Saorview websites Channel list - Where are RTE1+1 & RTEjr

liamtech

I think it is high time that Saorview/RTE got a move on and done one of two things:

• Launch RTE1+1 & RTEJr - Which are listed on the saorview site as AVAILABLE FROM MAY 2011 - In all honesty if i was a novice and bought one of the STB's today, having looked at their website, i would expect to get these channels - The fact that they are still unavailable half way through May is unacceptable, and could be considered false advertising. Saorview stated these Channels would be available in May but refused to give a launch date, even now halfway through may...
• Remove the reference to said stations on their site, and/or release a definitive launch date for said channels

Saorview obviously wants to portray a professional service that is available and fully up and running "from May". Perhaps they should remember that although launching a DTT service is complicated, altering their website is not!

Elmo

They never stated it would be 11th May. AFAIK Saorview has launched officially, but that comes from an email from someone in a different company and country :rolleyes:

Anytime any company says they are launching in any month they mean the end of the month, which gives them 15 more days from now.

I am still of the opinion that they should have launched before Christmas. Or even in Spring 2011 as suggested.

dmm1000

still on target for a Spring 2011 launch of new channels by definition (May being the last month of Spring)

Machinehead

www.rte.ie/about/pressreleases/2011/0316/saorviewcampaign16032011.html
The above is a link to a recent press release by RTE which clearly states in one of the final paragraphs that the launch date for Saorview would be the end of May 2011.

liamtech

Machinehead wrote: »

www.rte.ie/about/pressreleases/2011/0316/saorviewcampaign16032011.html
The above is a link to a recent press release by RTE which clearly states in one of the final paragraphs that the launch date for Saorview would be the end of May 2011.

But does this information not belong on the saorview website - IN all hoinesty folks im not exactly living for RTE1+1 or RTEjr... BUt from a customers point of view, the websites makes it seem these channels are available... it says nothing about the end of may on saorview.ie

Deedsie

dmm1000 wrote: »

still on target for a Spring 2011 launch of new channels by definition (May being the last month of Spring)

Spring in Ireland is February, March & April

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_calendar

They are being typically unprofessional... Over two weeks late at this stage

Machinehead

liamtech wrote: »

But does this information not belong on the saorview website - IN all hoinesty folks im not exactly living for RTE1+1 or RTEjr... BUt from a customers point of view, the websites makes it seem these channels are available... it says nothing about the end of may on saorview.ie

Totally agree. The Saorview site is the prime portal for supplying info for the new service. The launch amongst all the other information should be available to people needing to buy new gear & trying to establish signal & source, eg I can't receive the transmitter Saorview say I should be using. Also sale of non Saorview compatible gear should have been made illegal some time ago, in view of the fact that analogue will be gone in a little over 12 months time. Too many heads in the sand & right and left not on the same playing field, the fall thru' of the boxer bid & the failure to bring in someone else, have all led to some disgruntled clients out there.
All that being said I would give the whole DTT project the thumbs up (I couldn't really watch RTÉ or TV3 before & having spent a few day's in the UK recently & seeing freeview, I saw the potential for the whole DTT service in the long run).

Elmo

dmm1000 wrote: »

still on target for a Spring 2011 launch of new channels by definition (May being the last month of Spring)

Funny RTÉjr was just talking about how Summer Time was just starting. IMO the weather in April brought us into summer May is feeling more like Autumn But that's why a Season really isn't a date.

Sam Russell

Elmo wrote: »

Funny RTÉjr was just talking about how Summer Time was just starting. IMO the weather in April brought us into summer May is feeling more like Autumn But that's why a Season really isn't a date.

Well RTE have seasons. This Friday is the last LATE LATE for this season. So then we move into the summer season of TV. Sorry, I'll repeat that. No, that's what RTE do in the summer season, they repeat that.

So Spring is over come Saturday, or maybe next Monday, but definitely Friday week. So perhaps next week, or the week after, they will launch the service. Maybe.

Deedsie

Spring ends April 30th regardless of RTÉ's interpretation.

oaklands

The press release mentioned above (posts #4 & #5) is also on the Saorview web site(dated 15th March 2011) announcing the public information campaign and also clearly states the launch is at the end of May 2011 and was reflected as such in the various media outlets at the time.

As part of their ongoing 'information campaign' Saorview could benefit from leveraging Boards.ie as one of their communications channels. I personally have benefited greatly from the terrestrial (and satellite) forum here in getting my own kit established and probably wouldn't have made the switch at all based on the Saorview Information Campaign to date.

The likes of Vodafone, O2, ESB etc leverage dedicated communications channels here on Boards, to good effect.

As for channels on Saorview, I am more than happy with the current channel portfolio backed up by the list of freely available channels I get via the ASTRA 2 satellite and now have no need for an overpriced UPC or SKY subscription. If there are any Saorview staff monitoring this forum, my vote would be to put quality before quantity when considering additional channels against the use of scarce public funds.

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

Well RTE have seasons. This Friday is the last LATE LATE for this season. So then we move into the summer season of TV. Sorry, I'll repeat that. No, that's what RTE do in the summer season, they repeat that.

Look a season isn't a date everyone, as pointed out on several occasions, has a different interpretation of when each season begins and ends, thus you don't use a season as a date.

RTÉ should have stated a date: -

1. SI Signed in Feb 2010
2. RTÉ proposals for new TV services were in the works since 2001 such as EOLAS (remember)
3. Saorview launch as a trail on 29th Oct 2010, only then did RTÉ start the process for new channels.
4. Public consultation and other information gathering carried out by BAI and DCERN
5. Minister Carey agrees to channels in Feb 2011 (one year later)
6. RTÉ start marketing campaign for Saorview in March 2011.
7. No further details provided to anyone in relation to Soarview since March 2011.
8. May 2011 BAI report shows that less then half of respondents with only Terrestrial know about DSO/ASO

All of this organisation required for the New service should now be finished after all we are only talking about

1. 6HOUR Simulcast of RTÉ TWO (no weekend coverage)
2. A repeat of the simulcast
3. An hour delay of RTÉ One +1

You can see why some may be impatient.

IFTN 2001:-

A spokesperson for RTÉ said "a decision is not imminent on digital terrestrial television or additional channels". Industry sources have also pointed out the Sky deal could seriously affect RTÉ's plans for four new digital channels. The broadcaster has plans for new channels carrying children's programmes, news, educational material and Oireachtas reports. The station cannot broadcast any further channels on its aerial analogue network until it upgrades the system to digital.

http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=3086&sr=1&only=1&hl=brit&tpl=archnews

The Cush

Elmo wrote: »

3. Saorview launch as a trail on 29th Oct 2010, only then did RTÉ start the process for new channels.

RTÉ submitted it's new channels proposal to the Dept prior to Oct 2010. This document is a reply to a DCENR Request for Information dated 4th Oct. The public consultation only started in Nov.

This from a Dáil reply in Sept

In relation to the development of additional channels, RTÉ has recently clarified that it wishes to develop a number of new TV service channels for carriage on the public service Digital Terrestrial Television multiplex. In accordance with section 103, I have commenced the required consultations with RTÉ and the Authority on the proposals and it is my intention to complete my consideration of this issue as soon as possible.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2010/09/29/00973.asp#N2

Elmo

The Cush wrote: »

RTÉ submitted it's new channels proposal to the Dept prior to Oct 2010. This document is a reply to a DCENR Request for Information dated 4th Oct. The public consultation only started in Nov.

This from a Dáil reply in Sept

Still it was to late the "trial" launch was outlined in an SI in Feb 2010. Why did it take them until Sept 2010 or 4 Oct 2010 to hand this information over to DCENR? The proposed channels should have gone to the department as soon as the SI was signed. Perhaps the department sat on it, but for nearly 6 months?

First time I have see that Document. Interesting RTÉ Plus schedule, RTÉ News Now remains fairly uninteresting.

Sam Russell

Elmo wrote: »

RTÉ News Now remains fairly uninteresting.

And likely to remain so as it is not allowed any advertising, and so it is just a cost on the broadcaster. No money means no journos and no new input.

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

And likely to remain so as it is not allowed any advertising, and so it is just a cost on the broadcaster. No money means no journos and no new input.

Though a new schedule could occur and RTÉ could launch it as an international channel with advertising to the international market/ on saorview RTÉ TV/Radio promotional advertising.

Simply put

1. Daytime as currently is the case main about Press Conferences.
2. No press conferences = repeats of Current Affairs with News Updates (which could be repeated on RTÉ One rather then the other way around)
3. 1, 6.1 and 9 NEWS as RTÉ One
4. After 6.1 Live The 7th Hour (repeated on RTÉ Two at 11, no NEWS ON TWO)
5. 8 repeats of RTÉ Sports programming such as Againist the Head, OB sport etc
6. 9:30 - 11 As RTÉ One Current Affairs with Week In Pol repeat on Wednesday and RTÉ News Reports without newscasters "Just Reports"

A little imagination with the schedule could provide choice from RTÉ 1 and its timeshift channel.

Also the EBU could provide RTÉ NEWS NOW with General Election coverage from around Europe e.g. Finland's YLE coverage of their Election, BBC NI coverage of their Election, and France 2's coverage of the next Presidential Election. An so on and so forth.

Sam Russell

Elmo wrote: »

Though a new schedule could occur and RTÉ could launch it as an international channel with advertising to the international market/ on saorview RTÉ TV/Radio promotional advertising.

Simply put

1. Daytime as currently is the case main about Press Conferences.
2. No press conferences = repeats of Current Affairs with News Updates (which could be repeated on RTÉ One rather then the other way around)
3. 1, 6.1 and 9 NEWS as RTÉ One
4. After 6.1 Live The 7th Hour (repeated on RTÉ Two at 11, no NEWS ON TWO)
5. 8 repeats of RTÉ Sports programming such as Againist the Head, OB sport etc
6. 9:30 - 11 As RTÉ One Current Affairs with Week In Pol repeat on Wednesday and RTÉ News Reports without newscasters "Just Reports"

A little imagination with the schedule could provide choice from RTÉ 1 and its timeshift channel.

Also the EBU could provide RTÉ NEWS NOW with General Election coverage from around Europe e.g. Finland's YLE coverage of their Election, BBC NI coverage of their Election, and France 2's coverage of the next Presidential Election. An so on and so forth.

All that sound good, but no revenue makes it difficult to justify it at all. RTE New Now should show The Week in Politics as it is recorded, live, not repeated a few days later. The clue is in the name of the channel.

Why is it not allowed to show adverts and earn its keep?

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

All that sound good, but no revenue makes it difficult to justify it at all. RTE New Now should show The Week in Politics as it is recorded, live, not repeated a few days later. The clue is in the name of the channel.

Why is it not allowed to show adverts and earn its keep?

Because the BAI listened to TV3 and the IBI rather then the viewer as usual.

It all what? I have done nothing but increase the output of The 11th Hour to an hour and moved it to 7pm to be repeated on RTÉ Two while axing RTÉ News on Two. Bar that the schedule I outline costs nothing more. General Election coverage is provided free by the EBU, BBC Parliament do it all the time.

RTÉ could launch the international channel online, RTÉ NEWS NOW could provide advertising online, the BAI and the government couldn't stop RTÉ doing that. It should have been done in conjuction with the DTT project over the last 10 years.

Sam Russell

Elmo wrote: »

Because the BAI listened to TV3 and the IBI rather then the viewer as usual.

It all what? I have done nothing but increase the output of The 11th Hour to an hour and moved it to 7pm to be repeated on RTÉ Two while axing RTÉ News on Two. Bar that the schedule I outline costs nothing more. General Election coverage is provided free by the EBU, BBC Parliament do it all the time.

RTÉ could launch the international channel online, RTÉ NEWS NOW could provide advertising online, the BAI and the government couldn't stop RTÉ doing that. It should have been done in conjuction with the DTT project over the last 10 years.

What you are saying is correct, it could be done for nothing, but why should it? RTE should be allowed to do what they think is commercial, and not be hog tied by the last (interim) minister who magically imitated his party predecessor in reducing RTE's ad revenue by unwaranted interference to the (supposed) benefit of a private competitor.

He also doubled the cost to RTE NL in providing the DTT service by requiring RTE 2 HD to be broacast on the second (empty) mux. Who benefits there?

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

What you are saying is correct, it could be done for nothing, but why should it? RTE should be allowed to do what they think is commercial, and not be hog tied by the last (interim) minister who magically imitated his party predecessor in reducing RTE's ad revenue by unwaranted interference to the (supposed) benefit of a private competitor.

He also doubled the cost to RTE NL in providing the DTT service by requiring RTE 2 HD to be broacast on the second (empty) mux. Who benefits there?

But Pat Carey (former Minister) didn't say that RTÉ couldn't do what I am suggesting. The private competitor didn't seem too happy with the announcement. But I know what your saying. I don't think Ray Burke is his imitate party predecessor.

It should be done to provide some sort of choice. Competitively I imagine that it will be what RTÉ NN will become. RTÉjr is hoping to invest in Animation in Ireland which can only be seen as a good thing for the industry. Hopefully they will be selling those programmes abroad and they will increase money to animation significantly.

Sam Russell

Elmo wrote: »

But Pat Carey (former Minister) didn't say that RTÉ couldn't do what I am suggesting. The private competitor didn't seem too happy with the announcement. But I know what your saying. I don't think Ray Burke is his imitate party predecessor.

Ray Burke was a member of FF, and he did screw up RTE finances deliberately to aid a privat broadcaster. Pat Carey, also a member of FF, appears to be a soulmate as far as thatis concerned, IMHO.

There is no point in starting the second mux without extra channels, and there is no point in stopping News Now carrying adverts. There isd also no point in stopping RTE having a channel RTE Plus, with rescheduled RTE programming to give more choice to viewers. Unless the intention is to hobble RTE.

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

Ray Burke was a member of FF, and he did screw up RTE finances deliberately to aid a privat broadcaster. Pat Carey, also a member of FF, appears to be a soulmate as far as thatis concerned, IMHO.

There is no point in starting the second mux without extra channels, and there is no point in stopping News Now carrying adverts. There isd also no point in stopping RTE having a channel RTE Plus, with rescheduled RTE programming to give more choice to viewers. Unless the intention is to hobble RTE.

Sam I totally agree. I am just saying with a little imagination RTÉNN could provide just a little bit of choice. RTÉ will be hobbled by DTT and the man on the street will be angry at them not successive governments.

scath

Elmo wrote: »

Sam I totally agree. I am just saying with a little imagination RTÉNN could provide just a little bit of choice. RTÉ will be hobbled by DTT and the man on the street will be angry at them not successive governments.

My suggestion to the parties as a member of public was, for RTÉ and TV3 to combine like France 24 in a public private partnership news channel with staff from both broadcasters and bring in someone like ITV as partner. That would get around problem of ads which would split revenue between both. But no, RTÉ had to go it alone, for whatever reason.

Sam Russell

scath wrote: »

RTÉ had to go it alone, for whatever reason.

TV3 have contributed nothing to DTT. They are not even running the silly cat and dog cartoons. They have failed to broadcast their analogue signal to 20% of the population in contavention of their licence. They have refused tp pay for DTT. Why do you think that they would contribute to anything?

Is that not reason enough for RTE to go it alone?

Elmo

scath wrote: »

My suggestion to the parties as a member of public was, for RTÉ and TV3 to combine like France 24 in a public private partnership news channel with staff from both broadcasters and bring in someone like ITV as partner. That would get around problem of ads which would split revenue between both. But no, RTÉ had to go it alone, for whatever reason.

TV3 had no interest. You can't force a private company to do something otherwise it makes you look like some kind of Regulator!