RTE International shelves launch...

Charles Slane

From the Sunday Times -

"RTE has postponed the planned launch of its international station for the Irish community in Britain, citing straitened financial circumstances.

The national broadcaster wrote to Eamon Ryan, the communications minister, last month claiming that it would be “unwise” for it to continue with the plan. ...."

Full story - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article5063332.ece

Fat_Fingers

i'm not surprised , its typical no vision policies in RTE

Mossy Monk

I'd imagine it is to do with having no money. As long as RTÉ One and Two continue to broadcast I am not bothered.

r3nu4l

Ah crapola! Guess I'll have to make do with watching whatever I can from the RTE website for another while...

Foggy43

I can't say I am surprised. I feel RTE do not and have never wanted it.

Elmo

Yeah have to agree I don't think RTE wanted it.

But don't take my advise and use it as your +1 service RTE.

E.g. (another one of my schedules :rolleyes:)

6:01 News
7:00 Nationwide/Ear to the Ground
7:30 Eastenders/feature programming
8:00 Fair City/feature programming
8:30 feature programming
9:00 News
9:30 Docs/Prime Time
10:30 QandA/Docs
11:00 The View/Docs

Over on International EastEnders replaced by Documentries and also any other non-RTE programming. 1hour later.

RTE International should then also be made available to Ireland via DTT.

Deedsie

Ah crap, i had relations in the UK promised it was coming. Why cant RTÉ just be freeview like BBC? Is it sports rights?

Elmo

Deedsie wrote: »

Ah crap, i had relations in the UK promised it was coming. Why cant RTÉ just be freeview like BBC? Is it sports rights?

They wouldn't be showing sports on RTE International. It would be a mix of current shows and older shows.

They would have issues being of freeview, the expense of being on freeview would out weight the opportunities.

More then likely RTE International would be on Sky Digital or Cable (Virgin) Digital. They might look to be on Freesat, radio stations are currently available on freesat.

RTE International should then also be made available to Ireland via DTT. I don't see why they need a base in London for the channel.

Fat_Fingers

Deedsie wrote: »

Ah crap, i had relations in the UK promised it was coming. Why cant RTÉ just be freeview like BBC? Is it sports rights?

RTE IS freeview but only in Ireland.

Deedsie

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

RTE IS freeview but only in Ireland.

TV Licence Fee?

r3nu4l

Deedsie wrote: »

TV Licence Fee?

BBC is Freeview in the UK too but you still have to pay the license fee

Fat_Fingers

yep, €160 TV Licence Fee gets us "free" RTE One, RTE Two, TV3 and TG4. Mind you, coverage is not the best (i'm been very polite here). I'm in Dublin and i get good signal on RTE1 and 2 , very poor on TV3 and unwatchable TG4.
Friend lives a fair bit out and he can only get poor signal on RTE1, nothing else.
€160 yoyo's well spend!

r3nu4l

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

yep, €160 TV Licence Fee gets us "free"..polite rant

You misunderstand. 'Freeview' as used in the UK refers to a system whereby you receive a number of channels (30+) without having to pay to view them as you would with Sky or a Cable provider.

Even if you pay for Sky or Cable you still have to pay for a license.

Therefore, by only paying your license fee, you are able to watch these channels without further payment.

We can be as pedantic/childish as we like about this but that's the way it is.

Anyway, I was really hoping RTÉ international would launch soon but it looks like it's not going to happen I will keep watching what I can on the RTÉ website but I hope the day comes soon when I can just switch on my TV and watch RTÉ international.

/of course, I could just move back to Ireland to watch it but circumstances won't allow that for a couple of years.

rlogue

I can't see why RTÉ don't shift all imported programming to RTÉ Two (sport is already there) and make RTÉ One FTA.

Greenman

r3nu4l wrote: »

but I hope the day comes soon when I can just switch on my TV and watch RTÉ international.

/of course, I could just move back to Ireland to watch it but circumstances won't allow that for a couple of years.

Why not get an IRL $ky card.

Mossy Monk

Or "move" to Northern Ireland.

Elmo

Or "move" to Northern Ireland.

Does the north have a different sky card to Britain? Or is it just geographical settings from Sky?

byte

Just a geographical setting.

Elmo

byte wrote: »

Just a geographical setting.

Byte Byte Byte

You know where I could take this thread but I won't. But you know, as does mossy.

If you don't know you, don't want to ask. You'd just bring this thread OTT. You have been warned.


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1106/1225893546896.html

rlogue

This is an email I sent to Cathal Goan on Sunday evening after the Sunday Times article came out. Needless to say I have had no response from him yet.

Dear Mr. Goan,

I read with a lot of dismay the report in today's Sunday Times that RTÉ have apparently postponed (or is it cancelled?) RTÉ International.

If this is true then I am very disappointed that RTÉ are yet again (remember RTÉ shut down Tara Television in 2002) scuppering a TV service for the ex-pat community in Britain and beyond. The report mentions this is because of financial difficulties at RTÉ.

Surely if money is the issue and RTÉ cannot afford a dedicated ex-patriate service then why not move all imported programming to RTÉ Two and free RTÉ One from encryption on the Astra 2D satellite? This would give RTÉ coverage in Britain and much of Europe without the need to subscribe to Sky while at the same time sell advertising in a pan-European market. Any EPG slots already agreed with Freesat in the UK could be used for RTÉ One instead. The sports and imported programming that restrict the free distribution of RTÉ television outside of the island of Ireland could then remain on RTÉ Two, encrypted. The other benefit to this approach would be that Irish satellite viewers would not be forced to subscribe to a British owned and operated platform to watch at least one Irish TV channel by satellite.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Logue

rlogue

I see Conor Hayes is behind these cuts. He'd know all about cutting an Irish service to Britain since he and his former colleague Liam Miller pulled the plug on Tara TV in 2002 without a replacement RTE service.

L1011

Elmo - your post makes no sense. Whatsoever.

Elmo

Elmo - your post makes no sense. Whatsoever.

They just don't want me to talk about it on this forum and to be honest it isn't appropriate to change the topic. Some day I will quote from this thread

I see Conor Hayes is behind these cuts. He'd know all about cutting an Irish service to Britain since he and his former colleague Liam Miller pulled the plug on Tara TV in 2002 without a replacement RTE service

You should post his reply. If he gives one.

Mossy Monk

Elmo wrote: »

You know where I could take this thread but I won't. But you know, as does mossy.

WTF are you on about?

L1011

Elmo wrote: »

They just don't want me to talk about it on this forum and to be honest it isn't appropriate to change the topic. Some day I will quote from this thread

Still makes no sense, whatsoever.

Elmo

I won't bring this thread in the wrong direction

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=57822971&postcount=29

L1011

The post you have linked to shows a horrific misunderstanding of what "FTA" means and implies boxes cannot be moved.

Once again, making no sense whatsoever.

byte

Confusion abound. I'm assuming my mentioning the geographic card setting (when moving from GB to NI, all it takes on the phone, is the new NI postcode et voila, EPG changes in minutes), will cause Elmo to vent about why same can't be done with RTE, and Sky discussion is for discussion in Satellite forum.

Anyway, we'll draw a line under this now, and get back to the topic at hand...

---

Elmo

Zaphod wrote: »

Given the current economic climate, I doubt we'll see anything as innovative as that from RTÉ, unfortunately.

I don't think it is that innovative. Remember back in 1992 Coronation Street was on Network 2 not RTE ONE the only reason it moved to RTE ONE was for sports coverage, "The Olympic Channel".

This lead to RTE ONE getting better audiences for Coronation Street, and lets face it for RTE it is easier just to show Coronation Street then to produce your own show, hence EastEnders going to RTE when the lost Coronation Street.

As I said the main issue would be Daytime and Late Night TV, but their is no reason why RTE couldn't just cut their service on Free Satellite during programmes they don't have rights to. But their Prime time schedule would have to be 100% Irish = 6hour increase in programming on RTE ONE not a huge amount. They could take 6hour from RTE TWO, and replace it with EastEnders and Movies.

watty

Even 100% Irish programming costs RTE about 3x to 15x as much for "Rights" if broadcast to UK as well as Ireland. Not to mention 1/4 to 1/3rd of Europe can get Astra 2D.

Then there is other Costs:

Uplink
Satellite capacity (Over $1m a year)
Studio feed both way (Probably about 25Mbps symmetrical). Studio does need to be in London as it's really RTE-UK, not RTE International.
Staff
EPG (cheapest bit if FreeSat not Sky, Sky's EPG is about x10 the price).

rlogue

This is pretty much the point that Peter Feeney made to me in a response to my suggestion that RTÉ One concentrated on home grown programming and went FTA.

As I understand it, the current terms of the mostly secret contract between RTÉ and Sky is that Sky will transmit the Irish channels at no cost to RTÉ as long as the channels are encrypted and available only on Sky packages.

My interpretation of this is that moving RTÉ One to a FTA basis would cost RTÉ more than the proposed RTÉ International channel and would lose RTÉ advertising revenue with the loss of key imported programmes like EastEnders.

However I still hold that the decision by RTÉ to postpone the International channel indefinitely is a disgrace. It's a disgrace because I for one can see that RTÉ are deliberately witholding the channel knowing that Eamon Ryan gave a public pledge to have the channel on the air by Paddy's Day 2009. I suspect RTÉ are hoping the government will be embarrassed into giving RTÉ the funding to get the channel on air.

If the funding from the government doesn't arise I personally have very little faith that RTÉ will ever put the channel on air.

Charles Slane

Odd that Eamon Ryan is still calling it "Diaspora TV"....

http://www.int.ermintrude.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a134837/rt-intl-channel-must-launch-asap.html


Irish communications minister Eamon Ryan has said RTÉ International should launch "as soon as possible" after the public broadcaster put plans for the service on hold.

RTÉ International, which is also known by working title Diaspora TV, had been expected to launch on digital satellite in the UK by St. Patrick's Day 2009; however, RTÉ said the launch could be delayed by up to a year because of the current financial climate.

"The Government is absolutely committed to delivering RTÉ International/Diaspora TV at the earliest possible date," said Ryan in a letter to RTÉ asking that the broadcaster explain its decision.

He added: "While we understand the financial constraints that all sectors of society are working in at the moment, I am determined that Diaspora TV will be up and running as soon as possible and have communicated this to RTÉ."

watty

This is the same Ryan committed to enriching "Consultants" on your Home Insulation needs etc and delivering NGN BB and also NBS scheme by Autumn 2008 and Blew communications budget on Wood Pellet Stove scheme which dramatically increased the cost of getting wood pellets or the Stove.

Or is it a Different Eamon Ryan?

I'd say unless the Government pays for it, it won't happen. Most Foriegn services (e.g. BBC World Service, not BBC World News) are Government Financed. Why should RTE fund it?

icdg

In the current economic climate it is hard to see how a service aimed at non-licence fee payers and which will generate minimal advertising revenue can be seen as a priority for RTÉ, never mind the Government. There are no votes in it so its hard to see why Ryan is pushing it so much. Or why, for that matter he insists on calling it "Diaspora TV", a name which no advertising agency will be able to market (my own personal opinion is still that the channel will officially be called "RTÉ International" - but branded just "RTÉ" in the manner that RTÉ Television was branded just RTÉ before 1978).

rlogue

I think it's a bizarre decision not to show advertising on the proposed channel. After all if they show live relays of RTÉ programmes what will we see in the ad breaks? More promos?

In any case there are bound to be plenty of people in Ireland using the channel as a FTA satellite alternative to the terrestrials.

I'm sure any amount of advertising and sponsorship would help the channel pay its way.

Zaphod

Elmo wrote: »

I don't think it is that innovative.

It is if you're RTÉ.

afatbollix

wouldent the adds pay for the channel.. even on a bad weekend setanta uk gets 4 or 5 times the viewers of setanta ireland....

its a bit weird that they think it wont make them money...

Elmo

anto-t wrote: »

wouldent the adds pay for the channel.. even on a bad weekend setanta uk gets 4 or 5 times the viewers of setanta ireland....

its a bit weird that they think it wont make them money...

Perhaps they would find it difficult to market RTE ONE to a British Audience. But I have to agree, the advertising revenue gained should at least pay for most of the excuses given by RTE. They should at least breakeven.

I really don't see why a London Office is necessary.

Foggy43

Elmo wrote: »

Perhaps they would find it difficult to market RTE ONE to a British Audience. But I have to agree, the advertising revenue gained should at least pay for most of the excuses given by RTE. They should at least breakeven.

I really don't see why a London Office is necessary.

I'm sure you need a registered office in the UK to do any sort of business here. RTE have an office in London at
Millbank,
Westminster
London
SW1P 3JA.

Elmo

Foggy43 wrote: »

I'm sure you need a registered office in the UK to do any sort of business here. RTE have an office in London at
Millbank,
Westminster
London
SW1P 3JA.

I know they have an office in London for their jornalists. You do not need a registered office in the UK to do any sort of business there. In the same way as C4 is able to sell advertising here without any need for an office in Dublin. For many years sky where not registered in the UK.

Sin e an Fear

Jeez, this is getting ridiculous -

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5063332.ece

People's budgets aren't that tight, they're still paying for satellite and cable TV, not least migrant groups. If Virgin Media offered RTÉ International I might be inclined to continue my subscription. Putting it on Freeview is a nice idea, but I think subscription is probably the best option.

Sweden's SVT Europa is available as a stand-alone channel - http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=42317 - although I think many Irish people in Britain with Sky will get cards from Northern Ireland instead.

rlogue wrote: »

ex-patriate

That's expatriate, one word without a hyphen. The 'ex' is as in 'outside', not as in 'no longer'. At least it's not as bad as 'ex-patriot':P

r3nu4l

Sin e an Fear wrote: »

Jeez, this is getting ridiculous -

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5063332.ece

People's budgets aren't that tight, they're still paying for satellite and cable TV, not least migrant groups. If Virgin Media offered RTÉ International I might be inclined to continue my subscription. Putting it on Freeview is a nice idea, but I think subscription is probably the best option.

Sweden's SVT Europa is available as a stand-alone channel - http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=42317 - although I think many Irish people in Britain with Sky will get cards from Northern Ireland instead.



That's expatriate, one word without a hyphen. The 'ex' is as in 'outside', not as in 'no longer'. At least it's not as bad as 'ex-patriot':P

Meh, it would be better if you fixed your first link rather than correcting spelling

I don't pay for satellite or cable, I use Freeview. I used to have both Sky and Cable but to be honest Freeview suits my needs perfectly. That wouldn't change if RTÉ decided that they were only going to launch the International channel on cable or satellite. I'm eager for the channel but not that eager!

Sin e an Fear

r3nu4l wrote: »

Meh, it would be better if you fixed your first link rather than correcting spelling

I copied and pasted a valid link from an earlier post into this page, but it got shortened. Blame the phBB for that, not me.

Anyway, while spelling may be a case of 'meh' here, it's not a good idea when you're writing to the Director General of RTÉ. However, I think he'd forgive Richard for writing RTÉ without a fada on the 'e'.

I don't pay for satellite or cable, I use Freeview. I used to have both Sky and Cable but to be honest Freeview suits my needs perfectly. That wouldn't change if RTÉ decided that they were only going to launch the International channel on cable or satellite. I'm eager for the channel but not that eager!

Well, there are a lot of people who are.

r3nu4l

Sin e an Fear wrote: »

I copied and pasted a valid link from an earlier post into this page, but it got shortened. Blame the phBB for that, not me.

He didn't check his spelling just like you didn't check your link A bad workman always blames his tools or in this case php. Also, this is a VBulletin board, not a phpBB

It's not nice when people nitpick your posts is it?

There may be a lot of people who are, there are also a lot of people who are not and if RTÉ International is to truly serve the 'expat' community then the providers should look at Freeview to be absolutely sure that they fulfil their remit.

Elmo

Sin e an Fear wrote: »

I copied and pasted a valid link from an earlier post into this page, but it got shortened. Blame the phBB for that, not me.

Anyway, while spelling may be a case of 'meh' here, it's not a good idea when you're writing to the Director General of RTÉ. However, I think he'd forgive Richard for writing RTÉ without a fada on the 'e'.



Well, there are a lot of people who are.

I think u mite be foolish 2 be paying 4 TV when you can get it 4 free. Unless you want Sports.

snaps

Greenman wrote: »

Why not get an IRL $ky card.

What and pay sky 21e a month? Id rather not have RTE at all. Its a disgrace RTE is not available freely to Irish viewers on a digital platform. My reception via analogue is awful and rumours have it it wll soon be switched off as it comes via a deflector or whatever they call it?

byte

Please keep on topic, bearing in mind this isn't the Spell Czech forum.

Elmo

snaps wrote: »

What and pay sky 21e a month? Id rather not have RTE at all. Its a disgrace RTE is not available freely to Irish viewers on a digital platform. My reception via analogue is awful and rumours have it it wll soon be switched off as it comes via a deflector or whatever they call it?

Hopefully by the time Analogue is switched off you will have RTE 1, 2, TV3 and TG4 on DTT for free, then you can get an FTA satellite for BBC 1, 2, ITV and C4. Or you can pay Boxer for those channels.

L1011

Elmo wrote: »

I know they have an office in London for their jornalists. You do not need a registered office in the UK to do any sort of business there. In the same way as C4 is able to sell advertising here without any need for an office in Dublin. For many years sky where not registered in the UK.

C4 sell advertising in Ireland through an Irish firm, not themselves from London. Medialink is the crowds name.

Elmo

MYOB wrote: »

C4 sell advertising in Ireland through an Irish firm, not themselves from London. Medialink is the crowds name.

Indeed TV3 sell advertising for Living TV. You know that RTE could employ a similar company in the UK to sell advertising, or they could just use their current people in Dublin, this is the new millenium after all, communications mean that we can now sell things to different markets etc etc etc etc.

Also TG4 sell advertising though POST TV.

But for TV shows and schedules none on the UK broadcasters have offices in Dublin.