Breaking News: ITV Confirm They Are Going FTA

Damomanye

BREAKING NEWS:
ITV to go FTA on Digital Satellite
Wednesday, September 7 2005, 08:41 BST -- by Alan Jay

ITV has announced this morning that it will work with the BBC to create a "FreeSat" proposition to compliment the "Freeview" DTT service in areas where DTT is not available.

As part of this move ITV will become unencrypted - "in the clear" - within the next few months. ITV has consulted all the relevant rights holders.

The free satellite will initially carry all ITV and BBC free to view digital services including digital TV, radio, EPG and interactive services. In addition all the other FTA channels will be available.

The plan is to have the project operational in the first half of 2006.

'As the UK's largest and most popular commercial broadcaster we want our channels to be available to as many people as possible, regardless of technological and geographical constraints. " said Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV. "As we move from an analogue to a digital environment, Freesat - and Freeview - will enable every family in the UK to enjoy a wide range of quality channels for free.

'Today's announcement significantly strengthens ITV's digital presence and we are delighted to be taking a leading role in the marketing and development of free digital television.'

Pal

Freesat card for sale.
Nearly new.

jmcbride

Pal wrote:

Freesat card for sale.
Nearly new.

Until Channel 4 and Five go FTA, I won't be retiring my FTV card.

bigpaddy2004

It's going to be a massive blow for Chorus now!

Damomanye

bigpaddy2004 wrote:

It's going to be a massive blow for Chorus now!

oh yes , never thought about that.

id say there may be a few worried faces around there today.The only thing keeping them from disolving now is channel 4.

DMC

ITV and BBC take on Sky with Freesat launch

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1564344,00.html

Chris Tryhorn, City correspondent
Wednesday September 7, 2005

ITV and the BBC are to launch a free digital satellite service in a long-anticipated move to take on market-leading pay-TV company BSkyB.

The broadcasters said today they were working together to develop a Freesat service that would "complement" Freeview, the digital terrestrial service that has been sold to more than 5 million homes.

Freesat will be aimed at the 25% of UK households that cannot receive Freeview and is aiming to be operational in the first half of next year.

The new service will compete with Sky's own Freesat service, which launched in October offering 120 TV channels and 80 radio stations for a one-off installation charge of £150.

Sky is also the market leader in pay television, with 7.8 million subscribers to its Sky Digital satellite service that gives access to premium channels.

ITV - which announced a rise in revenues and profits as it unveiled first-half results today - also said it would start broadcasting all its channels "in the clear", following the BBC's lead in dispensing with Sky's encryption services.

The new Freesat service will showcase all of ITV's digital channels along with those of the BBC and other broadcasters.

Charles Allen, the ITV chief executive, said the company wanted its channels to be as widely available as possible.

"As we move from an analogue to a digital environment, Freesat - and Freeview - will enable every family in the UK to enjoy a wide range of quality channels for free," he said.

ITV also announced today a new mobile service allowing users to access footage of favourite shows as well as a broadband trial in Sussex.

In its interims results statement, the company said its pre-tax profit before goodwill amortisation and other items for the six months to the end of June was up 60% from last year to £205m. Revenue before joint ventures increased by 9% to 1.044bn. Total advertising revenue was up 3.4%, but advertising at flagship channel ITV1 fell 3.5%.

ITV said the advertising market was improving in the third quarter of the year, and it expected total advertising spending to increase by 4.3%.

Damomanye

This move does include ITV2 ya?
just making sure.

DMC

Yes, all ITV channels unencrypted.

But placement on the Irish EPG is another kettle of fish. Don't hold out for that, but we await further news.

Pal

just use ADD channels

Mossy Monk

oh Setanta can now really **** off with their CL games. all games now on satellite in RoI. that is about all good that has come from it

dmeehan

and the same with F1

SRB

I hope they now launch an EPG that is compatible with non-sky boxes - the only information you get on most boxes is "now and next".

Mossy Monk

dmeehan wrote:

and the same with F1

never thought of that, but F1 is season is practically over early again

djpaul

DMC wrote:

Yes, all ITV channels unencrypted.

But placement on the Irish EPG is another kettle of fish. Don't hold out for that, but we await further news.

No chance of being on the Irish EPG, BBC3 And BBC4 are still not on EPG here.

Add Channels again! :mad:

DublinWriter

Damomanye wrote:

This move does include ITV2 ya?
just making sure.

I've been able to pick up ITV2 on EutelSat FTA for months.

corm500

djpaul wrote:

No chance of being on the Irish EPG, BBC3 And BBC4 are still not on EPG here.

Add Channels again! :mad:

I think this is going to dent Sky+ populalarity when potential customers realise that they will not be able to record BBC3,BBC4,Cbeebies,Cbbc,News24,UTV,ITV2 or any other ITV or BBC region. By not offering EPG placement in the republic for these channels Sky will be shooting themselves in the foot and people will start looking to a FTA dish and PVR option.

Corm500

taung

Great news for consumers!!!

Rupert Murdoch must be getting very worried now....

Does anyone know or would anyone predict if UTV will be part of this ITV switch-over to FTA?

Wiggy

So are we all going round to Tonys' local to get our free pints?

taung

The BBCs reporting of the event follows. You will notice they refer to 'free-to-view' not 'free-to-air', so it could be that you will require a card to get the service......


BBC and ITV to start Sky TV rival

The BBC and ITV are to launch a free-to-view satellite TV service to cater for viewers unable to receive Freeview digital coverage.
ITV announced plans for the service, to be called Freesat, on Wednesday.

Freesat, to be launched early in 2006, will rival BSkyB and will carry all BBC and ITV digital TV, interactive and radio services plus other channels.

BBC director general Mark Thompson said the announcement "paved the way" for nationwide free digital television.

Mr Thompson said he welcomed ITV as partners in the project "to develop a consumer friendly, subscription-free satellite proposition".

"The huge success of Freeview, already in more than five million homes, demonstrates how highly free digital television is valued by many people," he said

Digital take-up

"Our long-stated aim has been to bring about an open market in subscription-free satellite services so we can ensure free access to all the BBC's services across the country in the run-up to switchover and beyond."

The Government plans to switch off analogue TV signals, region-by-region, by 2012.

ITV's chief executive Charles Allen said the company would also start broadcasting its channels "in the clear" in the next few months, meaning the channels can be watched through any satellite receiver.

ITV currently encrypts - or scrambles - its transmissions via satellite, using the service provided by Sky.

He said: "We want our channels to be available to as many people as possible, regardless of technological and geographical constraints.

"As we move from analogue to a digital environment, Freesat - and Freeview - will enable every family in the UK to enjoy a wide range of quality channels for free."

A recent Ofcom report said more than 60% of UK households now receive digital TV.

Approximately a quarter of TV viewers live outside the Freeview coverage area.

Mossy Monk

yes they will be. maybe then people will see why UTV is actually one of the worst regions

Round Cable

For those that don't have then tuned in.

Services, 4, 4

Frequency:10906
Polarisation:V
Symbol Rate:22.0
FEC:5/6

Scrol to the desired channel, push the yellow button, then select, select again.

With the above you'll get UTV

Frequency:10758
Polarisation:V
Symbol Rate:22.0
FEC:5/6

Here you'll find ITV2 (with other ITV1 regions)

lawhec

Now as a rough guide...

* BBC - Already FTA, BBC 1 & 2 (N.Ireland Digital versions) are already on Irish EPG. Other BBC Channels for the EPG would depend on negoations between Sky and BBC Worldwide.

* ITV - To eventually become FTA with all ITV 1 regional variations (including UTV) with ITV 2, ITV 3 and the future ITV 4. ITV 1 on Irish EPG will depend on agreement between Sky and ITV plc.

* Channel 4 - Currently FTV, but FTA is a question of when, not if. Already committed to providing E4 FTA when current encryption contract runs out in 2008, Encryption for Channel 4 itself could be dropped sooner if either the contract allows it or if Ofcom gave a go-ahead through pressure from Channel 4 looking to go FTA at the first opportunity.

* Five - previously there was no doubt it was to remain a FTV channel, with owners expressing no interest in going FTA. With the recent buyout by RTL, things may well change for the future especially as RTL tend to focus on FTA general entertainment. Are also looking to go the way of ITV and Channel 4 into having a mini-digital platform (Milkshake Kids channel has been strongly talked about). Keep a keen eye, would have to be favoured to drop encryption at end of current contract, almost certain to do so if Channel 4 does.

* RTÉ - time to get worried. With both BBC and ITV now soon to be available to anyone across RoI with a cheap FTA satellite setup could they afford to remain tightly controlled to the Sky Digital setup? Almost cacked themselves when BBC went FTA, now with ITVs announcement, dry cleaners will have to be called in! May need to look into a FTV card system at the very least. FTA a possibility but unlikely in the short-medium term.

* TV3 - as a "wing" of ITV plc, must be worried in their own right. The only barrier that'll now be left for UTV to be on Digital Satellite homes in RoI will be EPG placement - this still didn't stop many customers from adding UTV and other ITV1 channels to "Add Channels" for the short time they were available and word will surely catch on. Will be interesting to see their future plans.

* TG4 - of all the main RoI broadcasters, the least likely to be affected by this announcement as their focus is different to that of ITV and programme crossover is negligeble.

* Setanta - probably cacking themselves most of all. Even with the fact that UTV is available on Cable & MMDS and terrestial in some places, an announcement of ITV being FTA therefore being available to anyone in RoI for a one-off basis must make their rights to the likes of Champions League, F1 etc. near worthless.

* NTL Cable - unlikely to be worried in the short term, but the possibility of Channel 4 going FTA could inflict damage in the long term.

* Chrous - when Channel 4 goes FTA it can kiss its arse goodbye.

(This poster is aware that NTL Ireland and Chrous is now under the same owner but for this post is being treated as seperate companies)

* Sky - although a loser of this in the UK, their RoI arm should be looking at getting the remaining BBC & ITV channels on to the EPG if only for convenience and Sky+. If not, when Channel 4 go FTA how long will it take Twin-tuner PVR FTA boxes to get noticed in the public eye?

markmiller321

surely there will be sports rights issues if itv go free to air. would setanta have to compensated as they have loads of exclusive rights for the roi.

Macy

markmiller321 wrote:

surely there will be sports rights issues if itv go free to air. would setanta have to compensated as they have loads of exclusive rights for the roi.

They say they've sorted the rights issue. They could've paid for the irish broadcasting rights anyway, and setanta just picking up the "Irish" rights for a knock down price.

Actually, wasn't there something before about ITV negogiating FTA rights for the last couple of years?

SRB

I suppose, now the rights are cleared, there is no reason why UTV can't launch a dedicated version for Ireland and pay for an Irish EPG placing. At the end of the day it'd just be another automated channel churned out in the same way they churn out UTV or used to churn out the god awful TV You. I do wonder though what would happen to TV3 if they went down that route. Likewise I guess ITV PLC could do exactly the same thing if they wanted too...

maisflocke

djpaul wrote:

No chance of being on the Irish EPG, BBC3 And BBC4 are still not on EPG here.

Add Channels again! :mad:

There is half a chance..... are itv3 not already available on the Irish EPG??

Bards

This is for Northern Correspondant in that I object to your signature as it is demeaning to coloured people and I am sure it is breaking the rules...

Would a mod like to comment!

savemejebus

taung wrote:

The BBCs reporting of the event follows. You will notice they refer to 'free-to-view' not 'free-to-air', so it could be that you will require a card to get the service......

I think this covers that

ITV's chief executive Charles Allen said the company would also start broadcasting its channels "in the clear" in the next few months, meaning the channels can be watched through any satellite receiver.

lawhec

Bards wrote:

This is for Northern Correspondant in that I object to your signature as it is demeaning to coloured people and I am sure it is breaking the rules...

Would a mod like to comment!

Maybe it would have been offensive had I not received it in an e-mail from a former colleague at university who himself is black/coloured/Afro-European! :rolleyes:

Nevertheless I wouldn't want to upset politically-correct crybabies so I've taken my six-week old signature down. Now put your toys back in the pram!

Back to topic, maybe the rights holders have accepted that the the RoI is "incidental" coverage. Besides, if there had been a problem with rights held by ITV into the Republic, it would have been brought up by now.

Mossy Monk

Bards wrote:

Would a mod like to comment!

nope
an admin needs to take care of things like that

also in future can you pm the user/mod/admin about your dissatisfactions with other users rather than going completely OT on a thread. thank you

jister

Round Cable wrote:

For those that don't have then tuned in.

Services, 4, 4

Frequency:10906
Polarisation:V
Symbol Rate:22.0
FEC:5/6

Scrol to the desired channel, push the yellow button, then select, select again.

With the above you'll get UTV

Frequency:10758
Polarisation:V
Symbol Rate:22.0
FEC:5/6

Here you'll find ITV2 (with other ITV1 regions)

Does this mean that when I go home tonight I can tune them in via other channels?

DMC

You can, but who is to say that there maybe changes in the near future, as ITV have bought more transponder space.

Advice is to keep an eye here for any freq changes, or on www.lyngsat.com

As for NC's sig... Here is NOT the place to report it, mid-thread, basically what Mossy said. But as there are 4 mods here, instead of PM'ing one mod, use the "report bad post" function (red triangle with ! in every post) as that gets to all the mods, admins included.

DMC

maisflocke wrote:

There is half a chance..... are itv3 not already available on the Irish EPG??

But ITV3 only replaced Granada Plus on the EPG. (well. it was on 118, where ITV2 is now.) ITV just used that EPG placement to their advantage of not having to renegioate the deal with Sky for that channel when it took over the GSkyB company.

Pal

not working yet

dmeehan

have ITV announced a date for this to happen?
(other than soon)

mburke

If they require any sort of card for this service won't they be able to encrypt regions where there maybe a rights issue if they want. (eg: F1, CL, Scotish League etc)

Example is that BBC Scotland last year had rights for the scotish league but when you selected the channel via other channels it came up with a notice telling you to go to the analogue channel to watch the game.

Similar situation with RTE (if I remember rightly) and the rights issue over showing the Sunday matches, they just had a note telling you channel not available until 6pm.

L1011

mburke wrote:

If they require any sort of card for this service won't they be able to encrypt regions where there maybe a rights issue if they want. (eg: F1, CL, Scotish League etc)

Example is that BBC Scotland last year had rights for the scotish league but when you selected the channel via other channels it came up with a notice telling you to go to the analogue channel to watch the game.

Similar situation with RTE (if I remember rightly) and the rights issue over showing the Sunday matches, they just had a note telling you channel not available until 6pm.

BBC Scotland shows that message to everyone, even in Scotland, on satellite. RTE just used the CA system to 08 Northern Irish boxes during football. ROI cards still got it.

DMC

dmeehan wrote:

have ITV announced a date for this to happen?
(other than soon)

If we had a date, it would've been mentioned here. So, no.

Freddie59

Northern Correspondent wrote:

Now as a rough guide...

* Channel 4 - Currently FTV, but FTA is a question of when, not if. Already committed to providing E4 FTA when current encryption contract runs out in 2008, Encryption for Channel 4 itself could be dropped sooner if either the contract allows it or if Ofcom gave a go-ahead through pressure from Channel 4 looking to go FTA at the first opportunity.

* Chrous - when Channel 4 goes FTA it can kiss its arse goodbye.

From digitalspy.co.uk:

Meanwhile, Channel 4 said that it would not be joining the BBC-ITV alliance, nor was it considering going unencrypted on satellite.

"We broadly welcome any development that offers more UK homes the chance to receive the full range of digital services and creates more competition between platforms. We will watch how Freesat develops with interest," said a spokesman.

"However, we have carriage agreements for all our channels with Sky Digital and we have a number of years to run on these deals. We're happy with our current distribution deals with Sky and have no present plans to review these arrangements."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds24168.html

Sin e an Fear

Bards wrote:

coloured people

NEWS FLASH
The term 'coloured' is considered offensive to black and Asian people, and is nowadays only used by Alabama rednecks who think it's an improvement on 'negro'. Same with 'half-caste' - it's 'mixed race', thank you very much.

If you really want to be politically correct :rolleyes: you can use the term 'people of colour'. In South Africa, 'coloured' means mixed race, and only survives because they haven't found an alternative.

Anyway, it'll be amusing to see what happens to TV3 now. As for UTV, people with FTV cards or UK Sky subs have been able to access all ITV regions by adding on channels. Apart from having news about Norn Irn, it's no worse than other ITV regions, and at least has kept its own distinct branding.

Charles Slane

I've added a list of the ITV frequencies to the "How to tune in extra BBC Channels" thread.

netwhizkid

I've been waiting for this day since i got the dread "08 Message" many moons ago. Alas all that on it now is rubbish reality TV. Still though it will make more films available to view on those rainy evenings mid winter.

Icehouse

Yes, but censored movies with long ad breaks and stopped for a half an hour while they show the news. And they split screen and talk over the end credits - extremely annoying.

DMC

Charles Slane wrote:

I've added a list of the ITV frequencies to the "How to tune in extra BBC Channels" thread.

Um.... a bit premature?? Since they are not FTA yet? I understand about storeing and watching, but we didnt put up the BBC thread until we knew what the frequencies finally were.

Charles Slane

DMC wrote:

Um.... a bit premature?? Since they are not FTA yet? I understand about storeing and watching, but we didnt put up the BBC thread until we knew what the frequencies finally were.

Hmm... you're probably right (although I did say they would go FTA "in the future"). Delete the post if you think it'll cause confusion - we can post the info again when the glorious day dawns ...

dmeehan

i dont suppose there is any chance of RTE's, TV3 & TG4 joining it (FreeSat) either

does anyone know how long they have on their current contract with Sky?

watty

Someone said ITV2 is FTA on Eutelsat.
Which Eutelsat and which transponder?

Non-Sky PVR users of kind that receive Sat direct to disk benefit the most from ITV FTA.

Nearly stopped using VHA since BBC and ITV3 FTA. I notice MM (soon to be ITV4) has been changing schedule over last 6 months. Have they been running Magnum PI for a while or just started?

watty

Chorus is no more affected than NTL.

But both Chorus's MMDS and NTL's smaller MMDS was both in threat anyway with UCG takeover, they percieve it as expensive and in cutting costs (duplicate call centres etc) it might get chop anyway.

Freesat makes MMDS future look bleak since is orignally existed (as to lesser extent cable did) ONLY to provide BBC / ITV.

Also MMDS is very expensive esp. if the network quality is improved for Digital.

I was inside the the Chorus site on Keepers Hill in Limerick and they have a bunch of wind damaged giant Channel Master dishes.

The BBC / ITV for Limerick MMDS and Cable comes via Microwave link from Cavan (1st private lincenced link in State) where off air ANALOG pickup is used. Hence NO anamorphic WS is possible in Limerick Cable / MMDS areas unless they are "backup" which is Sky. Sky won't give them permission to use it as feeds!

Macy

watty wrote:

Have they been running Magnum PI for a while or just started?

No, it was Miami Vice in that slot up until this week afaik. :cool:

andrew1977

Hi

I have a normal sky digibox subscription with sky digital

I followed the instruction codes to set up the ITV channels

Stored them o.k but no picture at all, just says "technical fault with channel2

is there some software or card i need to buy to get these channels via the sky digibox ? In drogheda area, would the area you live in have anything to do with no picture on the newly programmed channels

thanks for any help,its cracking me up to get the extra channels installed

i wouldnt be too technically minded but can manage my way round a tv

pH

andrew1977 wrote:

Hi

I have a normal sky digibox subscription with sky digital

I followed the instruction codes to set up the ITV channels

Stored them o.k but no picture at all, just says "technical fault with channel2

DMC wrote:

Um.... a bit premature?? Since they are not FTA yet? I understand about storeing and watching, but we didnt put up the BBC thread until we knew what the frequencies finally were.

The ITV channels will not be available for maybe a couple of months.