utv still being blocked by tv3!!!

BrianD · 31-05-2004 8:43am

BrianD, I don't know where you are getting the idea that TV3 is NOT blocking UTV from the EPG In Ireland. I know it is, Tony knows it is, Sunday Times reports it, ITV says that is the reason - even TV3 itself admits that it is blocking ITV from appearing as an EPG channel number in Ireland, because it pays a huge amount of money for programming rights.

The only issue that is blocking UTV appearing on Irish EPG is that they don't own the broadcasting rights to large sections of the programming for the RoI. Asking TV3 to cede their rights WHICH THEY HAVE PAID FOR is nothing short of RIDICULOUS. Therefore, TV3 are not blocking UTV in the RoI.

PK - what bit do you not understand???

31-05-2004 8:45am

Originally posted by BrianD
Asking TV3 to cede their rights WHICH THEY HAVE PAID FOR is nothing short of RIDICULOUS. Therefore, TV3 are not blocking UTV in the RoI.

Why don't they bring NTL and Chorus to court then?

BrianD · 31-05-2004 10:26am

Firstly, I doubt if all those who negotiate TV rights have you, the TV viewer, on top of their list of priorities. Money is the no. 1 priority.

There is a key difference between the cable/MMDS and Digital Satellite platforms - some of which has evolved over time and some of it unique to Ireland.

CATV/MMDS services will argue that they are 'relay' services and relay TV services that can be picked up from their masthead. Hence they have always shown the UK terrestrial services claiming that they can be received at the masthead. Adding non-terrestrial services such as Sky or MTV requires negotiation between the CATV co and the TV co.

In many ways the 'rules' that govern CATV have evolved over the years. Digital Satellite is a relatively new distribution platform and I assume that tv rights providers are better able to negotiate and regulate and regionalise content rights.

The other side of the coin is that UTV would have to pay more for the programmes that have rights for. At the moment, they are only paying to show a programme to the one million people (approx) that live in the Northern Ireland. If they would to show it to an all-Ireland audience there would have to be a corresponding increase in the price paid for the TV rights. It would be unfair to allow UTV on a platform when they are paying less than TV3 for the same programmes.

Macy · 31-05-2004 11:49am

Granada, or rather ITV, own a large chunk of TV3, so at the moment it is in ITV's interest to block UTV going FTA or on the Sky EPG. However, IMO that wouldn't be that big an issue to ITV if the whole network went FTA. I wouldn't be at all suprised if TV3 gets brought out and become's ITV Ireland, given the amount of content it buys from ITV anyway. The whole Irish market is much smaller than, say the Granada region, let alone the whole ITV company these days.

The only sports rights issue I can think of is Formula 1, and the GAA, in ITV going FTA. I'd say RTE pay sod all for the Formula 1 (well you certainly couldn't compare the coverage on the two stations), and the GAA could be blocked, as it is on RTE anyway. Match of the Day is the other big one, and that's gone back to the BBC anyway. Champions League is already on Sky as it is broadcast into Ireland.

Maybe wishful thinking, but we'll know the answer in September anyway...

31-05-2004 11:52am

Originally posted by BrianD
It would be unfair to allow UTV on a platform when they are paying less than TV3 for the same programmes.

I see.
Is it not unfair competition then when one programme provider insists on this regionalisation when it is to their advantage but doesn't when it isnt.
They would have a case in court to have the discrepency between the satellite regionalisation of rights and the non regionalisation with cable and terrestrial overturned.
Of course brining that in front of a judge might mean that the rights holders would review the situation and that review might not be to TV3's advantage

Having said that ultimately it is now ITV plc that has the final say in this.
Imagine a situation where Eircom were able to claim exclusive rights to broadband in the Republic and they objected to ESAT BT or UTV clicksilver coming in.
The UTV conundrum is a symtom of the lack of regulation in the TV area.
Such a lack of competition breeds restrictive practices one of which TV3 is taking advantage of...
namely

300,000 plus Republic of Ireland homes receiving UTV for which UTV receive a fee from the cable companies.
300,000 plus homes in the same Republic who receive their TV via satellite being treated differently for the purposes of extracting more profit for programmes.

Actually in the case of the former, theres a very good case for a class action by Sky subscribers in the Republic against the rights holders and TV3.
That from my knowledge in the area could more like result in an equalling of status through allowing UTV onto Sky for a fee rather than a closedown of UTV on the cable companies.
I fully expect ITV to go FTA later in the year anyhow as the BBc experiment has been so sucessfull.
I wonder what TV3 will do if ITV go FTA...cry?

Tony · 31-05-2004 12:08pm

Originally posted by BrianD
It would be unfair to allow UTV on a platform when they are paying less than TV3 for the same programmes.

how do you know they are paying less?

Tony

BrianD · 31-05-2004 12:29pm

Earthman, I disagree with everything you say and much of it is incorrect.

Is it not unfair competition then when one programme provider insists on this regionalisation when it is to their advantage but doesn't when it isnt.

Who are you referring to? TV3 have purchased the programme rights for the Republic of Ireland and UTV haven't. If UTV want to "play" in the RoI they need to bid for those rights. At th moment both Tv3 and UTV have monopolies on certain programmes within their franchise areas.

I can see no similarity between the example you give of broadband and the situation regarding the Tv3/Utv. None whatsoever! Broadband is a means of transmitting data similar to the way that DSAT and CATV distribute tv signals. There's nothing to stop you setting up your own opposition to Sky Digital or NTL in the morning. Going back to the broadband example, you could in theory have content that was only available to eircom or BT subscribers and this can be regionalised. Setanta.tv for example was offering cricket coverage via broadband and this was only available to subscribers outside of UK/Ireland and the situation was policed by IP and credit card addresses.

I can see no grounds for a class action case against the TV rights holders as ultimately they are allowed to sell on a geographic basis. Sky Digital is merely a distribution platform and a relatively new one at that (compared with cable). The TV rights holders have learned from the development of CATV and are better able to control what goes on this particular platform. There is no grounds to claim discrimination. You can still switch to an alternativel distribution platform e.g. cable if it is available in your area. If not, tough luck.

Ultimately as analogue TV disappears and digital distribution takes over I would imagine that the likes of NTL and Chorus will find it difficult to continue to relay the UK terrestrial stations as overspill will be limited. I speculate that in the future you may see some of these stations disappear of CATV unless the individual stations acquire the rights to show its programme schedule in other territories.

At the end of the day it appears that it is the rights holders who hold all the cards. If UTV or TV3 have to bid a high price to show a particular programme than I can't blame them for protecting those rights. I am unsure if TV3 is on Sky Digital in Northern Ireland. I doubt that it is nor would TV3 be too happy if it was.

The UTV conundrum is a symtom of the lack of regulation in the TV area.

Fair point - especially as they are unregulated in the RoI as are Sky Digital. This situation does not benefit the consumer.

Tony, population of the TV franchise area is used to calculate how much they pay for the rights. I doubt if UTV would want to pay any more than to have to. When they negotiate for rights it would be on the basis of their ITV franchise. Now it is possible that TV3 could have driven a better deal.

Macy · 31-05-2004 1:03pm

But ITV (Granada and Carlton) control the vast vast majority of the ITV network. In terms of the whole British Isles, the amount they don't control is tiny. They even own nearly half of TV3 FFS. They also control the majority of the programming that UTV and TV3 run. It's ITV that hold all the cards - talk of TV3 doing this, UTV not wanting that is pointless. ITV is big enough to do whatever it thinks is in it's best interests.

31-05-2004 4:18pm

Originally posted by BrianD
Who are you referring to?

I'm referring to both TV3 and the rights holders.
RTÉ have bought rights to programmes for the Republic which the BBC also show free to viewers with digiboxes without cards in the ROI...
So the rights holders have double standards already or rather TV3 are forcing them to have double standards by forcing them to insist that UTV does not appear on Sky while TV3 hold ROI rights.

At th moment both Tv3 and UTV have monopolies on certain programmes within their franchise areas.

No thats technically incorrect.
Tv3 is receivable via aerial and amp free to air over a vast proportion of NI.
The vast majority can receive it.
Have a look at the chimneys across the North, the vast majority have two, while in the "south" only the East coast,the Midlands and areas bordering NI can do that.
It's entirely impossible in Munster ( unless you have 100ft of ironmongery and watty to help out

)
So the vast bulk of the Republic by contrast either have to pay cable/mmds fees for UTV or they don't have it all if they have Sky( unless they have a FTV card )
Aerial reception of UTV is not widespread in the Republic.
Therefore I contend that UTV's situation is an anomoly...exacerbated by conditions which favour TV3 and thats the unfairness of the competition.

I can see no grounds for a class action case against the TV rights holders as ultimately they are allowed to sell on a geographic basis.

I'd have to disagree with you there as without the cable companies retransmitting UTV on their systems, and it is a re-transmission , NTL and chorus customers who also form part of the Republics geographical area ( and are included in the numbers to calculate TV3's charge for the programmes ) would not have UTV.
So why don't TV3 appeal to the E.U commission to have their rates reduced as the cable viewers should be excluded due to the commonality of viewers?
As I contended earlier, it's because the outcome of such a review would overturn their current favourable position and rebalance the market more competitively.

TV3 essentially opperate in a protected market which RTÉ do not in the sense that it hasn't blocked the BBC's decision to go FTV on satelite.
Ok RTÉ have the licence fee, but if we go into the whole argument of who produces quality Irish programmes and who does not, TV3 would come out of that one very bruised.

At the end of the day it appears that it is the rights holders who hold all the cards. If UTV or TV3 have to bid a high price to show a particular programme than I can't blame them for protecting those rights.

Again I have to tell you that, that is not the case, because RTÉ did not object to the BBC being freely available on Dsat in the ROI yet they show a lot of common programmes.
That situation actually underlines the contention that it is TV3 that is Blocking UTV on Dsat, the rights holders are only a convenient tool in the blockage.
Why can't TV3 embrace the competition like RTÉ have??

BrianD · 31-05-2004 4:54pm

Still don't agree!

The fact of the matter is that neither UTV or TV3 can include viewers outside of their franchise areas when selling their stations to advertisers. Though I am sure both have ways and means of doing so. TV3/UTV will never includes "non-franchise" audiences when negotiating for the rights for particular programmes.

In an official sense both have monopolies on particular programmes in their franchise areas. The nature of radio/tv broadcasting is that you will always have overspill to some extent or other.

South Coast TV seem to have no problem "deflecting" ITV signals in Munster for many years. I gather it was HTV that deflectors in the south were rebroadcasting rather than UTV. Unfortunately, for Dsat subscribers it would appear that the TV rights holders have learned from CATV experiences and development and seem to have copperfastened the rights and geographical distribution of programmes with satellite. This is something that digital technology allows that traditional analogue broadcasting and CATV hasn't in the past. I predict that there will be tightening up in the CATV area as analogue broadcasting is phased out.

RTE hasn't blocked BBC's FTA decision for a very simple reason. RTE is a public service broadcaster as is the bbc. Yes RTE takes advertising and while it may lose audience share to BBC it will never lose and a cent of advertising revenue. Hence, you won't hear too many complaints about the BBC from Montrose. On the other hand both TV3 and UTV are commercial broadcasters and they are competing for a slice of the advertising market. If TV3 lose audience to UTV they will also lose advertising revenue. It all comes down to money.

In reality, UTV probably have more favouring them in the Republic than they would like us to believe - widespread distribution without having to buy the programme rights for that audience and completely free from regulation. At the same time there "home" territory is completely protected from competition.

31-05-2004 5:13pm

Originally posted by BrianD
Still don't agree!

Well we know that

On the other hand both TV3 and UTV are commercial broadcasters and they are competing for a slice of the advertising market. If TV3 lose audience to UTV they will also lose advertising revenue. It all comes down to money.

and that is the Q.E.D for my contention that TV3 block UTV.
You've conceded that RTÉ have the same power to Block the BBC and they don't, but that TV3 do Block UTV on Skyin ROI for fear of losing viewers.
Mind you you didn't have to tell us that it's fairly obvious.

In reality, UTV probably have more favouring them in the Republic than they would like us to believe - widespread distribution without having to buy the programme rights for that audience and completely free from regulation. At the same time there "home" territory is completely protected from competition.

No it's not as virtually all of NI can receive both RTÉ and TV3 via an aerial.
UTV have not got that advantage in TV3's licenced area so TV3 actually unfairly compete with UTV in the North whilst denying UTV the privilege of doing the same in the South.

RTE hasn't blocked BBC's FTA decision for a very simple reason. RTE is a public service broadcaster as is the bbc. Yes RTE takes advertising and while it may lose audience share to BBC it will never lose and a cent of advertising revenue.

Of course RTÉ lose advertising revenue by the free availability of the BBC.
If RTÉ have less audience due to people watching the free BBC, RTÉ will have less and or cheaper advertising.
Advertising fee's and quantities are based on viewership.

BrianD · 31-05-2004 6:51pm

UTV have not got that advantage in TV3's licenced area so TV3 actually unfairly compete with UTV in the North whilst denying UTV the privilege of doing the same in the South

Ridiculous!!! In fact UTV have greater penetration in the south whether by aerial or via distribution on deflectors, CATV, MMDS. I don't think TV3 has the same luxury in northern networks.

Of course RTÉ lose advertising revenue by the free availability of the BBC.

Yup, I can see all those ads going to the BBC networks. RTE may lose audience share to BBC but certainly not a single audience dollar. You try buying an advert during Eastenders on BBC1. As RTE has the cushion of the licence fee it doesn't have to be a s commercially aggressive as UTV or TV3. Of course, it's audience can be diluted over time which will ultimately push down the cost of airtime and ultimately advertising revenues for RTE.

Bottom line is that TV3 still don't block UTV. If TV3 folds tomorrow morning UTV will not be on Sky Digital until UTV has purchased the rights to the various programmes for the RoI. As TV3 owns these rights it may well be an obstacle to UTV but certainly not blocking them.

UTV do not fairly compete in this market and unless they agree to be regulated in the RoI they should be kept out. On a personal note, I watch very little of either station but on a point of principal - fair play to TV3. At the end of the day, the TV viewer is not losing out.

Our man in Havana · 31-05-2004 6:57pm

On a personal note, I watch very little of either station but on a point of principal - fair play to TV3

I refuse to watch UTV on a point that I hate their style of presenation and their regional programmes.

Tony · 31-05-2004 7:03pm

Originally posted by BrianD
S

RTE hasn't blocked BBC's FTA decision for a very simple reason.

RTE had absolutely no say in the matter, thank god. The prophets of doom who forecasted massive job losses got it hopelessly wrong.

Tony

PK - the king · 31-05-2004 7:05pm

BrianD I dont know where you're basing your opinions from but they are quite lacking of facts.

You say TV3 is not blocking UTV. Well, Brian, the only one who does not understand the issue seems to be you. Because TV3 is there, UTV is prevented from broadcasting via satellite here in ROI. If TV3 was not there, there would be no issue. Therefore, 2+2=4 and this shows that TV3 is the ultimate reason for UTV being prevented from broadcasting. Even TV3 THEMSELVES ADMIT that they are the reason for UTV being absent on the sky package!!! Maybe you should READ the article posted previously :rolleyes:

Everyone is entitled to their opinions - and that's all they are - opinions. We will only fully know if UTV will join ROI either via EPG or FTA in August, when their encrypt contract runs out.

Tony · 31-05-2004 7:11pm

Originally posted by BrianD

Bottom line is that TV3 still don't block UTV. If TV3 folds tomorrow morning UTV will not be on Sky Digital until UTV has purchased the rights to the various programmes for the RoI. As TV3 owns these rights it may well be an obstacle to UTV but certainly not blocking them.

Completely untrue, TV3 are holding this up on the basis of a clause in their contract with Granada when granada took equity in TV3. If TV3 went bust tomorrow UTV would be on Sky digital, no ifs ands or but's. UTV had signed a carriage agreement with sky when this clause came to light. TV3 NEVER purchased the rights to Granada programmimg, it formed a part of the equity deal.

Tony

PK - the king · 31-05-2004 7:14pm

Good man Tony!!!

TV3 IS the ultimate cause of UTV being blocked - and there are no 2 ways about it, BrianD.

31-05-2004 8:10pm

Originally posted by BrianD
Ridiculous!!! In fact UTV have greater penetration in the south whether by aerial or via distribution on deflectors, CATV, MMDS. I don't think TV3 has the same luxury in northern networks.

Actually RTÉ is available on cable in the North.
Both RTÉ and TV3 are available more widely free from an aerial than UTV is in the "South"

Yup, I can see all those ads going to the BBC networks. RTE may lose audience share to BBC but certainly not a single audience dollar. You try buying an advert during Eastenders on BBC1.

Re-read what I said.
RTÉ charge and receive advertising as per audience share.
Ergo if there is a popular programme on BBC one, RTE won't have the audience at the same time and therefore the advertising revenue as they'll take the adds but won't be able to charges as much for them as if the BBC weren't there.
You haven't and cannot refute that, so therefore your statement about them not losing one cent of advertising income due to the BBC is patently false.
They have embraced the BBC's competition why can't TV3 embrace UTV??
It's because they don't like the competition - RTÉ in fairness to them don't mind, otherwise they would have objected like TV3 do...

UTV do not fairly compete in this market and unless they agree to be regulated in the RoI they should be kept out.

If you believe that then TV3 and RTÉ should by the same logic be regulated in NI...as they are almost
universally receivable there.

As TV3 owns these rights it may well be an obstacle to UTV but certainly not blocking them.

Again incorrect as has been pointed out umpteen times to you via the RTÉ example.
I'll say it again the BBC and RTÉ share programmes in common and the BBC are freely available across Ireland for not a penny, no fee whatsoever...
They are taking viewers and consequently lowering RTÉ's advertising income, yet they are not blocked, because RTE have not kicked up the same fuss as TV3.
Ergo TV3 are blocking UTV on Sky digital in ROI for fear of the competition which is a restrictive practice and out of kilter with the competition friendly RTÉ.

South Coast TV seem to have no problem "deflecting" ITV signals in Munster for many years. I gather it was HTV that deflectors in the south were rebroadcasting rather than UTV. Unfortunately, for Dsat subscribers it would appear that the TV rights holders have learned from CATV experiences and development and seem to have copperfastened the rights and geographical distribution of programmes with satellite.

No.
As has been clearly established by the RTÉ case, the only group that copperfastens UTV's difficulty acessing the ROI geographical area is TV3's dislike of competition.It is they that are excercising the blockage via the rightsholders and not the rightsholders on their own, who clearly in the case of RTÉ were prepared to overlook the BBC broadcasting common programmes to the Republic of Ireland.

The situation regarding UTV being blocked by TV3 is so clear, you would see it through the worst case of cateracts.

Interesting that you mention SCCTV as they actually received along with other deflector groups a licence to re-broadcast ITV legally recently while Sky digital did not.
Prior to that they were doing it illegally.
I don't see TV3 sue-ing SCCTV either...
Not hard to figure out why, they don't want to rock the boat...

SRB · 31-05-2004 9:11pm

RTE hasn't blocked BBC's FTA decision for a very simple reason. RTE is a public service broadcaster as is the bbc. Yes RTE takes advertising and while it may lose audience share to BBC it will never lose and a cent of advertising revenue. Hence, you won't hear too many complaints about the BBC from Montrose.

RTÉ have the same power to Block the BBC and they don't

Eh, actually, the sat rights for programmes in the ROI were already owned by BBC Worldwide - that's why you had BBC1 and BBC2 NI on Sky long before they went FTA. RTE didn't negotiate any Sat rights as they didn't intend to Broadcast on Sat. So they couldn't have stopped the BBC, other than refusing to buy any more programmes and well, let's face it that wasn't an option.
And indeed why would you bother with expensive sat rights when you can (just about) broadcast to Europe on longwave instead.... ahem.

Charles Slane · 31-05-2004 10:58pm

I think that anyone who has been following this topic closely is well aware that it is TV3 who are the main (if not only) stumbling block to UTV's appearance on Sky Digital.

While it IS likely that ITV will go free to air this autumn after the success of the BBC's brave move, this will not ensure the appearance of UTV (or indeed any other ITV channel) on the Sky EPG.

BBC3, BBC4, News 24 etc have been FTA for some time and still they have not been placed on the Irish EPG.

This is important because the vast majority of people just won't be bothered to add the channels and if they do, they won't look at them very often.

So regardless of whether ITV goes FTA, UTV will still want a good placing on the EPG.

Now frankly I'd rather watch just about ANY ITV region other than UTV (and often do), but I can see that it's the only ITV region that is likely to be seen by Irish Sky viewers on their EPG.

So the question is - is there any way we can put additional pressure on TV3 to lift the block on UTV ?

markdub · 01-06-2004 2:04am

BBC still pay nds in the uk to provide the correct regional variation on every card - - - ie the london viewers have bbc1 london and bbc 2eng on 101 +102 , the guys in scot get bbc 1 scot and bbc2 scot on 101 102 ----ITV and ch4 will do the same when the encryption contract ends - - ps When will u people get a life!!! scannin the skys for tid bits of british programming!!! come on dont be loooosers all yer lives - network2 and rte 1 have come up in my books - ps i get sky for free on 2 cards!!! yipeee - cause i work 4 em hahah --- wouldnt dream of ever paying for that clap trap- the epg sucks! - box cant tune to "tropical satellites " why do you people pay for stuff that is already being transmitted 4 free? -- ps boycott sky and all their bas%$@# channels - why cant the Irish gov get off their asses and ban this maggie thatcher organisation from polluting our airwaves ----bring in HBO

BrianD · 01-06-2004 8:36am

So the question is - is there any way we can put additional pressure on TV3 to lift the block on UTV ?

Do we live in a communist country? a banana republic?

Why not put the pressure on UTV to buy the rights? Why not put pressure on UTV to enter the market as a "full time" play and be regulated in this market? Even if TV3 said in the morning that they had no problem with UTV on Sky Digital, UTV would still not appear.

It is the most unusual and ridiculous statement to even suggest that TV3 are blocking UTV. UTV do not have the copyright clearance to broadcast their programmes on the Sky Digital platform.

To somehow put pressure on the rightsholder to cede their competitive advantage and the intellectual property rights that they have purchased, is quite frankly disgusting. At the end of the day, the TV viewer is not in anyway disadvantaged by this alleged Tv3 blocking of UTV.

As a matter of interest, given that UTV and C4 seem to be a package and would more than likely appear on the EPG at the same time. Which channel is the more desirable?

I have also heard that UTV will not appear on 105 and this reserved for another Irish channel.

Tony · 01-06-2004 10:22am

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. This is not a rights issue its a contractual issue. You can only buy rights when they are available for sale.

The rights issues were already agreed between UTV and granada before TV3 's lawyers stepped in with the clause in the agreement between TV3 and Granada.

Originally posted by BrianD
Do we live in a communist country? a banana republic?

Why not put the pressure on UTV to buy the rights?

Tony · 01-06-2004 10:25am

Whats unusual and ridiculous is your failure to acknowledge the facts of the situation. TV3 themselves acknowledge they are preventing UTV from appearing, why wont you? Are you the PR spokesperson for NTL perhaps ?

Tony

Originally posted by BrianD

It is the most unusual and ridiculous statement to even suggest that TV3 are blocking UTV.

BrianD · 01-06-2004 12:30pm

I have no involvement in NTL/TV3/UTV/Sky Digital.

If you call TV 3 asserting their rights as a programme rights holder "blocking" UTV then fair play to TV3 and long may it continue. UTV haven't the right to be on the Irish EPG. Why? They don't own the programme rights for the RoI - when they do, there will be no issue with UTV being on Sky Digital.

I find it unbelievable that viewers are stating that TV3 should relinquish their rights in favour of a competitor. I mean where else would this happen? If UTV come into the market on an equal footing with TV3 then it is fair competition between both outfits.

Ultimately, the viewer is not disadvantaged nor is it uncompetitive.

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. This is not a rights issue its a contractual issue. You can only buy rights when they are available for sale.

Less of the patronising stuff, Tony. Tv3 have purchased the rights to the programming for this territory. It is my understanding that these are sold on exclusive basis and on the size and nature of the audience. If UTV want to be an all Ireland player they should get their bid in when the rights are next available.

DMC · 01-06-2004 1:18pm

Pfft! C'mere boy, chase your tail, chase you tail!

:rolleyes:

This thread is over. If BrianD cant see beyond that Sunday Times article quoted on page 1 of this thread, if he cant see beyond this quote from UTV

“We understand from Granada that TV3 is opposed to these satellite rights being granted,” UTV said.

then that's it. Can't force him any further folks.

Congrats, Locked.

01-06-2004 1:24pm

Originally posted by BrianD

If you call TV 3 asserting their rights as a programme rights holder "blocking" UTV then fair play to TV3 and long may it continue. UTV haven't the right to be on the Irish EPG. Why? They don't own the programme rights for the RoI - when they do, there will be no issue with UTV being on Sky Digital.

Ok the title of this thread is UTV still blocked by TV3.
Brian you've conceded at this stage that, this is the case.
It is also clear from our discussions here that RTÉ are not insisting that programmes they buy in common with the BBC mean the BBC should be blocked here.
Ergo TV3 are using their contract to protect them selves from further competition whilst RTÉ are not.
Now thats an understandable position for them to take but the question is should it be allowed and secondly should TV rights holders be allowed to differentiate in such a manner in a supposed European free market.
It's not allowed in many other areas, why should TV be so special, given that this is a E.U?
In my view it flies in the face of what a common market should be.

01-06-2004 1:27pm

I didn't see that DMC had closed this thread as I was writing my last reply at the time

Thread closed

utv still being blocked by tv3!!!

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