[opendtv] Re: Freesat: 'Final piece in the digital jigsaw'
- From: "Bob Miller" <robmxa@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 12:19:05 -0400
Do you think though that satellite competition will direct OTA more toward
mobile/portable reception in the UK? My argument has been that terrestrial
OTA is best suited in a competitive market to mobile or easy ubiquitous
reception mobile or portable (but not primarily to cell phone size screens).
I believe this will be the case in the US with current broadcasters and such
as Qualcomm, Dish and possibly AT&T on auctioned spectrum.
Bob Miller
On Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:03 PM, Alan Roberts <
roberts.mugswell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Because there is still a major tide swell against satellite dishes in the
> UK, and cable is a very minor part of the broadcast environment. In my
> village (about 200 house over a square mile or so) I have seen not a single
> satellite dish. That will soon change, because I'll be getting Freesat as
> soon as PVRs come on the market. The UK is not like the US, we are
> different. OTA broadcast will remain a major force for way beyond the
> foreseeable future.
>
> Alan Roberts
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <
> albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 4:32 PM
> Subject: [opendtv] Freesat: 'Final piece in the digital jigsaw'
>
>
> I have no idea how this works in the UK. A free DBS service with 80
> > channels at the beginning, and quickly growing to 200 channels, would
> > (should?) put a quick end to any Freeview DTT or cable TV distribution, I
> > would expect. Why agonize over how to fit HDTV into the OTA spectrum in the
> > UK, when you get this new DBS system with HD built in from the start?
> >
> > In Italy, you do get a few free channels from Sky, but not enough to
> > give DTT serious competition. So I just don't understand what the deal is in
> > the UK. Maybe Ofcom is trying to recover all the OTA TV spectrum?
> >
> > Bert
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=2989
> >
> > Freesat: 'Final piece in the digital jigsaw'
> >
> > Freesat, the new, free, digital satellite television has launched today
> > (Tuesday 6 May 2008). A joint venture between the BBC and ITV, Freesat
> > reaches almost all of the UK (98% of households). At launch the platform
> > offers over 80 free digital channels-television, radio, interactive-plus
> > high definition (HD) services from the BBC and ITV.
> >
> > Freesat has no subscription and no contract; all that is required to
> > receive it is a one-off payment for equipment. Freesat's channel line-up
> > will grow each month, with up to 200 channels on air by the end of the year.
> >
> > Emma Scott, Managing Director, Freesat, said: "Today is a landmark day
> > for digital TV in the UK-the launch of a new digital satellite service which
> > brings free HD programmes to everyone.
> >
> > "With more than 9.6 million HD-ready televisions already sold in the UK,
> > but only a tiny fraction of those who own them currently able to receive HD
> > programmes, there's a big opportunity for Freesat to lead the way in
> > introducing the UK to high definition viewing."
> >
> > Freesat's initial channel line-up includes some of the most popular
> > digital TV channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four; ITV1, ITV2,
> > ITV3 and ITV4; Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4; news channels BBC News and
> > Al-Jazeera English; children's channels CBBC, CBeebies and CiTV; music
> > channels Chartshow TV and The Vault; interactivity from BBCi and digital
> > radio.
> >
> > Freesat will carry the BBC HD channel from day one, with ITV HD
> > launching exclusively on Freesat soon afterwards.
> >
> > Michael Grade, Executive Chairman, ITV plc, said: "The launch of Freesat
> > is the final piece in the digital jigsaw and will ensure that all viewers in
> > the UK have access to free-to-air digital and high definition television.
> >
> > "We will launch our HD service with an unrivalled line-up of premium
> > football including the FA Cup, England internationals and UEFA Champions
> > League from next season.
> >
> > "Now everyone in the UK can experience the benefits of digital
> > television: more choice of channels, interactivity and the extraordinary
> > picture quality of HD."
> >
> > Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC, said: "With the launch of Freesat,
> > all the BBC's digital channels, including BBC HD, will now be available to
> > all licence fee payers wherever they live and however they choose to access
> > them.
> >
> > "This means they will have yet another way to watch a fantastic range of
> > BBC output, from landmark dramas and world-class documentaries to national
> > events and live sport."
> >
> > Freesat will have three different types of receiver: a standard
> > definition box, an HD box and an HD integrated digital TV with Freesat
> > built-in (IDTV). Boxes are made by Goodmans, Bush, Grundig (the Alba Group)
> > and Humax. The IDTV is made by Panasonic and will be available in June.
> >
> > Box prices will start from £49, with a high definition box available
> > from £120, plus installation costs from around £80. (Installation includes
> > the satellite dish). Later this summer Alba and Humax digital television
> > recorders will also be available so viewers can record, pause, rewind and
> > fast forward their favourite TV programmes.
> >
> > Freesat has its own seven-day on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG)
> > and a channel guide so that viewers can easily find the programmes they
> > want.
> >
> > Freesat is available in shops and online from major high street outlets
> > Argos, Comet, Currys and John Lewis, plus some independent retailers.
> > Retailers sell equipment and can also arrange installation by approved
> > installers.
> >
> > DTG Staff 30.04.2008
> >
> >
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