snippet.:
ITV 4+1 ON FREESAT 118 FROM 1st Dec 2008.
Yet another +1 channel gets added to freesat channel number 118 as of Monday the 1st of December 2008. This time it is ITV4+1.
freesat is very gradually adding channels and the likelyhood of ever missing a programme is getting less likely with all the +1 channels being added.
Something I personally have wanted for years is a Classic Movie channel and it is also being added in the form of Simply Movies on freesat channel 308.
information on the film schedule...
Edited footnote;
It seems as though certain channels cannot get onto freesat because a certain provider is dragging it's commercial feet, so we can only hope that the above channels will be on freesat come the 2nd of December 2008 ie; Tuesday evening.
Addendum;
The New film channel Classic Movies, channel number 308 has now been added to the freesat platform.
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Friday, 28 November 2008
OFCOM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.
OFCOM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.
28|11|08
International Conference
If you couldn’t make it along to this year’s Ofcom International Conference you can now watch the presentations online.
The global forum explored the issues surrounding the next generation of internet access and featured key addresses from industry chiefs and high-profile media figures.
It also featured contributions from UK Communications Minister, Lord Carter and the French Minister of State for the Digital Economy and Public Policy Prospective, Eric Besson.
read full story...
CHANNEL FOUR SWITCHOVER CASH SHELVED.
Channel 4 switchover cash shelved
Channel 4 has welcomed the development
Proposals to finance Channel 4's digital switchover costs with money from the BBC licence fee have been scrapped by the government.
In a written statement to Parliament, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said "more wide-ranging" plans were needed.
He added that Channel 4's future in the digital broadcasting era would be decided early next year.
Under plans announced in 2007, it was proposed that £14m of licence fee money would be diverted to Channel 4.
In his statement, Mr Burnham said "the debate on the future of public service broadcasting has moved on significantly".
Investigation
He added that new proposals would be wider in scope and move beyond simply a solution for Channel 4's digital switchover costs.
Mr Burnham also said that challenges for commercial broadcasters are being placed under extra strain by current economic conditions.
Channel 4 said it backed the proposal's withdrawal.
A spokesman said: "As the government makes clear in its statement, broader decisions about the future framework of public service broadcasting will be made early in 2009 as part of its Digital Britain review."
"It makes sense to seek any necessary approvals from the European Commission for a single, all encompassing solution to support the UK's public service broadcasting system, rather than a series of small-scale proposals," he added.
The move to finance Channel 4's switchover costs with BBC licence fee money prompted an investigation by the European Commission, which was concerned that the plans could be a breach of its rules on state funding.
The broadcaster has said that it will need extra money to overcome a funding shortfall of around £150 million by the time digital switchover is completed in 2012.
source: BBC news.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
BBC TRUST PROVISIONAL CONCLUSION ON LOCAL VIDEO.
BBC TRUST PROVISIONAL CONCLUSION ON LOCAL VIDEO.
BBC TRUST PROVISIONAL CONCLUSION ON LOCAL VIDEO, Dr Diane Coyles Presentation made us look twice at the comments made by her which many seem to have missed and will have a striking effect on our local services.
Dr Diane Coyle has worked as Senior Economic Assistant to HM Treasury and published several books on economics. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Centre for Economic Policy Research, the Migration Advisory Committee and, a BBC Trustee. She has a PhD in Economics from Harvard University.
The Trust’s message to licence fee payers is this:
The Trust will always put the public first when reaching big decisions about BBC services. We know the public feel the BBC is not working hard enough to reflect the areas where they live. But the public has also made it absolutely clear that this Local Video service is not the answer. Instead, they want better quality regional news and a better reflection of local communities in all BBC television.
We will make sure that these improvements are made so licence fee payers are served better.
Our message to the commercial media and all those who have expressed concern about the BBC’s proposals is straightforward:
For the foreseeable future BBC management must drop its plans to expand its online services as outlined in this application. Instead, the Trust has requested management to increase the quality of its existing television and radio services and – without an increase in budgets – its existing online services. Local newspapers and other commercial media have the assurance they need that the BBC does not intend to make this new intervention in the market. They can therefore sustain and improve their offering to the public secure in this knowledge and I hope they will do just that.
As part of the BBC management’s plans to create partnerships and to cooperate with others who provide a public service, the Trust is looking to the BBC to do more to support the provision of regional news in the United Kingdom, beyond that which people receive directly from the BBC. We hope to say more about this before long.
read the full story...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
DIGITAL T.V. BROADBAND BUNDLES.
DIGITAL T.V. BROADBAND BUNDLES.24|11|08 - ofcom
Switching deals
Consumers are increasingly taking advantage of competition in the communications sector to seek out the best deal, new Ofcom research reveals.
Our Consumer Experience 2008 report found a significant increase in the number of people switching to ‘triple-play” bundles.
Over the past 12 months the proportion of consumers switching to one supplier for three services – digital TV, fixed-line, mobile or broadband – has increased from 18 to 32 per cent.
Bundling is convenient – you receive one monthly bill rather than several - and is often cheaper.
Bundles
That’s because you generally pay less than if you bought individual services from different providers.
Our Consumer Experience 2008 report also found higher awareness of suppliers in the fixed line and mobile markets.
The research reveals that 62% of consumers are now aware of three or more fixed line suppliers, while 89% are aware of three or more mobile providers. That compares to 55% and 85% in 2007.
Switching
To make switching easier for consumers, Ofcom awarded its first price accreditation logos to price comparison websites Broadband Choices and SimplifyDigital earlier this year.
Consumers using these sites can be sure that their price comparison calculators are accessible, accurate, transparent, comprehensive and up to date.
However, the Consumer Experience2008 report found that some sections of society still risk exclusion from the benefits of information and communications services.
Strategy
There are various reasons for this – such as services not being available in a particular area or barriers to the take-up or effective use of services.
In early 2009 we will publish our strategy for addressing these access and inclusion issues.
It will set out the current evidence base on availability, take-up and effective use of key services and the main barriers to further improvements.
source; ofcom
Friday, 21 November 2008
DIGITAL T.V. SCOTTISH BORDERS REGION COMPLETED.21st NOVEMBER 2008.
21|11|08 - ofcom
Digital Selkirk
Selkirk in the ITV Border region is now fully digital having completed the process of switching from analogue to digital TV.
The analogue versions of BBC One, ITV and Channel 4 were switched off completely in the area served by the Selkirk transmitter group and replaced with digital services.
It follows the first phase of switchover two weeks ago, when analogue BBC Two ceased transmission.
Switchover happened on Thursday with most areas receiving a digital signal around 6am.
Set-top boxes
Viewers will need to retune their set-top boxes to receive the full digital signal.
This can be done by pressing the menu button on your remote control and following the instructions.
Information on this process is also available in the set-top box instruction manual.
Digital Switchover is the nationwide programme to move all TV services from analogue to digital between 2008 and 2012.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
FREESAT PLUS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 20th NOVEMBER 2008.
FREESAT PLUS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 20th NOVEMBER 2008.
FREESAT PLUS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 20th NOVEMBER 2008.
Freesat+ Arrives In-store This Weekend
First Freesat Digital TV Recorder Available from 22nd November
Freesat+ will arrive in UK stores from 22nd November 2008 offering the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat high-definition (HD) digital TV, as well as providing access to a huge range of standard definition (SD) TV, radio and interactive channels.
Freesat+ opens up a world of over 140 TV and radio services including fantastic HD programmes from the BBC and ITV. With Freesat+, viewers can control how and when they enjoy their favourite shows and even watch them time and time again once saved. Current HD highlights on Freesat include Strictly Come Dancing, Little Britain USA, In the Night Garden and Little Dorrit on BBC HD, with ITV HD currently featuring UEFA Champions League matches, England Internationals, The FA Cup and teen drama Britannia High.
The first Freesat+ digital TV recorder will be launched by Humax and will initially be available across selected John Lewis, Comet, Argos and Dixons stores plus some selected independent retailers, priced at around £299 (satellite installation, if required, not included). Viewers who already have a satellite dish installed, in most cases, will simply be able to ‘plug and play’ with Freesat+, meaning no additional equipment is required.
Stock will be arriving in stores throughout December to increase distribution across the UK. Interested buyers should contact retailers directly for details of stores that stock Freesat+.
The Humax Freesat+ digital box offers a host of features including:
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For more information about Freesat+, visit www.freesat.co.uk and for more information on the Humax FOXSAT-HDR, visit www.humaxdigital.com/freesat.
***
About Freesat
Freesat is a new satellite TV service providing subscription-free digital television to everyone in the UK. It offers over 140 TV, radio and interactive channels, including High Definition (HD) services from the BBC and ITV. In most cases Freesat can be used with an existing Sky satellite dish. Freesat is a not-for-profit organisation and is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV.***
About Humax
Humax is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of digital set-top boxes, exporting its products to over 90 countries across the globe. The company has built a solid reputation as a leading supplier of high quality, feature-rich digital TV products, including Digital Television Recorders (DTRs), high definition (HD) set-top boxes and HD-ready integrated digital TVs with built-in PVRs. The company headquarters and R&D facility are based in Korea, with offices in Dubai, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. Humax’s HD Freesat set-top box, the FOXSAT-HD, was the winner of the 2008 ERT ‘Brown Goods Product of the Year’ award.
This is an official PRESS RELEASE.
DIGITAL T.V. U.K.
20|11|08 - source Ofcom
UK leads digital TV revolution
UK consumers are blazing the way when it comes to embracing the digital TV age.
New Ofcom research reveals that we’ve become one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world.
Not only do 86 per cent of UK households now have digital TV on their main set, but services like High Definition TV and Digital Video Recorders are also soaring in popularity.
And while UK consumers are making the most of the services on offer, we’re also getting better value for money than ever before.
Digital TV
The figures are included in Ofcom’s third International Communications Market Report.
It examines the take-up of communication services in 12 established industrialised economies, as well as the fast growing economies of Brazil, India, Russia and China.
For example, it found that:
- China had over 88 million new mobile phone connections in 2007 – more than the entire number of mobile phone subscriptions in the UK.
- Italy has the highest number of mobile-only households at nearly 40 per cent.
- People in the US downloaded nearly 26 TV programmes per person in 2007.
- Germany has the highest proportion of internet users (12 per cent) over-65.
- The lowest take-up of digital TV was in Poland at 29 per cent.
- Swedish people watch the least amount of TV at 2.6 hours a day.
The report also reveals that more households are now choosing to pause, record, store and fast-forward TV programmes with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
High Definition
The research shows that the UK is once again leading the way - with 30 per cent of people owning a DVR.
There has also been a huge take-up of HD subscriptions since 2006, especially in the UK, the USA and Canada.
There are now 9 million HD subscribers across the seven larger countries surveyed, two thirds of whom are in the US.
But the UK leads take-up in Europe with 700,000 HD households, higher than the number of HD households in France, Germany and Italy combined.
Bundled deals
However, while we’re increasingly taking advantage of a host of communications services, we’re also getting a good deal when it comes to cost.
That’s because competitive markets are driving down prices and consumers are also shopping around for good value ‘bundled’ deals.
Our research found that a bundle of services including a landline, four mobile phones, basic pay-TV and broadband is available in the UK for £116 a month.
Italy offers the next lowest price at £121, followed by France at £140 and only the US has lower bundle prices than the UK.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
iPLAYER SET TO EXPAND.27th NOVEMBER 2008.
iPLAYER SET TO EXPAND.27th NOVEMBER 2008.iPLAYER SET TO EXPAND as of the 27th NOVEMBER 2008.
The previously missing channels; BBC 1 and BBC 2 will be added to the BBC iPLAYER to make it accessible by every form of T.V. possible reception device within the U.K. licence regions.
Similarly in the U.S. American citizens can view their local T.V. transmissions, but these are not available outside the U.S. or Canada, in the U.K. we have internet equivalent channels which are open to U.K. citizens but not available outside the licensed regions.
With the expansion of channel five being added to the freesat platform yesterday freesat is looking more attractive by the minute if financial restraints are at a premium.
I have spoken to more than six families this week already and it's only Wednesday and they have all spoken about tightening their belts. First to go is their second cars and next is their T.V. subs.
One family's explanation said it all; we pay around £40 a month and our favourite channels are three pay channels and three free channels which are bundled with our subs, we pay for hundreds of channels we hardly ever watch.
One family asked; how much is it to view T.V. on the internet?
Our answer; at this time iPlayer is free but channel five costs you money!
Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
FIVE ON FREESAT AT LAST.
FIVE ON FREESAT AT LAST.
FIVE ON FREESAT AT LAST is the news today.18thNov. 2008.
Many have waited on five adding to the freesat platform, for programmes such as"Home and Away" or "Neighbours", which are two of the most popular channel 5 choices.
Evening programmes like "NCIS", "CSI" and "HOUSE" also fill an entertainment void. Channel 5 have the multimedia bandwaggon by the tail and many channel providors could do much worse than copy them.
Whether the open platform of freesat will see channel 5 being throttled because of viewing rights only time will tell.
Is it news to you ? Then you read it here first!
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