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Freeview channel update

January 1st is the greenlight for new digital channels. But Seven and Nine are still playing coy on content.

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From January 1 our commercial Free to Air broadcasters are allowed to transmit a second, digital channel as we barrel headlong towards Freeview.

We’re still waiting for confirmation on what Nine and Seven will programme. Yesterday an article in News Limited newspapers gave us a bit of a progress report on network plans.

As we know TEN intends to launch ONE HD from April with 24 hr sports, leaving its current TEN HD to become the second digital channel, which will re-broadcast the ONE content in SD digital. Again, this spells doom for those who currently enjoy watching dramas, comedy and other TEN shows in high definition. The network simply hasn’t fessed up on this black hole of programming.

It’s staggering to believe that in 2009 the network won’t be offering shows like NCIS, House, Idol, Neighbours and Rush in high definition. Similarly, alternate shows such as Battlestar Galactica and other TEN HD dramas are hanging in limbo until we hear where they will move.

Here’s some other excerpts from the article on where the networks are at:

TEN
Ten was the first commercial station to announce its plans for Australia’s first new commercial multi-channel – a 24-hour sports network called ONE expected to broadcast from April. Highlights will include:

• AFL (the 2009 NAB Cup, home and away season and finals, with the grand final returning in 2009);
• 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games;
• NASCAR (live coverage of Daytona 500 and Nationwide Series);
• Cricket (Indian Premier League matches);
• Golf (US Masters, US Open, Australian PGA, Ladies Masters);
• Also netball, swimming, tennis, Formula 1, NFL and the NBA.

“We see a first-mover advantage because we’re first in the market with a sports channel,” said Ten chief executive Grant Blackley. “We chose a genre where viewers would know exactly what they’re getting and we’ve picked all the crown jewels. I don’t think anyone could duplicate a sports channel with ease.

NINE
The Nine Network says its new multi-channel concept is a ‘work in progress’. “We’ll announce what we’re doing some time in the next couple of weeks,” said Les Sampson, director of acquisitions. “But our plans are definitely to launch in 2009.”

Industry sources speculated that Nine was considering launching a news or classics multi-channel. Mr Sampson confirmed Nine had looked at these options and a range of others, including lifestyle, reality and recent movies. “Nothing’s been finalised,” he said.

SEVEN
Seven is the most coy about its multi-channel plans. “We’re committed to multi-channelling. We’re ready. We’ll announce our plans shortly,” said a spokesperson.

Senior industry sources, however, say that Seven had a lifestyle channel in the pipeline that may have been overtaken by a recent seven-year deal between Foxtel and the BBC over premium lifestyle content.  Other options mooted by Seven were allegedly a Plus-Two multi-channel that re-broadcasts content on the main channel two hours later.

“Plus-Two is a very popular option,” said a senior source, who declined to be named. “The only problem is that, in my view, it’s the best way to cannibalise your audience.”

ABC
The ABC is in advanced talks with the Government about a children’s channel (working title: ABC3), to be launched within six months of the May Budget. The new standard-definition channel would broadcast from 6am to 9pm and feature drama, factual, documentaries and entertainment.

“The commitment we’ve made to the Government is that it would be 50 per cent Australian content within a few years,” said Mr Dalton. “The final decision is theirs, but we’re having quite detailed and positive discussions about it.”

Mr Dalton said the broadcaster had also put forward the idea of a 24-hour news channel.

SBS
Like the ABC, SBS already has a second standard-definition channel, SBS2, which broadcasts a partial foreign news service. In 2009, SBS hopes to upgrade it to a full comprehensive channel (working title: SBS World) to also feature international movies, drama, foreign language children’s programs and new Australian content.

“We’ve put a proposal to the Government that includes a full second channel initially and then possibly up to two more,” said SBS director of strategy and communications Bruce Marr.

Source: news.com.au

72 Responses

  1. A lifestyle channel, a sports channel, a news channel. How about a decent channel. Really, not everyone wants to watch stuff like this. We need a comedy channel. We need a drama channel. We need a movie channel. If they end up filling up these channels with garbage then I’m going to be really pissed off.

    I suppose they’ll reserve a channel for reality shows.

  2. Andrew B, that would sabotage them destroying their industry by themselves. Perhaps they are counting on their very close relationship with the government to bail them out when that finally happens. That could be the real motivation behind Conroy trying to block p2p. Why else has the government done absolutely nothing to legislate against their deception….

  3. And one more comment – I think one of the channels should offer a “time slot guarantee” which would simply mean the following:
    – the show will be on at the same time every week and will not be moved or held back in a set period of say 3 months
    – the show will start within 60 seconds of its advertised time. No more of a 7pm start meaning really a 7.05pm start
    – applies only to prime time, leaving daytime and weekends free to do what they want with
    – at the end of the 3 month period, they may move shows around if they wish, but then lock them in for the next 3 month period.

    I believe that this kind of guarantee would help build loyal audiences and would give the network that does this the ratings for the year. From what I read here and everywhere else, the constant chopping and changing of timeslots and moving shows around is the number one problem viewers have.

  4. 1. I too am surprised that the networks are not putting something onto the extra channels as of Jan 1. What better time to experiment than now during the summer with their ideas. Especially ch 9 having say regular programming their 2nd SD channel while the cricket is on the main channel. And then 7 doing the same during the tennis later in Jan.

    2. If you cannot tell the difference between HD and SD then either your TV is too small or it is not true 1080p. Yes, not a sportsfan myself, but agree sport should be in HD.

    3. Another idea for the 2nd channel is to show for example last nights prime time replayed during the next day – please offer those of us who are not 9-5’ers some alternatives to those aweful morning shows and standard day time TV. Also news at 9pm or something as well. At least 7HD do that currently between 12pm and 4.30pm.

    4. I imagine that the HD channel of 7 and 9 will be the same as the main channel during prime time but hope they use it as the 3rd channel alternative outside of prime time like what 7 is doing now. The HD channel should be the focus as it is the way of the future. Alot of American shows make a big deal out of being HD, time we did the same (some examples – Entertainment tonight, The View, Ellen).

  5. None the less Freddy – I would guess that the majority of house holds are still operating on SD – It seems senseless to restrict the audience for the benefit of the few. – my thoughts only…. Wish I (had // could afford) your setup 🙂

  6. Jacob, comment of the day!

    But seriously, a 7+2 channel will drift people to 9, just as much as a 7+3 channel will drift people to Ten/One.

    Can’t they just play safe and just institute a 7+1 (aka: run ATN’s feed nationwide)?

  8. Not much else I can add, obviously I ‘m not the only one pissed off at Ten for this moronic decision to axe Ten HD.
    Here’s hoping Ten will partner with Nine and Seven to rebroadcast their HD content on the other channels.

  9. Southpatt ‘may be shot down for this… but I do not think the benefits of HD warrant screening anything on it.’
    Maybe on your equipment but not on others.
    When you watch shows on an InFocus 1080P Projector (or equivelent) with a 92″ (or bigger screen) using a Denon 4805 processor with 6.2 (2 subs) in a dedicated theater room then maybe you will change your mind.
    HD is not just picture quality, it is also sound quality using 5.1 not 2.1

  10. Piko, your ‘Now that i’ve pointed out the logical to the sooks, ‘ is not fully correct, it is not just the picture, it is also the sound. HD can offer 5.1 sound which for movies and some series is great. 5.1 sound on sports??? big deal.

  15. I am a bit ambivalent on this as I get a lot of my viewing elsewhere but if the FTA stations want to keep views then they need to offer….

    A/ Fast tracked shows – shown in order – for the full duration of a series – no padded repeats – shown on time – finishing on time – with the correct approved amount of advertising – (I’ve been counting boys)

    B/ A greater variety of programs across their channels – Replaying yesterdays shows or pumping sports across 2 channels is just wrong.

    C/ Networks should look back over their successes and failures last year and learn from them. Don’t treat the viewing public like idiots and serve them scraps that they picked up from the bargain bin when shopping or the home made drivel that they tried to pass off as entertainment. Basics guys. If you do not like what is being served by local restaurants, you go elsewhere to get fed.

    D/ I may be shot down for this… but I do not think the benefits of HD warrant screening anything on it. – I believe the greater public would be better served broadcasting all 3 channels in SD giving greater access to all. I have HD in my home – both the TV and Receiver in one room and TV and SD in another. I think the improvement is minimal and will not be rushing out to buy more HD equipment any time soon

    I believe if they can get all this right. Then Foxtel et al should be a little concerned.

    But history has shown that they will probably be sleeping soundly for some time

  16. Victor, no A-SPAN, which lauches on 20 January in time for Obama’s inauguaration, is NOT one of the 15 channels. Rather it is an additional channel which will be available on FTA digital TV.

    The channels are:
    ABC 1 / ABC 2 / ABC HD
    SBS SD 1 / SBS SD 2/ SBS HD
    7 SD 1 / 7 SD 2 / 7 HD
    9 SD 1 / 9 SD 2 / 9 HD
    10 SD / ONE SD / ONE HD

  17. How will 10 fill 24hrs with sport?? There isn’t enough sport to fill it (that 10 has rights too). What a disappointment. Everytime I see the freeview ads I LMAO.
    SBS and ABC have the right idea though. 7 and 9 seem to want to wait and copy each other – as they do with everything else.

  19. I would like to know what will happen with existing EPGs too. I have a Panasonic DVD/VHS combo with built in SD-STB and a 7 day EPG. It’s certainly great being able to watch and record in digital and with the use of dvd-ram discs which act like portable HDDs, it’s perfect.

    But you worry me when you say we won’t get the FV EPG, because that could mean my current player would be obsolete and i couldn’t survive without an epg now, yet don’t want to throw away a 6 month year old machine.

  21. David: is the Freeview EPG going to be an actual interactive EPG built into the set top box software, or just a data channel like the FTV Guide on D44 in Sydney and the old network guide channels?

  23. I didn’t even realize there was going to be a Freeview branded set top box. I am not too into sport but I do look forward to the HD motor sports we will be seeing, especially the extended coverage of the events. It’s just a shame they have to drop Ten HD to bring it.

  24. instead of the +2, seven should do a 9:30/10:30 switch. some of their best shows are at 10:30 and we can do away with some 9:30’s

    that would put scrubs, boston legal, lost, prisonbreak and maybe 30 rock, and family guy back into primetime. which would be great.

    they should also have alternate 7:30 prgramming. maybe factuals on 7 and sitcoms/gameshows/reality on 7(2)

  25. Congrats to the ABC and SBS for what they have done so far with their extra channels,the other 3 certainly seem to be clueless.Wonder if they have actually asked their viewers for input.

    David any word from WIN,Southern Cross or Prime as to their plans for next year.

    Will Ten be showing all this sport live?We only see the F1 live pretty much only once a year.

    Thank god for Blu Ray boxsets….true high definition video and audio without any commercials.

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