The Future Of Freeview
I have been looking at an article which describes digital terrestial television in the UK, which is generally referred to as Freeview.
At present there are a hundred or so TV and radio channels, most of which are free-to-air, but some like Sky Sports One and Two are available through various subscription methods like BT Vision, which I have.
When the switch-over is complete and everybody in the UK can get their free-to-air channels in a digital form, terrestrially if they want to, the old analogue signal can be switched off and the spectrum released can be sold off.
I had thought that this free spectrum would end up with those providing mobile services, but it would appear that there’s nothing technically to stop a broadcaster buying spectrum and using it to broadcast other services, whether they be free-to-air or by subscription.
I did say technically, as they would probably have to be regulated by the British authorities.
So would this have attractions for other broadcasters? The obvious candidate would be Sky, as it might like to setup a new Freeview multiplexer to broadcast all their channels terrestrially, probably using similar technology to that used by BT Vision.
It would also allow a powerful sports body such as the Premier League or Formula One to have their own channel.
I think the days in the UK, where you needed a satellite dish to get certain channels may well be numbered. I don’t think Sky will be objecting, as they know how to price a service to maximise the revenue. They are also one of the partners in Freeview.
The Anonymous Widower 
This was the start of Rudd Labour Govt, battle with Rupert {Newscorp} . . .{the Newscorp hate war continues, as free to air is much more popular than Fox / Sky / etc}
Freeview ABC 24 News {vs Fox News} . . . PLUS 16 Free to Air Digital Channels . . .
Aussies are sports mad, but will not agree to Monopolistic TV trying to take control of some sports. If sport is not available on Free to Air . . . go out in the sunshine & play Golf or Bowls or whatever . . . will not be held to ransom by Fox or Sky etal . . . new media also gives other options.
Comment by Steam Lover | September 2, 2012 |
Most get their Sky Sports for football with a satellite dish. But this is changing, as it’s a product a lot wants, especially as football tickets are like hen’s teeth. Even the Championship, which I go to watch, which is the second level, is the fourth most watched league in Europe, after the English, German and Spanish Premier Leagues. Italians don’t go that much as their football is all on satellite.
The great advantage of free-to-air is that everybody can watch and people can have multiple sets. The BBC here, though threw a big spanner into television with their development of the iPlayer. It takes up an awful lot of bandwidth on the Internet. My BT Vision, has that built in.
Sky and the BBC have a close relationship over football, with the BBC having rights to do highlights.
Comment by AnonW | September 3, 2012 |