BBC in Scotland football TV plea

Sky and Setanta have been broadcasting Scotland's matches See the BBC Trust submission here

The BBC has asked the government to guarantee that future Scotland football internationals are broadcast on terrestrial television.

The BBC Trust has made a submission to the Department of Culture Media and Sport, (DCMS) regarding events it would like to be added to the "A-list".

The list included "the live nations home and away qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championships".

The SFA's Gordon Smith has said such a move would kill Scottish football.

The BBC Trust said ring-fencing the matches to make them available to a terrestrial audience "strikes a balance between public sentiment and market impact."

But SFA chief executive Gordon Smith was reported by the Sunday Mail on 25 July to have written to his counterparts at the FA in London on the issue.

Mr Smith said Scottish football could not afford to accept the lower fees which are offered by terrestrial broadcasters.

The paper said his letter stated: "Scottish football cannot afford to lose this amount of money and be expected to continue to exist."

The BBC Audience Council for Scotland said in its annual report 2009 that one of its priorities for 2009/2010 was "to recommend to the DCMS that Scottish national football be listed for free-to-air transmission".

The government is reviewing the listing system for the first time since 1998.

The BBC's additions to the list include home nation football qualifiers for World Cups and European Championships in the respective nations.

Wales Six Nations and autumn rugby internationals are also on the proposed list of protected events.

The government announced an independent review into the events on the free-to-air list last year, with former Football Association chief executive David Davies appointed as the review's chairman.

The review panel's findings are expected to be announced in the autumn.

Story from;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8176591.stm

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT.

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT.

The symphonies, concertos, overtures and fugues of this year’s Proms will be better than ever this year with Freesat bringing viewers this unique summer event in glorious high definition on BBC HD. From the First Night of the Proms on Friday July 17 you can recreate the Proms experience in your own home all summer long, culminating with the renowned Last Night of the Proms celebration on September 12.

No need to compromise on sound or picture quality with Freesat as high definition (HD) gives you five times the quality of normal digital TV. With The Proms in crystal-clear HD, you won’t miss a single stroke of the kettle drum or twitch of the conductor’s baton as the experience bursts out of the TV and into your home.

This summer marks the 115^th year of the Proms, with concerts taking place in famous venues around the country; from the Royal Albert Hall to Cadogan Hall and the popular BBC Proms in the Park events.

As ever, the world’s finest classical talents will be performing, including pianist Lang Lang, violinist Joshua Bell, and well-known conductors William Christie and Valery Gergiev. Enjoy the music and feel the passion as Freesat brings the event to life in glorious high definition.

The Proms on the BBC HD channel will also be available in stunning surround sound for Freesat viewers with home-cinema speakers. So music lovers up and down the country will be able to savour the best in classical music as if they have the best seats in the house.

Other highlights available on BBC HD in the coming weeks include the IAAF World Athletics Championship Berlin 2009, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey and Dragon’s Den.

IAAF World Athletics Championship in HD on Freesat TV.

IAAF World Athletics Championship in HD on Freesat TV.

Reach for your running shoes and sprint to the sofa, because this year’s World Championships in Athletics is coming to Freesat in high definition and subscription free. From Saturday 15^th to Sunday 23^rd August, the 12^th IAAF World Athletics Championship airs on the BBC HD channel.

Olympic Champion Michael Johnson will join the BBC commentary team to report on the nine days of athletics action – disciplines ranging from Relay to Triple Jump and Javelin Throw to 5,000 Metres. Some of this year’s hopefuls include British runner Christine Ohuruogu, as well as American-born Allyson Felix and LaShawn Merritt.

Berlin Olympic Stadium is the host of these prestigious games and for the first time in its history the marathon and walking competitions will take place in Berlin’s city centre - all in brilliant high definition.

HD is perfect for watching all the high-speed athletic action, with a picture that is five times the quality of normal digital TV. This amazing event in pin-sharp HD has a staggering 1,800 athletes, 47 competitions and 24 disciplines, there should be no need for photo finishes. Freesat + also enables you to record, fast forward and rewind live TV, in case you want to re-live any of the best moments.

Other BBC HD highlights include chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, and dramas such as Torchwood and Gavin and Stacey.

PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE.

PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE.

BBC Trust publishes additional information on Project Canvas

24 July 2009

The BBC Trust is currently assessing Project Canvas, the BBC Executive's proposals to form a joint venture partnership to deliver internet protocol television (IPTV). Following the Trust's first period of public consultation, the Trust asked the BBC Executive to provide more information on the proposals in order to help stakeholders. The Trust is today publishing the Executive’s response and the Trust's timetable for the remainder of the process.

Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee said:

"We are pleased that the BBC Executive has responded positively to our request for more information. We are now giving stakeholders the chance to let us have their comments so that we can give them careful consideration. Over the coming months we will continue to engage with stakeholders to help us make a fully informed judgement."

Additional information

In the Trust's first period of public consultation, the Trust met over 60 stakeholders and received over 800 submissions to the consultation. It found widespread support for the delivery of IPTV to the home and a large number of stakeholders also recognised the BBC could potentially help both coordinate and accelerate this process. In order to help stakeholders the Trust is today publishing additional information from the BBC Executive on the following areas:

• The choice of technical standards to be adopted by Canvas;
• The proposed way in which the BBC would work with industry bodies;
• Control of the Electronic Programme Guide;
• Governance arrangements for the joint venture;
• The use of editorial controls.

report from the BBC Trust.

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT

HIT THE RIGHT NOTES WITH THE PROMS ON BBC HD ON FREESAT

The symphonies, concertos, overtures and fugues of this year’s Proms will be better than ever this year with Freesat bringing viewers this unique summer event in glorious high definition on BBC HD. From the First Night of the Proms on Friday July 17 you can recreate the Proms experience in your own home all summer long, culminating with the renowned Last Night of the Proms celebration on September 12.

No need to compromise on sound or picture quality with Freesat as high definition (HD) gives you five times the quality of normal digital TV. With The Proms in crystal-clear HD, you won’t miss a single stroke of the kettle drum or twitch of the conductor’s baton as the experience bursts out of the TV and into your home.

This summer marks the 115^th year of the Proms, with concerts taking place in famous venues around the country; from the Royal Albert Hall to Cadogan Hall and the popular BBC Proms in the Park events.

As ever, the world’s finest classical talents will be performing, including pianist Lang Lang, violinist Joshua Bell, and well-known conductors William Christie and Valery Gergiev. Enjoy the music and feel the passion as Freesat brings the event to life in glorious high definition.

The Proms on the BBC HD channel will also be available in stunning surround sound for Freesat viewers with home-cinema speakers. So music lovers up and down the country will be able to savour the best in classical music as if they have the best seats in the house.

Other highlights available on BBC HD in the coming weeks include the IAAF World Athletics Championship Berlin 2009, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey and Dragon’s Den.

BBC Proms 2009 HD

BBC World Service brings you nine weekends of high quality performances from the UK's greatest classical music festival.

The First Night of the Proms: 18 - 19 July

Prom 8: 800th Anniversary of Cambridge University: 25-26 July

Prom 10: Akiko Suwanai: Virtuoso Violin Works: 01-02 August

Prom 28: Karen Geoghegan: Bassoon Concerto: 08-09 August

Prom 32: Multiple Pianos: 15-16 August

Prom 44: Budapest Festival Orchestra: 22-23 August

Prom 53: Joyce DiDonato: Baroque Arias: 29-30 August

Prom 56: Lang Lang: Chopin: 05-06 September

As has become a tradition, a double bill for the final weekend of the 2009 season:

Prom 61: Magdalena Kožená : French Songs: 12 September

Last Night of the Proms: 12-13 September
12 September: live on digital shortwave (DRM). Highlights on Sunday 13 September

This is an official press release.

FREESAT GETS THE BILL ON HD - OFFICIAL 30th June 2009.

FREESAT GETS THE BILL ON HD - OFFICIAL 30th June 2009.

Freesat gets The Bill on HD has officially been notified to the Freesat blog spot - another gem for freesat and the millions of fans throughout the freesat signal area.
Clicking on the graphic will let you view it clearer.
This is an official press release...

FREESAT BOOSTS HIGH-DEFINITON CHOICE WITH BET AWARDS 2009

FREESAT BOOSTS HIGH-DEFINITON CHOICE WITH BET AWARDS 2009

On American Independence Day, Saturday 4^th July Freesat will bring viewers the prestigious BET Awards 2009 in brilliant high-definition (HD) – a UK exclusive for the subscription-free digital satellite TV service.

Held in Los Angeles on Sunday 28^th June, this year’s BET Awards are hosted by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and will feature performances from Hollywood A-listers Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Watching this year’s BET Awards in HD is a special bonus for Freesat HD viewers who can catch an HD simulcast of the ceremony exclusively on the BET HD channel (Channel 142), on Saturday 4^th July from 8.30pm. Freesat standard-definition (SD) viewers will not miss out though and can watch the awards by tuning in to the BET channel (Channel 140) at the same time.

The BET Awards were established in 2001 by Black Entertainment Network to celebrate the best African American talent from music, film, television and sport and previous winners include Prince, Mariah Carey, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Halle Berry.

Viewers should look out for the special BET HD channel (142) as it appears in the Freesat EPG from Thursday 2^nd July until after the event

Freesat’s MD Emma Scott comments “Being able to broadcast this year’s BET Awards exclusively on Freesat in HD is a real coup and we hope Freesat viewers will really enjoy watching some of the world’s biggest entertainers like Beyonce and Jay Z with amazing HD picture and sound quality”.

“We’re committed to bringing our viewers brilliant HD programming completely subscription-free and we hope this will be the first of many Freesat HD exclusives”.

This is an official press release - 25th June 2009.

Sad day for Setanta 23rd June 2009.

After weeks of rumour and speculation

Setanta goes into administration

The Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports has gone into administration after failing to make a number of payments to sporting organisations.

Setanta has now stopped broadcasting to customers in Great Britain, but the administrator Deloitte said it would continue to operate elsewhere.

They said they would immediately stop collecting subscription payments.

About 200 employees involved with the British operations will be made redundant, the firm said.

Setanta had a total of 420 employees in the UK and Ireland.

Full story...

TECHNISAT LAUNCHES ADVANCED FREESAT HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL BOX

TECHNISAT LAUNCHES ADVANCED FREESAT HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL BOX

Consumer electronics company TechniSat today announced the launch of a new Freesat high-definition (HD) digital box, equipped with a range of advanced features which will give viewers greater functionality and ease-of-use.

Receiving a Gold Award in a recent review by What Satellite & High Definition magazine, the TechniSat HDFS Freesat digital box comes with an extended feature set which allows the playback of movies, music and pictures from either USB memory sticks, memory cards, or from a PC using the LAN connection or a TechniSat WiFi adaptor. The receiver is also eco-friendly, consuming just 0.25 watts in standby mode.

Cementing the partnership TechniSat and Freesat announced earlier this year, Martin Cole, TechniSat’s MD comments “We are very pleased with our relationship with Freesat which has given us the opportunity to create an award winning HD digital box, helping to position TechniSat as a premium UK brand.”

Emma Scott, Freesat’s MD, added “With the arrival of their new Freesat box, TechniSat are providing viewers with yet another compelling way to access the range of channels and services available on Freesat.”

The HDFS Freesat digital box comes with a three year manufacturer’s guarantee and is available now from Currys, Comet, Maplin, Alltrade and Double D.

German based TechniSat Digital Group have a dedicated UK office and is a leading consumer electronics organisation with a strong history of producing high quality set top Boxes, PVRs, and IDTVs.

For more information on Freesat, please visit www.freesat.co.uk

For more information on TechniSat, please visit www.technisat.co.uk or www.technisat.com

MSP CALLS FOR SCOTLAND GAMES ON FREE TO AIR.

MSP CALLS FOR SCOTLAND GAMES ON FREE TO AIR.

Exclusive report from;
http://www.scotlandnewsinformationblog.blogspot.com/

MSP CALLS FOR SCOTLAND GAMES ON FREE TO AIR
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan will today call for a higher number of Scotland international football games to be reserved for free to air television.

Mr McMillan’s comments come as the review of events reserved for free to air television comes to the Scottish Parliament.

It also comes as the problems faced by Setanta raise concern over the stability of TV deals.
Mr McMillan and his colleague Keith Brown have repeatedly raised the issue with the UK Department for Culture and Mr McMillan has now written to the review.

Research for the Scottish Broadcasting Commission showed a majority of Scots support Scotland’s international football matches being available on free to air television.

Speaking ahead of the visit by the Review to Holyrood Mr McMillan said;
“For too many Scotland fans the option of watching the match at home with their family or friends is one they cannot afford.

“It is ridiculous that for many people the only way to watch Scotland’s international games is to go to the pub – often leaving our young footballers of the future unable to see the match and putting pressure on parents already stretched budgets to sign up to satellite or cable stations.

“There is overwhelming public support for bringing Scotland games, particularly our home games in the European Championships and World Cup to Scotland’s television screens.

“Last year’s study into Scottish broadcasting showed not only that 96% of football fans want coverage on free to air television, but 70% of those not interested in football believe there should be public access to the Scotland teams international adventures.

“As Scottish football considers the impact of Setanta’s cash crisis the importance of stability for our game and for its future is clear for all to see.

“This review is a prime opportunity to press that case and I urge every member of the Tartan Army to take up the case and argue for Scotland’s international matches to be available to all Scots on free to air television.”

1. Public Attitudes to Broadcasting in Scotland (2008) asked the public if it supported coverage of Scotland’s national football team on free terrestrial television – 96% of those interested in football agreed and 70% of those who were not interested agreed that these football matches should be on terrestrial television

2. Mr McMillan’s letter to the Review is below
I write to you in connection with the current Free-to-air listed events consultation.
I have, for sometime, been advocating that more sporting and cultural events be taken out of the private broadcasting streams and put on terrestrial, free-to-air television. It’s vital that the greatest amounts of people are able to see sporting and cultural events.

Before becoming elected I submitted a public petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for BBC Scotland to provide coverage of all Scotland national team matches. I said then and still feel now that it is appalling that Scotland’s national broadcaster does not have the rights to show every Scotland national game.

I feel it is important that international competitive football matches for the home nations are shown on terrestrial television. At the moment there is a monopoly on Scottish international football matches between BSKYB and the currently struggling Setanta. This situation means that many members of the public cannot watch their country compete on the national stage, unless they go to a pub. I believe this is wrong as many members of the public will have no desire to enter a pub to watch sporting events. The current set-up affecting the broadcast of Scotland football matches is depriving ordinary members of the public the opportunity to cheer on their nation as they try to qualify for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

As you will be aware, Setanta are currently struggling to survive and in this current financial climate it is imperative that stability is provided to fans and football clubs in Scotland.

I would urge the consultation to consider adding Scotland’s competitive international football matches to the list of ‘crown jewels’.

Yours sincerely

Stuart McMillan MSP