RTÉ International

spuddy

From today's Sunday Times:

RTE to launch expat service

John Burns

RTE is set to launch a new television channel for Irish emigrants living in Britain, at a cost of between €5m and €7m a year.

Although the Department of Communications is about to pass a law requiring RTE to provide the service, it says no extra money will be given to the station. RTE International, as the channel is likely to be called, will have to be financed from the €180m raised each year from the €158 licence fee.

“We believe that it could be possible for RTE to make partnerships with local satellite and cable providers, and even offer advertising specifically geared towards emigrant communities,” a department spokesman said. “This could go some way towards making it a potentially commercially viable service.”

The last time this was attempted, however, it ended in expensive failure. Tara TV, a subscription-based cable channel, collapsed in 2001, leaving RTE to write off €1.8m in debts.

Peter Feeney, RTE’s head of public affairs, said the station is hoping to get support from the Department of Foreign Affairs, but will also seek advertising and sponsorship.

The channel will feature home-produced programmes from RTE 1, RTE 2 and TG4. While aimed at emigrants in Britain, it will expand into Europe and eventually America and Australia.

Legislation enabling the channel to broadcast has been drawn up by the department and is due to be passed in the next few months.

Link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2546385,00.html

limerick_man

RTE international was a service we had in our place in Spain (we picked up a number of british channels and RTE international), only about 9 months ago it switched and provided both RTE 1 and 2.

spuddy

I'd hope the service would be FTA on satellite. This would be the easiest way of distribution, and as the programming would be owned by RTÉ, I cannot see a broadcasting rights issue.
BBC NI and UTV are freely available via satellite, but nothing from RTÉ.

I only hope this isn't all hot air, I've emailed RTÉ to see what they have to say.

L1011

limerick_man wrote:

RTE international was a service we had in our place in Spain (we picked up a number of british channels and RTE international), only about 9 months ago it switched and provided both RTE 1 and 2.

Thats something dodgy cobbled together by a pirate MMDS provider. There is NO real "RTE International" yet.

Mossy Monk

spuddy wrote:

I'd hope the service would be FTA on satellite

i doubt it will be as something must pay for the channel, why not those people watching it

rlogue

That Sunday Times report is not complete. RTÉ part owned Tara Television and deliberately pulled the plug on it by recalling debts owed, just before they went on Sky for Irish subscribers.

Initially Tara went into examinership but despite a potential rescue deal from Setanta Sports, RTE still pulled the plug and demanded payment.

An RTE overseas service has been on the cards since but it has taken all this time (four years plus) to get the legislation in place.

RTE knew they would have to replace Tara at some time or another so none of this should be a surprise to them, shouldn't it?

rlogue

And the best way for those people to pay the channel is to support its advertisers.

MoreBeer

spuddy wrote:

I'd hope the service would be FTA on satellite.

Sources tell me that this service is definitely going to happen soon and that it WILL be FTA!

Mossy Monk

what sources are they then?

MoreBeer

Sources from within RTE. "Soon" could mean 6 months but definitely FTA.

Elmo

It would have to be FTA, a subscription based Idea would be stupid.

I don't know if it is all that important. Free to Air Digital TV/Radio is far more important at this stage.

Also RTE International used to be the name of their TV sales arm www.rteinternational.ie

L1011

Their radio is, and always has been, free to air. Radio 1 is available on three craft, covering all of Europe - Astra 2D, Eurobird 1 and Hotbird, erm, 4 I think.

spuddy

Curiousity got the better of me, so I decided to write to RTÉ and find out their viewpoint. Sadly I don't think we will see a channel anytime soon.
Here's the response:

The government has brought forward a very short broadcasting bill which will amongst other clauses instruct RTÉ to provide a television service to Irish people living abroad. At the moment RTÉ has not got the right to use licence fee money for any service for outside the state (our website which provides live streaming of our radio channels, extensive archives and access to our news and current affairs programming is fortuitously available anywhere in the world - but is theoretically provided for people living in Ireland). Once that legislation is enacted (expected by Easter). RTÉ can begin to work on the means of delivery of a television service internationally. What is involved is this

1. A new channel (working title RTÉ International) which would be made up of programming currently available on RTÉ One RTÉ Two and either made by RTÉ or commissioned by RTÉ (i.e. excluding bought in acquired international programming) Please note that RTÉ does not have international rights to soccer, rugby, GAA – only Irish rights, therefore these sports could not be included on any international channel.

2. The means of transmitting this new channel internationally. The basic option is to make the channel available on satellite and cable (no decision yet on subscription or free to view) and via the web for PC viewing.

3. Working out the finances for the above two

4. Marketing the new service

We haven’t a timeframe yet for the above – and won’t until the legislation allows us to proceed.

I hope this is of some help to you


Yours sincerely....

RTÉ

watty

Well even a Channel like any of the other 114 FTA National Channels on Satellite (DWTV, NileTV International, Arriang, etc) could have done years ago. No legislation needed. Only a will to do it. And some money.

r3nu4l

As bad as this sounds to most people...I really miss watching RTÉ. I hope this does happen soon

I do watch some content via broadband but the shows are limited and the quality is often not brilliant.

On another note, why do RTE insist on using Real Player? BBC give the option of Real Player or Windows Media Player!

Mossy Monk

their choice of real player really pisses me off but thanfully real alternative exists

r3nu4l

Mossy Monk wrote:

their choice of real player really pisses me off but thanfully real alternative exists

Oh RealAlternative is far better alright (much lighter app) but I still get the same breakdown in streaming from RTÉ when using Real Alternative, don't have a problem with any other site, just RTÉ

Ulsterman 1690

Sources from within RTE. "Soon" could mean 6 months

Thats a bit optimistic isint it. Theyve been promising a national DTT service "soon" since the turn of the century :rolleyes:

(admitidely some of the delays havent been entirely their fault)

Elmo

I know I shouldn't ever compare RTE to the BBC but.....

The BBC operates several commerical stations outside Britian, no reason why RTE cann't do the same. There is no need to fund an International channel through the Licence Fee.

Or they could always ask another broadcaster to buy their shows and let them create something like Irish TV which would include shows from RTE, TV3, TG4, BBC NI, UTV, SETANTA ect.

Call it TARA TV perhaps

superdudeman007

If RTÉ International is going to be FTA on Astra, can Sky still charge us twice to watch the Irish "Free to Air" channels?

We already pay for RTE 1 & 2 in the TV license & TV3 and TG4 are meant to be free, but Sky still charges the same for each of them as they do for Sky One etc...

Shouldn't RTE/the government challenge that?

Mossy Monk

how much do you think RTÉ are paying to be seen on satellite by viewers?
if the full RTÉ channels were unencrypted then how much would you think it would cost to broadcast?

look it up then come back and say that

superdudeman007

Yeah but there's nothing stopping them removing the foreign imports from RTE1 and broadcasting News, Irish Soaps, Sports, Daytime shows etc

byte

That's what they ARE going to do, with their RTE International channel.

The 4 channels are available freely via terrestrial aerials. Sky is just an extra option.

Mossy Monk

superdudeman007 wrote:

Yeah but there's nothing stopping them removing the foreign imports from RTE1 and broadcasting News, Irish Soaps, Sports, Daytime shows etc

so what do those who need satellite reception to receive RTÉ do then? just because you may have satisfactory reception doesnt mean everyone else does

superdudeman007

And it's the only way of getting a full picture on my widescreen set withut getting freeview box (which i'm not certain will work)

Mossy Monk

what has that got to do with this thread?

superdudeman007

byte wrote:

The 4 channels are available freely via terrestrial aerials. Sky is just an extra option.

I've paid for RTE to switch to widescreen so I might as well see the results. And I shuldn't have to pay for it - TWICE!

superdudeman007

I mean to say that I'm fed up paying to watch RTE - that's why I want an FTA RTE channel.

Mossy Monk

superdudeman007 wrote:

I've paid for RTE to switch to widescreen so I might as well see the results. And I shuldn't have to pay for it - TWICE!

something i actually agree with you on. i suspect it will be DTT where we will all see RTÉ for free through digital tv

_Kaiser_

I'm more concerned about the fact that this new channel would likely be funded by the license fee.

We already pay it here to watch the existing RTE channels (even if we don't). We have to pay Sky again to watch it there. Now we should pay for other people to watch it for free???

This channel should be funded purely from advertising and if necessary a seperate monthly sub. That way those who want it can pay for it.

Mossy Monk

Kaiser2000 wrote:

This channel should be funded purely from advertising and if necessary a seperate monthly sub. That way those who want it can pay for it.

agreed, like what BBC Prime does

Foggy43

Kaiser2000 wrote:

This channel should be funded purely from advertising and if necessary a seperate monthly sub. That way those who want it can pay for it.

But aren't some people getting the BBC channels free on FTA that UK license holders are paying for?
I believe MMDS and Cable viewers are paying for the BBC. I do not know if these operaters pay anything to the BBC.

I know it is hasn't been passed yet but didn't Mr Dempsey ammended the broadcasting bill, stage 2, saying public money from TV license payments will fund part of this 'International' channel whenever or if ever it appears.

DMC

Molly Dawson wrote:

I believe MMDS and Cable viewers are paying for the BBC. I do not know if these operaters pay anything to the BBC.

That they do. NTL, Chorus and Sky.

Mossy Monk

Molly Dawson wrote:

But aren't some people getting the BBC channels free on FTA that UK license holders are paying for?

and multi channel subscribers in Ireland, and the Netherlands too

watty

Only FTA individual sat receivers users get BBC free, all the operators pay.

BBC will refuse to accept "contributions" or licence money from "ex-pats" in Spain etc.

Ulsterman 1690

At the moment RTÉ has not got the right to use licence fee money for any service for outside the state

If thats the case how come they dont have any problem upgrading Claremont carn to increace their signal into Northern Ireland

Pat Gleeson

It's seems certain people in the UK know more about RTE International than
we know:

www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a42678/sky-warns-cable-viewers-channels-may-go.html

Elmo

Doesn't really tell us much. They are suggesting that Euronews, CNN, RTE:International etc could help replace lost Sky Channels.

They shouldn't have been allowed to get rid of TARA TV. Sure they could have had fun rebranding it RTE TARA TV.

Pat Gleeson

Elmo wrote:

Doesn't really tell us much. They are suggesting that Euronews, CNN, RTE:International etc could help replace lost Sky Channels.

QUOTE]

That's true, but I thought it interesting that a UK politician would know that RTE are planning an ex-pat station and have a name for it.

There must be some plans afoot, or at the very least this politician asked RTE about their plans, and RTE felt confident enough telling him as much as they did.

gaizka71

I know this is an old thread, but do we have any news on this RTE International station?

byte

I haven't heard anything about it since.

rlogue

I've had some recent correspondence with RTÉ who assure me that the project is very much alive and planned. They are due to meet the government shortly to discuss funding so things might move along soon...I hope!

Zaphod

RTE's venture into UK market still dogged by funding problem

By John Mulligan
Saturday March 08 2008

Funding remains one of the key issues over RTE's planned television service for the UK, and no date has yet been set for the introduction of a channel to British viewers.

RTE yesterday issued a tender notice inviting applications to provide broadcast services for the new station, which is expected to cost between €5m and €7m a year to operate.

A spokesman for RTE said that while many of the technical challenges have been addressed, funding for the station has still not been finalised.

It is understood that RTE had hoped the Government would foot the bill, but it has so far refused to do so, arguing that the channel should be funded from existing licence-fee revenue.

RTE was mandated by the Government last year to provide a television service to Irish people living in the UK.

RTE had been considering the possibility of generating advertising income from the channel to offset costs. That idea has now been scrapped as it would result in difficulties regarding state aid and commerciality.

It is understood copyright issues also remain to be ironed out before broadcasting can begin. The UK station will be an amalgamation of programming from RTE 1 and RTE 2.

The spokesman said a number of satellite delivery methods are being considered, including Freeview and pay-per-view, but costs would have to be carefully considered.

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/rtes-venture-into-uk-market-still-dogged-by-funding-problem-1311126.html

Zaphod

RTÉ to launch Diaspora TV service in UK
From ireland.com
Monday, 17th March, 2008

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/12426696?view=Eircomnet

A NEW television service aimed at Irish emigrants in Britain will be on air by early next year, it is expected to be announced today.

The service, which has a working title of Diaspora TV, is likely to be a hybrid of RTÉ One and RTÉ 2 with some additional programming from TG4. The Six One and 9pm news will be carried live. Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan is due to make the announcement today to coincide with St Patrick's Day.


The new service to Britain will be a satellite service and is part of a wider international service being developed by RTÉ.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, who has long associated himself with the campaign to make RTÉ available in Britain, is also expected to play a central role, Mr Ryan said. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its consular links in Britain, has promised assistance to vulnerable and older Irish people living there who may not be able to afford the cost of installing satellite receiver boxes.

Diaspora TV will be provided via Freesat in the UK, which will require the purchase of a viewing box.

Mr Ryan said he will be working with Mr Ahern to ensure that vulnerable groups in the UK will be supported in receiving the service.

"Diaspora TV will provide the Irish abroad with a valuable link to home," Mr Ryan said this weekend.

The 2001 census in Britain records a figure of 850,000 Irish-born people living in Britain.

Groups representing the Irish abroad, particularly in the UK, have long complained about the non-availability of RTÉ television abroad.

Some of the groups have recently said this sense of exclusion has been compounded by RTÉ Radio's announcement that it is to drop its medium wave service.

RTÉ is increasingly using technology to make its programmes and transmissions more widely available. While the broadcaster has yet to develop its version of the BBC's successful "iplayer", it has made a substantial amount of programming available on IPTV, or TV over the internet, to better serve Irish people around the world.

This weekend the Department of Communications said that its website was already receiving a huge number of visitors from overseas.

"The IPTV service, when combined with RTÉ's podcasting and internet radio services, will offer a truly comprehensive service to the Irish diaspora," said a department spokeswoman.

RTÉ programming was previously available in Britain through a satellite company, Tara Television, but the service was terminated in 2002.

One of the hurdles facing the extension of the service is the costs associated with clearing rights for making programmes available to a wider audience.

In a bulletin to staff in the spring of 2007, the RTÉ Authority said the broadcaster would need to move slowly with developing a service for the diaspora because of the substantial transmission costs.

No details are yet available as to the funding proposals for Diaspora TV, such as whether RTÉ and TG4 will be expected to contribute, and if so, what proportion of the costs the two broadcasters will be asked to bear.

Mossy Monk

Intersting that it will be on Freesat. This is another reason for people to drop that Sky subscription.

BHG

I NOTICE RTE DID NOT RUN WITH THE DIASPORA TV STORY TODAY! not in their news service not in their press releases. And this a happy Paddy's day story for emigrants.

How odd.

1. The minister wont press release on MW closure
2. RTE wont carry Ministers release on Diaspora TV
3. were RTE briefed about this?

Diaspora TV is no more alive today as it was in March 2007 when the Gov sanctioned RTE to provide a service to emigrants. Its only alive in Eamon Ryan's head as he fears a backlash on Tuesday 25th over MW closures. Funding! We the licence payer need to know (as do RTÉ) how it is to be funded or it may not happen. There is more tie up between DoC & DFA than DoC & RTÉ in the TCM/Eircom news story.

Zaphod

I didn't see anything on the 6.01 News either ach bhí tuairisc ar Nuacht TG4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLtrj0xnlOU

DMC

Zaphod wrote: »

I didn't see anything on the 6.01 News either ach bhí tuairisc ar Nuacht TG4.

She has a fine bunch on her....







of shamrock. :pac:

Elmo

I don't see why RTÉ don't have a new channel that they can roll out.

Surely this channel should be part of the DTT line up in Ireland also?

RTE could pay for this with advertising revenue and it could be used to support PSB as the BBC do with BBC America etc.

Mossy Monk

Why would it be part of the DTT lineup if it is rebroadcasting RTÉ One, Two and TG4? That is a waste of space imo.

Elmo

Well they might as well since they are planning RTE 1 +1, RTE 2 +1, TV3 +1 and TG4+1

Each +1 service would be a waste of space, at least a the new service could have a different schedule and be used as a repeat service.