More4, Freeview, Freesatfromsky
 

After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air More4, now
it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, but subscription only. So
yet another channel that's available on Freeview (which I can't recieve
here, not for want of trying...) but not on Freesatfromsky.

So - I propose a solution. Scrap analogue terrestial Channel 4 immediately, use
its frequencies to broadcast nationwide a digital multiplex including Channel4.
Greg Dyke's mum won't be watching C4 anyway, so it shouldn't upset anyone
who isn't able to pop out to tescos and buy a freeview box.
This will hugely increase the coverage of at least a single freeview multiplex,
and so the takeup of digital recievers across the country, thereby making
the final digital switchover that much easier.

dom.

p.s. I'm probably just annoyed, I'm going to have to carry on finding
other sources for The Daily Show.

On 10 Oct 2005, Dominic wrote

After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air
More4, now it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, but
subscription only. So yet another channel that's available on
Freeview (which I can't recieve here, not for want of trying...)
but not on Freesatfromsky.

p.s. I'm probably just annoyed, I'm going to have to carry on
finding other sources for The Daily Show.

You should be annoyed. But I think it's a Sky thing, not a Channel 4
decision -- Freesatfromsky is Sky being hauled kicking and screaming
into a non-subscription model which they dearly wish didn't exist.

--
Cheers,
Harvey

Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
On 10 Oct 2005, Dominic wrote

After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air
More4, now it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, but
subscription only. So yet another channel that's available on
Freeview (which I can't recieve here, not for want of trying...)
but not on Freesatfromsky.

p.s. I'm probably just annoyed, I'm going to have to carry on
finding other sources for The Daily Show.

You should be annoyed. But I think it's a Sky thing, not a Channel 4
decision -- Freesatfromsky is Sky being hauled kicking and screaming
into a non-subscription model which they dearly wish didn't exist.


Well, that's certainly what Channel 4 are claiming on their telephone
helpline type thing. Which is why, if Channel 4 are really so keen
on FTA, they should take the initiative and immediately convert
their analogue signal into a Freeview multiplex so the whole
country can get at least some Freeview including all (3 of?) the
Channel 4 channels. That'd annoy Sky. Hopefully.

dom.

p.s. yeah, yeah, I know, transmitters are owned by NTL and
Crown Castle, so no chance...

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:54:05 +0000 (UTC), Dominic
wrote:

After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air More4, now
it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, but subscription only. So
yet another channel that's available on Freeview (which I can't recieve
here, not for want of trying...) but not on Freesatfromsky.



dom.

p.s. I'm probably just annoyed, I'm going to have to carry on finding
other sources for The Daily Show.

****ing ******** isn't it.

Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
On 10 Oct 2005, Dominic wrote
After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air
More4, now it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, [...]
You should be annoyed. But I think it's a Sky thing, not a Channel 4
decision -- Freesatfromsky is Sky being hauled kicking and screaming
into a non-subscription model which they dearly wish didn't exist.

Channel 4 have their own carriage on Astra, see
http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...s=Astra&id=294
4 blaming Sky is not tenable. I'm sure Sky didn't help, but isn't
that why 4 bought their own space? 4 advertised this channel as
free-to-air repeatedly, not just a freesatfromsky thing.

MJ Ray wrote:
Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
On 10 Oct 2005, Dominic wrote
After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air
More4, now it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, [...]
You should be annoyed. But I think it's a Sky thing, not a Channel 4
decision -- Freesatfromsky is Sky being hauled kicking and screaming
into a non-subscription model which they dearly wish didn't exist.

Channel 4 have their own carriage on Astra, see
http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?...s=Astra&id=294
4 blaming Sky is not tenable. I'm sure Sky didn't help, but isn't
that why 4 bought their own space? 4 advertised this channel as
free-to-air repeatedly, not just a freesatfromsky thing.

I suspect what has happened is as follows. More4 cannot be 'seen'
outside the UK owing to rights issues (the same ones that currently
prevent C4 from being FTA)
Therefore More 4 has to be FTV. C4 have no practical choice but to
encrypt using NDS/Sky VideoGuard, and Sky will charge them for doing
so. However I expect C4 were given the option of free encyrption by
Sky, in exchange for putting M4 on a 'subs only' package, (just as
ITV-2 did between Nov 2001 and Nov 2004).

My personal view is the fault is entirely C4's,

1: For not pursuing a BBC/Astra 2D style FTA rights package activley
enough
2: For being too tight to pay for VideoGuard encryption

Regretably we are seeing C4 in their true colours, they are in short a
disgrace for a channel that still claims to be a 'public service
broadcaster', and one that is making noises to get a share of the
licence fee.

"Dominic" wrote in message
...
Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
On 10 Oct 2005, Dominic wrote

After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air
More4, now it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, but
subscription only. So yet another channel that's available on
Freeview (which I can't recieve here, not for want of trying...)
but not on Freesatfromsky.

p.s. I'm probably just annoyed, I'm going to have to carry on
finding other sources for The Daily Show.

You should be annoyed. But I think it's a Sky thing, not a Channel 4
decision -- Freesatfromsky is Sky being hauled kicking and screaming
into a non-subscription model which they dearly wish didn't exist.


Well, that's certainly what Channel 4 are claiming on their telephone
helpline type thing. Which is why, if Channel 4 are really so keen
on FTA, they should take the initiative and immediately convert
their analogue signal into a Freeview multiplex so the whole
country can get at least some Freeview including all (3 of?) the
Channel 4 channels. That'd annoy Sky. Hopefully.

It would not annoy Sky one little bit. Most people in areas without DTT do
not have DTT decoders. Hence these people would immediately lose an
analogue channel, and would hardly be excited to get a DTT box to receive
only one multiplex.


--
MESSAGE ENDS.
John Porcella

"John Porcella" wrote:

"Dominic" wrote in message
...
Well, that's certainly what Channel 4 are claiming on their telephone
helpline type thing. Which is why, if Channel 4 are really so keen
on FTA, they should take the initiative and immediately convert
their analogue signal into a Freeview multiplex so the whole
country can get at least some Freeview including all (3 of?) the
Channel 4 channels. That'd annoy Sky. Hopefully.

It would not annoy Sky one little bit. Most people in areas without DTT do
not have DTT decoders. Hence these people would immediately lose an
analogue channel, and would hardly be excited to get a DTT box to receive
only one multiplex.


But one (64QAM) multiplex (looking at DTG site) seems to include about
12 channels? (perhaps some of those are time shared...) I'd go spend
£30 in Somerfield to lose one channel and gain 12. Then I'd have a
freeview box for when the other analogue channels went (and I'd
only have to go and buy two more boxes rather than all 3 in one go).

How is the switchover going to work? If digital can't be turned on
at the same time as the analogue channels, am I supposed to go
out and buy a box in advance? Which I won't be able to use? At the
same time as everyone else in the area is buying a box too? Or is
it just my fault because I can't pick up Crystal Palace on a loft (wrong
area anyway) because local planning regulations mean say roof aerials?

I reckon... that it's all a mighty cock-up. And... that it's probably
carefully timed by Mr Blair so that the sh1t hits the fan when there's
a David as PM.

dom.

p.s. did anyone actually listen to David C's speech? What was supposed
to be wrong with it? BBC/MSM bias? Ooh no.

On 11 Oct 2005 03:01:47 -0700, "Mark Carver"
wrote:

I suspect what has happened is as follows. More4 cannot be 'seen'
outside the UK owing to rights issues (the same ones that currently
prevent C4 from being FTA)
Therefore More 4 has to be FTV. C4 have no practical choice but to
encrypt using NDS/Sky VideoGuard, and Sky will charge them for doing
so. However I expect C4 were given the option of free encyrption by
Sky, in exchange for putting M4 on a 'subs only' package, (just as
ITV-2 did between Nov 2001 and Nov 2004).

My personal view is the fault is entirely C4's,

1: For not pursuing a BBC/Astra 2D style FTA rights package activley
enough
2: For being too tight to pay for VideoGuard encryption

Regretably we are seeing C4 in their true colours, they are in short a
disgrace for a channel that still claims to be a 'public service
broadcaster', and one that is making noises to get a share of the
licence fee.

I cannot see with the content of More4 that it would be that difficult
to resolve the rights issues, and that would not be a Sky issue.

I am wondering if somewhere in the dim and distant past before all
this FTA business became an issue C4 signed a contract with Sky that
committed them to letting Sky have first choice on channels. C4 gets
money off Sky, Sky gets first look at channel.

The idea of an older channel to complement E4 has been on the cards
for years and it would not surprise me if it was part of the same E4
deal. More4 go to go FTA on satellite, and Sky lawyers say excuse me
you sold your soul to the devil (well Murdoch).

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:54:05 +0000 (UTC), Dominic
wrote:

After weeks of Channel4 advertising for their new free-to-air More4, now
it's launched on satellite it's not FTA, not FTV, but subscription only. So
yet another channel that's available on Freeview (which I can't recieve
here, not for want of trying...) but not on Freesatfromsky.

So - I propose a solution. Scrap analogue terrestial Channel 4 immediately, use
its frequencies to broadcast nationwide a digital multiplex including Channel4.
Greg Dyke's mum won't be watching C4 anyway, so it shouldn't upset anyone
who isn't able to pop out to tescos and buy a freeview box.

Yes indeed. And have all the channels with LOGOS on em too. Because
make no mistake, the only reason why BBC 1 ITV etc dont have the DOG
is because the analogue grannies wouldnt put up with the crap.
The longer we keep the anologue feed the longer we will have at least
some channels with no LOGOS.