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

Boxer TV- could be a top choice for the Irish consumer!Need for switchover board

Lucy Gaffney of Boxer DTT, points out rightly of the need for a switchover board similar to Digital UK, to coherantly educate the public about DTT. Boxer and Irish TV broadcasters RTÉ, TV3, TG4 should play a leading role in it, and as my dissertation suggested include the UK ‘Digital Al’ mascot in its strategy as a way to encourage switchover. I would see for capacity reasons a 6 month DTT switchon, ATT switch-off window as the way to maximise capacity and encourage quick uptake and switchover.  6 months is sufficient notice for most customers, high impact, and cost effective for broadcasters.  A national TV campaign and local roadshow should suffice. As such it will educate other regions and enable migration easier because of regionally basing the switchover on the ground. See Lucy’s apparent comments on the need for a switchover champion and board: http://www.advanced-television.com/2008/sep22_sep26.htm#m7

Initially to hobbyists there was disappointment when Onevision didn’t win the DTT bid. But as time goes by there are reasons why Boxer may be the best choice for the Irish consumer.Boxer can offer flexible subscription options, FTA channels (via Freesat UK) & FTA DTT and national local radio via DTT (for the 1st time).

Firstly, Boxer is an experienced DTT player in Sweden. One can argue the whys, but it is a success there. Experience is what Irish DTT needs.

Also Easy TV, could have simply just enabled a duopoly to continue. RTÉ’s involvement was not the problem but Liberty’s as UPC’s parent. As such, DTT could have been a future strategy for Liberty going foward as it prepared to exit cable TV transforming to an IPTV and Telecoms company.

Squaring off 2 companies owned partly by the same parent would not have been the best for Irish DTT as real competition may have been blunted by cosy duopoly.

Onevision was compelling for its value for money offering and UK experience. But Onevision only had UK experience . However Boxer had Irish experience via Communicorp, Swedish experience and new entrant status on its side.

Should Boxer form an alliance with Freesat UK for combo boxes, it may become a serious player together with DVB-T usb stick subscriptions and could very well compete very strongly with Sky on price. It could devastate UPC with its FTA offering.

I would predict a Liberty Global buy out of Boxer and Communicrop and an exit out of cable TV in favour of IPTV and telecoms for Liberty to rescue itself if that emerges. Freesat UK, could really become a problem for Sky if such an alliance is formed. For the Irish consumer, lets hope such an alliance occurs so that the consumer gets real value from Sky and Boxer. It appears UPC, your days are numbered! You fought a good fight. But I think your parent may need to cut you loose in a few years.

Boxer if successful with regulator at end of month may start boxing strongly! Go, go, go Boxer!

For those of you who can’t wait see: http://www.satworld.ie/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=49 also Peats, Rathmines and Gallagher TV in on Southside of Dublin.

Irish TV continuing to grow

This year has seen a continued strong growth in home produced Irish programming by both RTÉ and TV3. The Tudors on TV3 continues to excite and enthrall guys & galls with sex appeal, Satisfaction, a series earlier in the year excited following a relaxation in BCC programme rules following surveying and confirmation in  2006 by a UPC survey of viewer tastes http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/real-sex-is-fine-but-irish-viewers-object-to-blood-125526.html. News Tonight with Vincent Brown aswell as GAA coverage while RTÉ provided One on One, a compelling series of interviews with leading people involved in business or government from past and present aswell as continued commitment to drama and other programming.

TV3 sees the introduction of more Irish programming aswell as the near completed acquisition of Channel 6 for mainstream repositioning for Irish DTT in 2009. Both RTÉ and TV3 schedules are dazzling the Irish viewer who can expect better and better programming choice year-on-year, with TV3 under Doughty morphing into a serious altenative with its new lunchtime show featuring  they sunny Martin King, Collete Fitzpatrick and co and a revamped www.tv3.ie in the Autumn aswell the Irish version of the “Apprentice” series.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/earthy-tv3-schedule-to-put-focus-on-homegrown-shows-1465387.html

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/response-to-rte-autumn-schedule-is-a-mixed-bag-1454369.html

Not to be outdone, RTÉ will feature popular Late Late, Tubridy Tonight, and Seoige & Seoige aswell as a revamped Off-the-rails with new presenters that should prove exciting as well as Whistleblower, a two part series.

And RTÉ excelled at the Olympics 2008 coverage during August.

See: http://www.rte.ie/tv and http://www.tv3.ie and remember http://www.tg4.ie and http://www.channel6.ie also!

Channels in the offing to add to Irish TV include a Property Channel which is likely to be popular and Womens TV channel to join Bubble Hits and Buzz TV. http://www.independent.ie/business/media/property-tv-channel-postponed-until-late-2009-1464531.html

Just as Amigo TV suite creates social Digital TV, Intel introducing web connectivity chip

Web & TV are aligning more closely. I had seen the beginnings with IPTV over DVB-T with Amigo TV suite 5900 from Alcatel-Lucent. Microsoft Windows Media OS also brings in the web element of TV using IPTV.

The software is in place thus, now Intel has looked at the hardware element and has come up with an web optimised TV chip that supports web-connectivity better for electronic devices writes Maggie Shiels, Technology reporter, BBC News, San Francisco. We may see this in TVs in the near future, quite possibly. This will enable TV to be more personal including the ads more suited to your preferences. Together with Amigo TV Suite, it could make for a quite enjoyable and interactive space that makes TV more active utilising both digital TV and website and web content together.

Intel’s Eric Kim talks about “For the first time … bringing the full richness of the internet and web 2.0 and optimising the TV while respecting the TV’s unique attributes: simplicity, ease of use, socialising and entertainment value. All the things that people love about TV.”

Yahoo are part of this collaberation, Maggie writes that “Patrick Barry, Yahoo’s head of connected TV, demonstrated the Widget Channel that showed a slim “snippet bar” at the bottom of the screen loaded with things like the weather, share prices, news, sports and photo-sharing website Flickr.”

See the full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7573331.stm

How this may be brought together will be through the set top box. Convergence rather than connection may come as laptop and TV converge as laptop becomes TV (already possible via usb stick and probably next integrated). The set top box will do it for older TVs connected to internet and for communal TVs for the big screen communal. Tv just got more interactive after 30 years of  gradual change the digital change finally enters its 2nd phase, internet and TV converging..but also more expensive for the consumer. See: http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/intel-to-push-into-television-products-1593396.html

Enjoyable times ahead for the TV viewer!

BBC Alba- TG4’s Scottish cousin prepares for launch

Digital Television Group Staff article reports that the BBC and Serbhís mam Gadhlic MG ALBA are launching BBC Alba (formerly proposed name as (Gaelic Media Service), have announced the name and launch date for a new Gaelic digital service. SmG decided that the best way to advance gadlhlic broadcasting was through a partnership with the BBC, instead of taking the TG4/S4C model. It will debut on Freesat and later on cable with ASO in Scotland to determine its addition to Freeview.

BBC ALBA will launch on 19 September 2008 at 9pm. The board running the station will be made up of staff and seperate responsibilities within BBC Alba using a joint board, with the BBC in charge of operations and broadcasting and the SmG in charge of content provision.See:

http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=3084 This will bring a welcome boost to TG4 programming, enable strengthened Scottish Irish gaelic interaction, encourage joint funding and programme acquisition and programme making that will benefit Irish and Scottish viewers resulting in more content becoming available.

For those who don’t want subscription-but more channels-Freesat+DTT options

Want more channels but for 1 off payment and no subscription, don’t mind putting up a dish and multiplexing it to have a number of Tvs but without one switching the other’s channel. Ask for set top boxes: when getting the dish installed. 1 remote control will do both satellite and DTT

See: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055351551

Set top box models that will work with Irish DTT and (BBC-ITV plaform) Freesat UK:
Technomate TM-6900 Combo HD
Clarketech 5000 HD Combo
MVision HD200
Vantage HD 7100TS Combo models work for DTT and Freesat.

Reelbox
Lyngbox
PC with Sat & DTT cards
PC with combo Sat & DTT card

This is what the knowledgeable at boards.ie recommend.