CH
Why is there such little space on DTT for television channels? how can it not fit as many as other platforms? Stupid question, I know...
CW
Because the government has only allocated 6 multiplexes which gives it a finate amount of space to operate in. This situation is unlikely to change for the forseeable future (it is quite possible that not until analogue is switched off - an event well over 10 years away whatever the government tries to tell you - will there be any more multiplexes licenced), and whilst other platforms are free to increase capacity (i.e. Astra just have to launch another satellite to increase capacity on Dsat), this isn't an option for DTT.
The only immediate way of increasing capacity would be to put multiplexes 1, B, C and D back on 64QAM transmission, allowing for another 2 channels per multiplex (8 in total).
Incidentally, is 6 multiplexes technically the maximum you can have at present or are the government artificially fixing it at 6?
cwathen
Founding member
Quote:
Why is there such little space on DTT for television channels? how can it not fit as many as other platforms? Stupid question, I know...
Because the government has only allocated 6 multiplexes which gives it a finate amount of space to operate in. This situation is unlikely to change for the forseeable future (it is quite possible that not until analogue is switched off - an event well over 10 years away whatever the government tries to tell you - will there be any more multiplexes licenced), and whilst other platforms are free to increase capacity (i.e. Astra just have to launch another satellite to increase capacity on Dsat), this isn't an option for DTT.
The only immediate way of increasing capacity would be to put multiplexes 1, B, C and D back on 64QAM transmission, allowing for another 2 channels per multiplex (8 in total).
Incidentally, is 6 multiplexes technically the maximum you can have at present or are the government artificially fixing it at 6?
:-(
A former member
There is space for a seventh multiplex, but this would only be available in some areas, for example in major cities only. Basically, an RSL mux.
:-(
A former member
A simple, non-techy question here. Will there be any more actual channels launching on Freeview any time soon? I don't mean things like "Teletext on 4" which I understand from other forums will be launching soon. I mean channels with what the Americans call "regularly scheduled programming" (A phrase I learnt a LONG time ago with Sesame Street!)
MA
Matt
Founding member
Ok, so Price-Drop.tv has now launched on Channel 24, but could someone explain it to me....
Being a Freeview only person, i've never seen it. I've read on the website (and its quite obvious from watching) that there are a certain quantity of items, and when that many people phone in, the price locks, but I have one question - who is controlling the price-drop? I would understand if the price was falling steadily every second or so, but it seems to stop and hang for ages at no particular time.... whats going on?
Being a Freeview only person, i've never seen it. I've read on the website (and its quite obvious from watching) that there are a certain quantity of items, and when that many people phone in, the price locks, but I have one question - who is controlling the price-drop? I would understand if the price was falling steadily every second or so, but it seems to stop and hang for ages at no particular time.... whats going on?
:-(
A former member
From my understanding, it drops steadily... but it's all a fix anyway.
In response to the previous poster, a channel from Disney is supposed to launch this Winter.
In response to the previous poster, a channel from Disney is supposed to launch this Winter.
CW
That will probably result in 'midday U.S. soap operas' being the mainstay of it's output - indeed I think we can expect basically a US network daytime schedule transferred to the UK (which won't be up to much). If they rerun Sunset Beach though...
I take it from the name 'Daytime', that it will be a timeshare channel only operating during the day. I think it's a resonable assumption that the CBM/Setanta sports channel will then get the evening slot?
cwathen
Founding member
Quote:
Daytime, as Disney's new channel will be called, will feature comedies, made-for-TV movies and midday U.S. soap operas.
That will probably result in 'midday U.S. soap operas' being the mainstay of it's output - indeed I think we can expect basically a US network daytime schedule transferred to the UK (which won't be up to much). If they rerun Sunset Beach though...
I take it from the name 'Daytime', that it will be a timeshare channel only operating during the day. I think it's a resonable assumption that the CBM/Setanta sports channel will then get the evening slot?
TI
. I think it's a resonable assumption that the CBM/Setanta sports channel will then get the evening slot?
Oh what joy! CBM with its Minority sports and Bloomberg here, there and everywhere! I would rather have the channel by Disney 24 hours. Do CBM really wana be on Freeview so much that they'll do anything? makes you wonder. Well if all else fails, I'm sure a nice 690 or so slot on SKY would be better, next to GayDate and Open Access (Which is NEVER showing anything??)
Anyway, Just because its called Daytime, in the future, Daytime could become a 12 hour zone, then the rest being named 'Prime TV' or 'Evening Entertainment', a bit like that channel on SKY, Nation 277. At first the channel was going to be called 'GameNation' and when it was testing and not on the EPG it had a Gamenation dog, but now its up and running it Nation 277 with Gamenation becoming a 3/4 hour zone.
I think if Disney hold a 24-hour licence, then Having Daytime for 12 hours on one EPG Number, Then 'Primetime' or something else on another EPG number and running for 12 hours would be quite good. I hope it gets away from the 6 till 6 split. I think like the BBC channels the 7 till 7 split is better.
cwathen posted:
Quote:
Daytime, as Disney's new channel will be called, will feature comedies, made-for-TV movies and midday U.S. soap operas.
. I think it's a resonable assumption that the CBM/Setanta sports channel will then get the evening slot?
Oh what joy! CBM with its Minority sports and Bloomberg here, there and everywhere! I would rather have the channel by Disney 24 hours. Do CBM really wana be on Freeview so much that they'll do anything? makes you wonder. Well if all else fails, I'm sure a nice 690 or so slot on SKY would be better, next to GayDate and Open Access (Which is NEVER showing anything??)
Anyway, Just because its called Daytime, in the future, Daytime could become a 12 hour zone, then the rest being named 'Prime TV' or 'Evening Entertainment', a bit like that channel on SKY, Nation 277. At first the channel was going to be called 'GameNation' and when it was testing and not on the EPG it had a Gamenation dog, but now its up and running it Nation 277 with Gamenation becoming a 3/4 hour zone.
I think if Disney hold a 24-hour licence, then Having Daytime for 12 hours on one EPG Number, Then 'Primetime' or something else on another EPG number and running for 12 hours would be quite good. I hope it gets away from the 6 till 6 split. I think like the BBC channels the 7 till 7 split is better.
:-(
Is that not extremely pointless though? Would you be happy if you had to go to a different EPG number for BBC1 depending on what time of day it is?
Daytime is a very silly name. Firstly, it will start broadcasting at 6AM, which means it should be called "Morning Daytime". Also, should they extend their broadcasting hours, they'll need to rename the channel. Of course the channel name could be referring to the genre of programming, in which case it could be showing 'daytime all the time'. Either way, I'm not particularly excitied about this channel.
A former member
This Is Granada posted:
I think if Disney hold a 24-hour licence, then Having Daytime for 12 hours on one EPG Number, Then 'Primetime' or something else on another EPG number and running for 12 hours would be quite good. I hope it gets away from the 6 till 6 split. I think like the BBC channels the 7 till 7 split is better.
Is that not extremely pointless though? Would you be happy if you had to go to a different EPG number for BBC1 depending on what time of day it is?
Daytime is a very silly name. Firstly, it will start broadcasting at 6AM, which means it should be called "Morning Daytime". Also, should they extend their broadcasting hours, they'll need to rename the channel. Of course the channel name could be referring to the genre of programming, in which case it could be showing 'daytime all the time'. Either way, I'm not particularly excitied about this channel.