SKY Confusion about RTE?

Mredmond · 02-01-2002 5:35pm #1

(I've posted this as a reply elsewhere, but in case it slips through unseen...)
Everything that I've read on this forum for the past month or so seems to suggest that "the RTEs" will be on-stream from April 2002, but Sky's customer care dept. don't seem to know about it. See e-mail reply recieved today. My message was enquiring about UTV & CH4, but I made mention of the April 2002 date for RTE. Note that they say that RTE is NOT scheduled....

Dear Mr Redmond

Thank you for your email. Please accept our apologies for the delay in
replying.

Having noted your comments, I can advise that unfortunately we have no plans
to introduce TV/UTV, CH4, and TV3.

I can confirm that RTE1, Network 2 and TG4 are not scheduled to begin in
April 2002, again we have no plans for these channels to broadcast through
Sky digital.

Should you ever require any further assistance in the future, please do not
hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team on 08702 40 40 40.
Alternatively, you may contact our email address, skydigital@bskyb.com

Yours sincerely

Amanda Miller
Customer Care Department

02-01-2002 9:21pm

Hi mredmond,
It would appear that you were spun out a reply by the "Shhhh....!" brigade in Sky.
The real info appears here on the boards first:D
It would not surprise me if yarns like the e-mail you got were still being sent out this time next year-long and ever after RTE and the rest are on Sky digital.

Now for divilment you should get an Archived copy of the Sky/RTE press release on that subject(when they jointly anounced at the end of November, their agreement for the RTE channels to come on Sky from April) and send it to Ms Miller for her comments:rolleyes:
mm

PacMan · 02-01-2002 10:28pm

Not only did they give an incorrect answer about RTE, did anyone else notice the contact telephone number???
Yeah thats right the UK one!!!!!
Do they not know we have a 1800 number.

Mredmond · 30-01-2002 10:16pm

Response today from my reply, refuting SKYs assertion that RE would not be available on Sky Digital from April:

Thank you for your email

I am disappointed to hear that you were not happy with the response that you
have received. We at sky television have had no confirmation that RTE are
joining the sky programming platform, and so are not able to make any
confirmations to our customers.

Please rest assured that as standard practice, all points raised in your
email have been noted and passed to the relevant department for their
attention.

I wish to thank you once again, for taking the time to email us and for your
Interest. Sky always welcome customer's comments, and actively encourage
viewers to voice their opinions.

Should you ever require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact our email address, skydigital@bskyb.com

NorthDown · 30-01-2002 11:01pm

I experienced the same thing from SKY when I phoned them recently - no knowledge of RTE going on aur. I told them I wasn't interested in buying a digibox then!
I have friends with Sky who are primed to let me know if it appears - Sky are saying it'll take about 10 days to come out from when I phone so I shallbe keeping my money until such times as it makes an appearance or test signals are noted (no doubt observed first a icdg)

Mossy Monk · 31-01-2002 3:23am

RTÉ themselves said they were going on Sky in April. how much more proof do you need

Clinical Waste · 31-01-2002 7:58am

Regardless what RTE say, I can't see them being on Sky by April.
They seem to be the only ones who think so.

If sky haven't allocated a channel number or started testing or signed a contract or received money , do you really think it will be on air in 8 weeks?

Anything RTE says is never conclusive proof. (State controlled ffs)

potoole · 31-01-2002 8:45am

has anyone considered the possibility that Sky may be refering to the appearance of RTE on their UK platform (not even noticing or caring that the e-mall was from Ireland). It would be typical of the attitude in Sky towards it's Irish subscribers.

DMC · 31-01-2002 9:27am

Originally posted by Clinical Waste
Regardless what RTE say, I can't see them being on Sky by April.
They seem to be the only ones who think so.

If sky haven't allocated a channel number or started testing or signed a contract or received money , do you really think it will be on air in 8 weeks?

Anything RTE says is never conclusive proof. (State controlled ffs)

Oh they will be. April is still the go, but if the BCI get their way with the licence application, it might be delayed somewhat.

Now, RTÃ‰ did sign a contract with Sky, (which, by all accounts Sky PAID RTÃ‰) they have channel numbers, (101, 102 and 104) but as they don't have the dish up to beam to 28 degrees E, there is nothing to test.

As call centre experiences tell me, the phone monkeys are the last to know.......... So don't blame the wee Scots when you do ring Sky..... management never tell them anything.....

Charles Slane · 31-01-2002 9:33am

I wonder if we'll see tests happening regardless of whether the license issue is resolved.

Surely you don't need a license to carry out tests - in which case we may be able to see the channels in April through "Other Channels" although not on the EPG.

Mredmond · 31-01-2002 9:50am

RTÉ themselves said they were going on Sky in April. how much more proof do you need

MossyMonk,

I'm not sure if you're tongue was firmly in yur cheek as you asked that, but just in case its a serious question - the implication being that RTE wouldn't disseminate false information - the answer from me is, with my own tongue in cheek: Just a smidgin more!

Like the distributors confirming that they will distribute.

And RTE having the equipment in place to broadcast.

And any testing beginning.

And any signs of an advertising campaign.

I would place as much faith in RTE's announcement as if it had been made by Zig & Zag themselves, and feel that it's extremely doubtful that RTE will make the April date, at least for 2002.

I hope I'm wrong.

mr

Mossy Monk · 31-01-2002 11:33pm

i firmly believe that RTÉ will be on my digibox this April. As mentioned above the only stumbling block is the BCI but i feel RTÉ will overcome this. just my opinion

Danny D · 31-01-2002 11:40pm

RTE have recieved planning permission for a new satelite dish in their blackrock dublin Headquarters for uploading to sky.Money speaks...

IrishBear · 01-02-2002 10:44am

Hey I am Irish and in Brussels and have SKY Digital with an Irish Card...
I have just survived the first attempt by the Brussels authorities to stop me watching Sky...No more Satellite dishes allowed in the centre of Brussels :mad: hey they have even added a clause to my apartment contract.....:eek: NO SATELLITE....! but I soldier on and discovered that even with my tiny little plastic "camping" dish, I can receive the Channels through my double glazing:-) So now it sits on top of the stereo. But one question I am receiving all the channels including most of the ITV ones except UTV, Hallmark and Sky Travel ! Anyone know about the fotprints for the signals? And especially for future RTE ???

Thanks

IrishBear

DMC · 01-02-2002 11:05am

Hi Irish Bear, welcome along...

The footprint of the UTV transponder is very narrow, just last night I was reading a readers letter in What Satellite, he was in Norway with the same problem, no ITV, Hallmark or some Sky Box Office.

These are all on Astra 2D, which has a narrower footprint, aimed more at GB and Ireland. You need a larger dish in Brussells to get channels there.

http://www.ses-astra.com/satellites/footprints.php?sat=15 will show you.

ITV is on transponder 49, 53 and 54, all on Astra 2D.

http://www.lyngsat.com/dig/skyuk.shtml and check out the Beam column, which will tell you which channels you probably cant get without a bigger dish

As for RTÃ‰ (WTF??? RTÉ!), we dont know what transponder they've got, yet......

<edit> I'm having a troubling E fada today.... É there, RTÉ, thats got it! </edit>

SKY Confusion about RTE?

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