| British TV & Radio News 2009 |
| January 2009 |
| Ireland's Channel 6 becomes 3e 05-01-09 |
Ireland's Channel 6 has been rebranded 3e as part of a plan to align it more closely with parent channel TV3.The channel launched on March 30, 2006 and signed a number of distribution deals with key US studios including Fox, NBC and CBS Paramount. TV3, which acquired the channel for approximately €12m in July, will reposition it as a pure entertainment offering and, using the relationship between ITV1 and ITV2 as a model, will put programmes that support key TV3 shows such as The X Factor on its digital sibling.
"Our strategy is to develop a multi-channel Irish broadcaster and that’s why we acquired Channel 6," TV3 group chief executive David McRedmond told The Irish Times.
"We have put the two channels under a single programming team, which means that over the coming months, the schedules will become entirely complementary." |
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| Proposals to reduce Sky stake in ITV 05-01-09 |
Competition Minister Gareth Thomas has published draft statutory undertakings for consultation which, if accepted, would require Sky to divest a proportion of its shares in ITV.
In January 2008, the then Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise, John Hutton, announced that Sky's shareholding in ITV should be reduced following a Competition Commission ruling that Sky's acquisition of 17.9% of ITV shares reduced competition.
Following the Secretary of State's announcement, Sky appealed the decision via the Competition Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal. BERR said it is commencing the necessary consultation on these draft undertakings to ensure swift implementation of the remedies should the Secretary of State's decision be upheld by the Court. |
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| The undertakings would require Sky to reduce shares in ITV to below 7.5%, agree not to sell shares to persons associated with Sky/News Corporation, agree not to seek or accept representation on the ITV Board and agree not to reacquire shares in ITV. |
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| BBC iPlayer delivers record end of year figures 07-01-09 |
The BBC has announced that BBC iPlayer has achieved record end of year figures, making December 2008 the most successful month since its December 2007 launch, with 41 million requests to view BBC TV programmes via iPlayer.
This compared to just over 35 million requests in November 2008. The total number of requests for the year now stands at 271 million (25 December 2007 to 25 December 2008).
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During the seven day period from Christmas Day to 31 December the total number of requests to view BBC TV programmes via BBC iPlayer was 8 million.
The most popular programmes on BBC iPlayer during this time included Wallace And Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death, Doctor Who Series 4: The Next Doctor, Gavin and Stacey: Christmas Special, The Royle Family: The New Sofa and Eastenders.
Jana Bennett, Director BBC Vision, said: "This was an excellent Christmas for BBC Vision as audiences fully embraced on demand alongside their traditional viewing. The fact that BBC One delivered 17 out of the top 20 programmes on BBC iPlayer and 9 out of 10 on traditional TV continues to prove that our channel brands remain strong across all of our platforms. More than ever it's important that we offer something great for all the family and our Christmas schedules felt both rich and varied this year."
Erik Huggers, Director, BBC FM&T, said: "This confirms that 2008 was the year of the BBC iPlayer. The service evolved dramatically throughout its first 12 months—we've just introduced downloading for Mac and Linux users, and a special version of BBC iPlayer for CBBC—and the innovation will continue in 2009." |
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| Ofcom starts auction for local TV stations 07-01-09 |
Ofcom has published details on the auction of radio spectrum licences for the Manchester and Cardiff areas.
Each licence is for an 8 MHz frequency channel in the spectrum used for terrestrial television. These frequencies are being freed-up by the digital switchover.
Small packages of spectrum are being created between television transmitters as part of the switchover process. These 'white spaces' are then suitable for local television services.
The channels could serve around 180,000 homes in the Cardiff area and more than 500,000 households in Manchester.
The date for receipt of applications for the Manchester licence is 26 January 2009, while the date for receipt of applications for the Cardiff licence is 18 February 2009.
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| ITV Player available on Virgin Media 08-01-09 |
ITV and Virgin Media have announce a deal to make ITV programmes available on demand to Virgin Media's digital TV subscribers with ITV Player, ITV's on demand catch up service.
The agreement will give ITV its largest ever potential on demand audience, with Virgin Media's 3.5 million TV customers able to view over 40 hours of programming from ITV1, 2, 3 and 4 each week. Shows such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale will all be made available for seven days after being broadcast as part of Virgin Media's free Catch up TV service.
Virgin Media's viewers can also choose from 500 hours of ITV comedies, documentaries and dramas. A selection of ITV's High Definition (HD) programming will also be available on demand. |
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In addition, Virgin Media TV subscribers will also be able to watch ITV content online.
Malcolm Wall, CEO of Content at Virgin Media, said: "ITV makes some of the country's most loved TV programmes so we're delighted to be able to offer so many of them to our customers. We already have the largest and best collection of entertainment available on demand and adding this vast amount of quality content will make our TV offering even more compelling."
Ben McOwen Wilson, Director of Online at ITV, said: "Our ambition is make our content as widely available for audiences. We are thrilled to be announcing this deal with Virgin Media at a very exciting time for ITV. We know Virgin Media's customers consume a lot of content on demand, and we are confident that with the massive appetite and growth of on demand content across our online sites during 2008 this deal will allow a new wave of viewers to enjoy our content; in a time when the way our audiences watch TV continues to transform." |
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| Freesat sales double in last quarter of 2008 09-01-09 |
Freesat has announced that, by the end of 2008, they had achieved over 200,000 sales since the service's launch in May 2008.
Having reported sales of 100,000 in September 2008, total sales of the service doubled in the final quarter of 2008, according to Freesat.
Freesat attribute these high sales to consumers preferring to take up their subscription-free offer to avoid monthly TV bills.
Emma Scott, MD of Freesat commented; "We saw consumers increasingly drawn to Freesat at the end of last 2008 and into this year. The quality and choice of channels and services available and the added benefits offered by Freesat+ have really struck a chord."
According to Freesat their offer of subscription-free TV with HD programming from the BBC and ITV has been a key factor in the strong sales increase of HD set top boxes, with 61% of Freesat's 'customer panel' specifying HD as their primary reason for purchasing.
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In the latter half of 2008, Freesat viewers were offered HD programming such as the UEFA Champions League, England football internationals and FA Cup matches on ITV HD—which is exclusive to Freesat. The BBC HD channel offered Strictly Come Dancing, Heroes, The Royle Family and Wallace & Gromit.
Further HD programming is due on Freesat in early 2009, including Lark Rise to Candleford, Hustle, Anne Frank and the Rugby 6 Nations on the BBC HD channel and the FA Cup and Champions League will be gathering pace on ITV HD.Emma Scott continues: "Freesat is able to offer incredible HD with no subscription. We're thrilled that both the BBC and ITV are investing more in HD programming in 2009."
"As we approach Freesat's first anniversary in May 2009, we're in an extremely strong position to build on our early successes. Key goals in 2009 include increasing our product range and distribution by the quality and choice of channels and services available, and the anticipated launch of IPTV services, like BBC iPlayer onto Freesat later this year." |
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| Five US to relaunch as Five USA 22-01-09 |
Digital channel Five US is being relaunched as Five USA from next month. Five says the channel will have a new on- and off-air look as part of the rebrand.
The channel was launched in October 2006 and positioned as "slick" Americana alongside the female-skewed Five Life. Five rebranded Five Life as Fiver in last March.
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The RTL-owned broadcaster says the change to Five USA is part of a wider branding project that has seen its portfolio undergo a "refresh".
The new look will launch on February 16, with the channel showing a mix of returning American shows including drama, films and comedy, and new "exclusive" content acquired for Five USA. The logo will capitalise the word Five, bringing it in line with the look of sister channel Fiver.
New content will include the UK premiere of The Beast, starring Patrick Swayze as an unorthodox undercover FBI agent.
Jeff Ford, director of digital channels and acquisitions, says the relaunch of Five Life to Fiver has "already made a huge impact". |
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| Warner Bros. shows come to Zone channels 26-0109 |
Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller and Zone Horror are to be infused with over 550 hours of TV shows and movies from Warner Bros, it was announced today.
Chello Zone's deal with the studio's international TV distribution arm includes titles ranging from The Bourne Identity mini-series starring Richard Chamberlain to Salem's Lot.
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| "We’re delighted to be working with Warner Bros. to secure top programming for our many, differently themed channels," said Steve Cole, Chello Zone's senior vice president of channels. "It is always a challenge to acquire the right programming that can appeal to our broad range of viewers, and having access to the expansive slate of high quality shows on offer from Warner Bros. gives a huge boost to our schedules." |
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| DAB radio sales down 27-01-09 |
Fewer DAB Digital Radio devices were sold in December 2008 than in the same month the year before, according to figures released today by the Digital Radio Development Bureau.
The DRDB - digital radio's trade body - said that 500,000 sets were sold during the month, 50,000 fewer than December 2007. Cumulative sales of sets since the launch of DAB have now reached 8.53m, up 2.08m from the end of 2007 - far fewer than the 2.6m sales forecast by DRDB.
"Manufacturers tell us sales of DAB radios this Christmas were held back by a lack of stock in some outlets," said DRDB chief executive Tony Moretta. "Where stock was available, DAB radios sold well and some manufacturers have told us they were working 'flat out' until Christmas Eve to supply product.
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"Consumer confidence in DAB remains high and it is important that retailers and manufacturers do not lose sight. At a time when other consumer electronics products are suffering declining volumes and value, DAB radio is holding its market position and growing its share versus analogue devices."
The platform was plagued by a series of high-profile criticisms, national station closures and even the abandonment of plans for a second national multiplex. However, figures indicate that digital's share of listening continues to increase, and national multiplex operator Digital One has recently announced a rate cut designed to attract new services. |
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| Freeview+ sales top 900,000 27-01-09 |
Over 900,000 personal video recorders compatible with the Freeview+ specification have been sold, according to GfK figures released today by Freeview.
The free digital terrestrial brand said that 26% of all 927,300 sales took place in a record final quarter, with more than two Freeview+ boxes sold every minute during December.
"The popularity of Freeview+ isn’t surprising given that it offers outstanding value – giving the same experience as ‘+’ recorders from other providers, the only difference is it’s free from subscription," said Freeview managing director Ilse Howling.
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"During a downturn, TV viewing naturally increases as people choose to stay in and watch TV as a form of free entertainment. We know that Freeview is an extremely compelling proposition of high quality, subscription free, digital TV, but Freeview+ is adding a new dimension to people’s viewing experience, allowing them to take control of what they watch and when they watch it. More than half of Freeview+ users tell us they can’t live without it."
Freeview+ was known as Freeview Playback before being renamed last July. A national TV ad campaign which demonstrated the live pause functionality of Freeview+ with the help of celebrities including Antony Cotton and Alan Carr aired during November. |
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| Three channels join Freesat 27-01-09 |
Financial news channel Bloomberg has joined the Freesat electronic programme guide on channel 208.
In addition to the inclusion of Bloomberg Television, a further two channels, Clubland TV and Wedding TV+1 have joined the Freesat line up.
Clubland TV is available on channel 514 and offers the latest dance music. Wedding TV+1 can be viewed on channel 403 bringing you a whole station dedicated to weddings, on a +1 time-delay.
This is the first addition to the Freesat line-up in 2009, there is still no news on when Channel 4 HD or any other HD services will join the platform.
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| February 2009 |
| Ofcom plans to align frequencies 02-02-09 |
Ofcom has announced proposals to align more of the spectrum released as part of the UK's digital dividend with other European countries.
According to Ofcom, this will allow new wireless services, particularly mobile broadband, to be launched in the UK and across Europe.
The decision to release a digital dividend was taken by the Government in 2003, and involved a plan to release two distinct bands of spectrum, one of which comprised 48 MHz between 806-854 MHz. |
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A number of other European countries will now release a digital dividend, but within a slightly wider block of spectrum than the UK's, at 790-862 MHz (the so-called 800 MHz band).
Ofcom's recent consultation considers whether the UK should align more of the spectrum it is releasing with the digital dividend in other countries, so that the whole 800 MHz band becomes available for new uses.
Ofcom's analysis shows that there would be large benefits to citizens and consumers which would include: lower equipment prices for consumers, improved opportunities for new generations of mobile broadband and more scope for competition and innovation in new wireless services.
These proposals would mean some changes to the spectrum used by digital terrestrial television (DTT) services resulting in a limited number of users having to retune their set-top boxes.
Ofcom expects to publish a statement on this issue in summer 2009 with a view to holding the auction for the UK's digital dividend in 2010. |
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| Three months to first UK digital city 04-02-09 |
Exeter is set to become the first city in the UK to switch to digital television in three months' time. Households in Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset and Dorset will have their analogue signal turned off on 6 May, when the Stockland Hill transmitter group switches to digital.
Research by Digital UK has found that while 86% of households in the area have converted their main TV to digital, less than two thirds have digital on all the sets in their home.
Bill Taylor, South West Regional Manager for Digital UK, said: "With three months to go now, we're urging viewers to get ready in plenty of time for 6 May. Remember, don't throw your old TV away, virtually every set can be converted using a digital box."
"Converting at the last minute could limit the choice of equipment available and put extra strain on retailers and installers. If you still need advice on switching to digital, you can visit the Digital UK website or call our helpline on 08456 50 50 50."
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| Granada opts for Freeview 05-02-09 |
The Switchover Help Scheme has selected Freeview as the standard offer of practical help for eligible older and disabled people in the ITV Granada region.
Almost seven million people around the country will be eligible for help under the Help Scheme, according to eaga who manage the scheme. The ITV Granada region will be the most populated so far to switch to digital at the end of this year.
Eligible people in the ITV Granada region will be offered a Freeview set top box installed on one of their TVs at a subsidised cost of £40, or free if they also receive income benefits. |
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The help also includes a demonstration of how to use the equipment, an aerial check and upgrade if necessary for those that own their own aerials, and a Help Line to ring for advice while they get used to it.
Eligible people who can't receive digital television through an aerial will be offered satellite equipment from Freesat on the same terms. |
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| Channel M on Freeview 06-02-09 |
Channel M Television, which provides the local television service for Greater Manchester, has been awarded a licence by Ofcom which will allow it to broadcast digital terrestrial television services targeted at the Manchester area.
The award is a small part of the UK's digital dividend, the spectrum that will be freed-up as a result of digital switchover; and covers 8 MHz of interleaved spectrum in the Manchester area.
Interleaved spectrum act as buffers between television transmitters to stop them interfering with each other and can be used for a range of low-power uses while still preventing interference.
The next award of interleaved spectrum will be for the Cardiff area in late February 2009.
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| Ofcom opt for 1080i for Freeview HD 10-02-09 |
Ofcom is set to adopt an MPEG-4 advanced video coding (AVC) level of 4.0 in the reference parameters for the UK’s upcoming DVB-T2 high definition digital terrestrial television service.
The decision means that 1080p50 will not initially be a permissible video format for DVB-T2 services and as a result of capacity constraints and DVB-T2 receiver life, the Freeview HD platform will not support 1080p50 within the life of launch receivers.
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The regulator wrote to stakeholders earlier this year requesting views on the choice of which MPEG-4 AVC to include when they revise the DTT Reference Parameters later this year to permit use of DVB-T2 and MPEG-4.
Based on feedback, the regulator said that, while an AVC level of 4.2 at this point is desirable, its adoption would represent a significant risk to the early launch of the DVB-T2 platform and that they have therefore decided to adopt an AVC level of 4.0 in the reference parameters - therefore not including 1080p50 as a permissible video format for DVB-T2 services.
Ofcom said they expected that this decision would continue for at least the medium term, and that they would include it as their recommended option when they formally consult on the Reference Parameters later in the year when there is greater certainty on the choice of transmission mode. |
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| Bubble Hits goes off air 14-02-09 |
Bubble Hits was pulled off air yesterday after failing to raise sufficient revenues from advertising, it has emerged.
The channel, which launched in August 2006, disappeared from the Sky and Freesat EPGs and its website was taken down without prior notice.
Co-founder James Hyland told The Irish Times: "It was costing us money to run. There was no point throwing dead money after dead money.
"We didn’t get any support from the advertising agencies. They simply weren’t spending their clients’ money."
The paper reported that no jobs will be lost as a result of the closure.
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| Freeview EPG changes 19-02-09 |
Some multichannel services from ITV and Channel 4 will be changing Freeview channel numbers next week.
On Tuesday, February 24, ITV4 will move from channel 28 to 24; CITV will move from 75 to 72; ITV2+1 will move from 31 to 27; E4 will move from 29 to 28; and E4+1 will move from 30 to 29.
Freeview said the changes are being made "to enable new channels to be added and to improve the TV guide".
A rescan or retune will need to be performed on digital terrestrial receivers in order to continue receiving the channels affected, and PVR owners will need to ensure any planned recordings are re-established after the scan completes.
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| Freesat iPlayer for Autumn launch 19-02-09 |
It has been suggested that BBC’s iPlayer will launch on the Freesat platform this Autumn, after initial speculation suggested a Spring release.
iPlayer is seen as an important milestone for both the BBC and Freesat, with the iPlayer website servicing 516 million visits during 2008. |
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This should open up the possibilities of ITV (catchup), C4 (4oD) and Five (demand.five) launching their own versions too, rather than the single Kangaroo service which was vetoed earlier this month.
Whilst the Freesat EPG is very much of fixed design, the BBC iPlayer is said to carry it’s own look and feel of menu with clear likeness to the existing iPlayer on Virgin Media.
The iPlayer service will be available on all Freesat digital boxes and IDTV’s via the included Ethernet port using your broadband connection, with different speed options expected to satisfy the ranging speeds available in this country. |
| Courtesy of www.joinfreesat.co.uk |
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| TechniSat to produce Freesat receivers 19-02-09 |
Freesat has announced a partnership with German-based consumer electronics company TechniSat Digital to produce HD digital boxes later this year.
Emma Scott, Managing Director of Freesat, said: "The new HD digital boxes by TechniSat will provide a quality option for consumers to enjoy the choice and range of channels that are available on Freesat."
Martin Cole, TechniSat Digital UK's Managing Director added: "We are extremely pleased to be working with Freesat.
This provides us the ideal opportunity to introduce the high-quality TechniSat brand and Freesat HD receiver into the UK market."
Freesat is in talks with a range of other manufacturers regarding producing Freesat products and will continue to announce further partners in 2009. |
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| Channel 4 proposes Film4 HD for Freeview 20-002-09 |
Channel 4 and S4C have made a joint application for the fourth high definition channel on digital terrestrial television.
The proposed service would comprise an HD version of Film4, broadcasting 11am to 4am, and a four-hour block of children's programmes from 7am.
The remaining three hours, 4am to 7am, would feature "the most popular and valued HD programmes from the UK and abroad, drawn from our existing respective channels and supplemented with special acquiisitions from third parties".
Ultimately the service would use the three-hour window to broadcast video on demand content, subject to technical and funding feasibilities.
The joint venture could be on the air by late 2011 or early 2012, the pair said, "dependent on satisfactory funding solutions being put in place for both Channel 4 and S4C".
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have already been awarded one slot each on Freeview for simulcast of their respective HD services from later this year. The fourth slot is expected to become available in July 2010.
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| Five makes bid for DTT HD slot 20-02-09 |
Five has submitted an application for the fourth HD channel slot on digital terrestrial television.
The broadcaster would use the slot, which becomes available in July 2010, for an HD simulcast of its primetime lineup, VOD offerings and third-party content.
Five is the only one of the four terrestrial broadcasters not to operate an HD service at present.
The proposed service would offer an HD simulcast of Five between 5pm and 1am each day, followed by five hours of other services, such as VOD, for use by Five and other broadcasters.
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The 6am-5pm window would be licensed out to a third-party HD broadcaster.
At launch - estimated for "late 2010" - Five programming broadcast in HD would include popular acquisitions such as CSI, House and Neighbours, sport, films and original commissions, such as The Gadget Show and Fifth Gear.
Five estimates that 43% of content would be natively HD at launch and the remainder would be up-scaled SD.
The broadcaster aims to transmit its entire primetime lineup in native HD by 2018.
Ofcom is expected to announce whether Five or rival bidder Channel 4 is successful in April. |
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| March 2009 04-03-09 |
| ITV may dispose of terrestrial multiplex 04-03-09 |
TV may dispose of digital terrestrial multiplex operator SDN as part of its new cost-cutting exercise.
The broadcaster bought SDN for approximately £150m in cash in April 2005. It holds the licence to operate multiplex A, which carries free channels including S4C, Five, CNN, and pay TV services from Top Up.
"ITV is considering options for its digital terrestrial multiplex business, SDN," the company said this morning as part of a section in its results presentation regarding the disposal of non-core assets.
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| Five cuts quarter of workforce 05-0309 |
Five is to eliminate 87 jobs - nearly a quarter of its total workforce - as part of a major restructuring plan announced today by chair and chief executive Dawn Airey. The channel's management structure is to be flatten with "several key departments" merged.
"We are clearly in the midst of one of the most difficult financial environments in history," said Airey. "Five has therefore taken the necessary step to review all operations to ensure we continue to work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
"I am confident we are putting in place a new, streamlined structure which will ensure we remain the most agile and effective commercial broadcaster in the country. Unfortunately, the restructure raises the prospect of some positions being made redundant."
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| ITV HD on Sky 10-03-09 |
Sky+ HD customers whose boxes received yesterday's programme guide upgrade are able to manually add ITV HD to their lineups.
According to reports on Digital Spy's Sky+ HD forum, ITV HD may be accessed by going to the Add Channels menu and using the following settings: 11.427H, 2/3, 27500, channel 10510.
ITV's high definition service launched as a service exclusive to Freesat last year, using a non-standard stream to obfuscate its availability on non-Freesat satellite receivers.
The new version of Sky's electronic programme guide was rolled out to 38,000 boxes yesterday and will be rolled out to all high definition boxes over the coming weeks. |
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| BBC HD increase to 9 hours per day 18-03-09 |
BBC HD is now operating a nine hour schedule, the maximum permitted by the BBC Trust. Channel head Danielle Nagler said on the BBC Internet Blog that BBC HD began operating a full service on Monday, the first time all nine hours of permitted operation had been used other than during special events.
Nagler said BBC HD will commence regular programming at 4pm "and run through to between 12.30 and 1.30 7 nights a week". |
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Programming hours will continue to be extended for special events falling outside those hours.
"With a new scheduling team on board we will be making some changes over the coming months, which I would hope can plan your time with the channel," revealed Nagler. "It is inevitably tricky given the fact that we are juggling with programmes from across BBC channels, and trying to follow their schedules and broadcast programmes at the same time where it makes most sense to do so."
Nagler added that a different emphasis will be placed on which shows will be given the high definition treatment this year.
"Getting some of the programmes I think need to move into HD may mean though a slight shake up of some of the things that have featured in the past," she said, "hopefully you will agree with the choices, but as one example there will be no Chelsea Flower Show this year in HD." |
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| LG Freesat TVs 18-03-09 |
Details have emerged on LG's upcoming range of LCD television sets with integrated Freesat functionality.
The HD Ready 1080p TVs will be offered with screen sizes of 32, 37, 42 and 47 inches with 3 HDMI sockets, an Ethernet port, a USB socket, 2 Scart connectors, component in, VGA in and composite in. All four models have a high-gloss finish in black with grey trim.
The televisions will be capable of receiving Freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services. Although they include an MPEG-4 decoder, the specification sheets do not indicate support for DVB-T2, the transmission standard to be used for the delivery of high definition channels on Freeview. |
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| CNN joins Freesat 19-03-09 |
CNN is to launch on the Freesat electronic programme guide on March 24. The international news channel will be available on channel 207, 24 hours a day.
"The launch of CNN International with its world-class reputation for global news and feature programming is an incredibly exciting addition to our line-up," said Freesat managing director Emma Scott. "We are delighted to have CNN on board."
Rural TV and JML Home & DIY will also launch on March 24, on channels 403 and 808 respectively.
With th launch of CNN on Freesat, Sky News remains the only major English language news channel absent from the platform. It seems unlikely, that Sky news will ever join the rival Freesat platform. |
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| BBC plans for online radio partnerships 23-03-09 |
The BBC is working with commercial broadcasters on developing an open platform for the delivery of radio content over the internet.
In an interview with The Guardian, director of audio and music Tim Davie said that radio needed to adapt for new consumption methods and patterns.
"I'm talking about getting radio fit for the on-demand digital age," he told the paper. "Why shouldn't we be able to live pause, put it on hard drive, grab stuff from the past seven days and pre-book on radio as well as TV." |
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Conversations are already underway with commercial broadcasters and RadioCentre, the trade body for commercial radio stations in the UK, and announcements on specific initiatives are expected in the near future.
The BBC and commercial radio companies are already working on ways to connect broadcast receivers to relevant online data. RadioDNS, a project designed to connect various audio devices - including radio receivers - to the net to provide new services including visuals, programme guides, and social features such as tagging, counts people from the BBC, Channel 4, Global Radio, Fraunhofer and NAVTEQ amongst its contributors. |
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| Global rolls out new Heart stations 23-03-09 |
Global Radio rolled out Heart branding to 12 stations this morning, bringing the total number of outlets in the Heart network to 24.
Stations in Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester, North Devon, Oxford, Plymouth, Reading, Somerset, South Hams, Torbay and Wiltshire have become part of the nationally-branded network of local radio services today. Heart is being rolled out as part of a reorganisation of Global's portfolio around key brands.
"We are delighted to make radio history today by welcoming 12 new stations to the Heart family," said Global Radio director of broadcasting Richard Park. "As the largest commercial radio network in the UK, we are pleased to expand Heart in to new areas, offering a strong and trusted national brand delivered locally to our 25-44 year old audience." |
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| April 2009 |
| New Sky Guide for Sky+ HD 02-04-09 |
More Sky+ HD boxes received the new version of Sky's programme guide software this morning.
According to reports posted on the Digital Spy forums, Sky+ HD boxes manufactured by Thomson with version number 4E3004 rebooted with the new software close to 4am.
38,000 boxes were the first to receive the new software on Tuesday, March 10. It is not yet known how many boxes were affected by this morning's release.
The new guide offers an optional mini-TV screen, programme information in the "now, next, later" banner for any programme on any channel for 12 hours, and integration of recording and series link setup functions into the main TV Guide screens. |
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| 4oD Catch Up launched 02-04-09 |
Channel 4 has launched a version of its 4oD on demand service that allows viewers to watch TV programmes on the web with Flash instead of needing a Windows-only download manager.
The service offers 30 days of catch up content from Channel 4, More4 and E4 and, like the BBC's iPlayer web catch-up service, is available on any computer with the cross-platform Flash Player from Adobe.
Content from outside the catch-up window is still only available through the 4oD download manager.
The new service also has a PIN option to restrict some content to minors, instructions on how to set up your PIN are available on the FAQs page.
The Catch up service can also be viewed using the latest versions of Direfox and Safari, though viewing may not currently be the same as viewed through Internet Explorer. |
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| Freesat launches Ad Campaign 02-04-09 |
Freesat has launched its first TV advertising campaign. The campaign comprises two ads, each featuring a main character in their living room left 'captivated' by Freesat. Shot using HD stills cameras, the ad captures the day to day changes in the characters lives.
The campaign launched on ITV1 during coverage of the England vs. Ukraine World Cup Qualifier match on 1 April.
Will Abbott, Freesat Marketing and Communications Director comments: "We're excited to be running our first TV campaign, and it comes just as we reach 300k sales. This is quite an achievement in a competitive market and illustrates the appetite there is out there for Freesat and our promise of 150 channels plus HD for no monthly bills."
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Sky Tesst 3DTV 03-04-09 |
Sky successfully operated a live 3D transmission of a Keane gig at London's Abbey Road studios over its existing satellite infrastructure to a standard Sky+ HD box connected to a 46 inch high definition 3D-capable television set.
A live test broadcast via a satellite downlink to a Vue cinema equipped for 3D presentation also took place, as did a separate 3D webcast using traditional red/green glasses. Sky's system requires a 3D high definition TV set and polarising glasses.
"We’re excited to have worked with Keane and their innovative management team to explore how our 3D TV technology might be used to offer a totally new viewing experience for live and recorded music," said Gerry O'Sullivan, Sky's director of strategic product development.
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"Being able to broadcast a live event in 3D is a real breakthrough as previous demonstrations have relied on recorded material. This is the first time we’ve broadcast a live event in 3D over satellite and it shows the significant progress we’re making with our research and development activity. The Keane event not only gave us new insight into our ability to deliver a rich and immersive live 3D experience into the home, but also confirmed that arts programming is another genre which has the potential to benefit from 3D.
"We are continuing to talk to a range of different partners and content owners to find out how far we can take this technology and most importantly whether there is future consumer demand for 3D TV services."
Sky first demonstrated its 3D development efforts in December and confirmed in March that it was pushing ahead with research in the area. |
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| 720p HD now on BBC iPlayer 20-04-09 |
| Selected BBC programmes are now available in 720p high definition on iPlayer. iPlayer HD was expected to launch last week rollout was aborted due to a last-minute deployment issue; however, the new service, which makes programmes available in HD via streaming and downloads, was made available on April 20th. |
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"It's great that we've been able to bring the BBC HD channel to the BBC iPlayer family," said Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD. "For some people this will be their first experience of high definition viewing, allowing them to see and hear programmes that they love from the BBC in the very best quality possible.
"In the last month we've extended the channel hours to nine per day, refreshed the look, enhanced the range of programmes, and now our HD content will be available whenever and wherever audiences want it.
"We're seeing huge demand for HD content and I'm confident that this will help ensure it is as accessible as possible."
Today's release also replaces the original Download Manager with BBC iPlayer Desktop, a new Adobe AIR-powered version of the iPlayer downloadable application designed to work on any AIR-compatible platform including Windows PCs, Macs and computers running GNU/Linux. |
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| NHK World TV joins Freesat April 21-04-09 |
NHK World TV has launched on Freesat's electronic programme guide today. The Japanese broadcaster's English-language international news service will appear on channel 209, and will automatically appear on set top boxes and integrated digital TVs without the need for further action.
"Freesat is committed to expanding our international news and current affairs offering and NHK World TV represents yet another high quality channel, which provides viewers with access to a high quality news service from an interesting new viewpoint," said Freesat managing director Emma Scott. |
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| May 2009 |
| HD content now on iPlayer 01-05-09 |
BBC HD channel content is now available via BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media's TV platform.
Virgin Media's TV customers are now able to watch BBC programmes such as Robin Hood, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Later…with Jools Holland, in high definition on demand.
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Katharine Burns Rivington, Executive Director of Content Acquisition at Virgin Media, said: "As more households become HD Ready, we're keen to ensure that Virgin Media customers benefit from the most advanced digital TV service possible. BBC iPlayer has been a huge success on our TV platform and we're thrilled to be expanding the service with HD content. We're looking forward to increasing our line-up of broadcast HD channels over the next few months and combining the very best of HD and on demand TV."
Rahul Chakkara, BBC Controller, TV Platforms, said: "There's a real appetite for BBC iPlayer on TV screens and the addition of the BBC HD programmes further adds to its appeal. HD lets viewers enjoy their favourite programmes in exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures, perfect for the TV screen." |
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| Freesat one year old 06-05-09 |
Freesat is celebrating its 1st birthday, the service launched on May 6th 2008 with SD and HD digital boxes from Humax, Goodmans, Grundig and Bush with the first integrated television from Panasonic launching the following month. In November the platform launched its digital TV recorder service: Freesat+. Freesat said they are currently 'on track' for sales of 400,000. At IBC 2008, Freesat won the DTG/Pace award for 'Best Contribution to Digital TV in the UK'.
Emma Scott, Managing Director of Freesat said: "We are thrilled with the progress we've made in the last twelve months. Reaching 400,000 sales as well as launching Freesat+ and a whole range of new Freesat products and services is a fantastic achievement in this competitive market. It shows that there is a real consumer appetite out there for high quality digital TV without monthly bills. With more Freesat channels and products to come and IPTV services such as BBC iPlayer due in the Autumn, we're looking forward to a successful second year." |
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| NME Radio on DAB in London 13-05-09 |
NME Radio has launched on DAB Digital Radio in London, on the DRG multiplex at 80kbps in mono.
"Since launch we've been dedicated to making NME Radio available on as many platforms as possible making the station more accessible and relevant in an increasingly fragmented market," said Sammy Jacob, NME Radio's managing and programming director. "From today fans of cutting-edge music can listen to the station on DAB in London and we hope to announce additional platforms in future."
NME Radio is already carried on digital satellite and Virgin Media's digital cable service and is broadcasting on FM in Manchester this month. |
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| talkSPORT on Freesat 14-05-09 |
Freesat have announced the launch of the commercial sports radio station talkSPORT onto the platform from Tuesday 19th May 2009; channel 731.
talkSPORT is the UK’s largest commercial radio station, broadcasting sports commentary and lively phone-in discussions. talkSPORT is the UK’s only national commercial speech radio station and is home to talent that includes former international footballers Ian Wright, Andy Townsend, Stan Collymore and Alan Brazil, TV talk show host Jeremy Kyle and politician George Galloway. |
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Emma Scott, Managing Director of Freesat commented; "talkSPORT is a respected name in sports broadcasting and its launch onto Freesat is a big plus for our radio portfolio. With the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League finals on ITV HD this month, and Wimbledon coverage on BBC HD next month, the addition of talkSPORT builds on Freesat’s first class and free sports coverage."
Piers Collins, talkSPORT, business development manager added; "The launch of talkSPORT on Freesat is a fantastic opportunity to grow talkSPORT and reach new audiences." |
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| Quest delayed 19-05-09 |
Discovery's planned Freeview channel Quest, originally set to launch on May 14, has been postponed.
The channel had already suffered a setback as its planned broadcast hours were cut from 24 hours a day to 10am-midnight. It's not yet known when the channel will launch, with Discovery releasing a statement claiming that it is "working towards launching Quest later in the year." The statement attributes the postponement of Quest's launch date to "a number of commercial factors." |
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| Virgin1 goes 24 hours on Freeview 20-05-09 |
Virgin1 is now available 24 hours a day on Freeview channel 20 in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The channel acquired a 24 hour slot on SDN multiplex A in April, with a 1 hour timeshift channel, Virgin1+1, taking over the old 12 hours per day slot on multiplex D.
For viewers in Wales, Virgin1 only broadcasts on channel 20 from 9am to 7pm. Virgin1+1 remains accessible on channel 35 for viewing of the channel's primetime lineup starting at 7pm.
The channel will remain at EPG number 20, but is moving between Freeview multiplexes - so viewers will need to rescan to update their EPG LISTINGS.
Virgin Media is also launching a one-hour catch-up channel, Virgin1+1; the EPG number for the new channel has not yet been selected. |
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| Bauer stations to leave Sky 22-05-09 |
Radio stations including Smash Hits and Q are to be pulled from Sky's electronic programme guide, it has emerged.
Bauer Radio plans to remove Heat Radio, Kerrang, The Hits, Smash Hits and Q "in late May". Out of the broadcaster's brand portfolio, only Kiss and Magic will continue to be carried in the Sky EPG.
"We are... always reviewing the most effective distribution for our radio channels especially as we continue our significant investment in DAB and our support for significant intervention to drive this platform's rapid development," the company said in a statement.
There has been no mention of the stations joining the rival Freesat platform, or if the stations will continue to broadcast as free-to-air stations on satellite. |
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| June 2009 |
| Channel 4 adds free archived programming 08-06-09 |
Channel 4 has announced they will be making all its archived programming available on its website free of charge. According to the channel, the move will make them the first UK broadcaster to make such content available for free on the internet.
From July archived content will be added to channel4.com's 4oD catch-up service allowing users to watch past Channel 4 shows including Queer As Folk, Trigger Happy TV and Drop The Dead Donkey.Channel 4 has taken the decision to close its 4oD desktop application once all the archived content is available via Channel4.com.
Jon Gisby, Director of Future Media & Technology at Channel 4 said: "We were the first broadcaster to launch a comprehensive video-on-demand service in 2006 and since that time 4oD has become one of the UK's most popular VOD brands. The addition of archived content to 4oD on channel4.com means we will be the only UK broadcaster to have all of our content available online. We are extremely proud of the new and improved service and think the combination of fantastic content that's easy to find and view will prove a compelling service for all users." |
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| Sky News HD in 2010 11-06-09 |
Sky News is to launch a new HD channel. Sky News HD will be the first UK news channel to broadcast in HD, according to the broadcaster.
The launch of Sky News HD is scheduled to take place in Spring 2010 following an upgrade to studios, production facilities and newsgathering operations in the UK and overseas.
Sky News HD will be simulcast alongside Sky News' existing standard definition channel, and include an updated HD studio, HD resources in the field and HD graphics capable of delivering a 3D look on-air.
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Jeremy Darroch, Sky's Chief Executive, said: "Sky News continues to break new ground in television news and it's only natural for it to become the first UK news channel to launch in HD. It's great news for our Sky+HD customers, giving them access to award-winning breaking news in HD for the very first time and further expanding the choice on offer."
Head of Sky News John Ryley adds: "As well as enhanced studio presentation and compelling on-air graphics, news is also about the drama of human emotion: from keynote speeches and police news conferences to picket lines and joyful crowds at ceremonial events, HD is an opportunity to bring our viewers much closer to events, building on one of Sky News' existing strengths, and we're delighted that we can now announce we will be working towards launching this exciting new service next year." |
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| Five HD coming to Freeview 11-06-09 |
HD slot for Five to provide new services on Freeview from 2010. Ofcom's final decision to award a HD licence to Five is subject to it resolving certain key criteria related to its application by the end of 2009.
Five's licence is the result of a tender process which attracted two bids from Channel 5 and Channel 4 and S4C. According to Ofcom, Five's application initially involves simulcasting its main public services channel programmes at peak time on HD. |
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This means that Five programmes such as The Gadget Show, UEFA Europa League, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, children's show 'Milkshake' and movie premiers could become available in HD from late 2010, say the regulator.
Ofcom state that in the future, Five predicts sharing its HD channel with another broadcaster during daytime hours and supplying other services such as Video on Demand in HD overnight.
In addition to Five, Freeview slots have been reserved for ITV; together with UTV, stv and Channel TV, while the other has gone jointly to Channel 4 and S4C. |
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| Freesat wins 'best new brand' award 11-06-09 |
Freesat has been named the best new brand or business at the Marketing Society Awards for Excellence. The digital satellite service beat BBC iPlayer and smoothie maker Innocent to take the award at a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel on London's Park Lane.
Freesat marketing director Will Abbott said he is "delighted and proud" to scoop the accolade.
"It highlights the impact we have made over the last 12 months - spending a fraction of the budget of our competitors - and the incredible work of the whole company," he said.
"We're already building on this success through 2009 - adding more customers, channels and launching IPTV services such as BBC iPlayer." |
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| Digital Britain: Project Canvas needs space for pay-TV 16-06-09 |
The BBC should be clear about the options for rival programme guides and search engines on its proposed hybrid TV/internet service.
The government's Digital Britain report calls for more information about commercial operations inside Project Canvas.
The report, delivered today by Lord Stephen Carter, sets out the government's priorities for ensuring public access to digital services and encouraging digital industries. |
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It says: "The BBC Trust is currently deliberating on Project Canvas and whether, if approved, it should be on the basis that its specifications do not foreclose commercial operators from providing monetised services via Canvas devices.
"In practice this will mean at the least clarity about the ability to incorporate conditional access and scope for rival EPG/search gateways."
The report desscribes the ambition of Canvas to combine free-to-air set-top boxes with broadband on-demand TV and other services as 'laudable'.
But it warns that the details are of crucial interest to the wider hardware and software markets already providing or hoping to provide these services. |
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| Digital Switchover on the Isle of Man 18-06-09 |
The digital switchover has begun on the Isle of Man for viewers in the Douglas transmitter area. Digital UK hosted a briefing at the transmitter yesterday to explain the switchover process to residents on the island.
The first stage has involved the BBC Two analogue signal being turned off and replaced by a multiplex of BBC digital services.
Speaking at the briefing, the organisation's Isle of Man community liaison officer Sarah Jayne Gray told Isle of Man Today: "People in the island who haven't been able to watch Freeview TV through their aerial will be able to start on June 18.
"Technical experts work with these machines around us that involves switching off part of the analogue service, bringing on some of the digital services and doing so here and at all of the other relay transmitters in the island."
The remaining analogue channels - BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five - will then be switched off from the Island's nine relay transmitters on July 16 and replaced by digital multiplexes. People on the island with digital terrestrial boxes will need to re-tune their equipment to receive the new digital signal. |
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| Flash streams for BBC Radio 19-06-09 |
Live and on demand content from BBC Radio is now available on BBC iPlayer in Flash-based streams. In a post announcing the launch on the BBC Internet Blog, the BBC's James Cridland explained: "This is a really significant step - as the BBC's online radio services take a great leap in audio quality. It's been far too long coming; but now, you'll find the listening experience online is among the best we offer. I'm really proud of the audio quality we are making available today."
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Cridland, executive producer A/V Products at BBC Future Media and Technology, said that bitrates have been doubled for most live streams served to UK audiences. All UK streams run at 128kbps AAC except for Radio 3, which runs at 192kbps, and Radio 5 Live, which runs at 96k in mono.
International listeners will have access to 48kbps aacPlus streams in stereo for all stations, except 5 Live which runs at 32kbps. Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4 have also been made available in Windows Media to international audiences for the first time. Audio sourcing and processing have also been optimised. |
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| Setanta ceases broadcasting 24-06-09 |
Setanta Sports has announced on its website that it is no longer trading in Great Britain. The channel ceased broadcasting on 23 June. Setanta is to cease accepting any form of payment from subscribers living in Great Britain with immediate effect.
The sports broadcaster failed to make a £30m payment to the Premier League after a rescue package with Access Industries -who hold a 3% stake in Setanta and control Top Up TV—fell through. This resulted in Setanta losing its rights to 46 Premier League matches in the 2009-10 season.
ESPN acquired Setanta's Premier League rights after they were retendered and has now entered a retail agreement with Sky to broadcast matches on a new premium channel. Setanta will continue to operate in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. |
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| Freeview HD from December 2009 26-06-09 |
The BBC has announced that high definition broadcasts on digital terrestrial television will commence in December.
The plan to launch HD services on a reconfigured version of what is presently known as multiplex B will see Freeview HD - initially comprised of high definition services from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 - will roll out across the UK in tandem with digital switchover starting with the Winter Hill transmitter, which serves Manchester and Liverpool. Regions that have already switched to digital will be reconfigured retroactively. |
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A previously announced date of November has had to be adjusted back to December because that is the month in which multiplex B from that transmitter will actually switch, as distinct from the November date when switchover first commences in the region.
In a posting on the BBC Internet Blog, Graham Plumb of the BBC Operations Group explained: "The plan is still to launch Freeview HD on December 2nd at the Winter Hill transmitter serving Manchester and Liverpool. The plan has always been to roll Freeview HD out around the country following switchover and Winter Hill was selected as the first achievable transmitter. There will need to be a retrospective upgrade of regions that have already switched."
Thumb added that London's Crystal Palace transmitter will also be upgraded for Freeview HD in the same month.
"The BBC has been working on plans to deliver early upgrades to some stations (serving high populations) that are late in the switchover programme and would otherwise have to wait long for Freeview HD. |
| "One example is London that switches over in 2012 but we're planning to upgrade its Crystal Palace transmitter in December this year. There are another four main transmitters that we plan to upgrade in the first half of 2010. We can give the names and dates of these transmitters in a little while when plans are a bit firmer. We are also planning an upgrade to the Digital UK postcode database, which will tell viewers when they can expect their transmitter to be upgraded to Freeview HD. |
| "Although everything is still on track against plans, there are significant technical and contractual challenges - not least to get transmission and domestic receiver equipment through design, development and delivery stages within an ambitious timescale. As with any major technical project, there is always a risk of slippage due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. However, there is industry-wide commitment to rolling out Freeview HD as soon as possible, and good progress is being made on all fronts." |
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| July 2009 |
| ITV in talks over Blu-ray HD disc copy ban 06-07-09 |
ITV has announced that it is "talking" to both Panasonic and Freesat about making its high definition content available to copy onto Blu-ray disc.
ITV's HD output is being flagged with Copy Never codes to prevent it from being archived from Panasonic's Blu-ray recorder onto disc. By comparison, the BBC gives its HD content a Copy Once tag, enabling a single copy to be transferred to Blu-ray disc from the device's hard drive.
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However, an ITV spokesman told Digital Spy: "We are talking to both Panasonic and Freesat in order to find a satisfactory solution for ITV HD content on the Blu-ray recorder which meets the terms of our programme rights contracts."
ITV's HD service was launched last year under an exclusive EPG carriage agreement with Freesat. However, it was recently revealed that Sky's newly launched EPG has meant that its HD customers may also access the content. |
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| Digital Switchover in Cornwall 08-07-09 |
Cornwall's Redruth transmitter has undergone the first phase of digital switchover successfully, Digital UK has confirmed.
The Beacon Hill, Stockland Hill and Huntshaw Cross transmitters have already switched from analogue to digital, and today's Redruth conversion is the penultimate stage in the West Country region's digital switchover.
In this first stage of switchover at Redruth, analogue BBC Two has been switched off and replaced with a multiplex of BBC digital channels. Some relays are already carrying the new services, with others to come online later today.
The second phase of the process will go ahead on August 5 when all analogue channels will be turned off permanently to be replaced with high-power transmissions of digital multiplexes.
On August 12, digital switchover in the West Country will move on to the Caradon Hill transmitter which serves 255,000 homes in east Cornwall and parts of Devon, including Plymouth. Following this, the entire programme will shift to Wales, starting with the Kilvey Hill transmitter in the Swansea area.
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| Project Canvas - An pportunity to extend the reach of BBC iPlayer 09-07-09 |
The BBC has said that it views Project Canvas as an "opportunity to extend" the reach of BBC iPlayer to a greater number of platforms.
Speaking at the Intellect Consumer Electronics conference last week, BBC director of new media and technology Erik Huggers said that there are currently 14 different types of iPlayer, and added that there are also plans to bring the video on demand service to additional platforms where this proves technically and economically feasible.
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This includes making iPlayer available on Freeview, which may go ahead by the close of 2009, however, this has not yet confirmed.
This is primarily because there is currently a very low penetration of Ethernet-capable Freeview set-top-boxes on the market that are needed to make the iPlayer work.
The BBC is also aware that this would result in consumers having to acquire a new internet-connected Freeview box before being able to utilise the service.
However, the corporation believes that IPTV joint-venture Canvas may prove pivotal in developing the future technology for broader video on demand usage. |
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| Sky customer growth highest in 5 years 30-07-09 |
Sky gained 462,000 new subscribers to the service for the year ending 30 June 2009—the highest in five years, according to the broadcaster's annual financial results for 2008/9.
Sky gained 124,000 new customers in the fourth quarter alone. Sky+HD received 534,000 net additions since January 2009 to reach 1.313 million, generating annualised incremental revenue in excess of £100 million. Sky announced that around 1,000 new jobs had beenc reated since January 2009 to support growth in Sky+HD.
The Sky+ subscriber base continued to grow resulting in 5.5 million households receiving the service.
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Jeremy Darroch, Sky's Chief Executive, said: "2009 has been an excellent year of growth. In a tough economic environment, customers are turning to Sky for quality and value in home entertainment and communications. New customers are joining us at the fastest rate for five years andexisting customers are taking more products from Sky than ever before.
This is the year where high definition TV moved centre-stage. We have seen a very strong response from customers to the new lower price of the Sky+HD box, with the total number of HD customers more than doubling to 1.3 million during the year. The rapid growth of HD has helped take Sky+ to new heights, with more than half of our customers now choosing to control their viewing with Sky+." |
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| Channel 4HD on Virgin Media 30-07-09 |
Virgin Media has announced that Channel 4's high definition channel, 4HD, will join its HD line-up. 4HD will be available to Virgin Media's digital TV customers and joins the BBC HD channel, ESPN HD, LIVING HD, FX HD, MTV Networks International's HD channel, MTVNHD, and National Geographic HD in Virgin Media's linear HD line-up.
Mark Schweitzer, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media, said: "Channel 4 is home to some of the UK's most talked about and innovative TV programmes with a great mix of fantastic home grown shows and top imports, and we're delighted to be bringing them in HD to our customers. We continue to evolve our TV service, across linear TV channels and on demand content, and our growing HD line-up offers a great choice from some of the best UK and US TV series, documentaries, comedy, sport and music."
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Sarah Rose, Head of Channel Development at Channel 4, said: "We want our viewers to be able to watch their favourite Channel 4 programmes in the format they want and across multiple platforms so we're delighted to be launching 4HD on Virgin Media. Our catch-up service, 4oD, has been a great success on Virgin Media's TV platform and, as we continue to invest in HD production, we're bringing more Channel 4 programmes to more viewers in HD."
FX HD, MTVNHD and National Geographic HD are launching on Virgin Media's TV platform on 31 July. ESPN HD will launch on 3rd August, with 4HD and LIVING HD. |
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| Freeview launches 'Remember to Retune' campaign 30-07-09 |
To encourage regular retuning to make sure viewers are receiving all Freeview channels and services available to them, Freeview is launching its 'Remember to Retune' campaign ahead of an upgrade of the Freeview service which will require viewers to retune on or after Wednesday 30th September this year.
All Freeview boxes, Freeview+ digital TV recorders and digital TVs will need to be retuned for viewers to carry on receiving all of the services available to them, including Five, ITV4 and BBC Radio stations. Without a retune on or after Wednesday 30th September, viewers will not be able to access these channels.
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The retune will pave the way for Five to become as widely available on Freeview as the other terrestrial channels at digital television switchover. For the convenience of viewers, technical preparations for future improvements to the Freeview service such as Freeview HD will also be made on Wednesday 30 September. Further details about the new Freeview HD service will be confirmed during the summer.
Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview said: "Making Five universally available at the point of switchover is great news for viewers and just one of the benefits in the pipeline for Freeview.
"Many of our viewers regularly retune but we want to make sure everyone shares the benefits of our channels and services. In the same way you would regularly check tyre pressure and keep water levels topped up on a car, get into the habit of retuning your digital box, Freeview+ recorder or digital TV from time-to-time.
"It is a simple process and takes only a few minutes but anyone who needs further assistance will be able to visit a website to read guides on how to retune or phone an automated helpline for advice."
The 'Remember to Retune' campaign will start in early September. On screen messages will appear on BBC channels, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, supported by press adverts reminding viewers of how to retune.
Viewers should first consult the manual for their digital box, digital TV recorder or digital TV for instructions on how to retune. If still unsure, they can either visit a website for step-by-step guides or call an automated helpline for further assistance. |
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| August 2009 |
| ITV posts £105m half-year loss for 2009 06-08-09 |
ITV has reported a £105 million pre-tax loss for the first half of 2009 amid tough conditions in the UK TV industry.
Alongside its half-year results published today, the commercial public service broadcaster said that the UK TV industry is currently suffering its worst ever year-on-year decline, with net television advertising revenues down by £277m, or 17%.
Despite this, ITV slightly outperformed the market with NAR that dropped by 15%. Its total revenues also fell by 12% to £909m.
In response to this, ITV has made £57m of cost savings across its programming and off-screen activity during the first half of 2009, and is on schedule to cut its operating costs by £155m by the end of the year.
This cost cutting will increase to £215m in 2010 and £285 in 2011. |
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Commenting on the results, ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said: "Our financial results for the half year reflect the impact of the unprecedented downturn in television advertising, offset by the comprehensive action we are taking in mitigation.
"The rate of market decline has eased slightly in the second half and ITV continues to outperform the market. We are maintaining our peak audience share across our channel family and are growing our share of television advertising, while delivering our targeted cost-savings."
The broadcaster's online revenues have actually increased by 6% to £18m as ITV.com experienced 116m online video views in the first half of this year compared to 31m during the same period in 2008. This trend peaked in May with 50m video views by 12.8m unique users. Global content revenues also increased by 4% to £296m, including significant increases in the US and Germany.
Grade said that the company is making good progress with the sale its digital terrestrial multiplex operator SDN, after recently hiring investment bank UBS to broker a deal. The company has also agreed a deal to sell its Friends Reunited website for £25m.
However, as a response to the "uncertain" economic conditions, Grade revealed that the Board has opted to suspend payment of the interim dividend.
He added: "Into the second half, we have a strong autumn schedule and will deliver further substantial cost savings. Whilst UK television advertising remains down year-on-year, the rate of decline has eased and ITV continues to outperform the market.
"With a lower cost base and high gearing to UK television advertising, ITV is well placed to capitalise on any stabilisation in the market and to exploit fully the content we create and broadcast as and when economic conditions improve."
Alongside the results, ITV also revealed that discussions to appoint a new chief executive to replace Grade are proceeding in "accordance with the timetable" laid out in April 2009. |
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| Digital TV reaches 89.2% penetration 06-08-09 |
The penetration of digital TV in the UK has reached 89.2% by the close of Q1 2009, buoyed by the growth of high definition and online services, Ofcom has found.
According to the regulator's latest market consultation report, digital TV takeup has increased by 2.1 percentage points year-on-year, meaning that 22.8m UK homes received digital TV on their main room set at the end of March. |
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Ofcom also indicated that over the past 12 months, high definition TV has "gained traction" with consumers as more propositions and channels reach the market.
Some 17.6 million HD-ready sets have now been sold in the UK and 9% of all homes (2.3 million) had equipment cable of receiving linear or on-demand HD content at the end of Q1 2009.
In its recently announced financial results statement for the year to June 30, Sky revealed that the number of customers taking its high definition service has more than doubled to 1.313m. |
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| 15% of internet users watch iPlayer 06-08-09 |
| 15% of UK internet users or 5.2 million people now watch the BBC iPlayer service, according to Ofcom's sixth Communications Market Report into TV, radio, broadband, telecoms and mobile industries. This figure is double the amount that were watching the service last year. Ofcom's research identified that TV viewers are taking more control over their TV schedules, choosing how, when and where to watch programmes either through a digital video recorder (DVR) or catch-up services on TV and online. |
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Ofcom said that nearly a quarter of households were watching catch-up TV online in 2008, compared to 17% in 2007.
By the end of March this year more than a quarter of UK homes had a DVR—an increase of 29% since September 2008, according to the regulator.
Around a fifth (19%) of viewing in Sky+ homes is timeshifted, more than for subscribers to Virgin Media's V+ service who timeshifted 12% of viewing. Some 9% of viewing in Freeview DVR homes was time-shifted programmes.
Ofcom's research also found that 17.6 million HD-ready sets have been sold in the UK and are in nearly 9 million households. |
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| ITV1 HD coming to Freeview 10-08-09 |
ITV has announced that they will launch an HD channel on the Freeview platform later this year.
A statement from the broadcaster said they had agreed final terms with the BBC (as the operator of Multiplex B which will deliver Freeview HD) to launch an ITV1 HD service on Freeview in advance of the World Cup which gets underway in June 2010.
The new ITV1 HD service will be rolled out across England and Wales with Digital Switchover, starting with Manchester in December 2009 and will be launched ahead of switchover in major cities such as London to enable reception in around half UK homes by the time of the World Cup, according to ITV.
To be able to receive the Freeview HD services viewers will need either need an HD Ready TV set with a new Freeview HD box or a Freeview HD integrated television.
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| ITV1 HD coming to Freesat 10-08-09 |
ITV have announced the planned launch of ITV1 HD, which is said to be in place by the end of the year when Freeview switch-over begins. The channel has also been confirmed as being available from the off on the Freesat platform, whilst no agreement is yet in place with Sky or Virgin Media.
ITV1 HD will run in a similar fashion to Channel 4 HD, with simulcast programmes and up to an expected 50% of peak-time programming in native HD by 2010, and 70% by 2014.
ITV1 HD is expected to replace the current red button ITV HD service, no lauch date has been announced at present. There are rumours, that the public service broadcasters may share a dedicated transponder for HD satellite broadcasts using DVB-S2. |
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| Channel 4HD Satellite Capacity Delays Launch 21-08-09 |
Speaking with Channel 4 today, Joinfreesat have found out that C4HD is free of its original contract with Sky but lack of space on the appropriate satellite beam is the cause for the high-definition service not being available on the Freesat platform at this time.
As a UK broadcaster, restrictions mean that Channel 4, along with BBC, ITV and Five can only offer their channels in-the-clear if they are broadcast from the tighter Astra 2D beam; either that or by means of restricted access such as ITV HD.
The high def simulcast is currently available to subscribers of Sky HD and Virgin Media HD, but will also be made available on other platforms including Freesat in future; unfortunately, there is no satellite capacity for our HD channel on Freesat at present.
Unfortunately the 2D beam transponders are already full, with some broadcasters such as BBC reducing the quality of their HD offering in the hope of gaining more space for potential future channels and services. Channel 4 currently lease two of the transponders but are already at full capacity using them for their range of channels already FTA (free-to-air), such as Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4 plus the 1 hour time-shifts and regional variants.
Unless more space can be made available, or channels are moved around, it will be extremely difficult for C4HD, as well as Fiver and Five US to launch FTA on the Freesat platform. |
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| Courtesy of www.joinfreesat.co.uk |
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| BBC iPlayer, Beta Testing begins on Freesat from September 27-08-09 |
| BBC iPlayer will begin beta testing on Freesat in September, with a public launch hopefully a month or two later; slightly later than the original Autumn launch. A few privileged people are already alpha testing the iPlayer service and have so far been very impressed with it. The testing is presently taking place on the entire range of Freesat receivers with the appropriate software levels installed. |
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| Courtesy of www.joinfreesat.co.uk |
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| September 2009 |
| ITV1+1 launching in October 01-09-09 |
ITV will be launching a plus 1-hour channel of its main channel ITV1 on October 1st, 2009.
The channel will have the following 6 regional variants: -
London
South East Macro (Meridian, East, Channel Isles)
West Macro (Wales, West, South West)
Central
Yorkshire/Tyne Tees Macro
Granada/Border Macro |
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ITV1+1 will not be available in Scotland, Ulster or the Channel Isles, screens will be blank in these regions.
From October 1st, the channel(s) will be broadcast on Digital Satellite and Digital Cable (Virgin Media) platforms, broadcast hours will be between 10:25 - 07:00 (20.5 hours). |
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| BBC wants Freeview HD copy protection 03-09-09 |
Ofcom is likely to permit a BBC scheme designed to ensure that Freeview HD boxes will be equipped with copy protection technology, it emerged today.
Last month, the corporation wrote to Ofcom after third party content owners asked the BBC to undertake measures designed to ensure that all Freeview HD boxes would include copy protection systems as required by the Digital TV Group's D-Book, which sets technical standards for digital terrestrial television in the UK. |
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As Freeview HD will be fully unencrypted, the BBC is proposing to ensure compliance with protection standards on the upgraded Freeview HD multiplex by compressing the service information (SI) data, which boxes need to understand the TV services in the data stream.
To encourage boxes to adopt copy protection, the BBC will make its own look-up tables and decompression algorithm available without charge to manufacturers who implement the technology.
In a formal written response, Ofcom principal advisor Greg Bensberg said that wording of the licence would most likely need to be changed to reflect the fact that this new arrangement is permitted.
However, before going ahead with any actual changes, the regulator is seeking feedback from relevant parties on the potential impact of this approach on the overall DTT platform, with a deadline of September 16 set for submissions.
The BBC had suggested that as an alternative to the SI compression scheme, the Freeview HD multiplex may have to adopt encryption. Bensberg said that it would appear "inappropriate to encrypt public service broadcast content on DTT".
"The current licensing regime requires that content is broadcast free-to-air," he added. "Any proposed change to this would require careful consideration and may involve a lengthy process." |
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| Samsung Sky+ HD boxes 'to get EPG update' 04-09-09 |
Sky will next week start contacting Sky+ HD customers with set top boxes manufactured by Samsung about them getting the new electronic programme guide.
The new EPG started rolling out to Sky+ HD boxes on March 10, with receivers manufactured by Thomson first to get the update, followed by customers with boxes manufactured by Pace in April.
Last month, the satellite platform holder said that "additional and planned development work" was taking place before it could send the new guide to customers with Samsung and Amstrad boxes. |
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| Freeview HD reciever tests to start in October 04-09-09 |
Digital TV Group has announced that the test and conformance regime for Freeview HD and Freeview+ HD receivers will commence in October.
Back in March, the DTG published D-Book 6 to outline the interoperability specifications for Freeview HD equipment in preparation for the first broadcasts at the Winter Hill transmitter on December 2.
Therefore, DTG Testing is now taking bookings for sessions in the Freeview HD Test Suites, including MHEG-5 with HD and IC extensions, as well Freeview HD service information and Freeview HD Linear Services, with appointments to get under way next month.
The testing regime will be officially launched by the DTG at the IBC 2009 conference in Amsterdam, which runs from September 11 to 15.
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DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies said: "Delivering the test and conformance regime for DVB-T2/MPEG-4 services in the UK has been a key priority for the DTG this year.
"The introduction of high definition services to the Freeview platform is one of the most significant milestones in the history of UK broadcasting and I am intensely proud of the role the DTG is playing.
"Testing against Freeview HD brand requirements will mark a step change in market compliance. The DTG can now utilise eight years of test suite development as a foundation to ensure that Freeview HD receivers will meet levels of compliance only achieved previously on vertical or lower volume proprietary standard platforms.
"This world first will deliver the best of both worlds, the high volumes of an open standard, horizontal market, but with the compliance levels of a vertical or lower volume platform."
Meanwhile, Ofcom yesterday indicated that it is likely to permit a BBC scheme designed to ensure that Freeview HD boxes will be equipped with copy protection technology. |
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| Freesat Achieves 600,000 Sales Since Launch 16-09-09 |
Freesat have today announced sales of 600,000 in little over a year. An excellent summer has seen an increase in sales by fifty percent in the last quarter alone, from 400,000 in May to reach 600,000 sales in September; as more and more consumers choose Freesat as their means of accessing free digital TV. To put this into context, BT Vision has reached 443,000 customers since launching almost three years ago.
Freesat’s strong performance is more positive news for the UK television industry despite challenging times. According to a report last month by Thinkbox, the television research and marketing body, TV viewing in the first half of this year was up on the five year average to 26.2 hours a week.
Free-to-air programming is proving especially popular with viewers. BARB figures reveal that nine of the ten top multi-channel programmes between January and June 2009 (non-sport) were available subscription-free on FTA (free-to-air) TV platforms such as Freesat. |
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| Final countdown to national retune day 17-09-09 |
A national upgrade of the Freeview service is due to take place in two weeks time. Freeview is reminding viewers to retune their equipment from lunchtime on Wednesday, 30 September so they can continue receiving all channels available to them, including Five.
On-screen messages will appear over the next three weeks on the BBC channels, ITV, Channel 4 and Five giving details of the retune date and where to go for further information.
An information website www.tvretune.co.uk has been set up to help viewers retune their equipment. Retuning guides for the most popular Freeview equipment are available for download from the site and a video showing people how to retune is also available online. Viewers can also call the automated TV Retune Helpline on 08456 05 11 22.
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The upgrade will result in increased coverage of Five, a small percentage of viewers losing ITV3 and ITV4 channels, the launch of 'Quest' on channel 38 and the Community Channel will no longer be available on Freeview in areas that have already gone through switchover.
Freeview is advising viewers not to retune before lunchtime as they will find that even if the channel or service name appears in the on-screen TV guide, the channel itself will not be available or may have been moved to a temporary location.
After retuning, viewers will find a small number of channels in a new position on their on-screen TV guide. The updated channel list, effective from 30 September 2009 is available at www.freeview.co.uk/channels. |
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| ITV1+1 launch postponed 18-09-09 |
ITV has postponed the launch of ITV1+1 "until further notice", it has emerged.
The announcement comes just one day after electronic programme guide data for the channel appeared on a transponder ahead of its proposed October 1 launch.
It is understood that concerns over the Contract Rights Renewal mechanism, which seeks to protect media buyers from ITV's dominance in the UK's commercial television market, are behind the decision.
Earlier this week, the Competition Commission proposed adjusting CRR to take into account ITV1+1 and the upcoming ITV1 HD channel so that ITV was not disadvantaged by the full-time launch of either service; however, it warned that any changes to CRR were "far from clear cut". |
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| Extensive response to Ofcom pay TV review 22-09-09 |
Ofcom has revealed that it has received an "extensive" response to the latest consultation on a wholesale access model for premium content in the pay TV industry.
In an investment briefing held today, Ofcom's new chief technology officer Steve Unger revealed that all formal responses to the proposal, including one from Sky, are currently being reviewed.
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The regulator first initiated its consultation into the pay TV industry back in 2007 after receiving a joint submission from BT, Virgin Media, Setanta and Top Up TV.
In June, it signalled an intention to disrupt Sky's "market power" by regulating wholesale access to premium content, particularly the Sky Sports and Sky Movies bouquet of channels (both standard and high definition variants).
The proposed model would involve freeing up access to Sky's subscription video-on-demand movies and premium sports content at significantly reduced prices. For example, the current wholesale price for Sky Sports 1 and 2 of £18.39 per month, per subcriber (based on June figures) would drop by 15% down to £15.69 under Ofcom's plans. |
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| ITV sues STV over network payments 22-09-09 |
ITV has today launched legal action against Channel 3 licence holder STV to recover £38 million of what it claims are unpaid network budget contributions.
According to ITV, STV has failed to honour its "contractual contributions" towards the overall Network Programme Budget, thus leaving an extensive unpaid debt. ITV also indicated that it has been trying to resolve the situation for over a year.
As an ITV licence holder in central and north Scotland, STV can select whichever programming it wants from the ITV network.
However, it has recently shunned a series of high-profile ITV drama on its peak-time schedule in order to prioritise more Scotland-focused programming.
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It also recently revealed plans to stop broadcasting the ITV1 standalone 6.30pm national news bulletin in favour of a news programme offering a "Scottish perspective" on national and worldwide stories.
"STV is attempting retrospectively to opt out of an increasing number of peak-time programmes which contravenes existing agreements," said ITV in an official statement.
"The company is also wrongly attempting to claim a rebate against programmes which have been "written off". We are currently withholding monies from STV against this debt and currently believe the net debt is approximately £15 million to £20 million.
"We have been attempting to resolve this matter for more than a year but unfortunately our efforts have been unsuccessful. Given that we are a commercial organisation, with responsibilities to our shareholders, we are left with no option but to take legal action to recover this sizeable debt." |
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| BBC defends Freeview HD copy protection 23-09-09 |
The BBC has defended its plan to ensure that all Freeview HD equipment will be equipped with more stringent copy protection technology.
Earlier this month, Ofcom said that it is likely to permit the BBC's scheme for ensuring compliance with protection standards on the upgraded Freeview HD multiplex.
The corporation wants to compress service information data, which boxes need to understand the TV services in the data stream. It will offer its decompression algorithm without charge to all manufacturers who implement the technology.
However, Labour MP Tom Watson used his personal blog to criticise the BBC's proposal, which he said would render all existing Freeview PVRs "obsolete".
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He wrote: "In attempt to satisfy the fears of powerful rightsholders, the BBC will prohibit millions of people from programming their existing set top boxes.
"If implemented this will make it difficult to view or record HDTV broadcasts with free software. Where's the consumer interest in that settlement?"
Writing on the BBC Internet Blog, BBC head of distribution technology Graham Plumb stressed that "no existing Freeview boxes will be affected" by the scheme.
Plumb said that the BBC wants all public service content to remain unencrypted on digital terrestrial television, but some form of copy protection is "required to enable us to launch Freeview HD to audiences in early 2010".
He claimed that the current technical specification for content management on Freeview HD equipment "places no restrictions whatsoever" on copying SD content or recording/viewing stored HD content on a PVR.
He explained that even the "most restrictive" arrangement still enables one HD copy to be transferred to Blu-ray, such as the current situation with BBC content on Pansonic Blu-ray recorders.
Plumb continued: "We want to make our content as accessible as possible but we have to balance this with the amount of content we have the ability to show. We could have said no to the content owners' request and delayed the launch of Freeview HD, but we had to balance this with the fact that respecting the request for content protection should result in more programmes and hence a better viewing experience for our audiences.
"We are confident that Freeview HD will be great, and you'll always be able to copy programmes for personal use. Most people will probably never know that any form of content management exists since they'll not be prevented from the normal home enjoyment or recording on PVRs, DVD and Blu-ray recorders.
"The only actions that may be prevented, and only for certain programmes, are retransmitting the content in HD over the internet or, in some cases, from making more than one digital copy of the highest-value content on to Blu-ray."
After Ofcom's deadline for formal responses to the BBC's plan passed last week, the regulator is now expected to communicate further on the proposal shortly. |
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| October 2009 |
| CBS to launch new UK channels 01-10-09 |
CBS Studios International will launch a "bouquet" of new channels in the UK next month as part of a joint venture with Chellomedia.
The November 16 arrival of CBS Action, CBS Reality and CBS Drama on UK digital television will mark the first time that a branded CBS channel has ventured outside the US, reports Broadcast Now.
For the launch, Chellomedia has freed up six of its existing channels on Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat via its Chello Zone international broadcasting arm.
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Zone Reality and its +1 channel will change to CBS Reality and CBS Reality +1, Zone Romantica will become CBS Drama and Zone Thriller will change to CBS Action. The deal also includes Zone Horror and its +1 channel, but they will remain unchanged for the moment.
Programming on the channels will derive from the 70,000-plus hours of content in the CBS archives, including thriller Jag and remastered episodes of Star Trek coming to CBS Action, Dr. Phil and Judge Judy to show on CBS Reality and Dynasty to broadcast on CBS Drama. Chellomedia also plans to source additional third-party content to fill the channel's schedules.
Commenting on the forthcoming launch, CBS Studios International president Armando Nunez indicated that the focus is now on getting the UK launch right, before considering any futher expansion.
"Chello has a bouquet of channels that are doing well but have never really had access to higher-tier content," said Nunez. "We have the content, but are not really in the international channels business. It's a natural fit."
CBS executive vice president Reed Manville, who will lead the UK project, revealed that the channels are aimed at people aged 35 and over who enjoy watching library programmes.
"There's latent awareness of the CBS brand, and that it stands for quality US entertainment, but people associate it with things such as DVDs, motion pictures and news," he said. "Our job is to build that out." |
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| Sky programmes via Freeview set-top box & broadband 15-10-09 |
Consumers who want to avoid having a satellite dish stuck to their house will be able to receive Sky programming, from drama and movies to Premiership football, through a Freeview set-top box under a deal to be announced today.
BSkyB's partnership with London-based IP Vision forms part of a gathering land grab in the world of online television as broadcasters, content producers and movie studios react to changing viewing habits. People are now watching what they want, when they want and increasingly downloading shows from the web in order to play them on their television rather than on a computer screen.
Michael Grade, ITV executive chairman, yesterday hinted that his company is considering a tie-up with an American online heavyweight such as Google's YouTube or Hulu, the online TV venture backed by News Corporation, NBC Universal and Disney, as it looks to build its business in this new hybrid television world.
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ITV had initially teamed up with the BBC and Channel 4 to create a one-stop shop for catch-up British TV, codenamed Kangaroo, but it was blocked by the Competition Commission in February. Grade yesterday told a House of Lords committee that the decision means that rivals broadcasters from the other side of the Atlantic will invade the UK market.
"I guarantee to this committee that the net result of that Competition Commission decision, which in their own terms is the correct decision, will be that the Americans will take the lion's share of the internet value in our content in this country, very soon," he told the Lords communications committee. But he admitted that ITV will have to be involved because of the sheer audience reach of American online TV outlets. "The usual suspects have all the content so we will probably have to do business with them, but none of that money that goes to America will get invested in the UK," he said.
ITV and Channel 4 have since regrouped with the BBC and technology partner BT to create Canvas, an online TV service which will be open to any broadcaster or internet service provider. It is being examined by the BBC Trust. Sky believes the corporation should not be putting licence fee money into content platforms.
Sky's deal to make content available on IP Vision's Fetch TV service will add strength to its argument that public money should not be pumped into the online TV industry by letting Canvas go ahead. Customers will need to buy a Fetch TV set-top box, which start at around £200, and plug it into a broadband internet connection as well as their TV set and aerial. As well as all the usual Freeview channels, Fetch TV users can then sign up for Sky channels, including Sky Sports 1 to 3.
IP Vision, founded two years ago, also has deals with content companies including Disney and its service already allows viewers to watch the BBC iPlayer directly through their TV. |
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| London to get Freeview HD from December 2nd 19-10-09 |
Freeview HD will go live in London on December 2, at the same time as the Granada region gets the high definition TV service. The Winter Hill
and Crystal Palace transmitters will add HD channels simultaneously, with four other cities getting access by mid-2010. The BBC has completed a deal with transmitter operator Arqiva to build five new transmitters in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Leeds/Bradford by the end of Spring 2010. |
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Alix Pryde, controller of BBC Distribution, said: "The BBC’s agreements with Arqiva to build the high definition infrastructure for DTT represent an important step forward that sets us on course for a successful launch in December this year.
"We look forward to confirming later this autumn our plans with Freeview for the consumer launch of HD services."
The new DVB-T2 technology will deliver an increase in capacity of 67 percent to the BBC’s Multiplex B, efficiently creating the space needed for UK public service broadcasters' HD transmissions.
The BBC and Arqiva will be the first organisations in the world to deploy the DVB-T2 technology into full operational service across an entire transmission network.
Multiplex B was cleared of standard-definition Freeview channels in the Big Retune on September 30, to allow the launch of high definition TV.
Freeview HD will offer with BBC HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD at launch, with Five HD expected to arrive by 2012.
Matthew Postgate, controller of research and development at the BBC said: "The BBC has a long and distinguished history in developing technologies for the benefit of the wider media industry and consumer, and the work of our R&D team is as important in the digital age as it ever has been.
"The pioneering work of the team in creating the standard, in partnership with DVB, has been instrumental in bringing HD to terrestrial TV and will allow Freeview to build on its phenomenal success."
Steve Holebrook, managing director of terrestrial broadcast for Arqiva, the transmission company who will build the network, said: "This is a fantastic development for Freeview and we’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring this new technology to market as quickly as possible. "Once again we in the UK are leading the world in television technology and this should stimulate the DVB-T2 market throughout Europe." |
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| Freesat software update causes problems Bush, Goodmans and Grundig receivers 19-10-09 |
A software download has caused a number of Bush, Goodmans and Grundig Freesat HD receivers to malfunction.
Following the update late Tuesday, internet forum posters have reported problems including freezing receivers, loss of picture or sound, constant rebooting or a loss of satellite signal.
John Edwards, Director of Communication at Harvard Group which owns the Goodmans and Grundig brand said:
'We are aware that an OAD played out last Tuesday to our Freesat HD zappers has caused a problem with some early units. This is under very active investigation to determine the reason. Helplines have been fully briefed to handle enquiries.'
A further update is expected to appear in the next few days to address the issue. |
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| November 2009 |
| Freesat iPlayer beta starting in November 04-11-09 |
The BBC has confirmed that closed beta testing for BBC iPlayer on Freesat will begin this month. Back in October, the digital satellite platform said that it was "unable to confirm" the timeframe for a beta of the BBC's catch up service.
However, BBC controller of TV platforms Rahul Chakkara confirmed on the BBC Internet Blog that trials of iPlayer on the subscription-free satellite platform will go ahead at some point this month.
On November 7, Freesat will also launch a fresh marketing campaign to promote the Freesat+ and Freesat HD services.
The slow-motion advert, featuring coloured guitar plectrums bearing the Freesat logo falling like snowflakes from the sky, will premiere this Saturday evening on ITV1 during Piers Morgan's Life Stories.
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Freesat marketing and communications director Will Abbott said: "Freesat is going from strength to strength, and the new campaign reinforces our position as the UK's premium free TV service.
"With new Freesat+ HD recorders launching in time for Christmas, and high definition [content] from the BBC and ITV already available nationwide, subscription-free, we're looking forward to a strong finish to the year."
Owen Lee, creative director of the Farm agency, which produced the ad campaign, added: "Freesat has successfully established itself as the best digital TV platform by far for people who expect brilliant TV for free. This campaign elevates the brand and captures the magical experience of brilliant TV for everyone."
Back in September, Freesat reported sales of 600,000 units since it launched in May 2008, making it the UK's fourth biggest digital TV platform. |
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| Canvas to cost £115m in first four years 04-11-09 |
The BBC Trust has revealed that joint venture Project Canvas, which aims to create a new open standard for IP-connected TV devices, will cost over £115m in its first four years of operation.
According to figures provided by BBC management, the total cost of designing, launching and maintaining the project over a four-year period will stand at £115.6m, including £48.4m being spent on marketing the new platform.
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As previously suggested, all four current partners - BBC, ITV, BT and Five - will bear an equal share of the cost, equating to £24.7m. However, the BBC is looking to bring on two further partners to bring the cost down to £16.4m each.
The corporation also expects to recoup £17m in "cost recovery" over the four-year period from a variety of revenue streams on the platform.
Over £715,000 has already been spent by the BBC on its lengthy Canvas submission to the Trust, including recently supplying additional information on the core specifications following requests from industry stakeholders.
The latest cost report is part of a revised governance structure for the project, most notably that non-public service broadcasters can now take an equal share in the venture.
Last month, Sky criticised the PSB bias in Canvas's membership, and also expressed concern that the project will use public money to distort competition in the nascent market for broadband-enabled set top boxes.
In the initial Canvas submission, PSBs were designated as holding a 66% controlling stake in the not-for-profit project, with a 33% share held by partner ISPs.
However, the Canvas partners today told the Trust that the PSB majority ownership rule has been removed, meaning that any partners joining the project will get an equal share and voting rights, regardless of their public or commercial status.
"The canvas platform will deliver a wide range of benefits, and safeguarding the future of public service broadcasting is a key factor for all the PSBs, as it was when we set up Freeview," said Canvas programme director Richard Halton.
"But it is equally important that the Canvas platform plays an enabling role for commercial operators in the digital media sector, by providing them with a route to the shared screen. We want to offer any potential new partners an equal share of voice in the new venture." |
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| Lord Burns appointed Channel 4 Chairman 05-11-09 |
Lord (Terry) Burns has been appointed as the next Chairman of Channel 4.
According to a statement released by Ofcom, Burns will join Channel 4's Board immediately as Chairman-Designate. He succeeds Luke Johnson who retires on 27 January 2010 following two three-year terms.
Burns is Chairman of Abbey National plc, Glas Cymru Ltd (Welsh Water) and the Royal Academy of Music and a Non-Executive Director of Banco Santander S.A. and the Pearson Group plc and President of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
He is a former Chief Economic Advisor and Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury, Chairman of Marks and Spencer plc and an Independent Adviser to the Secretary of State on the BBC Charter Review. |
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| Ofcom rejects BBC Freeview HD copy protection 10-11-09 |
Ofcom has moved to turn down a BBC proposal to introduce more stringent copy protection on the forthcoming Freeview HD platform.
Last month, the BBC defended its controversial plan to ensure that all Freeview HD receivers will be equipped with more restrictive copy protection technology.
Acting on behalf of content owners, the corporation asked Ofcom about the possibility of compressing service information data - which the boxes need to understand TV services in the data stream - on the unencrypted HD platform.
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For the approach to go ahead, the BBC needed Ofcom to change the wording of the multiplex licence to reflect the fact that this new arrangement was permitted.
Despite previously indicating that it would approve the plans, the regulator has since turned down the proposal.
In a letter sent to the BBC, Ofcom strategy and markets principle David Harrison explained that the regulator will not approve any changes to the multiplex licence without giving "further consideration" to certain key issues.
Harrison said that the watchdog reached the decision after receiving an extensive response to its consultation, which raised a "number of potentially significant consumer 'fair use' and competition issues that were not addressed in our original consultation".
However, he added that Ofcom remains "keen to support" the use of copy protection on Freeview HD, and so will consider future amendment to the licence as long as the BBC can make a sufficient case for the change.
The corporation must now fully outline the benefits of copy protection on DTT for consumers, as well as address how any "potential disadvantages" to the existing Freeview PVR market would be mitigated. |
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| REAL Digital Satellite Platform coming in 2010 14-11-09 |
A new service for satellite is set for a 'soft' launch in February 2010, Real Digital will offer access to 200 standard and high definition free to air channels including those available on Freesat plus a selection of as-yet-unannounced pay TV channels which could bring the total to 250 at launch.
The service will initially be made available to owners of certain Fortec Star receivers including its Passion Plus and Innovation models in February requiring a software update which includes the addition of a Real Digital EPG. Subscribers will be asked to purchase a viewing card for a one-off fee of £20 but it is not known what form of encryption will be used.
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Fortec Star is also manufacturing standard definition and Real Digital+ PVR receivers for the service which will be made available from April 2010. Two more undisclosed manufacturers are also producing boxes.
Real Digital's backers include David Henry. managing Didirector of Rapture TV and Information TV's Chief Executive Fred Perkins. |
| Website: www.realdigitaltv.com |
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| BBC unveils Freeview HD rollout timetable 16-11-09 |
The BBC has confirmed a rollout timetable for Freeview HD towards the aim of 98.5% UK coverage for the service by the end of the digital switchover in 2012.
As previously announced, the corporation intends to speed up the rollout by establishing targeted advance networks in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford and Birmingham so households in these in key metropolitan areas can receive Freeview HD by the end of March 2010.
Most viewers will get access to the service in line with the existing switchover schedule, with homes in the North West (Winter Hill transmitter group) first to come online on December 2. The BBC further wants 50% of the UK population to be able to receive Freeview HD in time for the World Cup tournament in June next year.
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Around 7% of the UK population who switched to digital signals prior to December will receive the service in a retrofitting programme due to be completed in a year's time.
By introducing the new DVB-T2 technology, capacity on the BBC's mux B will be increased by 67% to create space for bandwidth heavy high definition transmissions. In doing so, the UK will become the first country in the world to adopt the standard.
As viewers will have to purchase new equipment to receive Freeview HD signals, the BBC estimates that dedicated set top boxes will be available at retail outlets from early 2010. However, the Digital TV Group has previously suggested that two or three products will be on offer in time for Christmas this year.
"This is a terrific step forward, and it's a great achievement that the BBC and its partners have been able to work together to overcome some really difficult technical challenges to bring HD to the Freeview platform through world-leading innovation," said BBC chief operating officer Caroline Thomson.
"We're really excited about the prospect of seeing BBC HD and HD channels from the other public service broadcasters on Freeview next year."
DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies added: "This is a landmark moment in UK broadcasting history. The launch of Freeview HD consolidates the UK's position as a global leader in the deployment of digital television services.
"While this is a fantastic technical achievement, the success of any service is defined by the consumer experience. The World Cup in 2010 will be a key driver for Freeview HD takeup and broadcasters, platform operators and the consumer electronics industry have worked hard to ensure that it can be enjoyed in high definition on the Freeview platform."
Also commenting on the announcement, Freeview managing director Ilse Howling said: "This is great news for the millions of Freeview homes and viewers who are looking forward to getting high definition with no subscription next year." |
| ENGLAND |
Manchester Winter Hill - December 2, 2009
London Crystal Palace (advance network) - December 2, 2009
Newcastle and Tyneside Pontop Pike (advance network) - February 2010
Leeds / Bradford Emley Moor (advance network) - March 2010
Birmingham Lichfield (advance network) - March 2010
Liverpool, central Lancashire, Cheshire, north Staffordshire Winter Hill relays (retrofit) - March 2010
Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset, Dorset Stockland Hill (retrofit) - April 2010
Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire Mendip - April 2010
Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly Beacon Hill, Caradon Hill, Huntshaw Cross and Redruth (retrofit) - August 2010
Cumbria and the Lake District Caldbeck (retrofit) - October 2010 |
| Following this schedule, Freeview HD will then be implemented in line with the rest of the switchover programme: |
2011 - Bedfordshire, Berkshire (parts), Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire,
East Anglia, East Midlands, East Yorkshire, Gloucestershire,
Herefordshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire,
Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire (parts), Stoke-on-Trent, West
Midlands (remainder), and West Yorkshire (remainder). |
2012 - Berkshire (remainder), County Durham, Greater London (remainder),
Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Surrey,
Sussex, Teesside, Tyneside. |
| WALES |
Cardiff, Newport Wenvoe - March 2010
Swansea Kilvey Hill March (retrofit) - 2010
West and central Wales Blaenplwyf - March 2010
Carmarthenshire Carmel (retrofit) - April 2010
rest of Wales Long Mountain, Moel y Parc, Presely Mid (retrofit) - June 2010
Anglesey Llanddona (retrofit) - July 2010 |
| SCOTLAND |
Glasgow, central Scotland Black Hill (advance network) - February 2010
Shetland Bressay - May 2010
Orkney Keelylang Hill - May 2010
Caithness, North Sutherland Rumster Forest - June 2010
Lewis, Wester Ross, North West Sutherland, Western Isles Eitshal Skriaig - July 2010
Angus, Dundee, Perth, and parts of Fife Angus - August 2010
Aberdeenshire Durris - September 2010
Morayshire, Strathspey, and parts of Easter Ross Knockmore - October 2010
South West Scotland Caldbeck Scotland - October 2010
Inverness and the Great Glen Rosemarkie - October 2010
South West Highlands and Islands Torosay - October 2010
Scottish Borders Selkirk (retrofit) - November 2010 retrofit |
| Following this schedule, Freeview HD rolls out in line with the rest of the switchover programme until the whole of Scotland can receive the service by the end of Q2, 2011. |
| NORTHERN IRELAND |
| Freeview HD will rollout in line with the rest of the switchover programme so that the whole of Northern Ireland can receive the service by the end of 2012. |
| OTHER AREAS |
Isle of Man Douglas (retrofit) - October 2010
Channel Islands Fremont Point - end 2010 |
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| ITV appoints Archie Norman as chairman 18-11-09 |
ITV has appointed Asda chief executive Archie Norman as its new chairman to replace the outgoing Michael Grade from January.
When he moves into the new role, Norman will be paid an annual salary of £300,000 and also receive 1.2 million ITV shares, worth 60p each, over the next three years.
In the 1990s, Norman was praised for transforming the fortunes of supermarket chain Asda before selling it on to US retail giant Wal-Mart. Prior to that, he helped establish the Kingfisher group in the 1980s, which now owns B&Q.
"There are few opportunities that would have tempted me back into the public company arena, but ITV is definitely one of them," said Norman.
"It is an irresistible challenge, a great brand, a people business with enormous talent, but facing an imperative for change - the challenge of adapting to compete in a fragmented digital media world."
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Welcoming the appointment, Grade said: "I have always been a great admirer of Archie and am delighted to be handing over the reins to him. He inherits a company that is more popular and efficient that it has been for many years and I know he will build on that legacy."
ITV board spokesman Sir James Crosby, chairman of the nomination committee, added: "We are delighted that Archie is to become the next chairman of ITV. He has an outstanding track record in business and we believe that his extensive experience of both business and public life will be of significant benefit to ITV in the years ahead."
Among the first tasks facing Norman in January will be to lead the search for a new ITV chief executive, after the process was started back in April.
Negotiations with leading candidate Tony Ball, the former Sky chief executive, collapsed in September due to reported disparities over pay demands.
ITV's total revenue fell by 11% to £1.3 billion during the first three quarters of 2009. Its broadcasting and online revenues also dropped 12% to £1.08bn in the same period.
However, the firm predicted a 4% year-on-year growth in advertising revenues for December, which would be the first increase posted in 18 months. |
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| BBC, ITV 'learned how to use HD bitrates' 19-11-09 |
The Digital TV Group has said that broadcasters have "learned" about effectively managing bitrates for high definition channels ahead of the launch of Freeview HD. The BBC was recently criticised for a 40% reduction in screen resolution for BBC HD on Freesat after it introduced new encoders in August.
ITV HD also suffered a temporary reduction in screen resolution in September from 1440x1088 down to 960x1088 due to routine maintenance on an encoder.
Earlier in the week, the BBC confirmed a rollout timetable for Freeview HD, including the aim of 50% UK coverage for the service in time for the World Cup tournament in June next year.
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However, existing HD screen resolution issues on Freesat have been widely criticised by viewers, leading to fears that the same problems could result on Freeview HD when the service launches.
In response, DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies claimed that broadcasters have "learned" from the issues on Freesat how to effectively manage bitrates for HD channels, especially in terms of the specific requirements for different types of content.
"If you've got fast moving, native HD content with lots of movement within the picture, then you need amazing bitrate to deliver that well. If you have something that is bordering on stills, then the bitrate is less important," he said.
"I think that broadcasters will start using a bigger array of technical tools available to them with DVB-T2 and MPEG-4, things like statistical multiplexing, to ensure that they share bandwidth around. But also, they will make some decisions on the importance of the programme and the kind of genre that it is."
Lindsay-Davies said that most of the time a high bitrate is not required, but broadcasters must be aware when a particular strain of programming needs a greater allocation.
They must also be mindful that if they have promised high definition distribution, they must "set aside adequate bitrate to do it justice", he added.
"I do think that they've learned a lot. A couple of the broadcasters have got away with murder on the terrestrial channels with very, very low bitrates, and the smaller broadcasters are not using very big bitrates at all," he said.
"But the BBC HD mux has been designed with appropriate capacity to manage those services very well and there are no plans to deviate from that at this stage." |
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| New online radio platform unveiled 10-11-09 |
The BBC and commercial radio industry have jointly unveiled a new online radio player to host output from every Ofcom licensed station in the UK.
Titled the UK Radioplayer, the pop-up console will be able to stream 400 national, local, community and student radio stations on a specially designed platform. It is due to launch in early 2010.
"This is a really exciting development and a result of focused, collaborative thinking within the radio industry," said BBC audio & music director Tim Davie. "The aim of this service is to grow listening across the industry and help preserve radio's unique position."
RadioCentre chief executive Andrew Harrison added: "The Radioplayer brings together all of the UK's radio output in one online console. This is a breakthrough for listeners and an attractive new proposition for advertisers."
Listeners are able to use search functions to browse every station on the service, as well as track down news programming, sports highlights, music genres and even individual songs. Pre-set buttons are available to lock down favourite stations for ease of access.
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Aside from the live streams, the Radioplayer will also host on-demand audio, click-to-buy music services, webcams, track listings, adverts and other content.
Developed as a partnership between the BBC, RadioCentre, Global Radio and Guardian Media Group, the player will be made available from the websites of every licensed radio station.
Welcoming the new service, Global Group founder and chief executive Ashley Tabor said: "Radioplayer has been developed with the listener in mind and is a big step forward for the radio industry as a whole, providing further cohesion between commercial radio and the BBC as we drive to digital."
GMG Radio chief executive Stuart Taylor added: "This collaborative project reflects the industry's commitment to an improved user experience for radio online as IP-enabled devices proliferate. The new opportunities for advertisers will add to the growing number of cross platform solutions already in place."
The launch of Radioplayer is still subject to completion of a consultation between the BBC Trust and the RadioCentre board. However, there are further plans in place to bring a bespoke version for the platform to smartphones and other IP-enabled TV platforms in the future. |
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| ITV considering Pay TV move 23-11-09 |
Incoming ITV chairman Archie Norman is reportedly evaluating plans to start charging viewers to access ITV's digital channels under a major new commercial strategy.
According to The Sunday Times, Norman will seriously consider a shift to a pay-TV model when he takes over from Michael Grade in early 2010.
The former Conservative MP further wants to introduce a shakeup in the ITV boardroom to ensure that the broadcaster does not endure another leadership crisis in the future, following the months of unrest after Grade announced his departure earlier in the year.
Along with leading the search for a suitable candidate to take on the vacant chief executive position, Norman will also reduce the size of the board going forward.
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However, his most radical move would be to shift ITV's main digital channels - ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 - from free-to-air to subscription-only platforms.
The strategy would be squarely aimed at boosting ITV's struggling revenues, with the broadcaster recently reporting a £105m loss for the first half of 2009. ITV group revenues also fell 11% to £1.3 billion during the first three quarters of this year.
Norman is fully supportive of retaining ITV Productions for the positive impact that in-house produced shows such as Coronation Street and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! can have on ITV's revenues and reputation.
However, he wants to develop greater international appeal of ITV-produced programming in order to further capitalise on recent positive growth in global rights deals. |
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| Sky renews assault on Project Canvas 24-11-09 |
Sky has renewed its criticism of IPTV joint venture Project Canvas by accusing the BBC of paying mere "lip service" to the notion of other broadcasters getting involved. The latest comments by Sky are part of a long-held attack on the BBC, Five, ITV and BT led venture, which aims to set a new technical standard for IP-enabled TV devices.
Chief among concerns for the satellite platform holder is that public money will be used to dominate the nascent video on-demand market and that non public service broadcasters will be locked out of the process.
In response, the BBC has published repeated assurances about the open structure of a Canvas platform, and further moved to change the initial governance structure of the project so that non-PSBs can now take an equal share in the venture.
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However, Sky has continued with its campaign to persuade the BBC Trust to prevent the project from going ahead.
"Given its unique and privileged position in receipt of substantial and guaranteed public funding, the current proposals remain inconsistent with the BBC's obligations to adopt the least intrusive and most proportionate means of fulfilling its core public service purpose," Sky said in a statement reported in The Guardian.
"Sky does not believe that Canvas should be allowed to proceed, or at least, not with the BBC, and the licence fee, playing an active role. The proposals for membership of the joint venture remain exclusionary.
"The new proposals pay lip service to the idea of an open joint venture and the governance changes will make little difference in practice to the current Canvas members' ability to pick and choose their partners in the future. The admission criteria to be applied by the Canvas board are subjective and therefore open to arbitrary interpretation."
Sky also claimed that it was "fanciful" to suggest Canvas would be an open platform when one of its founding partners BT runs the pay TV platform BT Vision and intends to replace that service with Canvas.
The firm further said that the estimated £20 million cost to become a partner in the project is "set at a level that will exclude many, if not all, new members". It was recently revealed that Canvas will cost £115m over its first four years, including a marketing budget of £48.4m.
Sky said that the outlined investment in promoting Canvas is nearly double the amount spent backing Freeview, and is very high considering the "clear overlap between the two services and likely cross-promotional marketing".
The firm added: "More particularly, the budget is disproportionately high when compared to any other start-up and cannot be said to represent 'value for money' for the licence fee payer or be proportionate when considering the application of state aid law." |
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BBC confirms Freesat iPlayer beta date 25-11-09 |
The BBC has confirmed that a closed beta of iPlayer will commence on Freesat on December 7, followed by a gradual rollout to all high definition users. At a briefing held today, BBC controller of TV platforms Rahul Chakkara said that the catch-up platform on free-to-air satellite would carry around 450 hours of programming when it fully launches next year. He explained that the service will be available via the Red Button at first, but that could change in the future.
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Chakkara revealed that iPlayer registered 97.2 million programme views during October, with 26% coming via TV platforms rather than the web. He said that the figure gives "validity" to the BBC's efforts to bring the service to Freesat and other suitable TV platforms.
The BBC and Freesat are taking a "cautious" approach to the launch, with a group of around 200 users being selected to participate in a closed beta. Users will have to connect their set top boxes to an internet connection via an ethernet port on the back.
All testers have been deliberately picked to cover a wide demographic of circumstances to ensure that the service is rigorously evaluated. Feedback will be gathered via email and an online resource.
Dependent on the success of the beta, the service will then be expanded before Christmas to a much larger group of users who have Freesat boxes manufactured by Humax.
When it fully launches, the on-demand platform will be available on all Freesat HD equipment, including integrated TVs, but standard definition receivers will not be able to access it.
Freesat managing director Emma Scott said that around 600,000 Freesat HD receivers have been sold to date, constituting 70% of the platform's overall sales.
She added that "entry level" SD boxes are generally used for second TV sets and so the firm is fairly confident that SD customers will not feel too slighted by the launch.
A demo of the Freesat iPayer showed that it is similar to the PlayStation Network incarnation, with a more compact user interface and functionality compared to the online offering.
The service offers two streaming options for content - 'watch now' to run at 800Kbph or 'higher quality' at 1.5Mbps. All 'trick modes' for fast forward, rewind and pause are enabled on the platform.
Despite the platform only being available on HD receivers, it will not support any HD programming. Chakkara said that the team is adopting a "crawl first" approach to getting the SD service right before looking into HD.
He said that any HD launch would also be dependent on available capacity on the UK's broadband networks due to the much greater bandwidth required for HD streams. |
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| ITV Player coming to Freesat 25-11-09 |
Freesat has announced plans to launch a version of ITV's catch-up service on free-to-air digital satellite next year. At a briefing today, Freesat managing director Emma Scott confirmed that ITV Player will become available to all high definition users in the first half of 2010.
Scott did not offer any further details about the service, but it is likely that the launch will follow the same pattern as with BBC iPlayer.
The BBC's catch-up platform will go into a closed beta on Freesat on December 7, followed by a gradual rollout to all high definition boxes. ITV Player should be on Freesat by the end of May 2010. |
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| ITV takes control of GMTV 26-11-09 |
ITV has taken full control of GMTV after buying Disney's 25% stake in the breakfast broadcaster for £22.25m.
The network now plans to more closely integrate GMTV's breakfast-time programming with its daytime lineup.
"GMTV is the gateway to the ITV day and a perfect fit with ITV’s existing daytime programming," said ITV chief operating officer John Cresswell. "It represents an exciting opportunity to create a highly complementary daytime schedule offering great programming from 6am to 6pm."
GMTV has held the national Channel 3 breakfast-time licence since 1993, when it outbid the incumbent TV-am for the slot.
ITV Broadcasting has secured full ownership of GMTV after acquiring Disney's 25% stake in a £22.5 million deal. |
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The agreement involves ITV making a one-off cash payment of £18m for Disney's holding in the national breakfast-time Channel 3 licensee.
ITV will have to make a further payment of £4.25m to the US firm by the close of the year for GMTV's remaining forecast cash balance.
The acquisition is part of ITV's ongoing strategy to focus on its core broadcasting activities, and will also greater integrate the firm's breakfast TV operations. |
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| Freesat Sales Pass 750,000 26-11-09 |
Freesat has announced that its sales have passed 750,000 units since the service launched last year, and could breach the one million mark during early 2010.
At a briefing yesterday, Freesat managing director Emma Scott confirmed that the company sold over 200,000 units in the three months up to September 30.
The firm's results surpassed Sky's reported 94,000 new subscribers gained during the same period, making Freesat the fastest growing TV platform in the UK.
Scott said that 80% of Freesat sales are for high definition equipment, and that half of its total install base owns receivers manufactured by Humax.
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Buoyed by the growth and expected interest over the key Christmas period, Scott further issued the bullish prediction of passing one million unit sales by the close of the first quarter of 2010.
Freesat further announced details of a phased rollout of BBC iPlayer on the platform, followed by the launch of ITV Player during the first half of next year. |
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| BBC HD & bitrates - Roly Keating speaks out 26-11-09 |
The BBC's director of archive content Roly Keating has issued a response to Paul Eaton's campaign to get the picture quality improved on BBC HD. After new encoders were introduced by the BBC on August 5, the bitrate on BBC HD dropped from 16Mbs to 9.7Mbs, a reduction of nearly 40%.
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Many viewers reported a range of picture quality issues, including the appearance of compression artefacts, jittering on near-static scenes and problems with mixes and fades.
Eaton has therefore called on the BBC to return the quality of its HD channel to pre-August levels, or he will submit a formal complaint to the BBC Trust.
After being contacted directly by Eaton in September, head of BBC HD Danielle Nagler said that the encoders were selected to improve picture quality on the BBC's "most challenging programmes", and also increase compatibility with satellite platforms.
She said that reported quality issues - primarily with the mixes and fades - were immediately acknowledged by her team, who have subsequently been working with the encoder supplier to resolve the problems going forward.
Unsatisfied with the response, Eaton sent another message to Keating, Nagler's superior, highlighting a perceived lack of engagement with the hundreds of forum posts on the BBC Internet Blog, Digital Spy and other platforms.
In his response, Keating stressed how "seriously" the issue of technical quality of BBC channels is taken at the corporation. He also acknowledged that viewers should always hold BBC HD to the highest standards.
Keating praised the expertise being demonstrated in many of the forum posts, but also gave his full backing to Nagler, saying that "no-one cares more deeply about maintaining, and improving the quality of service on our HD channel" than her team.
"This is a fast-moving area of technological change, where professionals at every point in the value-chain - from capture and production to playout and broadcast - are innovating all the time to deliver better results, and on occasion experimenting to find out what works and what doesn't," he said.
"This process of change and evolution is common to all broadcasters engaged in HD, though the BBC's channel carries wider range of genres and shooting styles than most channels in the market."On occasion, a change in technology may have unpredicted results: it's clear for instance that the August switch from the old-generation coders to the new set caused a number of visible problems on air. Swift action was taken to acknowledge these problems, and to address them."
Keating claimed that he has read and digested all the forum posts, and further acknowledged the BBC's duty to use its broadcast bandwidth in the most efficient way possible.
"Our goal is to keep pace with developments in compression technology to deliver an excellent HD service to licence fee payers while making best possible use of the spectrum available," he said.
"The new coders are designed to enable this process of evolution to continue with even better results than before, but I can give an absolute reassurance that we will monitor the results assiduously to ensure that there is no compromise to the channel's quality of output."
Keating also gave assurances that BBC principal technologist Andy Quested is currently considering the most recent forum posts on BBC HD picture quality, and will issue further correspondence imminently. |
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| ITV HD now ITV1 HD 27-11-09 |
ITV HD, which is currently available on Freesat through the red button on ITV1, has been rebranded to ITV1 HD, in preperation for the launch on Freeview and Freesat on December 2nd. The channel is showing some upscaled material at irregual intervals.
Sky+HD viewers can manually tune in the channel which is labelled 10510, frequency (GHz): 11.427, Polarisation: H, Symbol Rate (Mbaud): 27.5, FEC: 2/3.
Freeview HD receivers (MPEG4 DVB-T2), are not currently available and the HD MUX is expected to be experimental for a while.
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| December 2009 |
| Freeview now on 10m main TVs 01-12-09 |
Freeview today announced that it has passed a key benchmark to become the main-set TV service in 10 million UK homes.
Freeview's recent growth has been boosted by strong sales across the board and the recent switchover of thousands of homes from five-channel analogue to digital TV, with the vast majority opting for Freeview as their main set.
In the West Country, which completed its switch to digital TV in September this year, 80% of analogue homes chose Freeview for their main set provider compared to 12% for Sky and 8% for Virgin. Freeview has received a similar boost in the Border region and West Wales earlier in the year, bolstering its position as the UK's largest digital TV platform. In total over 18million UK homes use Freeview on at least one TV set in the home. |
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Reaching the 10million benchmark has also been helped by strong Freeview+ sales during 2009. Freeview+ continues to grow with 1.8million recorders purchased since launch in 2007, with sales on track to hit 2million over Christmas.
And next year Freeview will launch a new Freeview high definition (HD) box which will give consumers subscription-free, HD television through their TV aerial, without the need for a satellite or cable connection. Around 11 million homes in the UK are HD ready, 4 million of which are Freeview homes.
Today's announcement comes on the day of Freeview HD's technical launch with Freeview HD signals going live in London and Manchester. Freeview expects 50% of UK households to be able to access Freeview HD by the World Cup in June 2010 and the first new Freeview HD receivers will go on sale from early 2010, with more products available as the year goes on.
Ilse Howling, Managing Director, Freeview said:
"Becoming the main digital TV service in 10 million homes is a great way to end the year and a fabulous early Christmas present. Freeview is a British success story, and it is a testament to both the simplicity of the service and the hard work of the team that we have hit 10 million so soon."
"With over 50 channels Freeview already offers great choice and quality - but we have bold plans for 2010, with the launch of Freeview HD and Freeview+HD, bringing high definition to millions of homes by the time of the World Cup." |
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| Freesat 'backs BBC HD picture quality' 01-12-09 |
Freesat managing director Emma Scott has said that the satellite platform is happy with the picture quality of BBC HD and described the controversy around it as a "geek issue".
After new encoders were introduced by the BBC on August 5, the bitrate on BBC HD dropped from 16Mbs to 9.7Mbs, a reduction of nearly 40%. Viewers subsequently reported various issues with picture quality on the channel and called for the BBC to return it to pre-August standards.
Various BBC representatives have since responded to the controversy, including head of BBC HD Danielle Nagler appearing on Points Of View. |
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As BBC HD is available on Freesat, Scott backed Nagler's response that the new encoders were selected to improve picture quality on the BBC's "most challenging programmes", and also increase compatibility with satellite platforms.
Scott also described the fierce response from some viewers, including hundreds of posts on the DS forums and BBC Internet Blog, as "a bit of a geek issue".
She added: "I don't think that regular punters really recognise a recognisable dip. And as Danielle said, it's down to the particular programmes that you are watching and how it is optimised for different types of programmes. On satellite, it's a pretty high picture quality.
"Ultimately, it's about the overall effect of HD, whether it's the surround sound you get with it or how they have shot it. And I think they are right to be experimenting with it to see which things work out. I just don't think it's an issue, I really don't.
"But it's a very subjective decision, a subjective judgement. You'd have to talk to Danielle about it, but we have no complaints about the picture quality of BBC HD." |
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| Freeview HD launches using DVB-T2 MPEG4 02-12-09 |
Freeview has commenced technical transmission of high definition broadcasts towards a full commercial launch in spring 2010.
Freeview HD is now being beamed from the Winter Hill transmitter group in the North West and the Crystal Palace group in London following the world-first adoption of the DVB-T2 standard and MPEG-4.
During a briefing at the BBC Media Centre, BBC head of broadcast infrastructure James Jackson demonstrated live HD transmissions on digital terrestrial television. |
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Using brand new IDTVs manufactured by Panasonic and Sony, Jackson showed afternoon promos of BBC HD and ITV HD coming live from Crystal Palace and Winter Hill.
Jackson also showed Freeview HD on set-top-boxes manufactured by Pace and Vestel, although he stressed that all the products are still in the testing phase at the Digital TV Group.
Both HD channels were incorporated into the Freeview EPG with all existing standard definition offerings. Freeview will also now introduce its branding onto the EPG to remind viewers what they are watching, even when using third-party services, such as IP Vision.
BBC HD is the same service as currently available on Freesat, but ITV HD is a new upscaled simulcast of the ITV1 channel. ITV has also pledged to broadcast the majority of its peak-time schedule in native HD on Freeview.
Channel 4 HD will arrive on Freeview next year and the service is expected to have five HD channels available by 2012.
Jackson said that today's launch has brought Freeview HD to 23% of the UK, which will grow to 40% next year when a series of advanced networks in key metropolitan areas come online.
The BBC has set a target of 50% coverage in time for the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa, and Freeview HD will reach full 98.5% UK coverage by the end of 2012. Click here to view the full launch schedule.
Set-top-boxes, IDTVs and PVRs supporting Freeview HD will start reaching retail outlets during the first quarter of 2010, backed by a major marketing campaign.
Freeview is also currently testing a coverage check database for users to input their postcode and receive information about when they will get access to Freeview HD and what equipment they will need to watch it.
After praising the launch of HD on DTT, Freeview managing director Ilse Howling said that the "next step is to go from digital TV to IPTV", hinting that a Project Canvas-enabled Freeview HD box is next on the agenda. |
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| Freeview 'considering IPTV services' 07-12-09 |
Freeview has revealed that it is currently working with the Digital TV Group on future technical specifications for IPTV services on the platform.
Last week, Freeview HD began technical transmissions ahead of a full commercial launch in spring 2010. The service has been made possible by a world-first adoption of the DVB-T2 standard and MPEG-4.
Speaking at the technical launch, Freeview managing director Ilse Howling said that the next step for digital terrestrial television would be "from digital TV to IPTV".
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Howling explained that consumer research has indicated a strong interest in online services, such as video-on-demand, being made available around the existing Freeview proposal.
She acknowledged the ongoing discussions around joint venture Project Canvas, which aims to create a new technical standard for IP-enabled TV devices.
However, she also pointed to the forthcoming arrival of Arqiva's SeeSaw platform - built using technology from the collapsed joint venture Project Kangaroo - and the 2010 launch of Sky Player on IP Vision's Freeview service.
"So I think that in due course IPTV will come to Freeview and we are working at the moment with the DTG to look at the technical specification about how that comes to the DTT platform," Howling said. "But ethernet is already built into the specification so it should be relatively future proof."
Last week, Canvas partners BBC, ITV, BT and Five launched an official website to publish up-to-date news and information for anyone interested in the project. |
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| Channel 4 confirms E4 HD launch on Sky 09-12-09 |
Channel 4 has confirmed plans to launch a high definition simulcast of E4 on Sky next week. As the broadcaster's second high definition channel, E4 HD will become available on the satellite platform from December 14.
Situated at position 215 on Sky's EPG, the channel will carry HD versions of programmes such as Peep Show, Misfits and Hollyoaks.
Under a multi-year deal agreed with Sky, E4 HD will be incorporated into the Sky HD pack to bring the total number of available channels to 36. It also follows the recent launch of Channel 4 HD on both Sky and Virgin Media.
"The growing appetite for HD across the UK and Ireland is clear to see. We were quick to respond to this demand in launching Channel 4 HD, and with the launch of E4 HD we look forward to delivering our viewers even more of the shows they love in stunning high definition," said Channel 4 head of channel development Sarah Rose.
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Sky director of product management Hilary Perchard added: "We're delighted to welcome E4 HD and another quality HD schedule to Sky. We've never seen higher demand for Sky+ HD and this is a response to delivering customers a high-quality and wide-ranging selection of subscription HD programming.
"Incorporating an increasingly diverse mix of the channels and programmes our customers love, Sky continues to extend its HD leadership."
Channel 4 HD is expected to launch on the new Freeview HD service next year. However, it's unclear whether E4 HD will also be made available on the DTT platform or on the Freesat HD service. |
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| New channels launch on Freesat 14-12-09 |
Freesat has today announced the launch of Food Network onto the platform from today, Monday 14 December 2009, on channel 405.
One of the most popular channels on US television, Food Network offers a combination of credible cooking, fresh ideas and high-energy entertainment to inspire foodies and non-foodies alike. Its exciting mix of US and UK programmes features primetime entertainment favourites Iron Chef America, Chopped and Food Network Challenge, alongside daytime shows hosted by new and established talent, including ratings winners Nigella Express and Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten, plus 30 Minute Meals with US celebrity chef Rachael Ray and Rescue Chef with Cambridgeshire-born Danny Boome.
The time-delayed version Food Network+1, has also launched on Freesat channel 406.
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Two Adult channels have also launched on the platform, Babestation on 870 and Filth on 874.
A Freesat Information channel has also appeared on channel 999. |
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| BBC iPlayer available on Freesat 22-12-09 |
All owners of Humax Freesat HD receivers can join the BBC iPlayer beta now. Freesat made the decision after the access code was leaked on internet forums. Owners of the Humax Foxsat-HD zapper or HDR PVR can join the beta by plugging the receiver into their internet connection via its Ethernet port, pressing red, then typing in the code 5483. You'll need a broadband speed on 1MB for low quality video and 2MB for high.
Freesat said that all other existing and new Freesat HD boxes and Freesat integrated TVs wiil have BBC iPlayer rolled out to them in the New Year. |
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