31 March 2009
CNN, Gems TV change Freeview hours
CNN will increase its broadcast hours on Freeview from tomorrow, 1 April, it has been revealed. The channel will now begin two hours earlier at 19:00, but stop one hour short of it's current end-time (from 01:00 to midnight). The move comes at the expense of Gems TV on channel 44, but the jewellery-hoiking channel will move over to Netplay TV on channel 49 and broadcast between 16:00 and 21:00. So everyone's a winner.
19 March 2009
Smile TV 2 leaves Freeview
The placeholder for Smile TV 2 has been removed from Freeview channel 46. The channel ceased broadcasting on Tuesday 17 March, just over six months after it launched. Trash-TV fans, fear not, however: to restore the delicate balance of tat currently being carried on DTT, Partyland (channel 50) is expected to launch on March 20, timesharing with Five USA.
12 March 2009
Partyland appears on Freeview channel 50
A placeholder for Partyland has appeared on Freeview channel 50 today. The channel is being carried on multiplex A, and was awarded a licence to broadcast by Ofcom last month.
07 March 2009
The Lowdown: Multiplex A
It's been reported recently that cash-strapped ITV are considering selling-off SDN, the company that operates multiplex A. It's a profitable business, but they obviously need the money.
In terms of the channels it carries, the number of "timeshares" in operation on these channels, and the regional variations between nations, multiplex A is the most complicated of all the muxes currently being broadcast in the UK. Here's a short guide:
First, a little bit of history. When the plans were being drawn up for digital television in the UK, it was decided to "gift" capacity to the analogue public service broadcasters (PSBs). The BBC were given a multiplex to themselves, ITV and Channel 4 were given one to share, but Channel 5, S4C and digital-only TeleG were given the rights to be carried on the commercially-owned multiplex "A". In the end, a consortium made up of S4C, Five's then-owners UBM, and NTL (now Arqiva) won the bidding process to operate the mux (under the name of S4C Digital Networks - SDN). ITV bought the company in 2005 for £134million (S4C have no involvement anymore).
Second, the channels. Five have been gifted the rights to 50% of the multiplex nationwide. Their half - which carries he bulk of Top Up TV's services and Setanta - carries the same channels nationwide; there are no regional variations.¹
S4C have also been gifted the rights to 50% of the multiplex, but only in Wales. They are entitled to broadcast their own channels in this capacity. The equivalent capacity in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland belongs to SDN, who lease this out to other broadcasters. Only one of these streams, Bid TV, is broadcast nationwide.
Neither CITV, Smile TV 2 nor NetPlay/Super Casino broadcast in Wales. After a great deal of jiggery-pokery, the capacity to carry the former has now become available, but there is no indication that the kids channel will be available any time soon. The absence of NetPlay and Smile TV 2 is because this space is used to carry S4C and its text and audio services. S4C Two timeshares with QVC.
SuperCasino is also absent in Northern Ireland. One reason for this is that gambling channels are illegal in the province; another could be that the space is being kept vacant for Gaelic channel TG4, which will be coming to Freeview when the region switches off analogue signals.
There are ten streams in total carried in England and Scotland. The only difference between the two nations' services is TeleG, which only broadcasts in Scotland for an hour a day (it's own gifted capacity), and timeshares with CITV/CNN et al. This Gaelic channel is expected to cease broadcasting come switchover, when BBC Alba will most likely become available (subject to approval from the BBC Trust).
Many thanks to Ray Cathode, who helped explain all this to me... twice.
¹Apart from the regional variations in advertising carried on Five.
In terms of the channels it carries, the number of "timeshares" in operation on these channels, and the regional variations between nations, multiplex A is the most complicated of all the muxes currently being broadcast in the UK. Here's a short guide:
First, a little bit of history. When the plans were being drawn up for digital television in the UK, it was decided to "gift" capacity to the analogue public service broadcasters (PSBs). The BBC were given a multiplex to themselves, ITV and Channel 4 were given one to share, but Channel 5, S4C and digital-only TeleG were given the rights to be carried on the commercially-owned multiplex "A". In the end, a consortium made up of S4C, Five's then-owners UBM, and NTL (now Arqiva) won the bidding process to operate the mux (under the name of S4C Digital Networks - SDN). ITV bought the company in 2005 for £134million (S4C have no involvement anymore).
Second, the channels. Five have been gifted the rights to 50% of the multiplex nationwide. Their half - which carries he bulk of Top Up TV's services and Setanta - carries the same channels nationwide; there are no regional variations.¹
S4C have also been gifted the rights to 50% of the multiplex, but only in Wales. They are entitled to broadcast their own channels in this capacity. The equivalent capacity in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland belongs to SDN, who lease this out to other broadcasters. Only one of these streams, Bid TV, is broadcast nationwide.
Neither CITV, Smile TV 2 nor NetPlay/Super Casino broadcast in Wales. After a great deal of jiggery-pokery, the capacity to carry the former has now become available, but there is no indication that the kids channel will be available any time soon. The absence of NetPlay and Smile TV 2 is because this space is used to carry S4C and its text and audio services. S4C Two timeshares with QVC.
SuperCasino is also absent in Northern Ireland. One reason for this is that gambling channels are illegal in the province; another could be that the space is being kept vacant for Gaelic channel TG4, which will be coming to Freeview when the region switches off analogue signals.
There are ten streams in total carried in England and Scotland. The only difference between the two nations' services is TeleG, which only broadcasts in Scotland for an hour a day (it's own gifted capacity), and timeshares with CITV/CNN et al. This Gaelic channel is expected to cease broadcasting come switchover, when BBC Alba will most likely become available (subject to approval from the BBC Trust).
Many thanks to Ray Cathode, who helped explain all this to me... twice.
¹Apart from the regional variations in advertising carried on Five.
05 March 2009
Quest to broadcast from 10:00 to midnight
Discovery's upcoming Freeview channel Quest will broadcast between 10:00 and 00:00 daily when it launches in May. According to reports, the remaining time will be sub-let to other broadcasters.
04 March 2009
Cardiff frequency may not carry DTT
Cube Interactive, the successful bidders for the rights to a small slice of spectrum in Cardiff and the surrounding area, may not use the frequency to broadcast services on Freeview, according to reports. It's suggested that they could attempt to launch mobile broadband services, rather than sub-let the space to broadcasters.
02 March 2009
History is history, as it's Yesterday today
UKTV History has been re-branded as Yesterday, er, today. The channel, which broadcasts between 06:00 and 18:00 daily on Freeview channel 12, will now show a broader range of programming.
24 February 2009
This week History, next week Yesterday
UKTV History will be re-branded as Yesterday on Monday 2 March, the broadcaster has confirmed. The channel broadcasts between 06:00 and 18:00 on Freeview channel 12.
EPG shuffle takes place
There's been a minor shuffle of channel names and numbers on the Freeview EPG today, as outlined below:
23. Bid TV
24. ITV4 (previously 28)
25. Dave Ja Vu (previously Dave+1)
26. UKTV Style
27. ITV2+1 (previously 31)
28. E4 (previously 29)
29. E4+1 (previously 30)
...
70. CBBC
71. CBeebies
72. CITV (previously 75)
23. Bid TV
24. ITV4 (previously 28)
25. Dave Ja Vu (previously Dave+1)
26. UKTV Style
27. ITV2+1 (previously 31)
28. E4 (previously 29)
29. E4+1 (previously 30)
...
70. CBBC
71. CBeebies
72. CITV (previously 75)
23 February 2009
Dave+1 to become... Dave ja vu
From the ridiculous to the downright loopy... UKTV have decided to re-brand Dave+1 as – wait for it – Dave ja vu. See what they've done there? The change will take place tomorrow, along with a whole raft of other minor changes on the EPG.
ITV consider selling SDN
ITV are considering selling SDN, the operator of multiplex A, which it owns outright. It's thought that, if a buyer could be found, the sale could net ITV £200million - it paid £143million for the company back in 2002. The broadcaster has been selling-off non-core businesses since it was created out of the merger between Carlton and Granada, but there is some surprise that they are willing to let such sought-after DTT real estate slip out of their control.
One bid for Cardiff local multiplex
Ofcom has only received one application to operate services on the forthcoming local DTT multiplex in Cardiff. The city currently has it's own analogue terrestrial channel, Capital TV, but it is Cube Interactive and not Capital who have submitted a proposal.
Disovery Quest launches 14 May
Discovery's new Freeview channel Quest will launch at 10:00 on 14 May, it has been reported. The MHEG holding slide is due to be updated tomorrow with more information about the channel, which will be Discovery's first non-subscription service in the UK.
20 February 2009
Film4 to extend hours in March
Film4 will start at 11:00 from March, it has been revealed. The channel, which currently starts at 12:45 for a 13:00 start, timeshares with Gems TV on multiplex D. It also forms a key part of Channel 4's submission to Ofcom for HD capacity on Freeview.
Ofcom receive two bids for 4th HD slot
Ofcom has received two applications for the fourth HD channel slot to be made available via DTT, it has been announced. The first three slots have been awarded to the BBC, ITV and Channel 4; the latter has submitted a joint-bid with S4C to launch a hybrid children's and film channel (Film4 HD). The other proposal comes from Five, who offer to timeshare with another HD channel during the day.
19 February 2009
Mini-Reshuffle later this month
As expected, there will be a mini-reshuffle of channel numbers for ITV and Channel 4's digital channels on 24 February. According to the Freeview website, ITV4 will move from 28 to 24; CITV will move to 72 from 75; ITV2 +1 changes from 31 to 27; and E4 and E4+1 will drop down one space each, finishing on 28 and 29 respectively.
17 February 2009
Mini-Switchover on the South coast
Analogue broadcasts of Five will be switched off, and all Freeview multiplexes will move to new frequencies for 500,000 viewers in the western half of the Meridian television region next month. On 25 March, the Fawley transmitter will no longer carry analogue Five, and digital multiplexes from Rowridge will shift channels to avoid interference with digital signals from across the Channel. Switchover-proper isn't due to start in the region until 2012.
Gala Bingo to launch on Freeview? No.
19 February update: Fear not, Freeview fans. Gala Bingo isn't on the way. The author of the original article mistook Freeview for Freesat, the new free satellite television service from the BBC and ITV.
16 February 2009
05 February 2009
Channel M awarded Manc DTT licence
In a not-at-all-suprising move, Ofcom have awarded the licence to transmit local digital channels in Manchester to Channel M, who currently broadcast on analogue terrestrial and cable in the area.
03 February 2009
Film4 moves to channel 15
In the first of several expected channel moves over the coming months, Film4 has today been moved from Freeview channel 32 to 15. Public Service Broadcasters' channels (ie: the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five) get priority over their purely-commercial rivals for lower (considered better) channel numbers under the official guidelines. Reports suggest ITV4 will move to channel 24 and CITV will shift to 72 in late-February.
DirectGov launches on Freeview
DirectGov, the Government's digital gateway to services, has launched a text service on Freeview, in conjuction with Teletext. The service is available 24 hours a day on channel 106, or from Teletext page 750.
02 February 2009
Russia Today launches on Freeview
Russia Today has started broadcasting on Freeview channel 85. The channel, which timeshares with Dave+1 on mulitplex D, will broadcast between 06:00 and 08:00 daily.
22 January 2009
Dave+1 launches on Freeview
Dave+1, a timeshifted version of UKTV's popular channel Dave, has launched on Freeview channel 25. The channel is carried on multiplex D, and will broadcast daily between 08:00 and 04:00.