[opendtv] Re: Freeview business model

Thanks for the update Dermot.  It’s been a few years since I lived there and 
near the end I do recall adjusting my relatives TV sets to pickup the newly 
established fifth program channel – added maybe twenty years ago? More 
recently I’ve observed the U.K. OTA DTV system in operation and have found it 
to be very robust, even at it’s current low power.



My point in our discussions related to possibly establishing such a 
distribution system in the U.S. was: Freeview exists on a previously 
constructed nationwide distribution system, much of it originally developed 
with public funds and which, even today, is partially supported by public funds 
on the the BBC portions. (Is this close to the current reality?)

Nothing akin to this system exists in the U.S. and suggesting that broadcasters 
construct one from scratch at this late date, though a noble idea, seems is a 
bit Quixotic. 



-----Original Message-----
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On 
Behalf Of Dermot Nolan
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 5:41 AM
To: opendtv [opendtv]
Subject: [opendtv] Freeview business model


  Just to clarify things:

  'Freeview' is actually transmitted by two separate private sector 
transmission companies: Arqiva and NGW. The broadcasters pay these transmission 
companies for carriage of their services. Arqiva acquired the commercial 
broadcasters public networks when they were privatised years ago and NGW 
acquired the BBC's transmission networks when they were privatised years ago. 
Arqiva currently transmits the low-power DTT services of the commercial 
broadcasters and NGW currently transmits the low-power DTT BBC services. Arqiva 
has won the contract to build and operate the BBC's high power DTT network 
currently under construction and the contract for the commercial broadcasters 
is soon to be announced. Topologically all the services are transmitted from 
the same mast in each location, each company has its own buildings on the 
sites, and access to the masts is regulated. This means the coverage patterns 
are very similar as the frequencies are grouped and you only need one antenna. 
Very simple and very tidy. Its a key reason why DTT, apart from its working 
COFDM standard, and the portfolio of services which are free is such a runaway 
success. The things which make Freeview work are economies of scale and scope 
in both the supply and demand side:

  a) A regulated private sector transmission business with a meshed colocated 
network technology

  b) A strong free content lineup

  c) Works with existing aerials, no rotors thank you very much

  d)COFDM

  e)Multiple suppliers of IDTVs and STBs

  f)Clear consumer demand: its now a utility purchase.

  Kind Regards,

  Dermot Nolan



  Dermot Nolan 
  Director 
  TBS 
  DL: + 44 (0)20 7286 5570 
  Mobile:+ 44 (0)7973 211703 
  Email:dermot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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