The ITV Thread

galtee boy · 20-12-2014 11:31AM

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

Interesting to see the current promo loop going out on UTV Ireland showing a very brief introduction from their two main news anchors: Alison Comyn and Chris Donoghue welcoming viewers to check out Ireland's newest TV channel from 7:25pm onwards on New Year's Day Thursday 1st of January 2015. It appears that the channel is going out on all the major digital platforms including Saorview LCN: 06 but only in SD format.

I wonder if it is likely that UTV Ireland will push for their new channel in the Republic to go High Definition (HD) on Saorview ahead of TV3 and if so when it is most likely to happen?

I imagine those in TV3 Group HQ in Ballymount will surely try and have some form of compromise deal negotiated with 2RN to enable TV3 to go out on Saorview in HD in time for the Rugby World Cup television coverage as it would be the perfect opportunity to launch HD standard and further enhance TV3 given the increased competition from UTV Ireland on their home turf.

I'm fairly certain, you wont see either TV3 or UTVI in HD on Saorview. TV3 wont pay 2RN for it and will cut some kind of deal with Sky and perhaps UPC in time for the RWC and UTVI would have gone HD from launch day if they wanted to. They see Saorview as some kind of back up/second rate platform to Sky/UPC and its politically correct to be on it, buts thats all and therefore SD will "do".

galtee boy · 20-12-2014 11:34AM

Also, are the current UTVI promos running on Sky and Saorview, on UPC and are they in HD ?

lertsnim · 20-12-2014 12:51PM

The promo has changed from the two news presenters though. Just now there was images of cliffs, bridges etc

Sam Russell · 20-12-2014 01:19PM

In another area, the idea that 'we all jump together' had currency in solving a problem.

If all the non-RTE channels go HD together, the net cost to each of them is significantly less. If all add a +1 channel as well, the two muxes become nearly full, and the net cost to each broadcaster falls to a minimum.

Under a decision from BAI, 2RN gets €12m a year to run the system whatever is on the two muxes, with each broadcaster paying their share according to the bandwidth used. Currently 2 HD channels and 2 SD are burned off on test cards of one sort or another. They are paying for this anyway, so why not use the bandwidth usefully? Because, if one agrees to go HD it costs an extra €1m for that station. If all three go HD, it costs little extra, particularly if RTE take an extra 2 SD channels for RTE 1+1, and RTE 2+1 or whatever it akes to stuff the two muxes to the limit.

So maybe this will happen 'shortly'.

formerly scottish paddy · 20-12-2014 02:48PM

It would also make OTV on Saorview cheaper, and so "affordable" to our TD's!

Sam Russell · 20-12-2014 03:37PM

formerly scottish paddy wrote: »

It would also make OTV on Saorview cheaper, and so "affordable" to our TD's!

They make the rules, so they could insist on a free ride if they thought they could get away with it.

Why is Saorview treated as if it was a poor relation and optional? Surely the BAI could insist all channels that wish to be considered PSBs are in HD on all platforms, or not on HD on any platform, and as Saorview is the national platform it is pre-eminent.

icdg · 20-12-2014 03:45PM

They have no basis on which to do so - RTE and TG4's PSB status is enshrined in law and they can't unilaterally change TV3 and UTV's contracts mid term.

Elmo · 20-12-2014 03:51PM

icdg wrote: »

They have no basis on which to do so - RTE and TG4's PSB status is enshrined in law and they can't unilaterally change TV3 and UTV's contracts mid term.

To be honest the run rough shot over the act, the don't know it, the don't understand the AVWF directive and they don't care. They go in and do there jobs. There was never anything stopping UTV Ireland going on Saorview.

Sam Russell · 20-12-2014 06:40PM

If the BAI make it a condition, then they can make it awkward for the broadcasters that do not comply. 2RN have had their charge structure laid down by the BAI it can be changed to favour HD channels.

The Cush · 20-12-2014 07:07PM

Sam Russell wrote: »

2RN have had their charge structure laid down by the BAI it can be changed to favour HD channels.

Comreg is the authority responsible for 2RN's tariff structure - http://www.comreg.ie/publications/response_to_consultation_and_decision_notice_-_broadcasting_transmission_services_in_ireland.583.104423.p.html

Sam Russell · 20-12-2014 07:33PM

Sorry, I thought it was BAI. The argument remains the same.

The current regime is like forcing supermarkets to work on cost plus on the offerings, so that everything is a standard charge and no special offers allowed.

If 2RN were allowed to, they could offer a substantial discount on HD channels for a period to entice the main channels in. Alternatively, RTE could ditch NN and Jr/1+1, and fall back to one mux, and so save about €1.5m per year.

irishfeen · 20-12-2014 11:01PM

The promo loop currently on UTVI is stunning in HD. TV3 take note!

mike2084 · 21-12-2014 12:02AM

irishfeen wrote: »

The promo loop currently on UTVI is stunning in HD. TV3 take note!

I would have to agree with that, it's well worth a look.

Harry Palmr · 21-12-2014 12:46AM

I only have it in SD on swearview

AwaitYourReply · 21-12-2014 02:25AM

galtee boy wrote: »

Also, are the current UTVI promos running on Sky and Saorview, on UPC and are they in HD ?

I understand that on Saorview it is only going out on SD as that is what the spec seems to indicate when I pull it up on my screen.

I believe that Sky Ireland will have two versions of the channel: one is SD and the other is HD however; I suspect one must officially take out a contract and pay the SKY ROI subscription to enable you to view any of the Irish channels including UTV Ireland which will be encrypted (unlike current situation whereby you can still view UTV NI which can be added manually and saved in "Other Channels") The reason for encrypting all the main Irish terrestrial channels broadcast via SKY digital platform is due to restricting the copyrights for programmes to the Republic of Ireland's viewing population only. Otherwise the broadcasters would incur much higher fees if it was also going out to the much larger tv viewing population over in the UK too.

AwaitYourReply · 21-12-2014 02:37AM

galtee boy wrote: »

Also, are the current UTVI promos running on Sky and Saorview, on UPC and are they in HD ?

I meant to say that although the UTV Ireland channel is also going out on other platforms too but I am not sure if UPC or eircom e-Vision are SD options only?

UPC Horizon digital cable EPG No: 110
eircom e-Vision EPG No: 108
Saorview (Irish digital terrestrial television) LCN: 06
Sky Digital (Ireland) satellite (ROI) EPG No:116 (SD/HD) and EPG No:267 (SD)

icdg · 21-12-2014 03:31AM

No promo reel on UPC - UTV NI will continue to be available until UTV Ireland launches.

irishfeen · 21-12-2014 12:50PM

Anyone else finding the pause facility on UTV HD/SD on sky is not working and its prompting to contact broadcaster? - strange one.

lertsnim · 21-12-2014 01:25PM

irishfeen wrote: »

Anyone else finding the pause facility on UTV HD/SD on sky is not working and its prompting to contact broadcaster? - strange one.

It's standard for promos. I've noticed it a few times before

irishfeen · 21-12-2014 01:35PM

https://twitter.com/utvireland/status/546640838286389249

Sweet Job - might give a look

Kermit.de.frog · 21-12-2014 02:19PM

I would rather someone presenting the weather who actually works for a met agency or is at the very least a graduate in meteorology at some level to be perfectly honest.

That is one of RTE's strengths.

But it is at least consistent with the contempt this channel will actually hold for an Irish audience.

Molester Stallone II · 21-12-2014 02:22PM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

I would rather someone presenting the weather who actually works for a met agency or is at the very least a graduate in meteorology at some level to be perfectly honest.

Why? it doesn't take a degree to point at the map and read the autocue

Kermit.de.frog · 21-12-2014 02:33PM

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

Why? it doesn't take a degree to point at the map and read the autocue

The BBC and RTE respectively use professional meteorologists in the main from the UK Met Office and Met Eireann. That is why their broadcasts tend to be more interesting and informative than, say, TV3.

Because they know about the complex science that they are presenting and they can parse this information very well for the viewer in a way that is easy to understand but also engages with them and keeps them interested.

But no substance trumps substance these days I guess. It's all dumbing down at the end of the day and it is contemptuous for the audience which (again TV3) assumes that the public are a bit too dim to be able to interpret basic, standard weather charts which I also suspect will be absent.

lertsnim · 21-12-2014 02:47PM

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

Why? it doesn't take a degree to point at the map and read the autocue

Someone should tell yer man on TV3 that. I prefer forecasts from people who know what they are talking about.

icdg · 21-12-2014 02:51PM

We might avoid personal attacks on people who are not here to defend themselves

Meanwhile the launch campaign for UTV Ireland starts in the press and TV on Friday with a 30 second spot commercial with the tag line "Unmissable".

http://www.utv.ie/Press/2014/12/20/utv-irelands-marketing-campaign-unmissable-25710

h7nlrp2v0g5u48 · 21-12-2014 10:52PM

icdg wrote: »

We might avoid personal attacks on people who are not here to defend themselves

Meanwhile the launch campaign for UTV Ireland starts in the press and TV on Friday with a 30 second spot commercial with the tag line "Unmissable".

http://www.utv.ie/Press/2014/12/20/utv-irelands-marketing-campaign-unmissable-25710

I see their promo ad will be on RTE, TG4, SKY and Channel4 but no mention of the tv ad on TV3. I wonder did UTVI bother going to TV3?

mikeym · 21-12-2014 11:01PM

natashaob6 wrote: »

I see their promo ad will be on RTE, TG4, SKY and Channel4 but no mention of the tv ad on TV3. I wonder did UTVI bother going to TV3?

Tv3 are at war with UTV.

UTV are after taking 2 of their best watched shows.

Elmo · 22-12-2014 12:39AM

You would think UTV would use their Radio stations and UTV NI.

The marketing campaign looks pretty bad too me.

iseegirls · 22-12-2014 01:05PM

Elmo wrote: »

You would think UTV would use their Radio stations and UTV NI.

The marketing campaign looks pretty bad too me.

Yep, I don't see the point in plugging The Graham Norton Show as one of the adverts there. It's a programme that will be available through BBC1, TV3 and 3e already - with one episode shown at least 6 times a week through repeats. Nothing wrong with advertising Ireland Live as this is one of their own home produced shows.

The first weekend's schedule is normal ITV shows anyway, apart from a 3 hour broadway musical of Peter Pan and Diversity Live.

swoofer · 22-12-2014 02:18PM

This is an interesting reply from UTV about HD!!!!

"Will UTV Ireland have a HD service?
UTV Ireland will be available in HD for viewers with HD platform providers."

So maybe just maybe it might be on HD with saorview. One sure thing if its not I will deliberately delete it until it is.

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