Free to Air TV Posted Mon May 8 15:00:34 BST 2000 by Ben

With the new explosion of Digital TV (opinions on that generally anyone?) there's suddenly a great deal of new channel-space. Most of this is being filled with pay-TV channels of varying qualities, so who is with me in lobying for the next Digital Terrestrial Multiplex to be opened up to be made available for new Free to Air channels?

I think it would be good for us all, there are so many independent FTA channels around, but none can get a look in since ONdigital will make them part of their pay TV bouquet, the BBC won't carry indipendent channels (and won't get its finger out to get all of its own channels on there anyway) - and the only other space left belongs to ITV, who are preparing to expand to fill it.

Subject: Re: Free to Air TV [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Richard Bell on Mon May 8 16:06:04 BST 2000:

>With the new explosion of Digital TV (opinions on that generally anyone?) there's suddenly a great deal of new channel-space. Most of this is being filled with pay-TV channels of varying qualities, so who is with me in lobying for the next Digital Terrestrial Multiplex to be opened up to be made available for new Free to Air channels?

In an ideal world, this would be a good idea, but quality DTT-only FTA would not be sustainable unless it came from the BBC/ITV/C4 stable.

All three are preparing to launch more FTA soon.

OK, carrying FTA from another broadcaster would be easier if it was on DSat and Cable as well, but even so, it wouldn't be economical for wuality viewing.

>
>I think it would be good for us all, there are so many independent FTA channels around

Apart from the RSL Local Channels, Are there?


Don't hold your breath in waiting for a new DTT MUX either. They are having enough trouble with the existing 6.

Subject: Re: Free to Air TV [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Ben on Tue May 9 22:45:25 BST 2000:

>>I think it would be good for us all, there are so many independent FTA channels around
>
>Apart from the RSL Local Channels, Are there?
>
>YES! Many people don't realise, but channels like The Money Channel, Rapture, CNN etc are all FTA. But what I'm also talking about is launching new general channels - they could be available on satellite too, I'm not saying that, I'm just worried that everything is being directed at Pay TV.
>Don't hold your breath in waiting for a new DTT MUX either. They are having enough trouble with the existing 6.

Not really. They broadcast, they work, there just isn't enough space for the services Sky and Cable can muster. New Muxes will become available soon (1 or 2 - maybe by next year) and after analogue switchoff in a few years time, there will be multiplexes coming out of our ears!
>

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