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

1235714

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 47 ONireland


    I'd add the Ministry of Aerials weight to this, but I'm for something absolutely more radical.

    I want to see the end of pay TV in all forms. What do we get for pay TV - TV channels with more advertising on them than normal TV channels. It makes me wonder, "What's the point!"

    Before Sky and BSB launched, TV in the UK has a happy, carefree place. The BBC, UTV and Channel 4 provided all you ever wanted. But then the evil Aussie came and unplugged our TVs! He forced us to subscribe to his channels to see our beloved Sci-Fi and Movies. I help out until there was a way not to directly fund his evil empire - digital terrestrial. But the fact remains, Murdoch has been let go too far.

    The sad thing is that it's the fools of society that have caused us all this trouble. When Sky launched, society should have said "NO!". If we'd all decided we wouldn't pay for TV, we'd all get what we wanted from the non-pay channels. But there are always enough gulible to buy any product.

    I'm not against the concept of pay-TV. It's only right that a company providing entertainment should make money. TV3 have the right slogan, that they are funded only by advertising. Based on that, pay-TV should be funded only by you paying for it, not on advertising.

    Take "Carlton Cinema" - it's a small channel with a small audience. But it's a pay-TV channel with no advertising during it's films. It only advertises between the end of one film and the next. AND, it actually screens a lot of very good films. If a channel like "Carlton Cinema" can manage to operate without throwing an annoying "Domino's Pizzas" ad in our face every 5 minutes, then I think Mr Murdoch's channels could too!!

    In conclusion, I'd pay for TV if it provided channels with no advertising. However, as pay-TV today has more advertising than non-pay TV, the only solution is to make all the pay-TV channel free!

    And when I say all, I mean all! Pay Per View included!


    If the American companies don't like it, tell them to go fup themselves!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭chernobyl


    Originally posted by ONireland


    I want to see the end of pay TV in all forms. What do we get for pay TV - TV channels with more advertising on them than normal TV channels. It makes me wonder, "What's the point!"



    Yeah...maybe you could reverse the pair a mirror glasses that you are wearing.
    remember the eyes are the mirror of the soul and if you keep wearing those glasses the wrong way around, you will never see the world for what it is and not what you hope it to be.


  • Registered Users Posts: 93 ✭✭apiou


    Ah you see ONireland, if we just had to pay a one off price every year and no adds that is called Nirvana. But sorry it does not exist.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 47 ONireland


    Then how come Carlton Cinema manages to operate (with practically no advertising).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,626 ✭✭✭smoke.me.a.kipper


    im planning to send e-mails to everyone concerned (again) raising the following issues. can you let me know if these are correct??

    channels available to UK & Irish viewers but with no EPG placement in Ireland:
    • BBC PARLIAMENT - has epg placement with card removed!!
    • BBC RADIO 1 - available via add channels.
    • BBC RADIO 2 - available via add channels.
    • BBC RADIO 3 - available via add channels.
    • BBC RADIO 4FM - available via add channels.

    channels available to UK viewers but NOT available to Irish viewers but with EPG placement just to bait us:
    • Tara
    • S4C Digital
    • TalkSport
    • CBBC
    • CBeebies

    channels available to UK viewers but NOT available to Irish viewers and with no EPG placement in Ireland:
    • ITV1 / UTV
    • Channel 4
    • Channel 5 - i know this will never happen over here :)
    • BBC CHOICE
    • ITV2
    • BBC NEWS 24
    • BBC KNOWLEDGE
    • BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

    if ive missed anything can you let me know :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    TalkSport doesn't have an EPG placement, apart from that everything looks right to me.

    Of course all the ITV regions were available via "Add Channels" until the b*****ds took them away from us last night.

    E-mail ViewerR@bskyb.com and info@utv.co.uk (I think) to express your anger.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,092 ✭✭✭ShaneOC


    I was just reading through the headlines on the ICDG main site and saw that there is a new Director of Sky in Ireland. He used to work for TV3 and is called Mark Deering. A bit of searching on the net and I found this address deering@sky.bskyb.com

    Might be worth sending an email or two to him about our ever growing list of unavailable channels.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,457 ✭✭✭dmeehan


    could some industrious person collect all these email addresses in one place, to make it easier for the rest of us..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 574 ✭✭✭PacMan


    Great idea dmeehan... about the e-mail list.

    The e-mail I sent to mark Deering just came "Bouncing" back.

    Anyone else have contact details for Sky office in Dublin???


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    Far be it from me to encourage anyone to be involved in an e-mail campaign, but dmeehan did ask, so here's the addresses we have so far -


    To annoy RTE with e-mails about their (and TG4)'s supposedly imminent arrival on the Sky digital platform -

    haydej@rte.ie
    popeb@rte.ie (the tech area)

    Although you'll probably get a quick response from TG4 themselves at -

    linda.ni.ghriofa@tg4.ie


    To really get TV3's goat with questions about their plans try -

    info@tv3.ie


    To cause apoplexy at the Beeb with queries about BBC3, BBC4, BBC News 24, CBeebies, CBBC and all the radio stations we can't get, email them at -

    reception@bbc.co.uk

    Meanwhile their buddies in BBC Worldwide (who did the deal to get BBC1 and 2 onto Sky in the first place) can be berated at -

    bbcworldwide@bbc.co.uk


    If you want to make the customer service people in Sky cry out "No more. Please !!" Ask them a few questions about any/all of your frustrations of being a second-class Sky subscriber at -

    ViewerR@bskyb.com

    Or try (if you want to make it onto the telly)

    backchat@sky.com

    There's also a whole heap of e-mail addresses for various executives in Sky, but having tried them all, only some work. The first one definitely works, the rest are pot luck -

    tony.ball@bskyb.com

    martin.stewart@bskyb.com - Chief Financial Officer
    richard.freudenstein@bskyb.com - General Manager
    ian.shepherd@bskyb.com - Marketing Director
    geoff.walters@bskyb.com - Chief Technology Officer
    elisabeth.murdoch@bskyb.com - Da Bosses Daughter
    greg.houfe@bskyb.com - Head of Marketing Operations
    tim.allan@bskyb.com - Director of Corporate Communications

    Apparently this one is bouncing back -

    deering@sky.bskyb.com

    but it might really be -

    mark.deering@sky.bskyb.com (It's worth a lash)


    Finally our lovely northern cousins could do with some hassle about the whole "ITV blocked" horror, so send your pleading missive to -

    info@utvplc.com

    I think this covers just about everything so far.

    Now fly my pretties ... fly !!!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Now fly my pretties ... fly !!!
    You got your wizard of oz dvd then Charles:D
    I wondor will the great Wizard sort it for us?
    mm


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭carrolls


    I sent this message to Deering and am waiting for a reply

    Dear Mr Deering,
    I and many other Sky Digital subscribers in ROI are on the verge of returning our
    Sky Equipment very soon to you. Why you may ask?.
    Well compared to our English Sky Digital subscribers,ROI subscribers are getting a very raw deal.
    We pay the same price to SKY, well 5% more in some cases. And what do we get? We get the same service minus
    ITV1 / UTV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC CHOICE, ITV2, BBC NEWS 24, BBC KNOWLEDGE, BBC RADIO 5 LIVE, Tara.
    Each one of these channels is a premium channel as far as I am concerned. They are better than Sky's
    premium channels. Until such time as these channels are available, the Sky fee in the ROI should be reduced to take account of this.
    I think this should be placed on the top of your agenda.
    Sky will end up killing a potentially fine product in Ireland.
    Thanks for listening,
    Yours etc comuser


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 293 ✭✭David C


    Mark.Deering@bskyb.com does not bounce so must be his address.
    I sent him a mail on 29/01/02 but never got a response. I suspect he read it though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,570 ✭✭✭irishgeo


    Just an update on the campaign. I received this today. the reply is at the top and the email i sent further down.I am going to give the number a lash tomorrow as well as a few moew like UTV,SKY TV3,RTE and maybe even Channel 4
    I am very upset at UTV(SKY is the not to blame for once). i live in an area where i can not pick up any of the british channels or TV3 on the aerial or cable. i felt better when we got UTV on SKY. But now they have blocked it. So it back to endless repeats on SKY.I post details on how i got on with each company tomorrow sometime. Keep an eye out.I think i try a couple of emails to the papers as well except The Sun.

    P.S Hows isthe channles blocked in ireland and not anywhere else and how is the EPG maintained. I loved to knopw how they do it.

    Dear Kevin

    Thank you for your e-mail to Backchat who have passed it to me for a
    response. Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying.

    Unfortunately, Sky has no information with regard to BBC3 or BBC4. You may
    wish to contact the BBC direct for further assistance on the telephone
    number listed below.

    08702 438000.

    When the radio stations launched the BBC decided not to make them available
    in the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, Sky has only been given limited
    rights to make certain BBC services available in certain locations.

    I hope that the above information is of value to you and may I thank you,
    once again, for your interest in Sky.

    Dianne Main
    Viewer Relations



    Original Message
    From: Kevin Mc Neela [javascript:parent.sidenavframe.compose('kjmcn@eircom.net')]
    Sent: 05 January 2002 22:27
    To: backchat@sky.com; viewerr@bskyb.com
    Subject: BBC Channels


    Hi,

    I'm a Sky Digital customer in the Republic of Ireland and I was
    wondering if the new BBC3 and 4 will be available to Irish viewers (as
    BBC 1 and 2 already are).

    Also, why are the BBC Radio stations not available on the EPG here (with
    the exception of World Service and BBC Radio Cymru) ? We can tune them
    in via "Other Channels", so it's hardly a rights issue. It would however
    be more convenient to have access to them on the EPG, as the programme
    information can be very helpful.

    I'm sure that the availability of all BBC channels would be a major
    boost in Sky's move into the Irish market. After all, an ad that says
    "Sky Digital !! Now with BBC 3, BBC 4, BBC News 24 and BBC Radio" is
    going to sell a lot more digiboxes than an ad that says "Now with Simply
    Shopping+".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭Gadgie


    Originally posted by Kevin
    Just an update on the campaign. I received this today. the reply is at the top and the email i sent further down.....

    Dear Kevin

    Thank you for your e-mail to Backchat who have passed it to me for a
    response. Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying.

    .....

    I like the way that when you ask Sky (through BackChat) a question they don't really want you to know the answer to, they always fob you off to the Viewer Relations department. Sly...

    They did the same to me when I asked them why Sky One does not broadcast in widescreen.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭carrolls


    A mathamatical argument that UTV and CH 4 NI are probably more than aware of.

    200,000+ Sky digital recievers increasing by 500 per day in Ireland.
    By the summer there should be 250,000.
    This means 250000 X 3.5 = 875000 potential viewers
    by the Summer.
    Add this to the fact that ~50'% of these extra people will leave Chorus and NTL to join Sky. (UTV and CH4 available)
    The people that presently recieve UK terrestrial brodcasts in the
    border counties will more than likely not subscribe to Sky.

    => 35% of UTV's and CH4 NI's potential audience in the Republic use Sky digital where the channels are missing.
    People in ROI multichannel areas spend 15% of their time watching UTV and 7% of their time watching CH4 NI.

    This is very very serious advertising revenue lost by these channels to Sky.

    => Expect a positive announcement from these channels shortly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    Interesting stats there.

    I have to say that since getting Sky digital I'm far less likely to just flick onto UTV and Channel 4 (on NTL) than I used to be (which means they're losing me as an advertising target).

    I guess it's the same thing that stopped people in the UK watching ITV. Most of the time I just don't bother switching back to analogue (I know, how lazy is that ??)

    When RTE, Network 2 and TG4 arrive on Sky (April, hopefully) there'll be even less casual flicking over to Channel 4 and UTV, and their advertising revenues south of the border will eventually reflect this.

    I've no doubt that UTV are actively trying to get onto the platform and I'm sure that Channel 4 aren't far behind them (wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall at some of those negotiations ???).

    Meanwhile I'd imagine that the BBC isn't really too bothered whether their new channels appear in the Republic or not. What have they got to gain ? How do they justify it to their licence payers ? The only thing that will get them on the Irish EPG is if Sky believe that there's a demand for them (and that their sales would be increased by their presence). I'd love to know how much the BBC is looking for from Sky to allow their channels on the Irish EPG.

    The BBC will definitely want money from Sky to make their channels available, while UTV and Channel 4 will probably have to pay money to Sky to have their channels seen.

    So the equation would mean that UTV and Channel 4 would have to gain more money through extra advertising in the republic than they spend on the EPG placement (and possibly programme rights).

    The one thing that being on the Irish EPG would really benefit both would be targetted advertising. Both channels are already very popular in the republic, and Channel 4 already has regional advertising opt-outs.

    Would it be worth UTV and Channel 4's while to spend money on Irish advertising opt-outs of both their channels ??

    So we need to let Sky know that we want more BBC (and that other people would sign up to Sky if they were available), and we need to let UTV and Channel 4 know that they will very rapidly lose viewers (and advertising) by not being on the Sky Digital platform.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭carrolls


    Interesting note,

    RTE were charged nothing (£0.00) for their transition to Sky Digital. Sky's thinking was obviously RTE would be a huge asset to inticing subscriptions in the ROI to their system.
    Maybe it is similar for UTV and CH4 NI, although not to such a big extent.
    Sky is doing a balancing act to see what configuration will cause the most amount of revenue to be generated by them in the ROI.

    For example putting UTV on the Sky EPG:

    Pros: More subscriptions, better quality service, closer to equality with other cable operators for terestrial channels.

    Cons: Advertising on Sky's own channels losing out to UTV. More direct comparisons of channel quality between Sky and other channels.
    Sky's add break duration would have to come in line with ITV (4 min down to 3 min)

    Whatever would work out best after all the calculations are done will win out. Obviously in RTE's case the calculations went in their favour.
    Maybe they think it is not so black and white in UTV or CH 4's case.
    But if they did their calculations correctly, they would realise that having them on the Irish EPG is good for everyone financially.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,726 ✭✭✭✭DMC


    Originally posted by carrolls
    A mathamatical argument that UTV and CH 4 NI are probably more than aware of.
    <snip>
    Good sums!
    </snip>
    This is very very serious advertising revenue lost by these channels to Sky.
    => Expect a positive announcement from these channels shortly.

    Very well put.
    In the present ad market, any chance to increase revenue would be jumped upon. A precedent has been set, ITV appeared on Sky Digital..... oh, hold on, in the UK only... :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,726 ✭✭✭✭DMC


    Originally posted by carrolls
    Interesting note,

    RTE were charged nothing (£0.00) for their transition to Sky Digital. Sky's thinking was obviously RTE would be a huge asset to inticing subscriptions in the ROI to their system.
    Maybe it is similar for UTV and CH4 NI, although not to such a big extent.
    Sky is doing a balancing act to see what configuration will cause the most amount of revenue to be generated by them in the ROI.

    Well, RTÉ 1 and Network 2 would be direct competition to Sky One. In fact, all channels on the platform is direct competition to Sky One!

    Subscriptions are the name of the game. Thats where the money is. They could get €636 from every household, at the moment.
    Thats more purchase power than any form of advertising!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 293 ✭✭David C


    Thought I should add this letter to the thread also...
    I sent an email to Channel 4 exactly one month ago:

    Sent: 14 January 2002 23:48
    To: viewerenquiries@channel4.co.uk
    Subject: Channel 4 on Sky - ROI
    Hello,

    I am a Sky Digital subscriber in the Republic of Ireland... I can
    receive BBC 1, 2 & E4 amongst others, but ITV and Channel 4
    are not available on the service here.

    Could you please tell me when you plan to make your service
    available here as Channel 4 has always been in great demand
    in Ireland. I know you show ROI ads on the N. Ireland version
    too so it would be of great attraction to those advertisers also
    for you to be on Sky here,

    Looking forwards to a reply and seeing you on Sky Digital!
    David.

    I got this reply back today:
    Hello David

    It is a shame that The Republic of Ireland do not receive Channel 4 but
    Channel 4 do not have a licence to transmit outside the UK. People living
    in Southern Ireland are picking up the signal from the Belfast transmitter.
    This is known as 'fortuitous' reception.

    This 'fortuitous' reception cannot be supported by the Channel and we cannot
    be seen to be encouraging viewers outside the UK to watch the Channel. The
    voting numbers we have set up for viewers in Southern Ireland for Big
    Brother really was in demand to a huge upset to the S. Irish voters last
    year but we cannot actively promote them on-air.

    Viewers may be confused as they will occasionally see 'local' advertisements
    in C4. This will simply be that companies know there is 'fortuitous'
    reception in Eire and place their advertisements anyway. As long as the
    content doesn't breach any guidelines we can sell air-time for
    advertisements to whoever we like.

    Regards
    Beth Gore


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,726 ✭✭✭✭DMC


    Erm, duh!

    What is 'fortuitous' about cable reception? Eh?
    Bamboozle her with that reply, David C!

    More ignorance....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 293 ✭✭David C


    well she did take a month to reply so it could be a while before I hear anything again, but I will challenge her on the cable thing regardless


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭Genghis


    I like the excuse, and it may indeed be logical, though only in an illogical way.

    Channel 4 are owned by the British Government, and so I suppose they must be accountable for that reason. However:

    1. While you need a licence to run a terrestrial channel in the UK, I cannot understand how the licence would stipulate whether or not you broadcast outside the jurisdiction.

    2. No satellite channel needs a licence anywhere - C4 are in effect a satellite channel in Ireland, they certainly aren't terrestrial.

    3. If that explains why E4, Film Four etc has been set up as an additional channel and why it is available in Ireland when the mother station is not, then surely the solution is simple - I4 - Channel 4 for Ireland, the same stuff, just rebroadcast as a digital channel encrypted for Ireland!

    It sounds to me like C4 could be up and running if they really wanted it to be. I also cannot believe that they do not take money from NTL and Chorus.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭chernobyl


    Originally posted by Genghis

    No satellite channel needs a licence anywhere - C4 are in effect a satellite channel in Ireland, they certainly aren't terrestrial.


    C4 is conditional access and only cable companies have legal access to it, if you are watching it via satellite that is part of Sky Digital you are a bad boy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    That's probably the most outrageous reply yet to any of our e-mails. It's patently rubbish, and Beth Gore and co need to be made aware of this.

    What chance will we ever have of seeing Channel 4 on Sky Digital if they belive that the channel is only received in the republic "fortuitously" ? It implies that NTL and Chorus are distributing the signal "illegally", when I've no doubt that we're paying big time for the choice of viewing.

    NTL and Chorus should be made aware of Channel 4's view of their distribution of their channel and questioned as to why we pay for it when Channel 4 seem to believe we're all pirating the signal !!!

    With ignorance like this, what chance do we have ????


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32 potoole


    This is either ignorance or patronisation of the highest order. It seems like something we can use.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 574 ✭✭✭PacMan


    BBC Four has launched a new website. So we can have a glimpse of the style of programming we will miss.
    www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/

    There is also a contact link, if anyone feels like writing a comment. Its worth a try!!!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Yes and I believe the opening few hours of bbc 4 is being simulcast on BBC 2 on march 2nd.
    This is especially to tease ROI??
    mm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭West Briton


    Seeing as there is an election coming up, you could do worse than to hassle anyone canvassing you about reciprocal broadcasting rights between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Party Canvassers will be quick enough on the draw to get you to commit to their candidate(s), so make the barstewards sweat for your vote! Tell em it's all part of the Good Friday Agreement.

    I don't know what reception you'd get from Sinn Fein though!


    Cheers,

    Con.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    Got another reply from Sky (original e-mail was sent to Backchat, but they forwarded it on to Sky Customer Relations).

    It's the usual thing

    "Dear Charles"

    ..............blah blah blah ......

    "....Unfortunately, I have no information on the BBC 3 and 4 channels launching on the Sky digital platform.

    However, for further information you may wish to contact the BBC direct. I have listed their telephone number below for your information.

    BBC Tel No: 0208 743 8000

    I hope that the above information is of value to you and may I thank you, once again, for your interest in Sky.

    Helen Dewar
    Viewer Relations"

    Isn't it funny that Sky themselves don't have any information on new channels launching on their platform ?

    Do they wake up some mornings and say "What's that ?? Hmmm... it's got sound .. and it's got pictures ... crikey .. it's a TV channel !!! But what's it doing on our platform ? And how did it get there ???"


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Originally posted by Charles slane:
    Do they wake up some mornings and say "What's that ?? Hmmm... it's got sound .. and it's got pictures ... crikey .. it's a TV channel !!! But what's it doing on our platform ? And how did it get there ???"
    roflol:D
    Yeap,thats the way it works-except when they are taking our money-they'll know whether you@re an Irish card or not:mad:
    mm


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 574 ✭✭✭PacMan


    Well I spoke with the BBC Information office this morning, which is based in Belfast, and asked them about the "Other" BBC stations (News24,BBC4 & Radio) being available in the Republic.
    I was given the "Broadcast to the UK" story. However i was also informed by the C/S agent, that they had received other calls from the Republic about this. He also added that all enquries, including those from the Republic are logged and passed on to Managment for review.
    BBC Information 0044 8700 100 222


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,457 ✭✭✭dmeehan


    ok, now before anyone bites my head off
    i dont want to have to read through 12 pages of posts, so can anyone tell me what bbc's are we missing?

    and isnt it strange that we get bbc parliament whne the sky viewing card is taken out? if we can get it anyway why isnt it just on the epg normally


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,092 ✭✭✭ShaneOC


    Dave,

    The following BBC Channels are missing.

    160 BBC Choice
    507 BBC News 24
    508 BBC Parliment (*)
    573 BBC Knowledge
    621 CBBC
    622 CBeebies

    851 BBC Radio 1 (*)
    852 BBC Radio 2 (*)
    853 BBC Radio 3 (*)
    854 BBC Radio 4 (*)
    855 BBC Radio 5 Live
    904 BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    * Can tune it in via other channels


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,457 ✭✭✭dmeehan


    cheers!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    BBC Knowledge is changing into BBC4 on March 2nd, while BBC Choice is changing into BBC3 when they get approval from the government.

    When the changes take place the channels budgets will increase significantly, and we'll start to lose out on decent programming.

    Meanwhile CBBC and CBeebies launched recently, and already CBeebies is trouncing Nick Junior in the ratings.

    Does anyone on the board have BBC Choice, BBC Knowledge and the new childrens channels (by UK card or any other means) ?

    If so, are they any good ?

    What are we missing ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,092 ✭✭✭ShaneOC


    BBC Choice is quite good. They have had the new series of Shooting Stars on now for a good bit. They also are showing Bachelor's Walk (missed this on RTE as they are not on the EPG). They show a good bit of timeshifted stuff from BBC 1 as well (Johnny Vaughan, Eastenders, They Think It's All Over).

    Have seen a couple of good one off programmes on BBC Knowledge.

    CBBC and CBeebies have only just started. I think I may possibly be a bit too old for CBeebies (although some may not think so). Have not seen anything on CBBC yet.

    News 24 is good but don't watch too much of it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 34 HighburyHigh


    I don't know if others have received similar mails in the past but I received some information recently from the BBC Commercial Manager (Stragegy & Distribution) which tends to suggest that, at least, Five Live and Five Live Sports Extra will be soon be available in Ireland.


    >>>>
    Thank you for your recent email which was forwarded on to me.

    With regards to the current non-availability of the Five Live services on the digital satellite EPG in Ireland, this is because of a rights issue. There are actually different rights issues involved for the different platforms.

    We are addressing this at the moment, and hope that at some point in the very near future we will resolve this so that the Five Live services will be available via digital satellite in Ireland.

    I hope that we will be able to make Five Live Sports Extra available in Ireland along with all our other services on digital satellite. Our commercial arm, BBC Worldwide is working on this at the moment.

    Fingers crossed that you'll be able to get all our radio services soon.

    Regards

    etc etc:)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭Genghis


    BBC Radio 6 also looks very good. The programming looks something like you would get on say Tom Dunne, Today FM, or on Phantom FM. It is also the sort of stuff Radio One cut its teeth on before the mainstream became crap and the good stuff became sidelined.

    Nuff about that - I wonder, given the dubious nature of the BBC radio service (neither Sky nor the BBC sem to care either way), will we be able to access this channel when it starts in March - even if only via other channels?

    Anyone know if this is testing at the moment?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    Originally posted by HighburyHigh
    I don't know if others have received similar mails in the past but I received some information recently from the BBC Commercial Manager (Stragegy & Distribution) which tends to suggest that, at least, Five Live and Five Live Sports Extra will be soon be available in Ireland.


    >>>>
    Thank you for your recent email which was forwarded on to me.

    With regards to the current non-availability of the Five Live services on the digital satellite EPG in Ireland, this is because of a rights issue. There are actually different rights issues involved for the different platforms.

    We are addressing this at the moment, and hope that at some point in the very near future we will resolve this so that the Five Live services will be available via digital satellite in Ireland.

    I hope that we will be able to make Five Live Sports Extra available in Ireland along with all our other services on digital satellite. Our commercial arm, BBC Worldwide is working on this at the moment.

    Fingers crossed that you'll be able to get all our radio services soon.

    Regards

    etc etc:)

    This is without a doubt the most promising e-mail response yet.

    It's the first time that anyone in the Beeb has said that they are actively working to get specific channels on the EPG.

    Highbury, what address did you get the e-mail from ?

    Has anyone else got a similar response ?

    Maybe this campaign is finally getting something done !!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 574 ✭✭✭PacMan


    Highbury High, can you post the e-mail address of this BBC department!!
    It would be great if these discussions were to work in our favour.
    I agree with Charles. This is the most encouraging reply that this campaign has had to date.......


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Phew! :)
    Nice to see somethings happening regarding the radio services.
    Eventually the same will happen with TV.
    Eventually there will be competition too.
    Its inevitable that when that happens Sky's second class customers will be upgraded to premier class and sitting at the front of the airplane with all the rest of the UK customers :)
    Theres a few more trips in the cramped seats at the back of the plane yet,though, but five live is more legroom! and in time... :)
    mm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    could that have anything to do with Uncle Gruebers comments in the Sky Digital song thread. if it is i will end up loving the commercial arm of the BBC more than i do now. i am still very happy with them for giving us BBC1 and 2


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,812 ✭✭✭Charles Slane


    How much money does the BBC make from the sale of Delia Smith's cookery books in Ireland ? How much money would the BBC make from the sale of her books in Ireland if nobody here knew who she was ?

    Maybe BBC Worldwide has seen commercial sense. There are loads of BBC spin-offs (everything from books to magazines, to CDs and DVD and videos) on sale in Ireland, merrily making money for the Beeb. But they wouldn't sell very well if we didn't have the channels here.

    Do you think they realise this ?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26 Puca


    I agree with the idea of a campaign been organised away from preying eyes. And Damo your favouritism towards news channels, how about a little less of it, (it can be annoying sometimes)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭West Briton


    What's that got to do with the price of spuds?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭Mr Burns


    You like the BBC for Giving you BBC 1NI and BBC2 NI>?

    These are terrible versions of BBC.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭Genghis


    Originally posted by Puca
    I agree with the idea of a campaign been organised away from preying eyes. And Damo your favouritism towards news channels, how about a little less of it, (it can be annoying sometimes)

    Lost me, too I'm afraid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,081 ✭✭✭Genghis


    I thought last night I had found a backway in to the BBC extra channels .... The new iBBC Text service is excellent - it doesn't take over your screen, and for most things (except video highlights), you can still see and hear what you are watching - an excellent feature.

    However, I was intrigued by the 'RED' option when you go into 'What's On'. It gives you the option to 'Change TV' and if you are on say BBC1, you can scroll down to BBC2 and instantly the 'small video screen' changes channel. Unfortunately when you click down to any of the other channels (Choice, Knowledge, CBBC, CBeebies, News 24) there is a long pause (loading . . . ) followed by a 'not available at this time' notice.

    I just wonder, does this happen in the UK (after all it is a new service, and complete functionality may not be online just yet), or have they blocked ROI specifically.

    Anybody with a FTV card able to confirm??

    Incidentally, the BBC have cleverly integrated their active news service into the text service - meaning that you can now watch News24 reports and highlights through text, like you could do through the BBC active news service.

    Yet another reason why not putting News24 on makes no sense.


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