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.
Where Can I Buy Ipswich Town Mugs In London?
As you can see from the pictures on this site, I have an Ipswich Town football mug. I have friends, who support other teams and now that I get my coffee across the road, it would be nice to be able to get their coffee in an appropriate mug.
So I thought, it would be nice to purchase some mugs. I searched for a place to buy an Ipswich one in London and there doesn’t appear to be any shop selling football mugs. Except of course, those for the Premiershits.
It looks like a business opportunity to me! It could also make a nice themed cafe.
I can at least get another Ipswich one today, but I’m in desperate need for one for Brighton, Hull and Sheffield United. Failing that, how about an official nPower mug, listing all the clubs in the Championship and Divisions One and Two!
You Can’t Win ‘Em All
After his victory in court today, Roman Abramovich, Chelski don’t seem capable of giving him a double, as with just five minutes to go, they’re losing by four goals to one to Athletico Madrid.
Don’t worry, Roman. You can always change the manager to improve things!
It worked last time!
Terrorism Can’t Stop This Woman
Martine Wright lost her legs in the July 7th, 2005 terrorist bombings in London. Since then she has got married and had a son.Today, she appeared in the British sitting volleyball team at the Paralympics. The story is here in the Standard.
I wonder if her inspiring story will appear on NBC.
NBC Treats Paralympics With Contempt
Two of the UK’s broadsheets; The Times and The Telegraph, have turned their ire this morning on to the American broadcaster NBC, for its appalling coverage of the Paralympic Games. read the report in The Telegraph here.
I know I’m not watching the Paralympics live, as I don’t watch channels with adverts, unless it’s an important sporting event, that I’m interested in. But I am following the Games on BBC Radio 5 Live and television news reports.
I could cynically suggest that no-one in America would advertise in the breaks of the Paralympics, as it might give your organisation the wrong image. But I don’t know the facts.
Here in the UK, all the major channels have back-up digital channels, like BBC with BBC3 and BBC4 and Channel 4 with More4 and E4, which they use to compliment their major coverage, so can’t NBC put the Paralympics on a back-up free-to-air digital channel or is America so sophisticated that it doesn’t have an equivalent of our Freeview.
Rangers Get To Play Football In England
This is how the BBC put it in a long article.
Rangers’ old ambition to play league football in England was realised in circumstances they would not have imagined until the club’s summer of financial turmoil.
As they crossed the border to sun-kissed Shielfield Park, memories in the capacity crowd returned to that famous victory in 1967, when the Wee Rangers caused one of the biggest shocks in Scottish Cup history with a 1-0 victory over the men from Ibrox.
Rangers only drew and now are fourth in the Scottish Third Division.
Just thinking, but have Rangers paid their tax bill yet?
They’re Playing Water Polo At Wembley
The Rugby League Cup Final is being played in atrocious weather at Wembley.
They’ve also called off the Sunderland Reading football match, as the ground is waterlogged.
And it’s only August!
A Bad Day For Living Alone
Today is probably not going to be a good day. It’s going to rain all day and the football is in Blackpool, the town with the streets paved with vomit. I suppose the heavy rain forecast for the cess-pit of the Lancashire coast, will clean it up a bit, but it’s not the weather to visit a town without any gluten-free food.
So I’ll just stay here and listen to the radio in between watching the football on Sky.
I can’t even go to bed, as I don’t have a lady to make it more comfortable.
At least with the cafe opposite, I can go there and have a coffee in between the rain showers.
I think I’ll look for a matinee at the theatre. At least, I can catch the 38 bus from round the corner direct to Shaftesbury Avenue. Singing in the Rain anybody?
Condolezza Rice Invited To Join Augusta National
Augusta National seems to have forgone it’s ban on women members, by inviting two women to join, one of whom is Condolezza Rice. It’s all here in the Guardian.
I remember a tale from a few years back, where someone in Houston, was employing a new secretary. One of those who came for interview,said, that she was a woman, black and Jewish and therefore she ticked three boxes. She got the job, as coincidentally, she was also the best applicant.
So did Augusta choose Connie because she ticked two? The other lady is white and blonde!
I have a feeling that Tiger Woods is not a member!
But then I’m very much in agreement with Groucho Marks on clubs.
I wouldn’t join any club, that would have me as a member.
But then, I’m a member of that dark club called widowhood.
Race, gender and sexual orientation are not restrictions as to membership.
British Cycling – The Crux Of The Success
If you want to go faster, you have to cut drag to a minimum, as any racing car designer will tell you. But with cycling, it’s just a bit more difficult! Or it was until Crux Product Design of Bristol got in on the act and came up with futuristic streamlined helmets. The story is here on This is Bristol. There are also some great pictures on the Crux website.
It just shows how redesigning something as mundane as a cycling helmet can reap big rewards.
What other simple things need to be redesigned? Or should it be designed properly for once?
The Anonymous Widower 