Broadcasting Bill 2008 nears enactment

Sorry not to have updated the blog in a while. Well since I last blogged, Boxer bowed out, threw in the towel and Onevision said yes. Meanwhile, things seemed to go bad for Setanta UK but its looking like Setanta Ireland, who are involved in the Onevision DTT bid will get acquired by likely, Doughty Hanson (TV3 owners), Dermot Desmond and possibly Liberty Global (Parent of UPC (Chorus NTL)) http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/06/30/setanta-founders-secure-irish-business/

What is urgently needed is Digital Ireland to form made up of stakeholders. This is foreseen in a sense by the Broadcasting Bill 2008 (Broadcasting Act 2009 when enacted). See: http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=SEN20090630.xml&Node=H7#H7

Negotiations with Onevision are reportedly ongoing and should shed some clarity by mid to late August. Policy on digital switchover is being drawn up by a strategy advisory group formed by the department with stakeholders according to the Deparment

Irish Film Channel to be allowed limited advertising/DTT reception guide

Broadcasting Bill 2008 Report and Final Stages

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Broadcasting Bill 2008 amendments went through today, Simon Conveney and Liz McManus appeared to prefer the BAI to become part of ComReg as more cost effective, given the current economic situation, like what they have in the UK with Ofcom, a bigger regulator doing both. Sounds a moot point given convergence apparently which they mentioned also.

But Minister  Eamonn Ryan appeared to  feel, while he saw merit on that point,  that with telecoms being a much financially bigger industry here that broadcasting would be better catered for by a separate broadcast regulator than with a unified regulator where broadcasting might not be as well catered for owing to their lesser importance economically in a unified structure.

My own opinion is that while the 2 new broadcasters HOTV and Irish Film Channel as separate channels does have singularity of focus going for being separate, given the current economic climate, I think that the Irish Film Channel should come under a reconstituted TG4 whereby it becomes an integrated business division of TI4. (Television Ireland 4) with Television Arts 4 (TA4) becoming another new integrated business division and an an Education channel (Television Eolas 4) (TE4) as a further integrated business division.

What I’m suggesting is the expansion of the TG4 studios, use of the expertise in TG4 and making this 2nd public service broadcaster stonger in terms of expertise and infrastructure already existing. You avoid the costs of setting up a new broadcasters through reconstitution while making use of the 4 branding ie TG4, TA4, CT4 all using the T4 brand.

Houses of the Oireachtas TV could become an integrated business division of RTÉ, funded by the Oireachtas ie RTÉ Oireachtas. It would be just cheaper & quicker to get the RTÉ Oireachtas channel up and running rather than it created as a new broadcaster and the costs associated with that. To be honest I’m not so pushed on this one, but I think that it should be done as it was with TG4 whereby for now it be part of RTÉ to be later separated when money allows if the Minister wished to so direct it be separated and established following analysis of how it worked within RTÉ versus how it might work separate of it.

Advertising is to be allowed under some restrictions on the Irish Film Channel, with films not to be interrupted by advertising which is very welcome, the Referendum Commission will get preferential rates and Irish language catered for. The reason for ads is for resource purposes, funding. I don’t love ads at all, but purely to assist it to generate revenue it can then use assist the Irish Film Board in funding costs of running the Irish Film Channel and if  surplus revenues from ads after promotion, advertising of the channel and channel running costs (doubt so) then to be used in Irish Film grants alongside its subvention from the Dept of Arts.  Most of us don’t like ads but its great that the Minister took on board the economic arguments that limited advertising should be allowed as a funding mechanism to relieve the exchequer of some pressures where it can be, and a good balance is struck by not allowing films be interrupted by ad breaks, given it is to be a dedicated broadcaster associated with the Film Board and not a commercial broadcaster or RTÉ like.

NHS use of Digital TV platforms in the UK for an information service particularly suited to disabled viewers was also mentioned by Simon Conveney and the public benefit of a HSE TV service was also put forward by him which I agree with. There was discussion of disability groups and that they should be included in BAI appointments, obligations on broadcasters etc..

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp…/document1.htm

http://asx.heanet.ie/oireachtas/dail_audioonly.asx- this one is for live Dáil so you won’t hear the debate on the Broadcasting Bill in the afternoon as that debate is adjourned and the Health Bill is being discussed.

See: http://www.rtenl.com/downloads/ReceivingDTT.pdf for a very good guide on aerial installation for DTT reception.  It explains horizontal and vertical polarity with pictures. Very good indeed.

Convergence gathers more steam- multiscreen experience of IPTV-Web TV and mobile

In the past Intel and Microsoft have spoken about convergence. Now telcos are also talking this language at the recent IPTV World Forum in London during March.  Broadband TV quotes  Christopher Schlaffer of DT: “Telcos are preparing to offer their subscribers a multiscreen experience, linking together the various devices that form their triple play package. Christopher Schläffer, group product and innovation officer, Deutsche Telekom, said although IPTV, Web TV and mobile were currently separate, they would converge together. “Multiscreens is the next phenomena, the experience has to be the same on the TV screen, the PC or the mobile.” Schläffer predicted timeshifting and placeshifting would be commonplace.”

Schläffer’s views were echoed by Francois Seligmann, director IPTV & New Projects, Orange who are creating a converged universe allowing partaking consumers to switch viewing a programme from one device for example coming in from outside to switch on the TV and watch the same programme there. For the whole article see:http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=15907

Also related, Microsoft are planning to have DVB-T2 integrated into the Microsoft Mediacentre.Microsoft is currently testing around 150 units ahead of the candidate release of its new Mediaroom middleware. Thivolet said the receiver, already capable of delivering HD content, would be upgraded to include a DVB-T2 tuner by the middle of 2010. See: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=15938

Discussing the TV 2012 ASO and resulting’Digital Dividend’ becoming available

On March 5th 2009, Minister Eamonn Ryan announced a framework for the future management of the radio frequency spectrum in Ireland. Radio frequency spectrum means  the “airwaves” used by broadcast, media and telecommunications services. A framework document published by Minister Ryan  identifies the spectrum that will be released by analogue switch-off and that will inform the debate about how best to use this new digital dividend.Following on from that, the Communications Regulator (Comreg) is to shortly publish a consultation paper inviting submissions on this topic.

Minister Eamonn Ryan commented: “Radio spectrum is one of this country’s greatest natural resources, essential for the operation of our digital, telecommunications, and broadcasting industries. The increase in spectrum generated by the move to digital television will provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to grow and develop our indigenous digital economy.

Ireland is well positioned to capitalise on the emergence of a new global digital economy. By being smart and innovative with this digital dividend, we will create jobs and investment in the development of new technological goods and services”, he noted.

For more see: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Minister+Ryan+announces+framework+for+use+of+Ireland%E2%80%99s+airwaves.htm

This follows on from the Irish Government Document ‘Building Ireland’s Smart Economy’, which outlines the policy approach towards Ireland’s future, referring to digital TV switchover on pages 19 and 95 at http://193.178.1.117/attached_files/Pdf%20files/Building%20Ireland%E2%80%99s%20Smart%20Economy.pdf referring to its plan advising as Government that:’ We will introduce a new terrestrial digital television service in 2009 and secure a digital dividend in 2012 with the switch off of the analogue transmission service’.

Also Commissioner Reding  of the Information Society & Media Directorate of the European Commission late last year on Digital Dividend policy EU wide being pursued spoke on The digital dividend: A unique opportunity for Europe’s wireless economy ComReg Conference “How Ireland can best benefit from its digital dividend” Dublin, 1 October 2008 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/476&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=nl

ComReg has launched its consultation on the digital dividend and invites parties interested in its use to make their submissions before May 7th,2009. To download its points of discussion and consideration and submissions format click here: http://www.comreg.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0915.pdf

Topics covered include:

*the option of clearing the 800 MHz sub-band to accommodate uses other than broadcasting and providing access to it in a timely manner.
*Exploring opportunities for sub-bands other than the 800 MHz sub-band as part of Ireland’s digital dividend
*Considering whether some of the digital dividend could be set aside as an innovation reserve.

The Development of a National Policy Framework for identifying spectrum for the Digital
Dividend is available form the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources
website at:
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Business+and+Technology/Spectrum+Policies+and+the
+Digital+Dividend.htm and the paper goes into detail regarding fomulation of the strategy, considerations. See:http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/5962FB63-6F77-49F9-BD65-A7B1A76036F2/0/DevelopmentofaNationalPolicyFrameworkforIdentifyingSpectrumfortheDigitalDividend.doc

There is a potential of course with the economic situation, and advertising slump of DTT rollout progress slowing. Final decisions have to be made and the DTT Info Campaign of the DCENR has to be finalised. But hopefully the end target date remains unchanged and stakeholder websites point to Autumn 2009 still. See: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055507504. DTT is in  test phase and should not be considered an operational service until launch as standards may change according to broadcaster enquiries and RTE NL. See: http://www.rtenl.ie/DTT.htm

Uncertainty for Irish Pay DTT launch in 2009, Bubble Hits bursts

Today’s article provided for interesting reading at: http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/delays-give-mixed-signals-on-the-future-of-commercial-dtt-1653710.html by Laura Noonan, writing in the Irish Independent’s February 26th 2009 article.

Its no surprise that any company launching a product reliant on consumer spend such as the one Boxer are to take on would have to think and think again.  The economic situation has swiftly deteriorated and as consumers have less to spend, thousands of lay-offs from employment it is understandable for it to ask if its projections for break-even are further away. Unlike Denmark where the Astra 2D doesn’t have as good coverage according to those in the know, Republic of Ireland with a strong satellite and cable competitors and Free to air Satellite readily available makes commercial DTT more difficult than before.

One thing is for sure that Boxer could benefit from a campaign similar to Bord Gáis ‘Big Switch’ campaign http://www.bigswitch.ie If it follows the mobile montly type pre-paid top up model and sell a usb DTT solution it could do well. Such could provoke Sky and UPC into a similar approach of monthly options as an alternative to a 12 month subscription and it will take consumers up on convenience compared to Sky. However it is understandable that it might be thinking again.

It seems someone like UPC and RTÉ in the Easy consortium could derive more benefits to their shareholders in terms of launch as for UPC its simply a matter of becoming a nationwide pay TV provider while for RTÉ it delivers maximum return on its investment. As such Easy TV brand could even be used for cable also in that eventuality. In this way it would put UPC in the strong position of taking Sky head on.

Of course it would have similar benefits for the Onevision consortium who had a more compelling proposition in terms of offering. The only concerns in the Easy bid would be competition, while these would not really apply with Onevision.

I expect Sky will bid for the remaining mux ASO pay TV  license in 2012 and be prepared to pay a premium for it similar to what it was attempting to do on the UK DTT system.

Anyhow chances are free-to-air DTT will launch in September with or without a Pay TV operator. What will the brand be? Digitelly? Easychannels?

Regarding line-up?

This is purely my own idea of what could work. It is purely short term. For instance I would not wish Cula4 to be relegated in childrens programming and would prefer to see a Kids Channel devoted solely to Cula4 and Den TV. I have thus further revised the line-up to restore Cula4 its place on TG4 in my suggested line-up. I am anxious to see Houses of the Oireachtas coverage and instead wish that the new broadcaster would time-share with Houses of the Oireachtas Channel. My ideas are fluid to revision and I encourage others who would view these channels to think what they would like to.  No doubt broadcasters may have their own preference on what they think viewers may like.

I hope a forum like http://www.digitalbritainforum.org.uk/ will be added to http://www.digitaltelevision.ie

Pos:    06:00                               09:00          18:00                00:00
1    RTE Breakfast                     RTE ONE    RTE ONE          RTE ONE

2    Den TV                                  Den TV         RTE2             RTE2

3   3Music                                  3e                      3e                   3e (subject to RTÉ NL & 3 rather than part of pay DTT)

4    Maidin4                                 Cula4        TG4                       TG4  (Maidin4=(Televised RnaG studios simcasting)

5.       5th                                         5th                        5th (music,  news and drama sharing time with Houses of the Oireachtas Channel until ASO. (new channel called 5th (avoid issues with Five UK right to Five/5) alternative is another TG4/RTÉ/TV3  digital channel though under current market conditions, one could question the wisdom of same.

6. Community4 (DCTV)       Eolas4        Arts 4                  Archive4

7.  RTÉ Breakfast                       HOTV         RTÉ NN/Nuacht TG4   (RTÉ News Now Nuacht TG4 alternating and Oireachtas TV (HOTV)

8.   Ireland AM                              3           3                          3 (becomes 3Today news channel)

Post ASO should give HOTO 3 slots, on RTÉ’s 2nd mux,  HOTO1, HOTO2, Europa TV live (Parliament & Comission Live)  Europa TV Discuss,

The UK terrestrials should be on the pay TV platform on a free-to-air mux. but will we see that?

So lets see what happens. Could be Boxer or someone else? But free-to-air is on target anyhow with more rollout progressing. See:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=56

Bubble Hits gone sad to see this happen. It was a valiant effort by Lee Walsh and James Hyland and they are to be commended for their efforts. No doubt they have gained valuable experience.Unfortunately music TV is too competitive already. However it might have something in supplying TV3 with morning music programming for 3e. See: http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/bubble-hits-forced-off-air-by-lack-of-ads-1640255.html and http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/0214/1233867936936.html

Interesting article at:http://www.businessandleadership.com/technology/news/article/11703/technology/are-we-ready-for-digital about how the industry saw DTT going forward, positive it would seem in 2008. Regarding rollout, reporting on the National BCI Conference, Boxer’s Lucy Gaffney had the right idea regarding rollout. But the reality is always more of a challenge. Talk is always easier than practise. http://www.prosperity.ie/news/forum_dtt_tv_roll_out_must_be_flawless.html

UK HD DTT licenses awarded for Freeview.

Some UK viewers will be able to watch High Definition (HD) on Freeview by the end of next year, Ofcom has announced writes the DTG website http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=3154

The regulator has reserved capacity for HD services on Freeview for ITV, UTV, stv, Channel TV, and Channel 4 and S4C.

These public service broadcasters followthe BBC in being able to broadcast in HD on Freeview, with services becoming available on a region by region basis as part of  the UK switch over to digital TV.

According to Ofcom, viewers in the Granada region should be able to watch HD services from late 2009, followed by Wales, Scotland and the West Country in 2010. Thosein Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian will be able to receive HD programmes on Freeview in 2011, while London, Tyne Tees and Ulster will get them by 2012.

To be able to view the new services viewers will need an HD Ready TV set and a new Freeview HD box writes the DTG article.

Ofcom said it also believed a fourth HD service could be launched on Freeview by 2010 with an announcement on the process of awarding this fourth licence by the end of this year.

Irish DTT systems deployment contract for nationwide rollout in January 2009.

The contract for the  the deployment of  4+1 digital TV transmitter systems at 12 high power sites throughout Ireland has been won by Rohde & Schwarz UK along with Spinner, an RF component manufacturer who will supply combiners, feeders and antenna switching frames writes Digital Television Group. According to Eamon Reid of RTÉ NL “Rohde & Schwarz’ proposal offered the best solution from many perspectives, including technical quality and power efficiency. Their track record on previous RTÉNL projects and the quality of equipment they have already installed helped secure this contract. RTÉNL is looking forward to working with Rohde & Schwarz over the coming months on what we expect will be another successful deployment,” reports the DTG.

Currently, Rohde & SChwarz supply the RTÉ’s DAB network equipment.The entire deployment is due to take place by Jan 2009 writes the DTG website. For the full article see: http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=3139

Meanwhile, Boxer Sweden is coming under more competitive pressure, with a drop in 5,000 subscribers and following the the Swedish Analogue switchoff in Autumn 2006 subscriptions are coming to end of contract. Boxer are looking forward to Danish & Irish launches in 2009. These come at a good time for Boxer where it can balance out peaks and troughs between its 3 markets although current global market conditions are not favourable at the moment, DTT is more a long term investment with higher sunk costs, but longer term return as the  market beds down. See: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=9266 and http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?cat=24 and http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?cat=7 regarding the 2011 Cyprus switchover and Solaris Irish EU wide application for satellite mobile.

Europarl TV (European Parliament TV) started: 17th September 2008-transparency & info for citizens dawns

After 3 years of development, Europarl TV goes live with 4 channels, 1 offering life proceedings called ‘Parliament Live, , 1 offering analysis on Parliament called ‘yourParliament’, 1 offering the ‘Young European’ programming explaining Europe to them topically and 1 for ‘ Your Voice’ where citizens can interact with the EU. This is a great acheivement. Now is the time for national governments, via their departmental websites, policial parties of the EU websites and a TV and billboard advertising campaign to be initiated.  Visit it at http://www.europarltv.europa.eu/StartPage.aspx and be informed and what’s important in Europe right now!

Also, MEPs have apparently called for harmonisation of the Digital Dividend resulting from switchover to Digital only TV.”

“The European Parliament has called for frequencies freed-up by the switchover from analogue to digital TV to be used for new wireless services such as broadband internet or mobile TV, and for interoperability of these services across the EU”, writes the Digital Television Group.

They also propose in the report by Italian MEP Patrizia Toia using the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band the spectrum to be co-ordinated in reallocation of military analogue spectrum to be released for civilian use for mobile TV, wireless and other services.

For more on the article See: http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=3125

TV3 Ireland TV License renewed for 10 years with option for +5 after

The BCI kept faith with TV3 Ireland. See: http://www.bci.ie/news_information/press200.html All good. Once the Competition Authority approves the TV3 takeover of Channel 6, then TV3 is pretty much ready to get its website revamped, revamp the C6 schedule and prepare develop its TV3 Now Channel for DTT launch next year.

Best of luck to TV3. I think their next move should be to merge into UTV plc by taking on its radio, internet and TV business, calling itself UTV3 while keeping UTV News and NI programming, best of both worlds, North South channel. Makes sense really. On the other hand, Doughty may be waiting in the wings, to build TV3 up and then UTV can snap up TV3 and do the same thereby getting properly into the Irish market, streamlining rights acquisition and reach and offering something unique, north south TV.

Digital Sound Broacasting License Consultation

Today, ComReg released a consulation document on Digital Sound broadcasting License. See: http://www.odtr.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0879.pdf and http://www.odtr.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0879a.pdf

The license would be for 10 years. 2 multiplexes would be issued, under the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007 to RTÉ when requested and to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. The licensee can then chose the particular technology from a list of possibilities such as DAB+, DAB-IP, DRM, DVB-H, Media Flo, ISDB-Tsb, but the last 3 use more bandwidth and are more for television than the first 3 would use.

There appears no drive within the ITU towards ASO Radio switchover unlike analogue TV, though digital is more spectrum efficient than analogue.

RTE’s four radio services also launched on Freesat UK on Septembe 9th 2008 offering non subscription TV across the UK. Once it is added to Freeview, the terrestrial platform its coverage will be completed. See:
http://www.rte.ie/about/pressreleases/2008/0905/radiofourfm05092008.html

Update: A reponse to the consulation can be found in: http://www.odtr.ie/publications/response_to_consultation_on_the_licensing_of_digital_terrestrial_radio_2008.506.103243.p.html

http://www.odtr.ie/publications/digital_sound_broadcasting_multiplex_licence_-_appendix_a_technical_conditions.506.103187.p.html

http://www.odtr.ie/publications/licensing_digital_terrestrial_radio_-_digital_terrestrial_sound_broadcasting_multiplex_licence_conditions.506.103186.p.html.

The conclusion ComReg seems to have taken following consideration of the responses is that 10 years seems sufficient duration and that it needs to take a technology neutral approach, that digital radios allowing DAB and DAB+ are available and that enough spectrum is available for 1 RTÉ mux and 1 Commercial Mux at present given radio requires less spectrum