| British TV & Radio News Archive 2008 |
| January 2008 |
| Humax issues update for Freeview Playback PVRs 14-01-08 |
Humax has released a software update which introduces Group 2 features to its 9200T Freeview Playback PVRs.
The OTA(Over The Air) update adds a series link recording feature, 'split recording' for programmes that are divided in two and 'alternate instance recording' where viewers are notified of clashes and given the option of recording the programme if it appears in another time slot.
The update is available from January 14 - 21 and requires the receiver to be left in standby overnight.
Receivers shipped into the UK from November 2007 should already contain the upgrade. |
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| Sky granted extension for ITV appeal 14-01-08 |
The Competition Commission has granted Sky an extension to the time in which it may file an appeal against a recommendation that it be forced to sell some of its shares in ITV.
Last month, the commission recommended to business secretary John Hutton that Sky be forced to sell down its 17.9% stake in ITV to under 7.5% because it "thought it likely that BSkyB would exercise its ability to influence ITV's strategy so as substantially to lessen competition".
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Sky originally had until this Wednesday, January 16, to submit an appeal. The commission will now allow Sky to wait until Hutton has issued his ruling, which is expected to occur before the end of this month.
A sale by Sky of ITV stock would cost the company dearly. When it acquired the stake in November 2006, it bought 696m ITV shares at 135p each, bringing the cost to £939.6m. Since then, however, ITV shares have fallen in value and at the time of publication, the broadcaster's shares were trading at 69.2p each, making a potential sell-down a costly exercise. |
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| BBC Three relaunch 23-01-08 |
Simon Nelson, the BBC's controller of multiplatform and portfolio, has said the relaunch of BBC Three "is a flagship project" for BBC Vision's new focus on multiplatform strategy.
Nelson, adding to comments made by controller Danny Cohen, said on the BBC Internet blog that Three will "change from a linear service to a fully joined-up multiplatform venture".
He explained: "This means that all the channel’s programmes, content and experiences can be available on TV, online, mobile, and on-demand platforms - and that's just the start.
"The relaunch is not just about a new logo. It’s about a new behaviour and attitude for the channel, which has the habits and preferences of its key audience - the elusive 16 to 34s - at its heart." |
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Nelson pointed to recent developments on the BBC's website, such as the programme information system currently in beta, which gives each programme a dedicated web presence that ties in with iPlayer, and a widgetisation strategy recently outlined by user experience chief Richard Titus and employed on the new BBC homepage, as key planks of BBC Three's web strategy.
"Though initially basic," he said of the programme system, "we hope this will grow into a fantastic resource that will make BBC Three and its content more searchable and easily navigable as well as more findable and easier to link to."
He added that the BBC will be looking to establish content partnerships with "the places where our audiences spend time" to help make the channel's web presence "the hub of a vibrant network of conversations across the web".
"For the entire channel to be based around these principles marks a major step, I believe, in helping great BBC content to benefit and prosper from all the advantages offered by a digital world," he said. "This won’t be just lip service: it’s about making content playable in the ways that fit young audiences' preferences: online, on the move, and on demand. And it’s about making it easier for young people to share the content they like - and discover the content they didn't know they liked."
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| Sky must reduce stake in ITV 29-01-08 |
Business secretary John Hutton today backed the Competition Commission's decision stating that Sky must reduce its 17.9% stake to below 7.5%. The broadcaster this morning said it was considering its options but analysts believe it is likely to go to the Competition Appeal Tribunal. If that fails Sky may also be able to take the matter to the European Union.
Anthony de Larrinaga, an SG Securities media analyst, said Sky may consider taking legal action for damages from the decision, especially after trying to come to a compromise agreement.
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He said: "There aren't too many instances where you are allowed a shareholding under the law and bend over backwards offering to cede voting rights but the Competition Commission is pretty much blind to all those suggestions."
However, it has also been pointed out that Sky's purchase successfully stopped a likely merger with NTL or successor Virgin Media. De Larrinaga said Sky's potential losses represented about 8% of its overall revenue margin for a year: "In that perspective, yes it hurts, but has this bought another three years of peace? That may be a price worth paying."
Paul Richards, from Numis Securities, added: "It worked - Virgin Media seem to have moved on from a strategy that would have seen them competing head-on with Sky."
Financial Times media expert Ben Fenton said a likely Sky appeal would focus on a 20% holding figure specified in the Communications Act.
He said it would ask why there was judged to be a problem with its 17.9% stake and where the new 7.5% maximum figure came from. |
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| BBC Trust approves Gaelic Digital Service 29-01-08 |
The BBC Trust has given its approval, subject to certain conditions, for the BBC in partnership with the Gaelic Media Service (GMS), to launch a Gaelic Digital Service (GDS).
Following a Public Value Test, the Trust has approved the service to launch now on cable, satellite and broadband, but not Freeview at this time. In order to ensure both value for money for licence fee payers, and that the service meets the needs of the target audience in the best way, the Trust has decided that the service will be subject to review before digital switchover commences in central and northern Scotland in 2010. The review will look at the actual performance of the service in achieving public value, including reaching a wider audience, and will consider launch on Freeview. |
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In order to protect access for current users the Trust has concluded that the Gaelic Zone on BBC 2 will continue for the foreseeable future. Jeremy Peat, BBC National Trustee for Scotland, said: "The Trust has given the go ahead for the GDS to launch, but with conditions and some changes to the original plans, to ensure the best possible value for licence fee payers.
"The Trust believes this service will offer public value and be culturally significant for both Gaelic speakers and Scotland as a whole. The channel, to be operated by BBC Scotland and the Gaelic Media Service, must now seek to improve markedly the quality and quantity of broadcast support for the language, to extend the current audience for Gaelic programming and provide an exciting new service for licence fee payers across Scotland.
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| February 2008 |
| ITV digital shake-up 07-02-08 |
ITV has announced a shake-up of its digital channels, with ITV4 becoming a 24-hour channel and CITV - which currently shares a Freeview slot with ITV4 - moving to its own Freeview slot.
Trade paper Broadcast reports that ITV4 is reorienting in response to the success of UKTV's Dave channel, with a cash injection allowing for more original programming to air in peaktime; tellingly, the channel is looking for "Top Gear-style shows". Archive shows such as Minder will be relegated to daytime hours, with peak-time programming set to include "Action-packed, escapist programming for men," according to channel controller Dave Fewings. CITV, meanwhile, will also benefit from an injection of commissioning cash for new programmes. |
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| Jonathan Rogers, ITV's Director of Operations, noted that, “These changes are a direct response to the success of the ITV digital channels portfolio. They reflect our strong commitment to this growth area of the business and offer an opportunity to further expand the depth and breadth of programming across the board.” |
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| No CITV in Wales 08-02-08 |
Digital terrestrial viewers in Wales have lost the CiTV Channel after it moved broadcast slots to extend its hours on air.
The channel this week moved to new spectrum capacity on SDN's Multiplex A which was previously occupied by ABC1. It means the ITV children's channel can now broadcast for an extra five-and-a-half hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
However, it also means digital terrestrial viewers in Wales, where the multiplex carries a different line-up because of national channels, will not get CiTV at all.
ITV said it was under no obligation to provide the CiTV Channel though it may acquire capacity to return to Wales, it it becomes available, in the future.
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"ITV's public service commitments apply only to ITV1 and therefore the programming on our dedicated children's channel is in addition to the required number of children's programming hours we broadcast on ITV1," said a spokeswoman. "We apologise to those viewers who can no longer access the CiTV Channel. Like all broadcasters we must make decisions on how best to use the capacity available to us.
"We believe that the extension of the CiTV Channel's hours on the weekend via acquisition of this new space (on the SDN multiplex) is the most positive step available to us at this time, both for the future of the channel and the benefit of its wider audience."
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| The Hits to be renamed 4Music 20-02-08 |
The Hits will be renamed 4Music under rebranding plans from owner Channel 4.
It comes after Emap, with which Channel 4 co-ran the music service as well as several radio stations, sold its consumer division to Bauer for £714.3m.
The 4Music brand is already used for strands on E4 and will feature on The Hits on Sundays from March. The channel is expected to be totally renamed before the end of the year as contracts with partners come to an end.
It will join Channel 4's collection of branded channels that include E4, More4 and Film4 and will soon extend to its own digital radio stations.
Channel 4 said it was also looking at other moves to develop its relationship with Bauer. |
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| BSkyB to challenge Competition Commission findings 21-02-08 |
BSkyB is to launch a legal challenge against key conclusions of the Competition Commission's report on its investment in ITV plc and the Secretary of State's consequent decision that BSkyB should dispose of the majority of its 17.9% shareholding.
Sky will lodge its application with the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) on Friday 22 February 2008. The CAT has the power to overturn part or all of the previous findings and to send the case back to the Competition Commission for further consideration. |
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| Freesat rejects claim it will "struggle" 22-02-08 |
Freesat has rejected a claim it will "struggle" to win viewers because of Sky's dominance. Speaking at a broadcast conference last week, Top Up TV chief executive Nick Markham said Sky had "sewn up satellite" so Freesat would find it difficult to survive when it launches in the spring.
Freesat responded that its strength would be "near 100% UK coverage" with "a one-off payment (that) will bring digital TV and HD content to all". A spokeswoman said: "We are confident that the Freesat offering will be met with strong interest and uptake."
Markham had argued: "Sky has spent years perfecting its service and made sure that every home with satellite TV had it through Sky devices.
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| "There is no way it will just sit back and allow a new competitor to just come along and take a slice of the market. If (Freesat) does that, Sky will just undercut it on price." |
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| March 2008 |
| Sky EPG reshuffle planned 06-03-08 |
Sky has announced plans to revise its EPG in an attempt to close gaps in the listings.
In the wake of a number of new channel launches, and other channels switching genre, a number of gaps have appeared in the EPG; the reordering seeks to resolve this issue.
The broadcaster has today opened a consultation with its channel partners on rearranging the EPG, noting that all channels will retain the same position relative to other channels in the same genre, so that new channel launches will not leapfrog over existing channels in the EPG. |
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Nicola Bamford, Director of Channels and Operations for BSkyB, said: “Since the last major reshuffle the TV landscape has changed considerably, and in a way which has altered the nature and composition of the EPG. In making these changes we believe we can improve navigability for customers, make more efficient use of available channel numbers and ensure that growing genres have the flexibility they need for future expansion.”
Some of the proposed changes include the Lifestyle and Culture channels moving up from 250 to 240 in the EPG, gaming moving from 840 to 860, and religion moving from 760 to 580. Documentaries, sports and adult will not be affected. |
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| ITV2 to broadcast 24 hours a day 06-03-08 |
| ITV2 and its one-hour timeshift sibling are to begin broadcasting 24 hours a day on March 17, it was announced today. As part of the changes, ITV2+1 will swap slots on Sky's electronic programme guide with Men & Motors, resulting in the timeshift channel making a significant jump from channel 184 to 131. GMTV2 programming, including the Action Stations kids' TV strand, will move from ITV2 to ITV4. Action Stations will continue to be simulcast on CiTV. |
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| "ITV2 is the number one digital channel in the UK and is more than ready to broadcast 24 hours a day 7 days a week," said Jonathan Rogers, director of operations at ITV's channels division. "These moves are designed to maximise the ongoing success of ITV’s portfolio digital of channels." |
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| DTG produces Freeview HD blueprint 08-03-08 |
A group of influential digital television experts has proposed that single frequency networks be used to broadcast 12 high definition channels on terrestrial from 2013.
The Digital TV Group panel produced the blueprint framework for the future of advanced digital television amid long-standing industry concern about the availability of HD services on terrestrial TV. It was revealed at the industry association's annual summit yesterday.
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Under the plans three multi frequency networks, which will give nearly 100% coverage, would be retained to carry public service and regional services. Meanwhile, two of the channels released by the switch to digital would be used for two single frequency networks providing 12 HD channels. It is estimated they would reach 70% of UK homes.
The group's proposal, which it wants to be debated and developed, says the change should be introduced in 2013 once switchover is complete. The SFNs would use DVB-T2 transmission and MPEG4 compression. As the terrestrial network is converted further there would potentially room for up to 40 HD terrestrial channels.
Dr Ian Childs, a member of the expert panel, presented the proposals to the industry association's event. He said the concern with current Ofcom proposals was that they did not offer "a sufficiently compelling product for the consumer".
Without a clear HD plan the industry is worried that the future of digital terrestrial television in the UK will suffer. Dr Childs said the 12-channel offering "might be the minimum level that allows DTT to come up with a proposal to the public that makes it viable".
He admitted that the proposals were "fairly radical" but added that he believed they could succeed. The DTV Group has previously made clear its dislike for Ofcom's plans relating to the provision of HD on DTT but said its blueprint would "build" on them.
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| DAB in crisis talks 10-08-08 |
Major broadcasters have been meeting to discuss the future of DAB after Capital Radio owner GCap announced it is to close several of its stations.
The profit-stricken company is in the process of dismantling its DAB operation and said it will be closing Planet Rock and The Jazz and selling off its XFM licences fro Scotland, Manchester and South Wales. It is also selling its stake in the Digital One multiplex to Arqiva.
Channel 4 is believed to be re-assessing its plans for entering digital radio after purchasing a licence for the second digital multiplex in July last year.
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Three stations were planned but concerns have arisen over DAB’s low penetration rates, weak advertising and the lack of switchover date for digital radio.
According to a report in the Financial Times, a rescue plan for DAB could involve transferring Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, and Five Live to DAB over a prolonged period.
Other ideas include using public money to fund a digital switchover campaign and subsidies for the elderly and those on low income to buy new radios. It is thought the money could come from the £250m which the National Audit Office has predicted may be left over from the £800m given to the BBC to help the elderly and disabled switch to digital TV.
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| '90% coverage' for commercial DTT muxes 26-03-08 |
The commercial digital terrestrial multiplexes will cover about 90% of UK homes after switchover, Ofcom said today. SDN and National Grid Wireless, who run multiplexes one and two respectively, are aiming to increase their reach from about 73%.
Channels including Dave, Virgin 1, The Hits and Five US, along with subscription-based services Setanta Sports and Top Up TV, will reach thousands more people under the extension.
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There should also be a slight increase in homes receiving the public service channels, according to modelling results released by the regulator today.
Currently 98.5% are able to pick up BBC One and Two, ITV1 and Channel 4 or S4C. After switchover, 98.6% of UK households should be covered by the public service digital multiplexes.
Ofcom said the commercial operators planned to use 80 "major transmitter sites", compared to more than 1,150 for the PSBs, so their coverage would continue to fall short.
"They have decided to build a transmission network that will allow them to cover around 90% of the UK population from digital switchover," it said in a fact sheet on switchover details. "They have concluded that they cannot justify the very substantial investment in additional DTT transmission capacity to reach the final 10 per cent of the UK population."
Under the plans, 93% of homes in England will be able to receive the commercial multiplexes but only 88% in Scotland, 73% in Wales and 75% in Northern Ireland.
Ofcom said: "Coverage is lower in hilly and mountainous regions and where networks are much more expensive to build and population density is much lower.
"Coverage is also lower in areas that are more exposed to international constraints... in the Meridian and Anglia regions, the coverage of the three commercial multiplexes is predicted to be approximately 80% after switchover."
Around 1.4% of UK households (350,000) will not be fully covered by the public service multiplexes though around 275,000 will still be able to get a signal "most of the time". Two areas have been identified where there would be a particular problem: Ardrossan in Ayrshire and part of Skelmersdale in Lancashire. Ofcom said both were being addressed.
Legally the commercial multiplex operators are required only to ensure their coverage does not decrease during switchover, so Ofcom said it had no power to ask them to improve it. However, the regulator said it would welcome extension and "stands ready to assist".
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| SDN to release digital terrestrial capacity 26-03-08 |
SDN is looking for radio, data or small-screen video services to use free capacity on its digital terrestrial multiplex.
Up to 1Mbps of capacity will be released on multiplex A and ITV Plc-owned SDN has asked companies to submit proposals. According to SDN the capacity is suitable for "a variety of digital services including radio, video (not full screen), and data".
"This capacity has become available as services have moved off Multiplex A as part of the digital switchover process in the UK," the company said in a statement. SDN's deadline for proposals is April 7. |
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| April 2008 |
| Humax PVR for Freesat 02-04-08 |
Humax will release a Freesat video recorder after the subscription-free satellite service launches, its chief technologist has said. The company is one of several manufacturers licensed to make set-top boxes for the ITV and BBC joint venture.
Bob Hannent, Humax's chief technologist, said:
"Humax had concentrated its efforts on first developing a stable high definition receiver. A personal video recorder, or digital television recorder, will follow after Freesat has launched. The complexity of Freesat means that we have focused our efforts on developing our first product; the first product is what we refer to as the 'zapper' or a basic HD receiver," he said. |
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This receiver is based on a common platform we have developed which is known to many of you as the iCord and is an evolution beyond.However, because of both the complex requirements for Freesat and the Freesat extensions to the DTR it has always been intended that the DTR will follow the basic receiver once that is stable.
This means that the final stage of DTR software development will begin after launch of our receiver product and the DTR product will follow in a few months....
We are now finalising the basic receiver firmware and the hardware is already being gathered into it's kit form (for final European assembly). We have the DTR hardware nailed down for our software team to work on and the team are already planning their next move." |
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| HD on Freeview 03-04-08 |
Britain's first full-time Freeview HD channels could launch as early as 2009, with up to four on air by 2012.
Media regulator Ofcom has greenlit its own proposals to upgrade one of the six Freeview multiplexes to highly efficient next-generation transmission technology.
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This could allow high definition broadcasting or dozens of extra standard definition channels, but viewers will need a new set-top box or a plug-in module for their IDTV.
However, the plan does not look beyond digital switchover in 2012 to suggest how Freeview could continue to develop in the long term.
The new services would use Multiplex B - currently operated by the BBC - to transmit channels using MPEG-4 compression and the cutting-edge DVB-T2 transmission standard. Together these can effectively double the capacity of this multiplex.
The current channels on Mux B would be moved to either the BBC's Mux 1, Mux 2 (owned by ITV and Channel 4) or Mux A (owned by SDN) - here's an illustration.
The upgraded Mux B would start operating in 2009, when the Granada, Wales and Westcountry regions switch of their analogue TV. Other regions would get the extra channels as they switch to digital, except for Border, which will switch later this year and would have to be upgraded again before 2012.
Mux B would be expected to carry three high-efficiency channels from 2009, but it's expected that continuing improvements to the new technology would allow four or five channels by 2012.
On of the channels would be controlled by the BBC Trust and is expected to be used for the BBC HD channel which is already available on satellite and Virgin Media.
The others would be auctioned to ITV, Channel 4 and Five - although the broadcasters have already agreed that ITV and Channel 4 will launch hi-def channels first, with Five joining when the extra capacity arrives.
Ofcom will not however, insist the extra capacity is used for HD - the channels could propose to launch a wealth of new SD channels instead.
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| Freesat to launch May 5th 08-04-08 |
The BBC has confirmed, that the launch date for Freesat is expected to be Monday 5th May through those retailers appointed by the platform.
Updates will occur on the official site within the next week or so.
They have however suggested that whilst the 5th is the date they are aiming for, if the service is not ready, or if there is still issues to overcome, they have no problem delaying the service further.
Information has been scarce from Freesat, even their own website has no official launch date posted as yet.
Further delay could be damaging for the new platform, and may even cause frustrated viewers to use Sky's rival Freesat from Sky offering. |
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| Channel 4 FTA 14-04-05 |
Free to air broadcasts of Channel 4, Film 4 and Film 4+1 have appeared on the Astra 2D satellite. The feeds have been visible since Friday at 10.729GHz V, 22000 symbol rate, FEC 5/6 with Channel 4 labelled as 8350.
It is the first time Channel 4 has been available free to air on satellite and strongly suggests the channel will be part of the launch lineup of subscription-free service Freesat.
All the broadcaster's channels except Film 4 have previously been part of an exclusive digital satellite carriage deal with Sky. However, the broadcaster signalled its interest in joining Freesat last year.
Encrypted feeds for Channel 4's bouquet, except Film 4, are continuing on Astra 2A and regional versions of Channel 4 for advert purposes are not yet available on Astra 2D.
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| Channel 4 HD not on Freesat 18-04-08 |
Channel 4 HD will not be part of Freesat until some time after the service launches, sources have indicated. Channel 4 is still covered by a conditional access deal with Sky for all its services except Film4, however, it is seeking to reach an agreement so they could be broadcast free to air for Freesat.
However, a source said the high definition channel was on different terms with Sky and, though it would go free to air at some point, this would not be at an early stage.
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| Freesat receivers on sale 18-04-08 |
Freesat set-top boxes from Alba brand Grundig have appeared "for sale" on a retailer's website.
Comet listed a high definition box, the GRUNDIG GUFSATHD, for £149.99 and a standard definition model, GUFSAT01, for £49.99. No pictures and few specifications were given, though Comet said the dimensions of both were 25x15x4cm.
The models appeared available to order, though an Alba spokeswoman said details should not have been published until the official launch of the subscription-free satellite service.
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| DAB Sales up 28% 28-04-08 |
Sales of DAB radios in the first three months of 2008 were up 28% on the same period last year. Figures from research firm Gfk show 489,000 receivers were sold during the first quarter. The year-on-year growth was higher than the average of 16% seen in 2007.
The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) has put the growth down to products such as clock radios and docking systems, which have increasingly featured DAB receivers; as well as in-car DAB adapters.
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Paul Brown, acting chief executive of the DRDB, said the Q1 figures were encouraging: "DAB digital radio came under fire earlier this year following announcements of withdrawal from the medium by GCap Media and the loss of several national DAB services. However, consumer, retailer and manufacturer confidence in DAB remains high, as these figures demonstrate."
During the first quarter, DAB accounted for 20% of all radio sales by volume. Clock radio sales were up 111% in volume in the last year.
A new product - Pure Digital's plug-and-go in-car adapter - helped DAB after-fit volume sales to grow 14% year-on-year. |
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| Freesat set to launch May 6th 30-04-08 |
The launch date for subscription-free satellite service Freesat has been confirmed as May 6.
Freesat receivers go on sale from May 1.
The service, developed by the BBC and ITV, is designed to encourage takeup of free to air satellite in a manner similar to the success enjoyed by digital terrestrial's.
Freesat receivers will include a High Definition model made by Humax; non-HD and HD models from Goodmans, Bush and Grundig; and various products from Panasonic. Other manufacturers will be licensed to make receiver products at a later stage.
The launch retailers for the service are Comet, Argos, John Lewis and DSG, whose outlets include Currys and PC World.
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| Prices are expected to range from around £50 for a standard definition set-top box and £120 for an HD model. Launch retailers will also arrange installation for an additional charge. |
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| May 2008 |
| ITV HD only on Freesat? 02-05-08 |
Speculation is mounting that ITV's new high definition service will be exclusive to Freesat.
Test transmissions for ITV HD are now being broadcast on Eurobird 1 at 11.428 GHz with horizontal polarisation, a symbol rate of 27500, and a service ID of 10510. However, the stream may not be viewed on Sky boxes, nor traditional free to air receivers, as the video stream is being broadcast as H.222 data rather than using the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec supported by such receivers and used by existing high definition services such as BBC HD.
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Reports from those receiving digital satellite on their home computer have been able to view the stream after installing appropriate codecs. They report that the service information table for the 11.428 Horizontal transponder is carrying, in addition to the ITV HD stream, data services named "FreesatHome", "FreesatCommonC", "FreesatSSU", and "FreesatOAD".
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| Independent retailers to sell Freesat 03-05-08 |
Freesat has reached an agreement with Retra, the trade association for electrical retailers, ahead of its May 6 launch date.
The BBC-ITV joint venture had initially signed only Comet, Argos, John Lewis and the stores of DSG as its retail launch partners; however, a service level agreement with Retra will permit retailers such as Euronics and Eurosat to sell Freesat equipment.
"Needless to say we are delighted that this agreement has been reached," said Retra chief executive Bryan Lovewell. "With 2008 predicted to be a challenging year, new products such as Freesat can only help independent retailers increase footfall and profits... What Freesat must do now is work to ensure independent retailers have access to timely information and support in order to effectively sell the service."
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| A Freesat spokesperson told us: "We will, of course, continue to inform Retra of our plans for working with independent retailers as we move forward." |
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| Freesat Platform Launches 06-05-08 |
The new British free-to-air satellite platform, Freesat, has launched today with an offering of over 80 digital TV and radio channels, including BBC One, ITV1, Film Four and BBC HD. The launch of Freesat, also saw Channels 4's digital channels, E4, E4+1, More4 and More4+1 begin broadcasting free-to-air.
Freesat can be purchased in-store or online at Argos, Comet, Currys, John Lewis and some independent retailers. After a one-off payment for a set-top box and installation, the service is free forever.
ITV HD and Channel 4 HD are expected to join the service in the near future. Five is also due to join the new platform sometime in 2008.
More channels are expected to join Freesat during 2008, Sky News, CNN along with commercial radio stations are currently not available through the new services Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).
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| ITV HD Red Button service only 06-05-08 |
ITV HD is scheduled to begin broadcasting its regular schedule on Freesat, accessible solely via ITV's red button interactive services, in "a few weeks", it was confirmed.
Freesat managing director Emma Scott said ITV would be releasing further details of its high definition channel, and commence full broadcasting, in "hopefully a few weeks time".
She confirmed it would be accessible via the red button rather than given an individual EPG slot and that it would initially be viewable exclusively on Freesat equipment. |
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ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said: "We will launch our HD service with an unrivalled line up of premium football including the FA Cup, England internationals and UEFA Champions League from next season."
Grade did not rule out negotiations for carriage on Sky in the future, however, and said: "We are a commercial organisation and won't give it to Sky for nothing."
Humax, whose Freesat personal video recorder is expected to be the first available when it is released some time in the summer, said it would be able to record ITV HD. |
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| E4 & More4 Free-To-Air 06-05-08 |
E4 and More4 today began free to air transmission on the digital satellite for the first time, the channels were viewable via satellite only to those with a Sky subscription.
The broadcaster negotiated a change to its conditional access contract with Sky in order to make all three channels to be available to those with Freesat equipment.
All free to air digital satellite receivers, including Sky, Freesat and other digital receivers, will now be able to view Channel 4, E4 and More4. Channel 4 HD will remain exclusive to Sky.
Sky has informed subscribers that from today E4 and More4 will no longer be a part of its variety pay TV channel package.
The carriage changes also mean that Sky users in the Republic of Ireland can no longer receive the timeshift channels E4 +1 and More4 +1. They are expected to become available again later this year. |
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| ITV HD gets Champions League Freesat test 22-05-08 |
ITV's new high definition channel was viewable on Freesat receivers for the first time last night in a non-publicised test broadcast. Freesat HD viewers were able to watch the Champions League final in HD by entering an access code while watching ITV1.
When formally launched, ITV HD content will be accessible to Freesat viewers via "red button" interactive services from ITV1's standard definition channel.
The stream was not available on a publicised interactive service last night, but the code triggered receivers to access it. Viewers reported good picture quality but some problems with sound during the match.
A test transmission feed for ITV HD has been viewable for about a week using some free-to-air satellite receiver equipment.
However, last night's match, in which Chelsea were defeated by Manchester United in a penalty shoot-out, is thought to be ITV's first broadcast of native HD content. |
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| Freesat interactive 'ideal for VOD' 22-05-08 |
Freesat equipment is well equipped for providing video on demand, according to one of the world's major developers of interactive TV services. UK-based company Strategy & Technology has been working with Humax and Panasonic, two of the three Freesat launch manufacturers, on a new version of its interactive technology which is now implemented on their receivers.
The new software, called RedKey 2, is based on a development of the MHEG-5 international presentation standard, which Freesat picked as its method of delivering all "red button" interactive services.
The BBC - which developed the new TV service along with ITV - has already declared plans to make its iPlayer catch-up TV service available, via the red button, as soon as possible. Also key to this Freesat's Ethernet connection and the ability of interactive services to make use of it. |
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Paul Daly, general manager of client systems for Strategy & Technology, said this ability was one of the main developments from RedKey 1, which is used on many Freeview boxes. Though Ethernet connectivity has yet to be enabled for consumer use, this feature was required by the Freesat specification and all receivers are equipped.
In the short term it will mean programmes or particular adverts will be able to provide more information via interactive pages. Users will also be able to interact with programming by voting in reality TV shows, looking up shops, or ordering products from a shopping channel.
"The application can go live during particular adverts," said Daly. "If you have the IP channel connected then potentially you can get further information, possibly as far as finding a local dealer from a car advert and booking a test drive."
He confirmed the system was theoretically ready for interactive VOD services such as the iPlayer, though work on software for this is ongoing. Daly added that, in the longer term, other broadcasters could potentially piggy-back on the service and its MHEG implementation to deliver video services independently of linear channels.
"On a worldwide stage, there are a lot of companies looking at offering trickle-feed video services to set-top boxes," he said. Delivering shows or films as a trickle-feed download as opposed to a live stream could offer quality video with less demand on internet bandwidth.
Daly said: "MHEG is an ideal front-end to that. It is going back to its grassroots in a way, as it was actually originally designed for delivering on demand video."
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| New EPG for Sky HD 29-05-08 |
Sky will download a new version of its electronic programme guide to Sky HD receivers this Autumn. The new guide, for which plans were first made public last November, has been in development for two years and is currently undergoing a field trial in the homes of 100 Sky employees.
The new EPG is designed to build on the simple user interface currently used across all Sky receivers with optimisations designed to take advantage of the technological improvements made possible by the newer hardware in HD receivers and make the transition from linear viewing and planner-driven timeshifted viewing more seamless.
The new guide, currently version 7.16.2, is presented entirely in high definition and uses a mini database on the receiver, which is populated upon bootup and then continually refreshed with new EPG data, to overcome certain limitations with the existing guide such as enabling the presentation of full now, next, later programme details irrespective of the currently selected channel. |
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The use of the mini database allows viewers to view full information for any programme airing in the next 12 hours just on the now and next banner, alleviating the need to go into the guide.
When in the full guide, an optional 1/8th-size mini TV screen permits viewers to continue watching the currently selected programme while browsing programme information from any channel. An improved search feature contains filters by genre and subgenre and permits the input of long programme titles to more effectively search by show.
Recording and series linking can now be done from the guide or now and next banner, without the need to go into the planner. Series stacking, an entirely new feature, groups recorded programmes and search results by show, and is designed to make browsing the planner easier when a large number of episodes of the same show have been recorded.
Brian Sullivan, managing director of Sky's customer group, said: "The HD Sky Guide will make our best TV product even better. Because we believe in giving customers as much choice, control and flexibility as possible, we want to provide an easy way for them to find, store and watch the programmes they love. This is truly an EPG for the HD era."
A large field test, in which the new EPG will be downloaded to the boxes of 1000 Sky employees, will start shortly. Full rollout to customer boxes will take place in the Autumn, although Sky is already downloading a "housekeeping" update to Sky HD boxes to ready them for the new guide. |
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| Freesat HD receivers, restricting viewers choice 30-05-08 |
Broadcasters have the ability to block Freesat receivers' component output for particular shows, it has emerged. A flag can be transmitted with programme information which disables the connection. The function, a requirement of the Freesat equipment specification, is aimed at preventing piracy of high quality video.
Where the flag is used - likely to be on more valuable HD broadcasts such as sport, films and premium TV shows - viewers will only be able to watch in high definition via the HDMI connection. A relatively small number of people with HDTVs without HDMI inputs will not be able to watch the shows in HD at all.
The change will also prevent the use of some external devices to record the HD content. HDMI, unlike component, supports HDCP - high bandwidth digital content protection - a standard designed to make copying HD content more difficult.
Several BBC HD programmes have carried the preventative flag. Humax representatives, have confirmed the change was part of the Freesat specification.Broadcasters also have the option of limiting output via the SCART connection to the lower-quality composite video format.
Sky began phasing out component output from its HD set-top boxes for anti-piracy reasons last month, though it is present and enabled on most of the boxes in circulation. |
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| June 2008 |
| Freesat and Alba promise manual tuning 04-06-08 |
Freesat has promised to work with manufacturers to add manual tuning of FTA channels across its full range of receivers.
Humax's Foxsat HD receiver has a capability to tune channels not on the Freesat EPG, the Bush, Goodmans and Grundig receivers (all made by Alba) do not.
The European Union's Advanced Television Services Directive of 2003 insists all satellite receivers should be able to tune in and display any free-to-air DVB channel.
Freesat is currently working with Alba on this matter and all Alba receivers should have the manual tuning option within a matter of weeks.
The manual tuning feature is already available on the Humax HD receiver, which also supports DiSECq, and the forthcoming Panasonic Freesat TVs."
There are currently many free channels not available through Freesat's EPG, though this will increase in the future.
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| ITV HD launches on Freesat 07-06-08 |
TV HD launched on Freesat today showing Portugal’s Euro 2008 game against Turkey as its first publically available HD broadcast.
Access to the HD channel, is through the ‘red’ button on ITV1 (channel 103). ITV HD will not be available on Freeview, Virgin or Sky.
It has also been confirmed, that games on Monday through to Friday of the following week will also be available in HD. |
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| Access the Alba Freesat manual tuning 12-06-08 |
Alba may still be developing the manual tuning upgrade for its Freesat receivers, but that has not stopped determined users accessing the existing hidden menus.
By 2846 on the Settings menu of any Bush, Goodmans or Grundig Freesat receiver, the manual tuning menu will open.
However, Alba warns the manual scan is not fully functional and any channels found can not be saved to the main channel list for future use.
A new option will be added at the end of June, allowing non-Freesat channels to show up in Channel Listings in non Freesat mode. |
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| RTÉ International to launch in 2009 12-06-08 |
RTÉ's new channel for Irish ex-pats in Britain has placed adverts for new personnel on its website, leading to speculation that it may launch in advance of its planned transmission date of March 17, 2009.
The new channel will combine entertainment and sports output from RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, including GAA matches. The channel will also carry Irish-language programming from TG4 and live news bulletins.
The channel is going to be FTA and available on Freesat. |
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| New Freesat channels delayed 12-06-08 |
Freesat have confirmed that issues with Freesat receiver software has meant putting the launch of new channels on hold. The firmware within all Freesat receivers is suppose to auto-update when new channels are added to the EPG. Unfortunatly technical issues with the software have caused Freesat to posepone the additional ITV regional channels, along with some other channels.
Freesat would not confirm how long this delay is expected to last, nor the new channels to be introduced, though did say that both manufacturers and Freesat are working togeather on a prompt resolution. |
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| New Freesat channels in July 20-06-08 |
All BBC One and ITV1regions, along with ITV2+1, Film Four+1, E4+1 and More4+1, Zone Horror, Zone Reality, Kix and BET as well as commercial digital radio stations including Capital Radio, Virgin Radio and XFM, will be available late July 2008.
Freesat still believe that some 200 channels will be available by the end of the year.
They could not comment on whether any channels have signed up, only that discussions are taking place.
Freesat currently have no information on when, or if Channel 4 HD will be available on the platform. This is due to the current contract with Sky.
Five will be joining Freesat sometime in 2008, though no clear date has been given at present. Fiver and Five US will not be joining Freesat with Five.
Courtesy of: www.joinfreesat.co.uk. |
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| Commercial & Irish Radio on Freesat 27-06-08 |
Virgin Radio will be the first commercial radio broadcaster to add its stations to the recently launched Freesat platform.
The broadcaster, which is being bought by the Times of India Group from SMG for £53.2m, will add its flagship station along with stablemates Virgin Classic Rock and Virgin Xtreme next month. The stations will be rebranded once the sale of the stations is completed. Virgin Radio will be joined on the new platform by other commercial broadcasters including DX Media's NME Radio and GCap's Xfm, Choice, Gold and Capital Classic, which are all scheduled to launch between July and September.
Other stations set to launch on the Freesat platform later this year include Insight Radio, British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) Radio and four stations run by Irish broadcaster RTE: Lyric FM, Radio 1, Radio na Gaeltachta and 2FM. |
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| July 2008 |
| Alba Box Update Now Live 02-07-08 |
The eagely anticipated software update for the Alba Freesat Digital Boxes (Grundig, Bush and Goodmans) is now live. The latest version is 1.4.33 and includes the ability to add FTA channels not presently available in the Freesat EPG.
The update will automatically be downloaded onto your box via the satellite, or you can manually download if you wish.
If you have an Alba box, do let us know your comments on the update. We are being told its a fantastic update. Great news for all Alba Freesat owners, and a good alternative to the Humax box.
Courtesy of: www.joinfreesat.co.uk. |
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| Freeview Playback re-branded as Freeview + 04-07-08 |
Freeview has announced their digital TV recording service—Freeview Playback has been rebranded as Freeview +.
Over the next few months Freeview will be rebranding all of its packaging and advertising materials to increase sales of the DTR's.
Freeview+ provides a free subscription to viewers after they have purchased a box, features include series record, one touch record, and a pause feature for live TV.
Rob Farmer, Director of Marketing Communications at Freeview, said: "There's over one third of a million Freeview digital TV recorders in households—and that's been achieved with relatively little marketing support. We are now upping our efforts and since '+' has entered the vernacular in recent years, we think it makes sense to reposition ourselves to take advantage of that." |
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The Freeview + range will contain basic boxes, DVD recorders, DVD and VHS combination recorders and TVs with Freeview+ built in. It will also feature a greater number of products from a range of brands including Humax, Goodmans, LG, Tvonics, Sony and Sharp.
Farmer added: "Freeview+ is the next chapter in our story as the champion of free TV in the UK. It lets you record great programmes with no subscription, no contract, no fuss. It's the obvious choice for recording TV in the digital age." |
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| Ofcom invites DTT multiplex renewals 04-07-08 |
Ofcom has invited SDN and Digital 3&4 Ltd to apply to renew the licences to their respective digital terrestrial multiplexes.
SDN, owned by ITV, operates Multiplex A and Digital 3&4 Ltd, a consortium of the Channel 3 licencees and Channel 4, runs Multiplex 2.
The regulator has also confirmed that, should they renew for a further 12 years from the end of their current period, it will not oblige them to extend network coverage or make new commitments to encouraging uptake of services.
Ofcom has also decided not to impose any additional payments rates for the licences because, as previously announced, it is introducing the new Administered Incentive Pricing system for spectrum from 2014. Both licences expire in 2010 and the operators must apply for renewal before April next year. |
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| BBC Gaelic to launch in September 16-07-08 |
The BBC's new Gaelic-language television channel will launch on September 19 and include weekly delayed coverage of a Scottish Premier League match.
The service was approved by the BBC Trust in January, despite criticism from some for being a waste of money.
A statement from the Clydesdale Bank SPL this week said: "The new digital channel is a joint venture between MG ALBA and the BBC and will be launched in September."
Under conditions agreed with the Trust, BBC Gaelic will initially be broadcast on satellite and cable and potentially on Freeview when the digital switchover is complete.
Independent company MNE Media will produce as-live coverage of one game each Saturday to be aired about three hours after it has ended. The deal is in addition to the SPL matches broadcast live by Setanta Sports and on demand by BT Vision.
SPL executive chairman Lex Gold said: "This is an interesting initiative and one that we hope will help make the new BBC digital channel attractive to viewers. TV coverage of this kind helps to sustain and build interest in the SPL and our clubs, not only today, but for the next generation of fans." |
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| BBC One & ITV1 Regions join Freesat 16-07-08 |
Freesat today announced the additions of 22 regional variations of BBC One and ITV1 to the TV service.
Emma Scott, Freesat managing director, said: "We’re extremely pleased to be completing the roll out of BBC and ITV regional services on Freesat... We look forward to welcoming more channels onto Freesat in the next month."
For BBC One, the West, South East, South, South West, North East & Cumbria, Oxford, West Midlands, North West, Yorks & Lincs, Yorkshire, East Midlands and East regions have joined, completing the total of 18.
The new additions for itv1 are West, Central East, West Country, Central South, Border Scotland, Meridian South, Meridian East, Yorkshire West, Anglia South and Tyne Tees North. There are now 21 ITV1 regions listed on the electronic programme guide, according to Freesat, though several sub-regions remain unavailable. |
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The variations provided at Freesat channels 101 and 103 are selected by the postcode entered during setup of the receiver. New channels, including the regions, are intended to appear in the Freesat EPG without a retune, scan or reset.
Freesat launched in May with very limited regional variations, blaming "technical constraints associated with co-existence on the satellite platform", and a commitment to complete the lineup last month was not met.
Free to air satellite transmissions of the Channel 4 regional feeds, used only to vary adverts, also appeared yesterday, suggesting they may soon be integrated into Freesat. |
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| 18 new channels to join Freesat 22-07-08 |
Its been announced that 18 new channels will be launched on the Freesat platform late July and early August.
The first set of channels, launching Thursday 24 July, features a range of entertainment, news, shopping and gaming channels:
Zone Reality (channel 136)
Zone Horror (channel 138)
Russia Today (channel 206)
The Fight Network (channel 251)
Inspiration (channel 690)
PitchWorld (channel 804)
Gems TV (channel 805)
Shop on TV (channel 807)
Netplay TV (channel 851)
Gala TV (channel 861) |
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The second set, to launch Friday 1 August, consists of popular radio stations:
Capital FM (channel 719)
Choice FM (channel 720)
Classic fm (channel 721)
Gold (channel 722)
XFM (channel 723)
NME Radio (channel 727)
Insight Radio (channel 777)
BFBS Radio (channel 786) |
| Commenting on the addition of the eighteen new channels, Emma Scott, MD of Freesat, said; 'Following last week’s launch of BBC and ITV regional variants, these new TV and radio channels further enhance Freesat’s offering and provide extra choice to viewers and listeners. This is great news for Freesat customers and something we will continue to do this year.' |
| Courtesy of www.joinfreesat.co.uk. |
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| Five coming to Freesat 24-07-08 |
Emma Scott, Freesat MD, told Wotsat that channel Five have settled issues with rights holders and will set a launch date shortly.
“Five are coming on this year and we are hoping for an announcement shortly. They would have liked to have been there at the launch, but it was not possible because of rights issues.
”Fiver and Five US are still not expected to be available on Freesat anytime soon. We were led to beleive this was due to available space on the tighter Astra2D beam, though this may be due to new terms with programme makers. |
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| 230 channels on Freesat in 2009 |
In Wotsat’s chat with Emma Scott, Freesat Managing Director, its believed that 230 FTA (free-to-air) channels should be available by early 2009, however technical issues with Sky are limiting Freesat to launching them in batches.
Emma Scott said: 'We wanted to launch with them all, but it was not possible. We have got every free-to-air channel that wants to be on Freesat pre-registered already, and we expect to have have the full 230 early next year.It’s slightly decided by a timetable set down with Sky, which concerns the uplinking arrangements so we do not interfere with their EPG and they do not interfere with ours.
The EPG data is an additional component which is added to the broadcast stream, and they were not able to combine it for all the channels in time for our launch.'
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| August 2008 |
| More radio channels join Freesat 01-08-08 |
Eight new radio channels have now joined Freesat, the new channels are:
Capital FM (channel 719)
Choice FM (channel 720)
Classic fm (channel 721)
Gold (channel 722)
XFM (channel 723)
NME Radio (channel 727)
Insight Radio (channel 777)
BFBS Radio (channel 786) |
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| September 2008 |
| Freesat Advertising campaign 02-09-08 |
Freesat is to launch the first of a series of major advertising campaigns this Autumn. The free satellite television provider, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, has appointed Farm as its retained creative agency to help it develop its brand strategy before the campaigns run.
"We’re very excited to be working with Farm to take the Freesat brand onto the next phase of its development," said Freesat's marketing and communications director, Will Abbott. "It’s important that all of our agencies can work well together to deliver a joined-up campaign for peak season and Christmas. We’ll be looking to continue this integrated approach moving forward." |
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| BBC HD Terrestrial Tests 03-09-08 |
BBC Research and Innovation has reported the successful use of a demodulation device capable of receiving high definition pictures using the DVB-T2 transmission standard for the first time.
DVB-T2, a new version of the DVB-T standard currently used for digital terrestrial television in the UK, will be used to increase the total capacity of multiplex B when it is reconfigured in tandem with digital switchover to permit the carriage of high definition services.
In June, the BBC commenced DVB-T2 test transmissions from the Guildford transmitter, and has now demonstrated a device capable of demodulating the signals successfully - the first such successful test anywhere in the world.
The news comes as the BBC's research department celebrates the 60th anniversary of its home at Kingswood Warren.
"Following the approval of DVB-T2 in June and the launch of test transmissions from Guildford transmitter the next day, we are delighted that on Kingswood Warren's 60th anniversary our team has been able to deliver a working demonstration of a DVB-T2 modulator and demodulator," said Justin Mitchell, leader of the BBC's DVB-T2 modem development team.
The modulation and demodulation devices will be made available for licensing. |
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| Absolute Radio joins Freesat 03-09-08 |
Absolute Radio (724), Absolute Class R (725) and Absolute Xtreme (726) are now available on the Freesat platform.
An automatic update (Over The Air) should have been carried out on all Freesat receivers, if your receiver has not updated, try unplugging from the mains power, connecting back up and leaving for 10 minutes, this should avoid having to do a full reset resulting in any FTA channels added being lost.
The channels are currently Virgin Radio's and will officially launch is in October.
For more information about the new rebranded service see:
www.absoluteradio.co.uk
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