and SVT2 audio and video streams, but when they opt-out on SVT1 OR SVT2 the regional SVT1/2 SIDs are re-pointed to the regional audio and video stream PIDS. This means they can opt-out on either SVT or SVT2 - but not at the same time.

However they squeeze all of the streams onto a single transponder to avoid a re-tune. And there is still a nasty transition (a grey screen for a second or so on the receiver I saw)

They don't do it for HD broadcasts. (And don't have regional news on their DVB-T2 HD variants either, and broadcast Stockholm's regional news nationally on the HD versions)


They could opt out on both channels at the same time time, but they would have to show the same opt-outs on both channels. I'm only mentioning it because they actually did that several years ago to simulcast regional news on both SVT2 and SVT24.

The main Swedish channels are carrying regional opt-outs in HD now; for SVT1 HD, SVT2 HD and TV4 HD that has apparently been the case since May 2012:
http://www.svt.se/omsvt/om-sandningarna/regionala-sandningar/regionalt-i-hd-kanalerna
http://tv4gruppen.se/Pressmeddelanden/2012/TV4-HD-blir-lokalt-nedbrytbar/
TH
Thinker
Probably helped by them not using DVB-T2 when they went HD, and having used H264 from the start on their DVB-T broadcasts for pay-TV and HD stuff, with MPEG2 only being used for SD free-to-air stuff. That said, they are likely to need to do a T to T2 (or better) transition at some point, but then - like Germany - they may use H265/HEVC instead of H264?


There have been quite advanced discussions about introducing DVB-T2/HEVC in France, but AFAIK nothing is decided yet. That set-up could potentially be used to launch UHD, but if one mux goes UHD, they would have to squeeze the existing channels onto five muxes (i.e. six HD channels per DVB-T1 mux).

It is also unclear how they would perform a full migration to DVB-T2. Even with the improvements afforded by HEVC, UHD will still be a niche product on DTT. Since the platform will already be all HD and the regulator has clearly communicated that it doesn't want more channels, there will not be a great incentive for most consumers to upgrade.
BR
Brekkie
They have regional SIDs for all the SVT1 and SVT2 regional variations. Most of the time they point to the PIDS for the Network SVT1 and SVT2 audio and video streams, but when they opt-out on SVT1 OR SVT2 the regional SVT1/2 SIDs are re-pointed to the regional audio and video stream PIDS. This means they can opt-out on either SVT or SVT2 - but not at the same time.

However they squeeze all of the streams onto a single transponder to avoid a re-tune. And there is still a nasty transition (a grey screen for a second or so on the receiver I saw)

They don't do it for HD broadcasts. (And don't have regional news on their DVB-T2 HD variants either, and broadcast Stockholm's regional news nationally on the HD versions)


They could opt out on both channels at the same time time, but they would have to show the same opt-outs on both channels. I'm only mentioning it because they actually did that several years ago to simulcast regional news on both SVT2 and SVT24.

The main Swedish channels are carrying regional opt-outs in HD now; for SVT1 HD, SVT2 HD and TV4 HD that has apparently been the case since May 2012:
http://www.svt.se/omsvt/om-sandningarna/regionala-sandningar/regionalt-i-hd-kanalerna
http://tv4gruppen.se/Pressmeddelanden/2012/TV4-HD-blir-lokalt-nedbrytbar/

Sounds like they can run the HD content on DTT but stick to SD on satellite, which is understandable. I suspect that is the sort of solution we'd see from the BBC if it were technically possible. Sadly though suspect they'd rather everyone went without HD regional content rather than enabling it on Freeview but not on satellite due to the retransmission costs.
MA
Markymark

Sounds like they can run the HD content on DTT but stick to SD on satellite, which is understandable. I suspect that is the sort of solution we'd see from the BBC if it were technically possible. Sadly though suspect they'd rather everyone went without HD regional content rather than enabling it on Freeview but not on satellite due to the retransmission costs.


Well, DSO2 is coming, probably before 2020, so the Beeb and the other broadcasters are going to have to re evaluate everything on DTT. I suspect regional muxes with BBC 1 and ITV sharing, and national macro muxes with (for instance) BBC 2 and C4 sharing.

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/700MHz/statement/700-mhz-statement.pdf
LL
London Lite Founding member
The former head of France Televisions weather service Philippe Verdier has joined RT France to present a programme where he talks about climate change which led to his resignation from France's PSB.

Article in French.

http://vous.bfmtv.com//actu-tele/chroniqueur-pour-russia-today-philippe-verdier-critique-francois-hollande-932933.html

12 days later

WW
WW Update
A documentary about ORTF, France's defunct public broadcaster (in French):

9 days later

LL
London Lite Founding member
France Télevisions have put their festive DOG's on show.

*
LL
London Lite Founding member
TF1's rolling news channel LCI is finally going FTA on TNT, the French FTA DTT platform. BFMTV have been against the proposed plan.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2015/12/20/csa-allows-lci-to-go-free-to-air/

24 days later

WW
WW Update
From 1976, the introduction to regional programming produced by France Régions 3 (FR3, now France 3) but shown on Antenne 2 (now France 2):

Last edited by WW Update on 13 January 2016 9:48pm
NG
noggin Founding member
They have regional SIDs for all the SVT1 and SVT2 regional variations. Most of the time they point to the PIDS for the Network SVT1 and SVT2 audio and video streams, but when they opt-out on SVT1 OR SVT2 the regional SVT1/2 SIDs are re-pointed to the regional audio and video stream PIDS. This means they can opt-out on either SVT or SVT2 - but not at the same time.

However they squeeze all of the streams onto a single transponder to avoid a re-tune. And there is still a nasty transition (a grey screen for a second or so on the receiver I saw)

They don't do it for HD broadcasts. (And don't have regional news on their DVB-T2 HD variants either, and broadcast Stockholm's regional news nationally on the HD versions)


They could opt out on both channels at the same time time, but they would have to show the same opt-outs on both channels. I'm only mentioning it because they actually did that several years ago to simulcast regional news on both SVT2 and SVT24.

The main Swedish channels are carrying regional opt-outs in HD now; for SVT1 HD, SVT2 HD and TV4 HD that has apparently been the case since May 2012:
http://www.svt.se/omsvt/om-sandningarna/regionala-sandningar/regionalt-i-hd-kanalerna
http://tv4gruppen.se/Pressmeddelanden/2012/TV4-HD-blir-lokalt-nedbrytbar/


Ah - I hadn't seen the introduction of HD opts terrestrially (I am usually in Stockholm...)

Though TV4 only do regional weather now don't they? ISTR there was a bit of a scandal that TV4 negotiated a new terrestrial deal, and then promptly shuttered their regional news operation. Their licence (sloppily) didn't include a requirement for local news, just local broadcasts, so a localised weather bulletin is enough to meet their remit. (Don't let ITV know about this...)

Interesting that ComHem (one of the main cable operators) declined to rebroadcast the SVT 1/2 HD variations and are distributing the Stockholm version nationally (I guess there may be infrastructure reasons for this)

I hadn't realised that SVT 1 and 2 HD terrestrially carried opt-outs. Presumably they can't replicate what they do in SD which is broadcast two SVT1 and SVT2 variations on DVB-T to allow people on borders to chose the right version? (ISTR that they did this in Stockholm). This may be even more relevant now they've massively increased the number of SVT Nyheter regions by pre-recording some bulletins and thus got smaller regions than previously ?
TH
Thinker
Ah - I hadn't seen the introduction of HD opts terrestrially (I am usually in Stockholm...)

Though TV4 only do regional weather now don't they? ISTR there was a bit of a scandal that TV4 negotiated a new terrestrial deal, and then promptly shuttered their regional news operation. Their licence (sloppily) didn't include a requirement for local news, just local broadcasts, so a localised weather bulletin is enough to meet their remit. (Don't let ITV know about this...)


TV4 still airs regional advertising, which is arguably the main reason they bother with the opt-outs.

The story of TV4's abolishment of local news has been slightly misreported. Swedish terrestrial channels are given new licenses every six years. When they run out, a new tender is held where broadcasters can apply for new licenses. The authorities then decide among the applicants who should be granted new licenses based on various criteria.

A channel could theoretically get a license by committing to some kind of worthy programming, but given the large supply of broadcast spectrum (about 50 channels overall) most broadcasters can secure licenses with very loose commitments. TV4's supply of Swedish productions, news and other worthy content is far above that of any of its competitors, so the authorities are not really in a position to reject their application just because they don't also air regional news.

In the UK the situation is different where the government put together a package of competitive advantages given to the holders of Channel 3 and 5 licenses in exchange for public service commitments. This preserved their status as PSB broadcasters in the digital era. Swedish legislators didn't consider this so after digital switchover there was no mechanism to preserve TV4's special status.

The full decision is available here:
http://www.radioochtv.se/documents/tillst%C3%A5ndsprocesser/marks%C3%A4nd%20tv%202014/13-01812-27%20decision.pdf
LL
London Lite Founding member
France 2 have finally hired a replacement for Phillippe Verdier who was the head of France 2's weather team. Valérie Maurice made her debut presenting weather bulletins during Télématin on Monday.

Link in French:

http://www.metronews.fr/culture/valerie-maurice-remplacera-philippe-verdier-a-la-meteo-de-france-2/mpan!9NgBvCTjqCO1Y/

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