Saturday, 20 February 2010

AMY WILLIAMS BRITAINS GOLD MEDAL HEROINE.




AMY WILLIAMS BRITAINS GOLD MEDAL HEROINE.

Amy Williams breaks 30 year hoodoo by winning Gold in Vancouver.

We won't say we told you so but it's rather strange that we highlight the excellent BBC Winter Olympic coverage then Amy Williams wins a fantastic "Gold Medal".
after we suggested you follow these super athletes going for Gold. Perhaps the press will take a longer look and review their press coverage now.
Just to remind you, Amy has won Britain's FIRST solo Winter Olympics gold medal for 30 years with victory in the women's skeleton.
Thank you, Amy it was a historical moment, and for those of us who watched it we won't forget it - simply brilliant!

Thursday, 18 February 2010

BBC WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES.




BBC WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES.

BBC coverage of the Winter Olympic Games is fantastic.

These athletes like Summer Olympians dedicate themselves to attempt to stir the heart of their own country by hopefully winning a medal. The pressure on some of these dedicated professionals must be horrendous especially for those considered favourites, from national to international newspaper columns to their friends and families.
Although these Winter Olympic athletes spend most of their life dedicated to special achievement apart from the BBC in the U.K. even the U.K. press this year have been slow to show interest.
Now looking at the same Winter Olympic Games coverage from Vancouver the BBC coverage is fantastic so have a look today and support your athletes which can be viewed from 4.00pm until 3.00am on BBC2 and in dazzling HD on freesat.

We feel the coverage for the U.S.A. athletes is excellent and coverage like this would not go amiss for the U.K. teams for next time should be considered.
Check out the Team U.S.A Social Media website for comprehensive U.S. coverage;
http://teamusanews.org/

Thursday, 11 February 2010

BBC ALBA MUST BE ON FREEVIEW




BBC ALBA MUST BE ON FREEVIEW

BBC ALBA MUST BE ON FREEVIEW

The SNP in Holyrood today called for BBC Alba to be broadcast on the Freeview digital service.

The call came in a debate in the Scottish Parliament where all parties were asked to back the move to Freeview.

Speaking during the debate Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan, who addressed the Parliament in Gaelic said:

“Across the whole of Scotland people welcomed BBC Alba when it started just over a year ago.

"BBC Alba is another step on the road to the normalisation of Gaelic and its acceptance in the broadcasting world as a distinctive and appealing Gaelic voice.

“BBC Alba understands the importance of broadcasting every sort of programme in Gaelic and of appealing to every sort of viewer, but their job would be much easier if BBC Alba was available on Freeview.

"Despite the restrictions on the number of viewers imposed by the current refusal to put BBC Alba on freeview immediately BBC Alba has won viewers and is well supported.

“If BBC Alba was available with other Freeview channels it would provide a huge incentive and boost for Gaelic broadcasting.

"There would be many more houses where people would be listening to, and becoming engaged with Gaelic. And the BBC Trust would get some peace as well!”

Friday, 5 February 2010

FREESAT BRINGS HIGH DEFINITION 6 NATIONS RUGBY TO YOUR LIVING ROOM



FREESAT BRINGS HIGH DEFINITION 6 NATIONS RUGBY TO YOUR LIVING ROOM

British rugby fans across the whole of the UK will be able to watch this year’s scrums, trys and tackles live in brilliant HD with Freesat – completely subscription free. Freesat will be showing this year’s RBS 6 Nations rugby action on the BBC HD channel, starting from 6th February.

The adrenaline packed matches will run until the 20th March, being played at different stadiums including the British home of rugby, Twickenham. Ireland take on Italy for the first of the games.

High Definition is perfect for making every detail of the fast paced action appear pin-sharp, so you won’t miss a single drop kick or throw as England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales play to bring the title home. With HD offering a picture five times the quality of standard definition TV, rugby fanatics can experience the game as if they were watching it pitch-side.

If that wasn’t enough, Freesat bring viewers a whole host of first-class sports in HD throughout the year – all without monthly bills to pay and contracts to sign. The World Cup will be available on the BBC HD channel and ITV1 HD, as well as Winter Olympics, Golf Masters, Wimbledon, FA Cup and UEFA Champions league matches.

Official press release.

Friday, 29 January 2010

ANDY MURRAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL IN FREE HD FROM FREESAT



ANDY MURRAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL IN FREE HD FROM FREESAT

Britain's Andy Murray is through to the Australian Open final against Roger Federer and you can catch all the nail biting action in high definition with Freesat – completely subscription free. The final airs this Sunday on the BBC HD channel.

Hopes are resting on Murray whose only other final appearance was at the 2008 US Open where he lost to Roger Federer.

High definition is perfect for making every detail of this legendary game appear crystal clear. Witness history in the making as Andy Murray fights to become the first Briton to claim a grand slam title in over 50 years. Experience the game as if you were watching from the courtside – whether you are a tennis fan or armchair fan, you won’t miss a serve with brilliant HD quality.

If that wasn’t enough, Freesat is offering a whole host of top-tier live sports in HD throughout the coming year – completely subscription free. The World Cup, Rugby Six Nations, Golf Masters and Wimbledon will all be available on the BBC HD Channel with the FA Cup, England World Cup internationals and UEFA Champions league matches over on ITV1 HD too.

Wednesday, 13 January 2010

FOLLOW FREESAT at FREESAT_TV



FOLLOW FREESAT at FREESAT_TV

Get latest freesat updates and industry news

Freesat is expanding its online community with an exciting new Twitter account @freesat_TV - the free-to-air satellite service will be posting updates as well as the best and most relevant information from the world of technology and television.

Follow Freesat on Twitter @freesat_TV

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

BBC ALBA REVIEW CLOSING SOON.



BBC ALBA REVIEW CLOSING SOON.

BBC ALBA is a Gaelic language television channel currently available on satellite and via BBC iPlayer. It aims to serve Gaelic speakers, those learning the language, those that might wish to learn, and those interested in the language and culture. It aims to reflect and support Gaelic culture, identity and heritage.
The BBC TRUST review which opened on the 26th Oct 2009 closes soon on the 18th Jan 2009 - so if you feel you have a point of view about this channel get writing.
Why would there be any review of this channel? we would say they are trying to remove it, why else would there be a review?
Considering some of the total rubbish some channels continually show this review is unjust.
Take for example the awful what they call a reality shows - Big Brother, what a load of garbage this is, or how about the other paint drying programme; "I'm a celebrity! get me out of here". really, really bad programming.
Surely the Trust would be better cutting their cloth by trimming awful programmes rather than quality channels?

BBC URGED TO MAKE SCOTLAND LOCAL



BBC URGED TO MAKE SCOTLAND LOCAL

The BBC Trust has today been urged to recognise different regions of
Scotland through it’s TV news broadcasts.

Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam has called on the BBC to increase their
volume and quality of localised news content. The call comes at the
same time as the BBC is carrying out a consultation on BBC Alba, and
STV looks to re-evaluate content.

Urging the BBC to make Scotland local the SNP MSP has written to the
BBC Trust suggesting they consider regional opt outs from Reporting
Scotland or as part of a wider news programme within Scotland.

Mr Adam said:

“As far as the BBC is concerned Scotland is all one region. The
result is that those of us living in the North or the Highlands see
very little of our local news on the TV.

“While BBC Radio produces local opt outs and STV broadcasts news for
the North, the West and the East of Scotland, much of the BBC TV
content is focussed on the central belt.

"The current arrangement that we get for news from the major
broadcasters in Scotland simply isn't satisfactory. The BBC have a
duty towards license payers across this country, and they simply
aren't doing them justice."

"Recent reviews within the BBC agree with this and so I'm calling on
them to re-evaluate their news content north of the border. Currently
STV have regional opt-outs, and I see no reason why we couldn't have a
similar set up on the BBC."

“A Scottish digital channel offers the opportunity to expand local
news but why wait?

"Both STV and the BBC have the facilities in Aberdeen, in Dundee, in
Inverness and I'm sure that people in the North East and Highlands
would welcome more local reporting, as would others across the
country."

Tuesday, 22 December 2009

FREESAT CODE FOR HUMAX HD RECEIVERS RELEASED



FREESAT CODE FOR HUMAX HD RECEIVERS RELEASED

Freesat releases code 5483 for Humax HD receivers.

Following the BBC iPlayer on Freesat code (5483) appearing on several forums yesterday, Freesat would like to clarify:

  • The BBC iPlayer beta release is currently available on Freesat Humax HD and Freesat+ Humax boxes

  • All other existing and new Freesat HD boxes and Freesat integrated TVs will have BBC iPlayer rolled out to them in the New Year

  • For full instructions on how to set up BBC iPlayer on Freesat HD receivers go to

http://BBCiplayerbetatrial09.freesat.co.uk/BBCiplayer

Wednesday, 16 December 2009

PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE 16th Dec 2009.



PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE 16th Dec 2009.

The companies involved in project canvas, a project that that aims to create an open platform for internet-connected TV devices, have announced that UK public service broadcaster Channel 4 and internet service provider Talk Talk have joined the project.

The six partners will now seek expressions of interest from other companies, who share a similar vision for internet-connected TV, to become partners in the joint venture that will promote and run the platform.

Although canvas has been open to discussions with any interested organisations since the proposals were first announced in February 2009, the six canvas partners now wish to invite any further expressions of interest from companies interested in becoming part of the joint venture. Any venture that wants to support the open internet-connected TV platform and can commit financial and marketing support to the project is invited to contact the partners.

Project canvas report.

The BBC’s involvement in project canvas is subject to BBC Trust approval. If the proposals are approved, the partners would form a new joint venture to develop the technical specification for devices with standards body the Digital Television Group (DTG), create and market a new consumer brand, build a common user experience, and build the technology platform.

Converging broadcast with broadband, the new platform would bring together linear TV and internet-based applications – creating an upgrade for the UK’s existing free-to-air TV platforms Freeview and Freesat, and giving TV audiences open access to a wide range of internet-based services.

The canvas partners have proposed that all prospective venture partners should be granted an equal proportion of shares in the new joint venture company.

Project canvas programme director Richard Halton said:

“Internet-connectivity is going to have a transformational effect on TV. By seamlessly converging broadband and broadcast content, project canvas can help secure the future of free-to-air broadcasting and create an open platform that gives online services a route to the TV set.

“The potential for innovation goes far beyond bringing video-on-demand to the TV set and there’s a huge opportunity for a wide range of new commercial models to thrive. We always wanted all the UK’s public service broadcasters and at least two ISPs to be involved in the venture at launch, so we’re delighted that Channel 4 and Talk Talk have joined the project.

“Today we’re inviting any further expressions of interest from other companies to join the venture. We hope that any other businesses that share a similar vision for internet-connected TV will want to be a part of this story.”

Story from project canvas.