Digital and RTE

flogen

With the EU deadline for the Digital switch just 6 years away and with RTE finally making moves regarding Digital TV and DAB broadcasts, what extra services would you like to see from RTE on the digital platform?
Personally, besides basic features like red-button menus etc., I would love to see regional broadcasts (even just at a provience level); similar to local BBC studio's it could be no more than a part of the daily news broadcast; where the main news bulletin crosses over for local news for 15 minutes or something similar. I would love to see the same on DAB, or even dedicated local radio stations perhaps just for high populated area's in the beginning (RTE Radio Cork, RTE Radio Dublin, RTE Radio Galway etc.); it could operate similar to a community station and either be an alternative to RTE Radio 1 or a completely seperate concept.
I think one thing RTE should think about is an RTE Oireachtas, in a similar vein to BBC Parlaiment. As it stands, both houses of the Oireachtas are always being filmed, and are available online here, RTE could simply air the same broadcasts on a digital platform; it would be low cost and could also air late-night round ups of Council meetings (which are also already being recorded), and review shows which would mull over the main points of the day. It could run from 9 to 9, or something similar to that.

I'd love to see an Irish rolling news station, but I do accept that it wouldn't be a viable option..
I think more local studios for RTE and more local news/stations would benefit everyone; it would offer the viewer/listener something they obviously want (as national stations are consistantly losing listenership to local), RTE could also use it as a base to train and select upcoming media workers, giving them vital experience from the bottom up, ensuring more professionalism.

BrianD

flogen wrote:

I would love to see the same on DAB, or even dedicated local radio stations perhaps just for high populated area's in the beginning (RTE Radio Cork, RTE Radio Dublin, RTE Radio Galway etc.); it could operate similar to a community station and either be an alternative to RTE Radio 1 or a completely seperate concept.

We all ready have a local radio and community radio service, why an RTE one? Unfortunately, the community radio sector seems to be stuck in the past and tends to be scoffed at by the community they serve (in the begrudging way everything in Ireland works on).

I think one thing RTE should think about is an RTE Oireachtas, in a similar vein to BBC Parlaiment. As it stands, both houses of the Oireachtas are always being filmed, and are available online here, RTE could simply air the same broadcasts on a digital platform; it would be low cost and could also air late-night round ups of Council meetings (which are also already being recorded), and review shows which would mull over the main points of the day. It could run from 9 to 9, or something similar to that.

I think it would be a great idea. The facilities are already there (there was/is a row over the contract renewal) and a modest amount of investment would get it running as a channel. Somehow the TD' s might prefer that coverage stays at a late hour on sunday or monday nights!

I'd love to see an Irish rolling news station, but I do accept that it wouldn't be a viable option..

Nestalk 106 are tendering to do this on a quasi-national basis i.e. covering the main poplulation areas.

I think more local studios for RTE and more local news/stations would benefit everyone; it would offer the viewer/listener something they obviously want (as national stations are consistantly losing listenership to local), RTE could also use it as a base to train and select upcoming media workers, giving them vital experience from the bottom up, ensuring more professionalism.

RTE do have regional studios for both radio and TV. I think they should concentrate on national stuff and leave the local stuff to the local or community stations. They could look at moving either Radio 1 or 2FM out of Dublin - Lyric is Limerick, RnG in GAlway (and other places!) to avoid being overly Dublin orientated. RTE have the facility to present shows from their regional studios - they just don't do it often enough.

flogen

BrianD wrote:

We all ready have a local radio and community radio service, why an RTE one? Unfortunately, the community radio sector seems to be stuck in the past and tends to be scoffed at by the community they serve (in the begrudging way everything in Ireland works on).

Some of the community sector does seem to be stuck in the past; Perhaps an entire radio station wouldn't be such a great idea, but regional offices to cover some local content for both TV and Radio would be a good thing IMO.

Nestalk 106 are tendering to do this on a quasi-national basis i.e. covering the main poplulation areas.

I was referring more to TV based but the spread of Newstalk will be a good thing; I hope it doesn't lose its identity too much though, naturally the news content will change somewhat and there will be some changes made to shows and features, but overall I hope the station remains the same.

RTE do have regional studios for both radio and TV. I think they should concentrate on national stuff and leave the local stuff to the local or community stations.

I'm suggesting they use them on a regular basis though, even just for a short news bulletin or a weekly local show.

They could look at moving either Radio 1 or 2FM out of Dublin - Lyric is Limerick, RnG in GAlway (and other places!) to avoid being overly Dublin orientated. RTE have the facility to present shows from their regional studios - they just don't do it often enough.

Perhaps, I can understand how easy it would be for Radio 1 to be overly Dublin orientated as it's a talk based station, but 2fm? I mean, that's just music.
The problem with moving a talk station out of dublin is that it moves them away from important places like the Supreme Court, the Dail etc. etc. and so for news gathering it can make things more difficult than easy. Perhaps a bigger regional investment and the comissioning of regional current affairs shows could help balance the station?

ivan087

flogen wrote:

I would love to see regional broadcasts (even just at a provience level); similar to local BBC studio's it could be no more than a part of the daily news broadcast; where the main news bulletin crosses over for local news for 15 minutes or something similar. I would love to see the same on DAB, or even dedicated local radio stations perhaps just for high populated area's in the beginning (RTE Radio Cork, RTE Radio Dublin, RTE Radio Galway etc.); it could operate similar to a community station and either be an alternative to RTE Radio 1 or a completely seperate concept.
I think one thing RTE should think about is an RTE Oireachtas, in a similar vein to BBC Parlaiment. As it stands, both houses of the Oireachtas are always being filmed, and are available online here, RTE could simply air the same broadcasts on a digital platform; it would be low cost and could also air late-night round ups of Council meetings (which are also already being recorded), and review shows which would mull over the main points of the day. It could run from 9 to 9, or something similar to that.

UK regions have about the same population as Ireland, i.e. wales. i think it would be too expensive for little ol rte to set up RTE galway, RTE Waterford, etc. I think a lot of the irish regions have their own news channels now. I know Waterford has a half hour nightly news. I think the money would be better spent on quality programs.
However I think RTE Oireachtas would be an excellent idea. The resources are there and it could be done for next to nothing and it would provide an excellent public service. Also, and this is just something I came up with - After the nightly broadcast at 9 pm, wouldnt it be great to show only independent Irish programs - made by film students, animators, short irish films, college and school projects. I think it would be a great incentive and a boost to the Irish film industry to have an output for their content. Especially at 9pm. RTE 2 do show irish short films, but these tend to be at 11 or 12. anyway just a thought. One more thing, it should be ad free:rolleyes:

billy the squid

If i recollect correctly they tried a regional opt out service during the six-one news a couple of years back. I guess it didnt work as they got rid of it.

As for what I would like to see on digital radio, well I would like to be able to listen to all the local stations without having to go online.

I have a bad feeling though that digital will be a complete balls in this country though. Unlike analog the tolerance for interfierance to the signal will be alot lower. either you will be able to receive digital signals or you wont. there will be no in between. RTE will have to fire up a load of new masts to ieliminate this problem.

legalimmigrant

ivan087 wrote:

UK regions have about the same population as Ireland, i.e. wales.

Worst possible example. Ireland's three times bigger than Wales in population terms.

Mossy Monk

flogen wrote:

available online here

wow, never knew about this. great picture quality too

superdudeman007

RTE Regional Newsx shows ahd to be ditched because people who depended on transposers or cable were being given news for the wrong region.

They tried to do a special set of opt-outs for nationwide in The East, the west and the south. But for some reason everyone in the country that was watching on cable got the Galway option - not much good in Dublin. Maybe they could easily fix that on DTT or satellite though.

Alun

legalimmigrant wrote:

Worst possible example. Ireland's three times bigger than Wales in population terms.

No it isn't. The population of Wales is close to 3 million.