The Cush wrote: » All the official launch means is the DTT service is fully operational and not subject to interruption as the present trial service is. Most transmitters go to full power if reports are to be believed. New channels or services aren't a prerequisite for Saorview's full public launch.
The Cush wrote: » New channels or services aren't a prerequisite for Saorview's full public launch.
Then what the hell is launching on Wednesday ? It's like a motor company launching a new car, but telling you the wheels and lights won't be available for another couple of months ! Can't we do anything right in this country ? So all that's happening on Wednesday, is the "official trial" is turning into an "official launch", but with some of the most important components still missing ? It could only happen in Ireland.
But that's the whole point, it won't be fully operational if you can't set it to record using series link from it's own epg !
Elmo wrote: » The Cush then quote the Dail to me about trials, even though the SI stated nothing about "trails".
The Cush wrote: » As you only found out recently that Saorview is a public trial service I assume you have contacted the Dept of Communications in relation to their error in approving the Oct trial launch with regard to their own SI.
Elmo wrote: » What were they trail exactly.
The launch of the RTÉ service on an initial trial basis is essential as it provides time for the DTT network to be completed, services to be fully developed and for additional content and receivers to be made available before analogue switch off in Q4 2012. It also means that TV viewers can choose to adopt the new service at the earliest opportunity.
jamescc wrote: » questions is would sky/upc have to pay rte for extra channels or other way around.
UPC’s cable and mmds platforms are currently subject to must carry obligations. At present these obligations apply to RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3 and TG4. The provisions are also applicable to community channels and UPC presently carries both the Dublin and Cork community channels. In the past UPC has been both supportive and willing to have these channels included (at no cost to the channels themselves) in its basic TV packages. UPC would expect that given RTÉ’s new services will be funded with state finances these too will fall under the must carry provisions. In this regard, UPC would expect that the current financial arrangements for must carry services would continue for RTÉ’s proposed services; namely both RTÉ and UPC bear their own associated costs for the production and onward distribution of these services.
Sky notes RTÉ’s statement in the consultation document (pg 24 - section 4 of the consultation document) where it confirms its objective to make the services “available on as many digital platforms as is feasible…. …these are expected to include cable, IPTV and digital satellite, subject to the agreement of fair, reasonable and non discriminatory terms” Sky would expect that FRND terms in this instance would mean that these new services would be made available to Sky’s digital satellite platform on terms that were equivalent to those on which the same services are provided to RTE’s proposed ‘Saorsat’ service, in order to avoid any unnecessary and disproportionate distortion of competition.
The Cush wrote: » In the Dept's own words
Johnboy1951 wrote: » "reasonable and non discriminatory terms” That *should* mean they would be available on Sky without subscription ....... ?
The Cush wrote: » From my reading of it Sky would expect payment for the carriage of the extra channels in the same way that RTÉ will pay for Saorsat carriage, otherwise they would see it as "unnecessary and disproportionate distortion of competition" where RTÉ pays for one satellite service and not the other.
givecredit wrote: » RTÉ One + 1 will share channel space with RTÉjr and will be on from 7pm to 2am. From May 2011 this channel will be an exact replica of RTÉ One, with an hour delay.
givecredit wrote: » Taken from saorview.ie: The RTÉjr is a dedicated daytime television service for children aged 6 years and younger. RTÉjr shares channel space with RTÉ Plus and will be on from 11am to 7pm and is free of advertising. Home produced programming is the cornerstone of the RTÉjr schedule, with live action programming and Irish animation featuring strongly. RTÉjr has a companion children’s digital radio service of the same name. . RTÉ One + 1 will share channel space with RTÉjr and will be on from 7pm to 2am. From May 2011 this channel will be an exact replica of RTÉ One, with an hour delay.
The Cush wrote: » Children's programming on RTÉ 2 will remain unchanged and TRTÉ remains on RTÉ 2 - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=71781377#post71781377. The schedule for RTÉ 2 children's programmes and the RTÉjr channel will be different. The plan for the RTÉjr channel is it will broadcast on weekdays only until May 2012 (Phase 2). Programmes will start at 1100 and end at 1900. The programmes will be a simulcast of of RTÉ2's 0900-1200 RTÉjr-block (0900-1400), repeating until 1900. A new schedule is planned for the RTÉjr channel and the RTÉ 2 RTÉjr-block from May 2012 (phase 2).
Apogee wrote: » Surely even Sky are not that brazen that they expect to be paid?
The Cush wrote: » It wouldn't surprise me. Their response to the new channels consultation is littered with state-aid issues etc.
Apogee wrote: » If RTÉ are obliged to provide content to third parties, then at a minimum it should be stipulated that those third parties must be regulated by an Irish body and pay VAT.
Elmo wrote: » Sky would just turn around and say that they aren't obliged to take such content.
Apogee wrote: » They aren't obliged to take it now either. They obviously think it's worth something to have it as part of their subscription package.
Sam Russell wrote: » I think the major change on Wednesday is that Cat and Dog advert will start telling us something new. Has not told us anything so far, so I'm not sure what the next message will be, but I can't wait for it.:([/QUOTE Well, it's the 11th and as suspected, diddly squat has happened so far. No change to channel line up, still two test cards etc. Either it's the quietest launch in history or Saorview isn't actually officially launching today. The Cat and Dog are still alseep so far aswell, not a peep out of them either. Surely if it was officially launching today, it would make RTE's own news, either radio, tv, teletext or online ?:(
galtee boy wrote: » Well, it's the 11th and as suspected, diddly squat has happened so far. No change to channel line up, still two test cards etc. Either it's the quietest launch in history or Saorview isn't actually officially launching today. The Cat and Dog are still alseep so far aswell, not a peep out of them either. Surely if it was officially launching today, it would make RTE's own news, either radio, tv, teletext or online ?:(
Elmo wrote: » Forget the trial, saorview has launched with RTÉ 1, 2, TV3, TG4, RTÉ NN, 3e and the RTÉ set of Radio stations. More to be added over the coming year or so. It really should have been done 5 years ago.
“This public information campaign will explain how people can easily make the switch to the new SAORVIEW service and enjoy the benefits of free digital television. The SAORVIEW service will be launched at the end of May this year,” she concluded.
As it is, TV3 has yet to confirm whether its sister channel, 3e, will be broadcast on Saorview. “We have to pay [Saorview] for transmitting 3e, so there’s a question mark over the viability of putting up channels,” McRedmond says.
The Cush wrote: » Morning Ireland interview with RTÉ's Rory Coveney (Digital Switchover’s communications manager). Podcast available - http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-1503111sthour28m24smorningireland-pid0-1704288.mp3 (starts at 21:30 mins). Some points from the interview - Carriage deals have to be arranged within the next few weeks (3e??)
The Cush wrote: » Lets not forget that 3e may not be there at launch yet. Note this line from the Saorview website "subject to carriage agreements with the relevant broadcasters". Have the carriage contracts been signed with TV3?
Such economy makes sense at a time when a cash-strapped RTÉ is seeking up to 60 job cuts. But even this slim package has drawn fire from TV3, with David McRedmond, the station’s CEO, claiming RTÉ’s plans will increase the network’s domination of the domestic market. “We’re horrified by them, we think it’s a joke,” says McRedmond. “We’re going to be the only country in Europe with eight state channels. This is madness at a time when the State can barely afford two channels.” Some RTÉ proposals are based around giving more prime-time exposure to the network’s large stock of acquisitions exercises. McRedmond sees such activities as hoarding at the expense of competitors. Montrose counters that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) approved the new channels after carrying out a sectoral impact report, which McRedmond, in turn, says was not made available in full to TV3. The TV3 chief is also concerned that RTÉ operates both the digital broadcasting platform, Saorview, and the bulk of the channels on offer. “It would be as if Aer Lingus owned Dublin airport and only allowed Ryanair two flights out a day,” he says. As it is, TV3 has yet to confirm whether its sister channel, 3e, will be broadcast on Saorview. “We have to pay [Saorview] for transmitting 3e, so there’s a question mark over the viability of putting up channels,” McRedmond says.
Sam Russell wrote: » I would like them to advance the ASO date to this time next year, and start turning off the major transmitters first. That is, not do it as a big bang, but one tranmitter at a time and let the screaming start in Dublin.
Elmo wrote: » Lets not forget that TV3 will have free digital carriage until 31 Dec 2012.
The Cush wrote: » That's new information if correct. Your source for this?
Elmo wrote: » The Big Bang method won't be that much of a bang, I would expect to see some ASO in major regions first, with the dissapperance of RTÉ Two followed by TV3 and TG4 with RTÉ One switching off on 31/12/2012 51 years after its first transmission (I would say this would happen from Nov to Dec 2012).
The European Union has recommended the end of 2012 as the target date for analogue switch off in all member states and the Irish government have selected October 2012 as the date for Ireland.
