INTERNATIONAL NEWS NETWORK CNN JOINS FREESAT OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 19/03/09.
Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV service today announced the launch of the international news service CNN.
CNN International provides news and information services across world news, politics, business, sport and more in over 200 countries and territories internationally, serving a global audience of over 1 billion people.
In addition to CNN International, Rural TV and JML Home & DIY will be launching onto Freesat on 24 March. Rural TV provides news and entertainment to the rural community. JML Home & DIY offers discounted deals for DIY enthusiasts.
Freesat managing director Emma Scott commented “The launch of CNN International with its world-class reputation for global news and feature programming is an incredibly exciting addition to our line-up, we are delighted to have CNN on board.”
All channels will automatically be added via viewers’ Freesat digital boxes or integrated TVs, so viewers will not need to take any action to access the services.
BBC HD IS FREE ON FREESAT - BBC HD IS NOT FREE ON BSKYB.
When you settle down to watch your favourite shows the last thing you want to find is a blurred or distorted picture.
Poor picture or sound quality can be very frustrating and there are many different types of interference or reception problems - and many different causes.
We’ve put a guide together on the common causes of reception problems and what you can do to tackle them.
Both analogue terrestrial TV sets (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and five only) and digital terrestrial TV receivers (Freeview) need a good aerial to guarantee the best picture quality.
If you’re using an indoor aerial, trying moving it to a new location in the room to get a better signal.
Loft aerials can be better than set-top aerials; however your best option is always to get a qualified installer to fit a rooftop aerial.
If you already have a rooftop aerial but are still having problems, you might want to consider getting advice from a qualified aerial installer. The Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) keeps a list of accredited installers.
Possible causes of reception problems include bad weather such as very heavy rain or snow. This can sometimes affect satellite TV systems but should end when the weather clears.
A fault in the satellite company’s equipment could also cause problems, as could a faulty connection between your satellite set-top box and the wall socket, or between the set-top box and your TV set.
The problems could also be caused by a problem within your TV set itself or from interference to your TV from another electronic device in your house.
Try turning off your set-top box at the mains, waiting for 30 seconds, then turn it back on again.
This will often fix problems such as loss of sound or picture. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging all connections, then plugging them back in again.
If the problems continue, speak to your satellite TV company.
Problems could be caused by a fault in the cable company’s equipment or a faulty connection between your cable set-top box and the cable wall socket, or between the set-top box and your TV set .
There could be a problem within your TV set itself or interference to your TV from another electronic device in your house.
Try turning off your set-top box at the mains, waiting for 30 seconds, then turn it back on again.
This will often fix problems such as loss of sound or picture. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging all connections, then plugging them back in again. If the problems continue, speak to your cable TV company.
There are various different types of reception problem, such as ghosting, where multiple pictures are layered on top of each other.
A weak signal or co-channel interference – where signals are received from more than one transmitter operating on the same channel – can also cause problems.
Read more about these and other reception problems.
Ofcom is responsible for managing all the airwaves used for non-military purposes - from TV and radio to mobile phones and radar.
Our field engineers can visit your home to investigate interference to your TV or radio.
If the interference is caused by something outside your control and outside your home (for example, from a nearby communications base station) then we will give you advice and take action to minimise the interference, if possible.
Find the full Ofcom report at;
26 February 2009
The BBC Trust today launched a public consultation on the BBC Executive’s proposal to develop a joint venture partnership to help enable the delivery of internet protocol television (IPTV). The proposal, also known as Project Canvas, would allow viewers to watch on-demand services, such as the BBC iPlayer and other internet content, via television sets.
This proposal forms part of the partnership plans that have been developed by the BBC Executive, in response to a challenge from the Trust, to help bring the benefits of the BBC's public investment to the whole public service broadcasting sector.
The BBC Executive has applied to the Trust for permission to form a joint venture partnership, that would set and promote a common standard for delivering on-demand TV and other internet content through a broadband connected device such as a set top box. The BBC would not be involved in the manufacture or distribution of equipment.
The Trust will decide whether or not to approve the proposals, following a rigorous scrutiny process, which will include two periods of public consultation and will report in the summer.
Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee, said:
Full story at;"The Trust has challenged the BBC Executive to come up with proposals to help bring the benefits of the BBC’s public investment to the whole PSB sector. This is the first of these proposals to come forward to the Trust and we will be scrutinising it to ensure the best possible outcome for licence fee payers. We are now inviting all interested parties and members of the public to tell us what they think of the proposal"
Internet and on-demand services
Devices meeting the standards would have an internet connection. In order to access the internet and on-demand services (such as the BBC iPlayer), viewers would need to have a broadband connection from their internet service provider. These devices could enable on-demand services from the BBC and other public service broadcasters, as well as some internet content, which may include video clips or information from public service bodies such as DirectGov and the NHS.
Timetable:
Date Event 26 February 2009 Start of first consultation 17 April 2009 Close of first consultation On or before 8 June 2009 Trust publishes emerging conclusions and second consultation period begins 22 June 2009 Second consultation period closes On or before 24 July 2009 Trust publishes final decision
BBC TRUST REFUSES LOCAL VIDEO SERVICE.The BBC Trust has refused permission for the broadcaster to a launch a local video service.
It said local video would not improve services for the public enough to justify either the investment of licence fee funds or the negative impact on commercial media.
The BBC had proposed launching an enhanced version of the ‘BBC Local’ websites to be available on any internet-enabled device.
The BBC Trust carried out a Public Value Test (PVT) into the plans which looked at both the value to the public of the proposed service and its impact on the wider market.
As part of that process Ofcom undertook a Market Impact Assessment (MIA).
We concluded that the planned service would have a ‘significant negative impact’ on commercial providers who had plans in this area.
It revealed that if the BBC Local Video services were launched then annual revenues from existing commercial providers would fall by up to 4%.
More significantly, the launch of BBC Local Video services would have significant negative impact on future innovation in online local news, sports, and weather services by the commercial sector, particularly newspapers.
This is an Ofcom report.
KANGAROO VIDEO ON DEMAND STOPPED.
