ITV on Sky Digital - Media Guardian Report

DMC

This mornings Media Guardian has this report....

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,553177,00.html

"ITV to put all regional shows on digital satellite"

ITV will beat the BBC at transmitting all regional services via digital satellite, after years of losing viewers to Sky.

Before the end of the year, all 16 ITV1 variants will be available to homes with Sky Digital.

About 5.3m homes now have Sky Digital. ITV ratings are suffering as viewers must switch back to the analogue service to receive ITV1.

While BBC television channels have been on satellite since the start of that transmission process, not all the regional services are available. When English regional news programmes are transmitted on analogue, for example, digital viewers see UK Today, a programme made in London that includes a compilation of items produced by the BBC's regional news teams.

The ITV move means that it will be able to lay a stronger claim to its regional commitments than the BBC, which has not yet announced when its local English services will go on satellite. ITV had kept its services off Sky because Carlton and Granada, the network's main franchise holders, were the principal investors in ONdigital, a rival to Sky in the provision of multi-channel TV.

The network thought keeping ITV off Sky but making it available to ONdigital subscribers, would encourage viewers to opt for its own digital system. Initially Sky tried to persuade ITV to go on satellite, but executives refused.

ITV's strategy backfired badly: ONdigital, now renamed ITV Digital, failed to capture subscribers in significant numbers; it has only about 1m. In homes with Sky, ITV1's audience share has plunged, and as the number of Sky subscribers grows, the problem intensifies.

Now ITV is in talks with Sky on whether its services should be marketed by Sky. Even if a deal is not reached, ITV will be available on digital satellite by the end of the year.

____________________________________________________

So nothing new that we have'nt heard already, but things must be advancing well, to warrant the publishing of this article.

What channel number will UTV be on down south, if it is on the EPG?

More importantly, what date?

Hi Damo,
its good to read what you've just posted- I wonder , will those with bbc cards have all ITV regions-or will Sky postcde it and spoil the fun??
No doubt UTV when it appears will be somewhere awkward on the Irish EPG.
Why cant we organise channell lists on our digiboxes to the order we want,like you can with an ITV digital box.
It will be good when UTV appears on sky as no doubt when Irish DTT stars up- it will be bye , bye ITV digital for me
looking foward to the Irish version though
mm

DMC

Hi madman,

I think it will be all free on 28 degrees E, just plonked on a transponder rented from Astra, you can add the regions in, in Add Channels.

The only consideration is that ITV want the specific region you are in, on the EPG at 103; i.e. UTV on 103 in Northern Ireland only, and not available on the EPG elsewhere.

This is what I have been waiting for. I want to see what other ITV presentation is like, live, for myself.

As for organising the EPG..... if it was a PC, it would need a good scandisk and a defrag It's all over the place, to fragmented, it needs to be rejigged.

I'd take a good long snooze waiting for Irish DTTV......

Barryo

If ya check report on www.wotsat.com it seems that the 2 ITV transponders have become active - so presume that testing will start soon...

Richard

Originally posted by madman
Hi Damo,
its good to read what you've just posted- I wonder , will those with bbc cards have all ITV regions-or will Sky postcde it and spoil the fun??

It isn't up to Sky - it is up to ITV. Though Sky would love to have the regions encrypted so they can charge ITV ludicrously high encryption fees. It is all about weighing up the cost of encryption with the cost of being FTA.

byte

As long as I get UTV, I don't care how we get it Will we get ITV2 in ROI I wonder.:rolleyes:

Nero

I agree irishblimp. The only thing I miss since switching from Chorus to Sky is ITV's coverage of the F1 Grand Prixs. Those clowns on RTE just have not got a clue !!!

jjcole

I agree completely. ITVF1 is the dogs.......

I don't know how the RTE crew get it done so bad. It seems like they are all back at Montrose watching a feed and commentating on that feed.

ITV have defined how it should be by providing so much background info and paddock news. I nearly enjoy the hour before the race rather than the race itself. I cannot wait for Sky to pick up UTV as my feed is from Wales and the HTV signal is well dodgy, sometimes white screening completely in the middle of the race.

Of course Corrie will be a welcome pickup on UTV/Sky too!!

DMC

This is an even better article from the Financial Times.
www.ft.com

ITV plans UK satellite broadcast launch

By James Harding, Media Editor, in London
Published: September 17 2001 19:26

The spat between the UK's biggest commercial broadcasters and Rupert Murdoch's satellite TV network is set to worsen as ITV prepares to launch independently on satellite in November.

In a move designed to bypass British Sky Broadcasting, ITV has arranged to start beaming its channels direct into homes with Sky dishes but without signing a conditional access deal with BSkyB.

ITV, controlled by Granada and Carlton Communications, is believed to have grown fed up with BSkyB, which was demanding a substantial price for hosting the terrestrial TV channel. While BSkyB was said to be asking for £20m to grant conditional access, ITV executives are understood to have been offering something closer to £5m, people involved in the discussions say.

BSkyB has been dismissive of the threat that ITV would broadcast directly, suggesting it was just a negotiating tactic designed to put pressure on Mr Murdoch's satellite group to come to an agreement.

ITV has been facing strong demands from UK advertisers to put its channels on BSkyB. As the number of BSkyB digital subscribers has increased to more than 5m, the absence of ITV from the BSkyB platform has had a detrimental impact on ITV's audience share.

Homes that subscribe to BSkyB have to switch off the digital service, flick back to analogue and tune to channel three to get ITV. When the remote control gets lost down the back of the sofa, ITV stays off in BSkyB homes.

Over the past year, ITV executives have been saying they are moving towards a deal to get the channels on to the BSkyB platform. But the apparent decision by ITV to go it alone illustrates how the relationship between the companies has deteriorated.

If ITV presses ahead and starts broadcasting direct from the Astra satellite, it will be messy. The ITV signal will spill into other countries in northern Europe. This means ITV has had to negotiate with all its programme producers to allow for that spillover.

The owners of the Champions League rights have refused, which means that when Champions League matches are screened on ITV, the channels will direct BSkyB viewers to tune back to the analogue service.

There is also a question about where ITV will sit on the electronic programme guide, which operates a hierarchy of channels.

If ITV sits on the bottom of the guide, advertisers are unlikely to be happy. ITV will also have to broadcast each of its 15 regional franchises on a separate channel. That is likely to confuse viewers and frustrate advertisers.

ITV has had a long-running tussle with BSkyB. The owners of ITV also happen to be the owners of what was ON Digital, now ITV Digital. Granada and Carlton tried to use ITV to lure viewers to ITV Digital, which offers digital via a TV aerial rather than a satellite dish.

But BSkyB, thanks to sport, aggressive marketing and heavy investment in customer care, has expanded its digital subscriber base to more than 5m homes, compared with ITV Digital's 1.3m.

________________________________
Interesting! No Champions League for ITV on Sky Digital!

Richard

Originally from www.ft.com



Homes that subscribe to BSkyB have to switch off the digital service, flick back to analogue and tune to channel three to get ITV. When the remote control gets lost down the back of the sofa, ITV stays off in BSkyB homes.

Not so, of course - with most TV videos, just press 3 on the TV remote (or TV, 3 on the SKy Remote), or the AV toggle button.

There is also a question about where ITV will sit on the electronic programme guide, which operates a hierarchy of channels.

No there isn't. OFTEL regulates the EPG and 101-105 are reserved for the 5 analogue terrestrial channels. ITV will be on 103.

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by Nero
Those clowns on RTE just have not got a clue !!!

it is true that they don't but neither have ITV at times. one good thing about RTÉ is that they dont give us ad breaks every 15-20 minutes. IMO it is better to watch on RTL with commentary off the radio

_Kaiser_

No there isn't. OFTEL regulates the EPG and 101-105 are reserved for the 5 analogue terrestrial channels. ITV will be on 103.

But that's in the UK only isn't it?....I've read elsewhere that in ROI, EPG #101-105 are reserved for the Irish Terrestrials (RTE1, N2, TV3, TG4..dunno about 5?) so over here it'd probaly be up near BBC in the 200s somewhere (very awkward actually)

Richard

Originally posted by Kaiser2000


But that's in the UK only isn't it?....I've read elsewhere that in ROI, EPG #101-105 are reserved for the Irish Terrestrials (RTE1, N2, TV3, TG4..dunno about 5?) so over here it'd probaly be up near BBC in the 200s somewhere (very awkward actually)

Yes, OFTEL is only for the UK, but the report was UK-specific and I was querying it. It is true that 101-105 are reserved for the Irish terrestrial analogue stations. 105 may be the RTE News channel if it launches on analoue terrestrial (and RTE want it to appear on SkyDigital) or it may (as speculated here) be UTV. I'd doubt that, personally, and I'd think that UTV (and ITV2) will be in the 200s somewhere. Channel 4 may be on 206 since from 106 onwards, channels are bunched in threes depending on the owner. Channel 4 has the right to 206 and 207 since E4 is on 205.

The Gopher

In the paper report it says ITV lost viewers cos it means digital viewers having to switch on analogue tv.This is just a face saving excuse by ITV.Sure it could happen if it were a matter of attaching different cables at the back of the tv or whatever.But the real reason is cos ITV is a load of ****e in skys comparison.

The Gopher

Its only a matter of pressing number 3 on the remote,so its not all that strenous!

Mossy Monk

that is not strictly true about them being ****e. people tend to forget about checking to see what is on ITV as they have the search and scan banner for other channels. so if they had the search and scan they might see something, check the synopsis in the EPG and put it in the planner. hey presto ITV have more viewers

byte

Champions League being unavailable on ITV wouldn't bother me as I watch it on TV3 anyway. Besides, ITV only shows a Wednesday game whereas TV3 shows Tuesday and Wednesday game.

It would be nice if ITV broadcast like Channel4 in UK or even Sky1. C4 and Sky1 have some variations (advert optouts) and only the one relevant to region is on EPG. Though via Add Channels, the other "regions" can be viewed.

So, UTV could be in 103/216/etc but the other regions could be accessible via Add Channels. This of course probably brings in Sky's conditional access again. UTV2 will not be on Sky but will ITV2? And if it is, will ITV2 be available to ROI (if they use conditional access)? Also, the million-times-asked-question, will C4 ever see the light of day in ROI via Sky?:rolleyes:

Having to go into analogue teletext to see whats on RTE is now becoming a pain in the neck-so slow and cumbersome-having been spoiled by "EPG'S" and that excelelent "i" button.

The same applys to ITV unless you watch it on ITV digital which the very vast majority dont.
We human beings like our creature comforts ( anyone remember what it was like b4 remote control? , having to actually get up each time-perish the thought!!! )

Well the epg/search+ scan etc is having its effect
See the wood for the trees channel four/five and RTE and enter the land of Sky with UTV
mm

_Kaiser_

anyone remember what it was like b4 remote control? , having to actually get up each time-perish the thought!!!

*shudders...also remembering only having 8 channels on the TV and having to tune manually using tiny band switches and dials*

Charles Slane

This is the latest bulletin from the Sky Digi Online site. It's most interesting for the bit about all ITV variations being in thr 800s in the EPG -


ITV set for November Sky launch LATEST

According to the Financial Times, ITV is to launch on Astra independently of Sky in November 2001. It is reported that they have not come to an agreement with Sky about using the Videoguard encryption system, and so will go it alone, using three transponders, 49, 53 and 54 on Astra 2D. The service is reportedly going to be broadcast in the clear, but without the UEFA Champions League football coverage, due to contractual reasons. However, contacting a source at the Financial Times, it is their impression that all other programme rights other than the Champions League have been negotiated such that they will be able to transmit them free to air via Astra. They are also looking into using 16 separate EPG numbers for this, in the 800 sequence, with the possibility of 103 being used as a means of directing the viewer to a particular region and its number(s). Further info is not yet known, but this will be good news if it does come to fruition as described. We will keep you posted when we know more.
Source: James Robinson, Financial Times

Richard

From the financial times
They are also looking into using 16 separate EPG numbers for this, in the 800 sequence, with the possibility of 103 being used as a means of directing the viewer to a particular region and its number(s).
Source: James Robinson, Financial Times

I would be surprised if 103 doesn't have the 'local' region, but then it would probably cost them more to have 103 diferent for each region.

If this does happen, as it hopefully will, I for one will be spending most time watching something other than the hopeless UTV.

I wonder will ROI viewers get all the regions in the EPG though. Or will they have to be tuned in manually? I wonder.

Richard

The following is from Produxion.com and is very interesting:

ITV will launch its main channel ITV 1 on digital satellite by November whether it has struck a deal with BSkyB or not, write Colin Robertson and Steve Aston.

Carlton Channels chief executive Clive Jones told Broadcast that ITV 1 would begin broadcasting on digital satellite by the end of November 'come hell or high water'.

ITV has failed to strike a deal with BSkyB over conditional access to its Sky Digital service, in which ITV's 16 regional services would become part of the Sky Digital free-to-air package.

Bypassing conditional access would leave ITV broadcasting unencrypted services, which could cause rights issues, as the footprint for the Astra 2D satellite stretches beyond the UK.

ITV would have to black out programmes covering events such as the Champions' League on satellite and refer viewers back to analogue.

Jones said it would cost around £150,000 to get on the Sky Digital EPG. This compares with around £20m for conditional access.

An ITV source said: 'The previous statement that we'd go ahead and broadcast anyway was seen as a bargaining tool but we're serious in our commitment to our advertisers and viewers.'

Mossy Monk

why are they not allowed to broadcast Champions League FTA. RTL do it every week, FTA to the whole of Europe!!!!!!

em.... possibly because rtl have paid money to do this-money itv don't consider worth spending
or possibly because rtl have exclusivity(wheres the spell check on this?)
all the usual reasons
mm

Charles Slane

This is the latest, taken from today's Times -

"ITV firms could face £40m digital loss

BY RAYMOND SNODDY, MEDIA EDITOR

BRITAIN’s biggest ITV companies, already facing a severe drop in advertising sales, could be hit by further revenue losses of up to £40 million a year if they press ahead with their current digital plans.
The ITV companies will push ahead with plans to launch digital satellite broadcasts on their own next month, following a failure to reach agreement with BSkyB, the satellite broadcaster.

BSkyB, in which News International, owner of The Times, has a 37.5 per cent stake, has told the ITV companies they must pay £20 million a year to use its conditional access, or scrambling, system.

The ITV companies, led by Carlton Communications and Granada, have rejected a deal on the grounds that they believe the price is far too high.

Instead they have decided to launch digital services using their own satellite capacity, meaning all the planned 16 regional programme variations will be broadcast unscrambled. This means signals cannot be controlled and targeted at specific geographic areas.

Viewers in Scotland or the Midlands, for example, could end up watching the ITV service aimed at Londoners. Advertisers are concerned that they will no longer know who is watching their adverts.

Both Carlton and Granada have been warned by their advertising sales teams that there could be a fall in revenue, at least in the short term. Some estimates put the cost of the change for Carlton and Granada at £20 million each in the first year."


Sounds very promising. Let's hope ITV keep their nerve and make all regions available.