BEIJING PARALYMPICS 2008 CLOSING CEREMONY.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS 2008 CLOSING CEREMONY.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS 2008 CLOSING CEREMONY brought down a memorable curtain on the Olympics for another year.
Team GB athletes have given the British public something to look forward to in London 2012.
The results from our Olympic and Paralympic athletes have been quite amazing and followers of Sport have been spoiled by shear brilliance of Team GB.
We celebrated their victory and with heartfelt sympathy got moved with their disappointments, they gave us excitement this year which seems to have been lost or asleep and London 2012 has taken on a new outlook for Sport enthusiasts of all kinds.
The BBC will get awards for their superb and excellent coverage, the BBC coverage can only be described as brilliant and thanks to the red button coverage we never missed a thing. Very professional, Thank You BBC.
China have shown the world exactly how it's done so hopefully the London Olympic committee will borrow a few of their ideas and keep the excellent covergae ball rolling.
We felt the perfect transition between the Olympics and the Paralympics should be adopted at once.
Thank you Team GB for such an enjoyable August and September, and for all those athletes who missed out this time hopefully London 2012 is your year.
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BBC PREPARED FOR DIGITAL SWITCHOVER.

BBC PREPARED FOR DIGITAL SWITCHOVER.
BBC PREPARED FOR DIGITAL SWITCHOVER 13th September 2008.

The BBC has commissioned a complete replacement of the coding and multiplexing equipment that generates its digital TV signals, for digital satellite as well as Freeview. The existing equipment varies from about five to ten years old, and a better arrangement is now possible that provides a more resilient, capacity efficient and easily managed service across the u.k.
The new system is needed to face the challenges of digital switchover where an analogue signal will soon no longer be available as a back up.
The detailed design and implementation of the new system is being undertaken by the BBC's technology parter Siemens and a large number of their subcontractors.
The system will enter service with the digital switchover of the Selkirk transmitter in November 2008 with full migration of all the coding and multiplexing facilities to be completed in the summer of 2009.
Once again the BBC's research and inovation shine brightly!

Ofcom, BskyB and Picnic.

Ofcom, BskyB and Picnic.

Picnic? What is Picnic?, Picnic is a scheme devised by BskyB to replace three (3)
free-to-air channels on Freeview with three (3) pat TV channels.
Within 24 hours of releasing information about Picnic BskyB was on the back foot from the Competition
Commissions preliminary findings that BskyB's November 2006 purchase of a 17.9%
stake in ITV had reduced competition. The 17.9% deal in November cost BskyB £940 million, the Commissions provisional findings into the November deal was that;
BskyB would be able to influance ITV's key strategic decisions, particularly in relation to investment in content, capacity or new technology.
Ofcom's reply yesterday came as no surprise to those following the procedure towards the outcome;

12|09|08
Ofcom response to Sky's statement on its "Picnic" proposal
Ofcom response to Sky's statement on its "Picnic" proposal

As Ofcom announced in May 2008, we are currently considering BSkyB’s Picnic proposal in conjunction with the PayTV Market Investigation.

The Picnic proposal raises complex issues, and is likely to have a significant effect on the future development of the PayTV market as a whole. As all parties are aware, Ofcom will very shortly issue a further consultation document. Any decision to suspend the project is entirely a business matter for BSkyB.

Ofcom rejects the implications of BSkyB’s comments today and would highlight the following facts:

1. Having announced Picnic in a press statement in February 2007, BSkyB took two months to submit the necessary application and a further two months to provide sufficient information to enable Ofcom to publish a consultation document on the matter.
2. When Ofcom consulted on both the Picnic proposal and the PayTV Market Investigation, several stakeholders, including BSkyB, responded late to these submissions. BSkyB submitted its response on the PayTV Market Investigation over six weeks after the 26 February 2008 deadline.

Read the full story...

DIGITAL TV UK.

Fears persist of 'digital divide'

The Border TV region will have the lowest level of access to additional channels in the UK as a result of going digital, a report has suggested.

In November, the Scottish Borders will become the first full region to lose its analogue signal.

Television watchdog Ofcom said 98% of homes in the Border TV area would get the main package of about 17 channels.

However, only 53% will be able to receive additional digital channels - well below the UK average of 90%.

The figures are much higher in other parts of Britain, with the second lowest percentage - 73% - being found in Wales.

PERCENTAGE OF HOMES WITH ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL CHANNELS AFTER SWITCHOVER Anglia 86% Border 53% Central 98% Granada 97% London 95% Meridian 84% Anglia 86% STV Central 93% STV North (Grampian) 79% Tyne Tees 96% Ulster 78% Wales 73% West 94% Westcountry 74% Yorkshire 97%

Other parts of Scotland also show higher levels of coverage, with STV Central at 93% and STV North (Grampian) at 79%.

The report has prompted renewed concern from Borders MP Michael Moore about a "digital divide".

He claims the figures show that the region is not getting the same service as the rest of the country.

"It seems we are to accept all the risk of undergoing switchover first, without any of the advantages that other areas will have," he said.

Digital UK, which is overseeing the change, has regularly denied that accusation.

Read the full story...

BEIJING PARALYMPICS 11th SEPTEMBER 2008.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS 11th SEPTEMBER 2008.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS 11th SEPTEMBER 2008 medals galore for Paralympic Team GB.

Beijing Olympics 2008 had been a revelation for Team GB and now it is the turn of the Paralympics Team GB to continue to show the world Team GB are serious about their competitive sports.
Today in Beijing Team GB have;
twenty seven (27) Gold Medals.
sixteen (16) Silver Medals.
fourteen (14) Bronze Medals.
Thanks to our BBC via the red button on your remote control and also BBC Sport on the internet we have been able to follow the athletes closely.
This years Olympics and Paralympics have been a joy to follow thanks to the BBC's excellent coverage.
Our outstanding moment in the Paralympics was captured on camera by the BBC when thirteen (13) year old Ealeanor Simmonds won the Gold Medal for Team GB, Ealeanor's laughing and crying interview really told the whole story about the intense pressure these Olympians are under.
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FREESAT CHANNELS - COMING SOON.

FREESAT CHANNELS - COMING SOON.

FREESAT CHANNELS - COMING SOON to a TV near you in the form of OVER 500 channels.

We can hear the sceptics saying this is impossible as there is not five hundred channels free to air at present, so where are they coming from.
We can tell you that by the middle of 2009 there will be lots of channels to choose from via the multimedia button which may include channels which are at present pay per view.
Confidence in freesat will grow quickly as the freesat set of receivers are the only ones equipped to accept multimedia whereas other satellite receivers will either need an add-on or a complete software update, so hundreds of channels from all over Europe are going to be plentiful on the freesat platform.
With twenty seven countries keen to licence their TV programmes on the multimedia platform those with freesat boxes will get choices like no other viewers.
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BEIJING PARALYMPICS 7th September 2008.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS 7th September 2008.

Beijing Paralympics day two has produced yet more gold medals from Team GB with four gold, one silver and two bronze.
Gold medals have come from Swimming and Cycling.
Swimming;
The Men's 200m Individual Medley was won by Sascha KIndred (Gold Medal)
The Cycling Track;
Men's Individual Pursuit was won by Darren Kenny (Gold Medal)
Men's 1km Time Trial was won by Simon Richardson (Gold Medal)
Women's 1km Time Trial was won by Aileen McGlynn and Ellen Hunter (Gold Medal)
Swimming;
Men's 200m Freestyle Team GB came second to produce a Silver Medal for Jim Anderson.
Men's 200m Individual Medley Team GB came third to produce a Bronze Medal for Matt Walker.
Woman's 200m Individual Medley Team GB came third to produce a Bronze Medal for Natalie Jones.

Team GB are off to a flying start and although only day two are showing the spirit for sport success we have already seen from Team GB at the Beijing Olympics.
Beijing Paralympics are already looking good for Team GB and 2012 in London.
Comment about the Swimming which should be noted;
thirteen (13) world records were beaten so Team GB were up against it so any medals won augers well for the medal winners.
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BEIJING PARALYMPICS BBC COVERAGE.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS BBC COVERAGE.

BEIJING PARALYMPICS BBC COVERAGE is like never before for 2008.
The opening and closing ceremony's will be covered and an amazing 6 hours live streaming a day.
The coverage from the BBCiplayer and also the BBC Sport website which is only available to U.K. but this may possibly change when these new mobile licences kick in in the middle of 2009 as the internet starts live streaming from 27 different countries. This is a good example of a reason to open up borders viewing ability.
Once again we will get excellent coverage from the Birds Nest.
For those viewers wishing to watch the Beijing Paralympics they will find it via the red button from the BBC.
Well done BBC! excellent coverage.
Clicking the timetable above will give you a clearer view.
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PARALYMPICS BEIJING SUPERSTARS.

PARALYMPICS BEIJING SUPERSTARS.

PARALYMPICS BEIJING SUPERSTARS are in action starting on the 6th of September 2008 and runs until the 17th of September 2008.
Beijing Paralympics start twelve days after the Beijing Olympics and many eyes will be on the Paralympics to see if our British athletes can add to our already sparkling tally of medals.
Paralympic athletes will compete in;
Archery, Cycling, Football 7 a side, Powerlifting, Shooting, Volleyball Sitting, Wheelchair Rugby, Athletics, Equestrian, Football 5 a side, Goalball, Rowing, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, Boccia, Judo, Sailing, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Fencing.
Once again the spirit of different nations with differences in language, colour and race will join together and attempt to live their dream.
"One World One Dream", says it all!

MOBILE PHONES TO RECEIVE FULL SATELLITE TV ACCESS.

MOBILE PHONES TO RECEIVE FULL SATELLITE TV ACCESS.

MOBILE PHONES TO RECEIVE FULL SATELLITE TV ACCESS and it will be Pan-European to boot.

By the end of 2009 satellite TV will be in full swing and no longer a pipe dream to those with mobile phones, or high speed internet connections. The new licencing laws will allow all members of the twenty seven partners of the E.U. to get one single licence and be able to show their channels.
The European Commissioner for telecommunications Viviane Reding said their would be intense competition for the licences. Applications are being logged as you read.
Approval has already been granted by the European Parliament and EU members. Each member has to satisfy the criteria of; their member state has at least 50% coverage and their satellite coverage must cover at least 60%.
This scheme may well be a step in the right direction to break down the invisible barriers that block full access to European TV,(legally) but the licences granted do not cover your TV in the sitting room, YET! they are only granted for mobile type receivers which can encompass quite a few pieces of electronic equipment except what we all want; ie; your sitting room TV. How crazy is that ? So it looks more and more likely that the British viewer is being railroaded into buying that monster monitor which are likely to come out to view Pan-European TV programming. Sitting room "Media Centre", here we come!
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