+1 channels correcting mistakes...

Now I always thought the +1 channels played out the delayed stream regardless of what happened - indeed there are loads of times in the past when E4 has screwed up and gone off air, with no alterations made for the E4+1 transmission.


However, in the last couple of weeks a couple of examples of E4+1 correcting / censoring a couple of issues.

The first was when they played out the wrong episode of Hollyoaks on E4, which led to them crashing to the break at the wrong time and a lengthy period of black screens and VT clocks - which apparently was corrected for the airing on E4+1, although they left in the apology.

And another week, another racism row, with Wendy Richards not thinking before speaking on BBLB - with some carefully place technical sound problems cutting out the offending remarks in the airing on E4+1.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bigbrother9/a128928/ofcom-investigating-bblb-racism-claims.html


So are the +1 channels now obligated to address issues broadcast earlier (e.g. bleeping out swearing), or can they just retransmit the original channel uncensored regardless.

In the same BBLB (I think) there was also a playout error where only two of the "vote to win" numbers were played out. George apologised and said they would be played later. I could swear that was fixed in the +1 replay.

In answer to your question I would say its unlikely that channels are expected to correct errors for +1 channels.

Big Brother, uniquely, has edit teams and a gallery running 24 hours a day, therefore they have the ability to correct mistakes. Not many other live programmes have the same luxury. Once they're off air that's it.

Its in Endemol's interest to correct things that could get them into a fuss - like the (in my opinion perfectly innocent) comments of Wendy Richard, or the apparent unfairness of letting Darnell and Mikey's voting numbers play out twice.

It seems that they correct smaller glitches too - just because they can.

I suspect Ofcom would take a dim view if something particularly horrendous went out on a +1 channel - but the most you could hope for with other rebroadcasted live programmes would be a blackout of the offending section.

Ofcom couldn't reasonably expect all live programming to have edits ready for a +1 rebroadcast.

as i understand it ANY change to content on a +1 is a breach of the channels EPG agreements with Sky & Virvin and the Music rights agencies.

You can add a graphic to identify the delay, block phone numbers or a Full screen replacement. But that is all.

I doubt Sky or Virgin would care about the EPG - channels can shuffle their own channels around their EPG slots as they like.

There could in theory be an issue if the programme is deemed to have been altered, so isn't a straight rerun, but I doubt it's worth them caring.

Most of the +1 channels operate by setting up the schedule in the playout automation with everything an hour later, and some means to record and play in the pres and live programmes. Therefore it could just be that somebody made a mess of programming the system for the main channel but did it right for the +1.

small fixes maybe, but the rules are as I have told you.

Rights holders grant timeshift rights on strict terms - for programmes which are on per play rights it is a big deal; as are the music rights.

Sky grant a very big discount for +1 channels: In channel 4's case worth several hundred thousand pounds per year.

I'm sure that channels will be rejoicing your news that they can move channels around as they please. The reality of dealing with Sky Channels&Operations is very different. If you have has a different personal experience to mine, my colleagues or clients then please share.

Yes a few changes will not make a huge impact - but the opening question was about if channels are supposed to make changes: the answer is no.

No, most are just a simple video server. The output of the playout suite is recorded into it and then played out an hour later. Companies with several timeshifted channels can even use the same server for several channels - utilising several record and playback ports on the same device.

I can understand that if a +1 channel (which has been heavily discounted) started putting out different programming then there would be a problem. But I can't see either Sky or Virgin being concerned about simple compliance edits or technical fixes

I find it very strange that it would be a breach of EPG agreements, as I understand it that the EPG agreements are only to give certain slots to certain companies, and it's then up to them to do whatever they want with the slots.

Yes, that's always been my understanding too. Although AIUI Sky do impose certain 'content' conditions upon HD channels on their platform ?

If, as GaryC says, Sky offer channels a big discount for their +1 EPG slot then I can see that there would be a problem if one of those channels started creeping in non-timeshifted content. It coud be used as a cheap back door to another regular channel

I do know of one large playout company who do this - but an automation crash (maybe the fan fell over?) knocked all their channels off air for a few minutes. They made use of a spare playout chain to create a temporary +1 for the main channel, but for the rest, all the engineers could do was put their feet up and watch them all go black again.