Setanta HD

Elmo

Setanta to go HD in 2011

Sunday Business Post

Setanta Ireland aims to be Ireland's first indigenous channel to broadcast in high definition, with an HD channel set to launch by Jan 2011. Initially, the channel will be available on UPC's cable platform with a launch on satellite at a later date. Micheal O'Rourke, co-founder and CEO of Setanta, said HD viewers would be able to view the Barclay's Premier League, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League. Setanta will be the only Irish broadcaster to show all 48 games of the Rugby World Cup Live in High Definition.

So no chance of seeing indigenous sports in HD.

Digifriendly

How can they afford this? Surely they'e cash strapped after losing ML rugby contract and subscriptions with it?

Elmo

Digifriendly wrote: »

How can they afford this? Surely they'e cash strapped after losing ML rugby contract and subscriptions with it?

I wonder if even their Studio part of the programmes will be in HD? Basically they have HD rights for their other sports. They still have deferred rights to Magners and they also get paid by UPC to be part of their basic package.

An Tarbh

It's already been said that their Allianz League, Airtricity and Setanta Cup will be done in HD, so there's plenty chance to see indigenous sport in HD.

Elmo

An Tarbh wrote: »

It's already been said that their Allianz League, Airtricity and Setanta Cup will be done in HD, so there's plenty chance to see indigenous sport in HD.

Ah! I see.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0916/1224278992826.html

This will include the 2011 Allianz National League GAA football and hurling as well as domestic soccer, including the Setanta Sports Cup.

I wonder if RTÉ Two will be HD Lite ready for RWC?

snaps

Elmo wrote: »

Ah! I see.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0916/1224278992826.html



I wonder if RTÉ Two will be HD Lite ready for RWC?

The problem with RTE HD on DTT if it launches, that no one will be watching it apart from us select people on boards that Know all about DTT! So far the public only think RTE etc is available by a paid subscription from Sky! There hasn't been any public notice or announcement from the government in regards to the DTT launch in October, which is only a few weeks away!

People are still buying UK "freeview" enabled TV's thinking that will be enough to get Irish DTT.

Elmo

snaps wrote: »

The problem with RTE HD on DTT if it launches, that no one will be watching it apart from us select people on boards that Know all about DTT! So far the public only think RTE etc is available by a paid subscription from Sky! There hasn't been any public notice or announcement from the government in regards to the DTT launch in October, which is only a few weeks away!

This is true, but why should those of us on boards who have followed the highs and many lows of DTT not get HD RWC Lite on DTT

Anyway I don't think it will be much of a pull for Setanta. Who has the rights in the UK for RWC?

An Tarbh

ITV have the rights, can't see too many people opting for ITV over Setanta.

Minstrel27

An Tarbh wrote: »

ITV have the rights, can't see too many people opting for ITV over Setanta.

I will certainly be opting for ITV. They will show it in HD too. Plus it's free.

byte

An Tarbh wrote: »

ITV have the rights, can't see too many people opting for ITV over Setanta.

I assume you mean you can't see too many people opting for Setanta over ITV?

Free ITV > Setanta.

Elmo

Does ITV have FTA Sat rights for RWC?

rlogue

Very few people will watch RTE HD as they have decided to make it exclusive to Saorview and Saorsat so you will need a Saorview/Saorsat capable receiver and/or dish or STB. Sky, UPC or any other platform will have to wait until RTE decide they will be "allowed" to watch Irish HD TV.

Elmo

rlogue wrote: »

Very few people will watch RTE HD as they have decided to make it exclusive to Saorview and Saorsat so you will need a Saorview/Saorsat capable receiver and/or dish or STB. Sky, UPC or any other platform will have to wait until RTE decide they will be "allowed" to watch Irish HD TV.

The whole idea is to give people something to attract them to the change that many won't notice otherwise. I think it is a good idea for a year or so as the service gets started. It can't always be about first mover advantage.

rlogue

I have two words for you Elmo:

ITV Digital

Elmo

rlogue wrote: »

I have two words for you Elmo:

ITV Digital

But the point is not for those with Sky or UPC and RTÉ isn't a private company. DTT needs development and an attraction. And the service isn't Pay. But we are heading OTT. One year would not kill HD services from RTÉ. Setanta HD will only be on UPC and the will prob ask you to pay for it. But we have all being watching setanta die very slowly.

rlogue

We all know Setantas a dead duck, it will be interesting to see what if anything replaces it.

rlogue

Elmo wrote: »

But the point is not for those with Sky or UPC and RTÉ isn't a private company. DTT needs development and an attraction.

The only thing that could have given DTT a real impetus would have been relaying of the UK Freeview channels. The agreements were put in place and a small increase in the licence fee could have funded it.

Instead RTE think that witholding HD from the pay platforms is a good idea. Then again RTE are arrogant enough to think that HD on DTT will make people stick up an aerial and buy new TVs or STBs in addition to what they have from Sky or UPC.

Honestly you couldn't make it up.

Elmo

rlogue wrote: »

The only thing that could have given DTT a real impetus would have been relaying of the UK Freeview channels.

Meaning the end of any indigenous commercial service you just killed the dead duck. Why bother with Irish TV at all.

And I amn't thinking of those with Sky Or UPC i.e. most of the 1st movers.

rlogue

It all depends on what RTE are trying to achieve - if they were really serious about DTT becoming the dominant transmission platform in Ireland then they should put some channels on that people want to watch. I happen to believe most people will not shift to DTT just to watch the odd GAA match in HD. Bet you a pound to a penny they'll wait until their pay platform is "allowed" to carry HD from RTE. It would be amusing if TV3 clean up their fuzzy signal and put HD out on Sky/UPC/whoever before RTE do.

Commercial DTT or satellite should carry the premium stuff like sports or movies but why should anyone pay for channels that are Free to Air by satellite?

snaps

The problem with any DTT service here is that its taken to long to get off the ground. Too many people have their heads in the sand here (public), thinking RTE/TV3 etc is only available in digital on the sky platform and they have accepted that paying 23€ a month minimum is the only way to get it.

1) I would say 80% if not more of LCD/Plasma Tv's brought in the last 5 years here are only mpeg 2.

2) So to get UK FTA/Pay tv and Irish DTT you will in most situations need 2 set top boxes, along with a dvd player/video recorder under your tv, the thought of another box under peoples tv, will put people off DTT.

3) Mr greedy and the SKY empire im sure will make sure they do a deal or put something in place to stop customers moving to DTT/UK FTA for their main tv viewing, this will be to skys advantage even if Soarsat takes off as that will require another dish/lnb/reciever, along with a decoder for pay tv.

The whole DTT/Pay tv situation is a shambles here.

Hd is the big seller now, if you had the choice of 1 hd channel over say 40 odd HD channels on sky what would you choose?

rlogue

It is an utter shambles. And has it just been a series of unfortunate events, or has it been planned out albeit in an amateurish botched way?

Adds: Here's how I think it will all pan out:

RTE launch HD on Saorview and Saorsat. There will be masses of complaints in the papers as thousands of people who bought HD TVs over the last 5 years suddenly discover their HD TVs cannot pick up Irish DTT and suddenly UPC and Sky and whoever launch TV3 HD which will be practically full time HD as TV3 flinch the entire ITV HD schedule apart from Ireland AM and TV3 news which continue to be broadcast in TV3's sub you tube picture quality and in 4:3, but now stretched.

Elmo

snaps wrote: »

1) I would say 80% if not more of LCD/Plasma Tv's brought in the last 5 years here are only mpeg 2.

Many don't even have Digital Tuners, I recently bought one only to find out it had no Digital tuner I brought it back.

2) So to get UK FTA/Pay tv and Irish DTT you will in most situations need 2 set top boxes, along with a dvd player/video recorder under your tv, the thought of another box under peoples tv, will put people off DTT.

If you have Pay TV its unlikely you will go for DTT at all why would you swap?

3) Mr greedy and the SKY empire im sure will make sure they do a deal or put something in place to stop customers moving to DTT/UK FTA for their main tv viewing

That really is the market it will always be a case of Sky/UPC looking to insure most have Pay TV of some kind.

I happen to believe most people will not shift to DTT just to watch the odd GAA match in HD.

You mean E4, VIVA, DAVE, FIVE, FIVE US, FIVER and the dozen other General Entertainment channels on freeview?

No problem with BBC 1, BBC 2, C4 and UTV but if you want the rest go get a sat.

DTT should be aimed at those actually effected (i.e those viewing Analogue) and TV channels that actually employ people in Ireland, even if that just means pressing play.

rlogue

E4 and Five are FTA not the others Elmo.

Elmo

rlogue wrote: »

E4 and Five are FTA not the others Elmo.

Sorry I lost the run of myself. They are on Freeview. If you want BBC 3, ITV 2, E4, MORE 4, ITV 3, ITV 4, FILM FOUR, FIVE etc get a satellite.

Otherwise let Irish based companies provide you with General Entertainment from the states rather than Fiver, Five, Sky 3 on Saorview.

In fairness the fewer channels on FreeSat really are better than some of the extra ones on Freeview. You really wouldn't miss Sky 3.

Minstrel27

rlogue wrote: »

I have two words for you Elmo:

ITV Digital

Saorsat or Saorview are not pay tv platforms.

Is this thread going to turn into another whinge thread just like the one on the Terrestrial board? Last I checked it was about Setanta HD?

You wont be able to receive RTÉ FTA on satellite. I think you will need to get over it.

watty

rlogue wrote: »

There will be masses of complaints in the papers as thousands millions of people [in UK] who bought HD TVs [and freeview set boxes] over the last 8 years suddenly discover their HD TVs cannot pick up Irish UK HD DTT and suddenly UPCVirgin and Sky launch free or subsidized set boxes. and whoever launch TV3 HD which will be practically full time HD as TV3 flinch the entire ITV HD schedule apart from Ireland AM and TV3 news which continue to be broadcast in TV3's sub you tube picture quality and in 4:3, but now stretched.

Fixed that for you.

None of this is anything to do with Setanta HD.

TV3 will be LAST Irish broadcaster to Launch HD. Probably just after HD RTE is added to Sky and UPC. RTE have only said PayTV will get HD later than DTT. Pay TV will have to carry it at their own expense.


[When I moved from UK to Co. Clare/Limerick in 1983 I had to wait nearly 20 years to get UK TV back. There was no reason or right that that should ever have got UK TV ever again. If I moved From US or Australia I'd never have my local TV again]

rlogue

watty wrote: »

Fixed that for you.

Fixed or censored?

watty

It's not censored. Your original post is there.

I'm just pointing out that your objection to Irish DTT far more applies to roll out of UK HD DTT, unavoidably. Also it's very misleading.

Irish DTT is essentially an HD platfrom. HD isn't feasible on MPEG2 due to space constraints.

An Tarbh

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I will certainly be opting for ITV. They will show it in HD too. Plus it's free.

well there's no ITV HD on UPC yet, don't know if UTV HD will be even available either, even still with plenty of games on ITV4 and as yet no HD version of that channel the choice of Setanta is an obvious one, that's even before you consider commentators and presenters, not to mention the technical genius of ITV staff!!!

watty

I'm not for putting €300 to €700 into the pockets of Pay TV operators a year anymore, ever. Endless repeats, most of what is watched is on free TV or DVDs. Pay TV sub could be equivalent to buying nearly 100 DVDs a year. Or price of an HDTV set.

Minstrel27

An Tarbh wrote: »

well there's no ITV HD on UPC yet, don't know if UTV HD will be even available either, even still with plenty of games on ITV4 and as yet no HD version of that channel the choice of Setanta is an obvious one, that's even before you consider commentators and presenters, not to mention the technical genius of ITV staff!!!

I imagine most games will be on ITV1 as a lot of games will be on overnight. ITV do mess up on football but I thought their coverage of the last Rugby World Cup was excellent.

icdg

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I imagine most games will be on ITV1 as a lot of games will be on overnight. ITV do mess up on football but I thought their coverage of the last Rugby World Cup was excellent.

Their problem on ITV the last time was that wherever there was a clash between England and another Home Nation (or indeed, Coronation Street and a home nation!) they favoured England (or Coronation Street) every time, although coverage was made available on ITV2/ITV4 for UTV/STV/ITV1Wales to take. As I recall UTV ran with its own coverage of Ireland games.

It got very little coverage, but RTÉ has bought the rights to the Ireland games from Setanta which must be made available to free-to-air broadcasters.

Now to put my mod hat on, can we keep the DTT talk to the Terrestrial forum please.

Elmo

icdg wrote: »

It got very little coverage, but RTÉ has bought the rights to the Ireland games from Setanta which must be made available to free-to-air broadcasters.

Now to put my mod hat on, can we keep the DTT talk to the Terrestrial forum please.

TV3 had the rights to the Irish games last time.

I was thinking of putting this in satellite but I felt that it was better placed in Broadcasting. I still hate the divisions of this forum, I know you would think I would be used to it after so many years.