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Why only RTE radio channels on Saorview?

  • 25-01-2014 7:37pm
    #1
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,073 ✭✭✭


    This may have been asked before but why does Saorview only have RTE radio channels on it and no commercial stations? I would like to be able to listen to Newstalk FM but analogue FM signal here for this station in NI is very poor. It would be good to have this and other radio stations available via Saorview. I wonder why they aren't. Anyone know why?


Comments

  • #2
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    I'm guessing because they're not RTE or state owned. Operating the digital network costs money so unless those radio stations were going to tribute to the running costs then why would RTE allow them broadcast on the Digital network?


  • #3
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    RTE out of ego have extra Digital Stations on DAB (waste of money) so are happy to try and promote them by paying to have them on DTT too. RTE like anyone else pays 2RN (formerly RTE NL). Saorview isn't RTE's platform. Yes, I know a wafer thin distinction.

    Anyone else can pay too. It's just other people have less ego, are on VHF-FM anyway (most of those stations are rubbish coverage DAB only) and don't wish to waste the money. Only National stations would be interested anyway. Some definitely can't afford it.


  • #4
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,852 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Digifriendly wrote: »
    I wonder why they aren't. Anyone know why?

    Never seen an official comment on this but the assumption would be that Denis O'Brien's Communicorp, who own the 2 national commercial radio stations Newstalk and Today FM wouldn't consider the spending up to €200,000 for carriage on Saorview to be money well spent.


  • #5
    stereomatic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,376 ✭✭✭stereomatic


    Newstalk is on Astra 2 however Today FM is not

    I'm not sure what my point is or even if I have a point but they're both not on saorview


  • #6
    Onthe3rdDay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,194 ✭✭✭Onthe3rdDay


    stereomatic wrote: »
    Newstalk is on Astra 2 however Today FM is not

    I'm not sure what my point is or even if I have a point but they're both not on saorview

    Wasn't Newstalk put on Satellite because it didn't have national coverage?


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  • #7
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,073 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    Onthe3rdDay wrote: »
    Wasn't Newstalk put on Satellite because it didn't have national coverage?

    Probably right. Today FM easily receivable here in the North but Newstalk very difficult if you don't have Sky.


  • #8
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    stereomatic wrote: »
    Newstalk is on Astra 2 however Today FM is not

    I'm not sure what my point is or even if I have a point but they're both not on saorview

    Costs too much, few people use TV to listen to Radio. Now if car Radios, phones and transportable/portable table top radio sets had DVB-T, then it would be worthwhile. It would also make a DAB pointless duplication. Oddly phones are more likely to have DTT/DVB-T, and car DVB-T receivers do exist. Even more curiously it's possible to make a portable AM/FM radio with DVB-T and similar power consumption to DAB. Also it would be cheaper!


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