RD
You mean on Saorview? Nope. RTÉ quite cheekly suggest that if you want UK channels you should get Freesat or a free-to-air receiver. Actual Freesat-branded recievers aren't officially available here though there is absolutely nothing to stop you privately importing one and they work fine.
Now there was a "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the DCMNR and DCMS stating that that RTÉ and TG4 should be provided on Freeview in NI and and that the BBC should be provided on Saorview. Very quickly UPC and Sky were off with comments on how this would destroy their business model and very hastily the memorandum was amended to state that any provision of UK terrestrial channels on DTT would have to be on a pay-TV only basis.
There's also the more practical fact that while RTÉ is very happy spending ROI licence fee payers money on becoming available in NI, the BBC has (understandably) a big problem with spending UK licence fee payers money to become available in ROI. And in fairness, for RTÉ there is (as well as the political kudos) the carrot of more advertising revenue which the BBC doesn't have. So someone on the ROI side would have to fund the BBC's availablity. Now I imagine the actual cost of providing BBC One NI and BBC Two NI (only) on an existing multiplex would not be that big and could be met by RTÉ, but they'd only do it if ordered by the Government. There's also the additional complication that RTÉ spent a lot of money installing the gear to run 3 multiplexes for pay-TV, and RTÉ management seem to still actually think that someone will take up the licence for pay-TV, despite it having been offered to three different consortia (including one that RTÉ were actually involved in!) all who turned it down.
The fact is that pay-TV via DTT will never happen now. It didn't work in the UK which a much bigger population and a much smaller existing penetration for multichannel television. The fact is that everyone who wants pay-TV can have it now - with a much bigger selection of channels - from Sky or UPC.
Now this also raises the question, how can the Government entice pay-TV refusniks to spend money installing Saorview. (Not just the box, but perhaps also a new aerial). Currently the offer is the existing terrestrial channels, and the following:
- RTÉ Two HD. Well sometimes HD. Not necessarily announced in advance. And not necessarily HD even when its announced in advance.
- 3e
- RTÉ News Now - which despite its name is mostly repeats of RTÉ One news bulletins
- RTÉjr - Just the RTÉ Two strand simulcast and then repeated.
- RTE 1 + 1 - only runs in the evening and even then missing some programming.
- RTÉ Digital Aertel.
Really, the only new channel there is actually 3e. Can that tempt viewers to digital?
rdd
Founding member
are there any plans to add any uk channels to the line up - given the history of channel 4 etc on mmds?
You mean on Saorview? Nope. RTÉ quite cheekly suggest that if you want UK channels you should get Freesat or a free-to-air receiver. Actual Freesat-branded recievers aren't officially available here though there is absolutely nothing to stop you privately importing one and they work fine.
Now there was a "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the DCMNR and DCMS stating that that RTÉ and TG4 should be provided on Freeview in NI and and that the BBC should be provided on Saorview. Very quickly UPC and Sky were off with comments on how this would destroy their business model and very hastily the memorandum was amended to state that any provision of UK terrestrial channels on DTT would have to be on a pay-TV only basis.
There's also the more practical fact that while RTÉ is very happy spending ROI licence fee payers money on becoming available in NI, the BBC has (understandably) a big problem with spending UK licence fee payers money to become available in ROI. And in fairness, for RTÉ there is (as well as the political kudos) the carrot of more advertising revenue which the BBC doesn't have. So someone on the ROI side would have to fund the BBC's availablity. Now I imagine the actual cost of providing BBC One NI and BBC Two NI (only) on an existing multiplex would not be that big and could be met by RTÉ, but they'd only do it if ordered by the Government. There's also the additional complication that RTÉ spent a lot of money installing the gear to run 3 multiplexes for pay-TV, and RTÉ management seem to still actually think that someone will take up the licence for pay-TV, despite it having been offered to three different consortia (including one that RTÉ were actually involved in!) all who turned it down.
The fact is that pay-TV via DTT will never happen now. It didn't work in the UK which a much bigger population and a much smaller existing penetration for multichannel television. The fact is that everyone who wants pay-TV can have it now - with a much bigger selection of channels - from Sky or UPC.
Now this also raises the question, how can the Government entice pay-TV refusniks to spend money installing Saorview. (Not just the box, but perhaps also a new aerial). Currently the offer is the existing terrestrial channels, and the following:
- RTÉ Two HD. Well sometimes HD. Not necessarily announced in advance. And not necessarily HD even when its announced in advance.
- 3e
- RTÉ News Now - which despite its name is mostly repeats of RTÉ One news bulletins
- RTÉjr - Just the RTÉ Two strand simulcast and then repeated.
- RTE 1 + 1 - only runs in the evening and even then missing some programming.
- RTÉ Digital Aertel.
Really, the only new channel there is actually 3e. Can that tempt viewers to digital?
DV
This video suggests the best solution is a Freeview HD box as it can receive Saorview as well provided you are in an area where you can pick up a transmitter from either side of the border. S/he has put the Irish channels on LCN 60 onwards. I'm guessing Freeview HD hasn't/hadn't by December reached NI.
There is an Irish version of Freesat planned, Saorsat (Wikipedia) but its technical set-up means there's very little chance of getting it in the UK outside of Northern Ireland..
Seems the only way to get Irish channels in Britain still is to register a Sky sub in Ireland or NI and bring the box across. There are a limited number of RTE programmes available internationally on the RTE Player, including an RTE News Now live stream.
There is an Irish version of Freesat planned, Saorsat (Wikipedia) but its technical set-up means there's very little chance of getting it in the UK outside of Northern Ireland..
Seems the only way to get Irish channels in Britain still is to register a Sky sub in Ireland or NI and bring the box across. There are a limited number of RTE programmes available internationally on the RTE Player, including an RTE News Now live stream.
TV
You mean on Saorview? Nope. RTÉ quite cheekly suggest that if you want UK channels you should get Freesat or a free-to-air receiver. Actual Freesat-branded recievers aren't officially available here though there is absolutely nothing to stop you privately importing one and they work fine.
Now there was a "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the DCMNR and DCMS stating that that RTÉ and TG4 should be provided on Freeview in NI and and that the BBC should be provided on Saorview. Very quickly UPC and Sky were off with comments on how this would destroy their business model and very hastily the memorandum was amended to state that any provision of UK terrestrial channels on DTT would have to be on a pay-TV only basis.
There's also the more practical fact that while RTÉ is very happy spending ROI licence fee payers money on becoming available in NI, the BBC has (understandably) a big problem with spending UK licence fee payers money to become available in ROI. And in fairness, for RTÉ there is (as well as the political kudos) the carrot of more advertising revenue which the BBC doesn't have. So someone on the ROI side would have to fund the BBC's availablity. Now I imagine the actual cost of providing BBC One NI and BBC Two NI (only) on an existing multiplex would not be that big and could be met by RTÉ, but they'd only do it if ordered by the Government. There's also the additional complication that RTÉ spent a lot of money installing the gear to run 3 multiplexes for pay-TV, and RTÉ management seem to still actually think that someone will take up the licence for pay-TV, despite it having been offered to three different consortia (including one that RTÉ were actually involved in!) all who turned it down.
The fact is that pay-TV via DTT will never happen now. It didn't work in the UK which a much bigger population and a much smaller existing penetration for multichannel television. The fact is that everyone who wants pay-TV can have it now - with a much bigger selection of channels - from Sky or UPC.
Now this also raises the question, how can the Government entice pay-TV refusniks to spend money installing Saorview. (Not just the box, but perhaps also a new aerial). Currently the offer is the existing terrestrial channels, and the following:
- RTÉ Two HD. Well sometimes HD. Not necessarily announced in advance. And not necessarily HD even when its announced in advance.
- 3e
- RTÉ News Now - which despite its name is mostly repeats of RTÉ One news bulletins
- RTÉjr - Just the RTÉ Two strand simulcast and then repeated.
- RTE 1 + 1 - only runs in the evening and even then missing some programming.
- RTÉ Digital Aertel.
Really, the only new channel there is actually 3e. Can that tempt viewers to digital?
hmmm, but what about utv and channel 4 - who have traditionally been viewed in the republic? and who obviously have the carrot of increased [if not barb surveyed] viewers? their imported programming licences must already account for rebroadcast in roi, given the fact that mmds exists?
tvmercia
Founding member
are there any plans to add any uk channels to the line up - given the history of channel 4 etc on mmds?
You mean on Saorview? Nope. RTÉ quite cheekly suggest that if you want UK channels you should get Freesat or a free-to-air receiver. Actual Freesat-branded recievers aren't officially available here though there is absolutely nothing to stop you privately importing one and they work fine.
Now there was a "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the DCMNR and DCMS stating that that RTÉ and TG4 should be provided on Freeview in NI and and that the BBC should be provided on Saorview. Very quickly UPC and Sky were off with comments on how this would destroy their business model and very hastily the memorandum was amended to state that any provision of UK terrestrial channels on DTT would have to be on a pay-TV only basis.
There's also the more practical fact that while RTÉ is very happy spending ROI licence fee payers money on becoming available in NI, the BBC has (understandably) a big problem with spending UK licence fee payers money to become available in ROI. And in fairness, for RTÉ there is (as well as the political kudos) the carrot of more advertising revenue which the BBC doesn't have. So someone on the ROI side would have to fund the BBC's availablity. Now I imagine the actual cost of providing BBC One NI and BBC Two NI (only) on an existing multiplex would not be that big and could be met by RTÉ, but they'd only do it if ordered by the Government. There's also the additional complication that RTÉ spent a lot of money installing the gear to run 3 multiplexes for pay-TV, and RTÉ management seem to still actually think that someone will take up the licence for pay-TV, despite it having been offered to three different consortia (including one that RTÉ were actually involved in!) all who turned it down.
The fact is that pay-TV via DTT will never happen now. It didn't work in the UK which a much bigger population and a much smaller existing penetration for multichannel television. The fact is that everyone who wants pay-TV can have it now - with a much bigger selection of channels - from Sky or UPC.
Now this also raises the question, how can the Government entice pay-TV refusniks to spend money installing Saorview. (Not just the box, but perhaps also a new aerial). Currently the offer is the existing terrestrial channels, and the following:
- RTÉ Two HD. Well sometimes HD. Not necessarily announced in advance. And not necessarily HD even when its announced in advance.
- 3e
- RTÉ News Now - which despite its name is mostly repeats of RTÉ One news bulletins
- RTÉjr - Just the RTÉ Two strand simulcast and then repeated.
- RTE 1 + 1 - only runs in the evening and even then missing some programming.
- RTÉ Digital Aertel.
Really, the only new channel there is actually 3e. Can that tempt viewers to digital?
hmmm, but what about utv and channel 4 - who have traditionally been viewed in the republic? and who obviously have the carrot of increased [if not barb surveyed] viewers? their imported programming licences must already account for rebroadcast in roi, given the fact that mmds exists?
RD
rdd
Founding member
Channel 4's do, for the most part. There are some problems with some shows (and these get blocked on the version of Channel 4 on the EPG on Sky Digital) but for the most part Channel 4's programming is good to go in ROI. Channel 4 have put clauses in all their contracts for commissioning programmes requiring the production company to sell them rights for the Republic as well as the UK for many years now.
Not sure with the situation with UTV. They have been on cable/MMDS for as long as the platform has existed but are still not on the Sky EPG (although available via Add Channels). TV3 have a contract with ITV plc for the exclusive supply of its programmes in ROI and managed to prevent ITV from renewing its carrraige contract with UPC for the supply of ITV2, ITV3, and ITV4 resulting in those channels (though not UTV) being removed from cable here.
Not sure with the situation with UTV. They have been on cable/MMDS for as long as the platform has existed but are still not on the Sky EPG (although available via Add Channels). TV3 have a contract with ITV plc for the exclusive supply of its programmes in ROI and managed to prevent ITV from renewing its carrraige contract with UPC for the supply of ITV2, ITV3, and ITV4 resulting in those channels (though not UTV) being removed from cable here.