DA
I would like to speak to you today about the 'Remind Me' icon that appears during some trailers for some programmes on some channels when watching on some platforms.
To see an example, there was one burnt in to the programme during todays episode of Points of View for some reason.
I expect the use of this system has helped those channels with an HD version as when you press green you get a choice of the SD or HD channel to set the reminder/recording for. This will make people more aware that their chosen programme is available in HD without them needing to find it manually in the EPG.
However, the system or at least its current implementation is not yet perfect. If you are watching BBC One on Sky in England and you press green, the reminder/recording is set for the programmes showing on BBC One London rather than the version of BBC One you receive on channel 101.
There is another slight problem caused by the regional nature of BBC One and the way it works on Sky. Just before 7pm on weekdays, BBC One show the regional news programmes. After the regional news and before The One Show there are a number of trailers that are shown on the sustaining feed (London) which each region can either show or remain opted out for (although I think they are shown in most cases and just act as a safety net in case of over running). While these trailers are being shown the 'Remind Me' icon appears on screen wheather the viewer is currently seeing the regional news or the trailer. I have seen this happen with a 'Remind Me' icon appearing over the end of South East Today.
It is possible for regions to opt-out of trailers too, something that BBC South East has been doing a lot recently to advertise the new style South East Today. Although I have not seen this happen (as any time I have thought to check, the trailer being shown by London didnt have a 'Remind Me' icon), I would imagine the 'Remind Me' icon would appear during these regional trailers if the London trailer had one.
Channel 4 is also regional but they do not have these problems. On Sky, if you are watching Channel 4 on 104 or Channel 4+1 on 135 and you press green, you will usually get the option of setting the reminder/recording for 104,135 or Channel 4HD but if you are watching on 994 or 995 then thats the options you get for the reminder/recording.
This makes me think that the BBC could sort their system out in the same way as Channel 4 have done and probably will at some point.
Here are some questions...
- What platforms/channels does this icon appear on? I think I remember this being part of the spec for the FreeSat boxes. On Sky, their own channels were the first to use it followed by Channel 4 and BBC channels. ITV, Five and UKTV/Virgin do not yet use this system on their channels as far as I have seen.
- Do the BBC nations other than England use these 'Remind Me' icons?
To see an example, there was one burnt in to the programme during todays episode of Points of View for some reason.
I expect the use of this system has helped those channels with an HD version as when you press green you get a choice of the SD or HD channel to set the reminder/recording for. This will make people more aware that their chosen programme is available in HD without them needing to find it manually in the EPG.
However, the system or at least its current implementation is not yet perfect. If you are watching BBC One on Sky in England and you press green, the reminder/recording is set for the programmes showing on BBC One London rather than the version of BBC One you receive on channel 101.
There is another slight problem caused by the regional nature of BBC One and the way it works on Sky. Just before 7pm on weekdays, BBC One show the regional news programmes. After the regional news and before The One Show there are a number of trailers that are shown on the sustaining feed (London) which each region can either show or remain opted out for (although I think they are shown in most cases and just act as a safety net in case of over running). While these trailers are being shown the 'Remind Me' icon appears on screen wheather the viewer is currently seeing the regional news or the trailer. I have seen this happen with a 'Remind Me' icon appearing over the end of South East Today.
It is possible for regions to opt-out of trailers too, something that BBC South East has been doing a lot recently to advertise the new style South East Today. Although I have not seen this happen (as any time I have thought to check, the trailer being shown by London didnt have a 'Remind Me' icon), I would imagine the 'Remind Me' icon would appear during these regional trailers if the London trailer had one.
Channel 4 is also regional but they do not have these problems. On Sky, if you are watching Channel 4 on 104 or Channel 4+1 on 135 and you press green, you will usually get the option of setting the reminder/recording for 104,135 or Channel 4HD but if you are watching on 994 or 995 then thats the options you get for the reminder/recording.
This makes me think that the BBC could sort their system out in the same way as Channel 4 have done and probably will at some point.
Here are some questions...
- What platforms/channels does this icon appear on? I think I remember this being part of the spec for the FreeSat boxes. On Sky, their own channels were the first to use it followed by Channel 4 and BBC channels. ITV, Five and UKTV/Virgin do not yet use this system on their channels as far as I have seen.
- Do the BBC nations other than England use these 'Remind Me' icons?