Campaign for BBC3, 4, News 24 and BBC Radio in Ireland.

Charles Slane

Originally posted by charlie2000
chicken

A lovely term of affection, charlie2000, but somewhat out of place on these boards.

I'd imagine it might be time for your afternoon nap.

Charles Slane

Since the BBC and Sky seem to have removed BBC Cymru and (more importantly) BBC World Service from the Irish EPG, I thought it might be appropriate to drag up this old thread.

E-mail addresses for both the BBC and Sky are on previous pages if anyone wants to fire off an e-mail asking why the World Service has been taken from us.

It seems bizarre that it should disappear just as the Beeb is about to go FTA.

Obviously Sky and the BBC have been having discussions about BBC's presence on the Irish EPG.

Could it be that all the BBC channels will all appear on the Irish EPG after they go FTA ?

I think we should be told.

Mossy Monk

i was only just looking at the front pages of this thread for email addresses

Charles Slane

These e-mail addresses have received the following e-mail.

backchat@sky.com

bbcworldwide@bbc.co.uk

reception@bbc.co.uk

tony.ball@bskyb.com

"I'm a Sky Digital subscriber in Ireland.

I am writing to you to ask why the BBC World Service radio channel has disappeared from the Irish EPG.

I've enjoyed the programming on this station through Sky Digital for years, but now it has vanished.

Why ? And will it be back ?

Charles Slane."

Anyone else willing to send an e-mail ?

Mossy Monk

i forgot about Tony Ball :cool:

ShaneOC

Ahhh, it's great to see this thread back up on page 1.

Emails to Tony Ball do get answered and answered fairly rapidly too.

PacMan

Great to see this thread back again.
I have e-mailed Greg Dyke
greg.dyke@bbc.co.uk
I know it wont be answered by him personally, but hey...... lets start all over again.
What was the e-mail address for mark Deering who is in charge of Sky in Ireland?????
I know its here somewhere...somewhere in the zillions of pages

ShaneOC

Following the format of the Sky mails it should be mark.deering@bskyb.com but I have never heard of anyone getting a reply using that address.

Mossy Monk

i got this from the BBC today

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

The BBC will be using the Astra 2D satellite which has a more targeted
footprint, allowing the BBC to limit broadcasting to the UK and some
surrounding countries.

To retune in our services, please follow the instructions below:

On satellite remote press 'services'
Select 4 - system set up
Select 4 - add channels

The following info should be added:

Frequency - 10.77325 GHz
Polarisation - Horizontal
Symbal Rate - 22.0
FEC - 5/6

For:

BBC ONE UK
BBC TWO UK
BBC THREE
BBC NEWS 24
BBC ONE Northern Ireland (CBR)
BBC FOUR
CBBC
CBeebies
BBC Radio Cymru

and

Frequency - 10.80275 GHz
Polarisation - Horizontal
Symbal Rate - 22.0
FEC - 5/6

For:

BBC ONE Scotland
BBC TWO Scotland
BBC ONE Wales
BBC TWO Wales
BBC TWO Northern Ireland

I hope you find this information useful and once again thank you for
contacting the BBC.

Regards

Brian McGettrick
BBC Information

nothing useful about BBC World Service, only how to tune it in. unless someone else can find some hidden message

Charles Slane

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
unless someone else can find some hidden message

Yeah, if you read every fourth word is says "We really really really don't like the Irish and will do everything in our power to make it difficult to hear or see our services !!"

No replies as yet to my e-mails.

PacMan

Earlier this evening, I received the exact same e-mail as previously posted. Details of Manual Tuning etc.

I also asked about EPG Placement of BBC3/BBC4/News 24 etc and was given the following reply:
For any queries regarding Skyâ?™s EPG please contact their appropriate office for information.
The word SKY was somewhat "distorted" by those nice people at the BBC, I wonder why:p

So in conclusion.... BBC inform you to ask Sky
SKy inform you to ask BBC

So nothing new then !!!!

Richard

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
i got this from the BBC today

[/i]

nothing useful about BBC World Service, only how to tune it in. unless someone else can find some hidden message [/B]

I think BBC Radio is mostly on the same transponder as the BBC TWO nations, apart from Cymru.

Charles Slane

Got this reply -

"Dear Charles

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

I have spoken directly with our reception advice experts on this matter, who inform me that the problem most likely originates with Sky. Could I then suggest that you contact your local Sky retailer or installer for more information.

Thank you once again for taking the time to write.

Regards

XXXXXXXXXXXX
BBC Information"

So I've forwarded it to Sky with a request to explain.

Charles Slane

And here's an interesting reply I received today -

"Dear Mr Slane

Tony Ball has asked me to respond to your email.

The BBC decided as part of their new contractual arrangements with us for
the time being not to list this service in Ireland. Unfortunately it is not
something within our control but we have asked them to reconsider this
decision and hope that they will do so.

Regards


*****************
Chief Operating Officer

---

Original Message

---

From: Charles Slane <slanec@gofree.indigo.ie>
To: tony.ball@bskyb.com <tony.ball@bskyb.com>
Sent: Sun Jun 22 23:30:35 2003
Subject: BBC World Service

I'm a Sky Digital subscriber in Ireland.

I am writing to you to ask why the BBC World Service radio channel has
disappeared from the Irish EPG.

I've enjoyed the programming on this station through Sky Digital for years,
but now it has vanished.

Why ? And will it be back ?

Charles Slane."

So the blame is squarely on the BBC's shoulders. Not only do they not want us to have their regular BBC radio stations on the EPG, but now they don't want us to have their "World Service".

It's a joke !!!

It seems that to them we're neither "domestic" nor "foreign".

DMC

Its neither Charles, its buck passing from Sky to BBC.

"You look after the irish."
"No you do!"
"My reactions lenses react faster than yours....."

Richard

I'd get back onto the BBC with your reply from Sky. Does Tony Ball have an e-mail address?

ShaneOC

Originally posted by Richard
I'd get back onto the BBC with your reply from Sky. Does Tony Ball have an e-mail address?

tony.ball@bskyb.com

ShaneOC

Originally posted by Charles Slane
And here's an interesting reply I received today -

"Dear Mr Slane

Tony Ball has asked me to respond to your email.

The BBC decided as part of their new contractual arrangements with us for
the time being not to list this service in Ireland. Unfortunately it is not
something within our control but we have asked them to reconsider this
decision and hope that they will do so.

Regards


*****************
Chief Operating Officer

---

Original Message

---

From: Charles Slane <slanec@gofree.indigo.ie>
To: tony.ball@bskyb.com <tony.ball@bskyb.com>
Sent: Sun Jun 22 23:30:35 2003
Subject: BBC World Service

I'm a Sky Digital subscriber in Ireland.

I am writing to you to ask why the BBC World Service radio channel has
disappeared from the Irish EPG.

I've enjoyed the programming on this station through Sky Digital for years,
but now it has vanished.

Why ? And will it be back ?

Charles Slane."

So the blame is squarely on the BBC's shoulders. Not only do they not want us to have their regular BBC radio stations on the EPG, but now they don't want us to have their "World Service".

It's a joke !!!

It seems that to them we're neither "domestic" nor "foreign".

Charles, buck passing is definately happening. I would suggest writting a letter to both Mr. Ball and the person in the BBC (and now that I think of it send a copy to BBC Worldwide too). In the letter I would explain who you are sending the copies to and to ask them for clarification on why the service has been withdrawn.

rcunning03

---

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

The BBC will be using the Astra 2D satellite which has a more targeted
footprint, allowing the BBC to limit broadcasting to the UK and some
surrounding countries.

To retune in our services, please follow the instructions below:

On satellite remote press 'services'
Select 4 - system set up
Select 4 - add channels

The following info should be added:

Frequency - 10.77325 GHz
Polarisation - Horizontal
Symbal Rate - 22.0
FEC - 5/6

For:

BBC ONE UK
BBC TWO UK
BBC THREE
BBC NEWS 24
BBC ONE Northern Ireland (CBR)
BBC FOUR
CBBC
CBeebies
BBC Radio Cymru

and

Frequency - 10.80275 GHz
Polarisation - Horizontal
Symbal Rate - 22.0
FEC - 5/6

For:

BBC ONE Scotland
BBC TWO Scotland
BBC ONE Wales
BBC TWO Wales
BBC TWO Northern Ireland

I hope you find this information useful and once again thank you for
contacting the BBC.

Regards

Brian McGettrick
BBC Information

---

does this mean we can view the channels now

DMC

Not yet, 10th July.

Richard

Originally posted by DMC
Not yet, 10th July.

During the BBC ONE Regional News Programme at 6:30 (i.e. in NI, Newsline), if you press red there is information on the FTA changeover.

The date mentioned for when it will be possible for viewers to watch all regions is now 29th July, a Tuesday.

THe BBCi site still mentions 10th July.

I can't see why there'd be such a big delay given that viewers in England can watch the English regions through "Other Channels" Already, and that everyone should be able to from the 10th.

Or has the date of the 10th been put back again?

DMC

As I understand it, Richard, FTA (through other channels down here) on the 10th July, but the regional 101 and 102 for the UK wont happen til 29th July.

PacMan

Just received this reply from the BBC. At least its written by a "Real" person and not the normal Automated ones....
Read On...................

Except for those BBC services included in the EPG which Sky produces for ROI, the BBC does not specifically broadcast to Ireland and therefore would not seek to spend Licence Fee income on relevant EPG appearances for its domestic services.

From 10th July, it is proposed to remove encryption from all BBC services currently on Astra 2.
Sky EPG positions have been negotiated between the BBC and Sky for UK Sky subcribers and UK Free-to-View users of that platform.
These will be announced on our website at the appropriate time.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception>

I am not clear why World Service Radio was removed from your EPG. World Service Radio is separately funded by Grant in Aid from the UK Treasury.
It does have other satellite appearances and is still available to the UK and Ireland, as you have found.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/index.shtml>

BBC World TV is a commercial service and they would need to answer your enquiry regarding an appearance in your EPG.
<http://www.bbcworld.com/>

Cork

If you don't have any satalite equipment - what would the costs of getting a Free to Air Dish?

Would you be better off subscribing to Shy for a certain period?

What is their mimimum contract?

sceptre

Originally posted by Cork
If you don't have any satalite equipment - what would the costs of getting a Free to Air Dish?

Unless you go the watty method[1], it's a standard dish and box. Same equipment as subscribing to Sky. Costs have been posted here quite a few times so it's worth doing a search. Regular posters usualy go the route of recommending Tony's shop - www.satellite.ie. Prices listed there and I'm sure they're as cheap as anyone else out there. Obviously if you just buy the dish and box without subscribing to Sky you'll have to pay someone to installl the stuff as well.

Would you be better off subscribing to Shy for a certain period?

Any time this question has been asked the answer has been yes. I'm fairly sure that the answer is still the same. Comparison of prices on the link above compared to the minimum cost of subscribing to Sky (install price of €75, Sky World for first month (€60) dropping down to the lowest package possible for remaining 11 months (€19 per month)) will probably make it cheaper to subscribe. Unsubsidised digibox price on satellite.ie is €399 plus a dish @€;69.01, plus the cost of getting the thing installed, cost if you subscribe to Sky and drop down package after 1 month is €344 (75+60+11*19).

There's also the new "minibox" as an alternative - available for €269 instead of the €399 for the regular digibox but subscribing still works out cheaper unless you do the whole install yourself (and the minibox is really only suitable as a second box for a few reasons).

What is their mimimum contract?

12 months. You can drop down to the lowest package after the first month if all you want is the dish and box.


[1]Link to FTA receivers on satellite.ie:
http://www.satellite.ie/acatalog/FTA.html
I've no experience with any of these but I'm pretty sure they're perfectly simple to use. I'm only including the link for reference as I'm fairly sure you'll be going the digibox route if you get a dish on your wall. Once off charge if you only use it for free to air channels.

rcunning03

Frequency - 10.77325 GHz

---

i couldnt type the whole freq in just the first 5 digits and it found no channels please help

DMC

Rounding works, 10.773 H.

Charles Slane

Bizarrely it now looks as if the new potential obstacle to us receiving the digital BBC channels might be the Irish government (under pressure from the cablecos).

According to other threads the government will try to put pressure on the Beeb to prevent us from seeing their unencrytped services.

Is anyone else completely and utterly p*ssed off by this ????

How can we communicate our anger at this blatent attempt to limit our viewing and to safeguard the cosy broadcasting arrangements in this country (which is just another opportunity for the wealthy vested interests to rip off the common people of Ireland) ?

I'm so angry about this. I despise politicians and their big business cronies !!

Cynical as it sounds - we need to somehow let Ahern and co know that if they do this, they WILL lose votes !!!

Maybe it's time to shift the emphasis to trying to find Irish politicians e-mail addresses and letting them know how we feel.

Mossy Monk

how are they going to stop FTA broadcasts into this country. Bertie can't even give a speach without rooting through pieces of paper.

on the subject of radio stations:
Sky told me by email to get in touch with Astra about the loss of the World Service and Radio Cymru from the EPG what do Astra have to do with the Irish EPG? nothing

DMC

Do what West Briton did, e-mail the department.