Digital Television

UK: Sky gearing up for 3D launch

The British subscription broadcaster BSkyB has announced that it will launch a three-dimensional television channel in April, broadcasting at least six English Premier League football games in 3D by the end of this season.

According to The Guardian, Sky 3D will launch on 3 April with a match between the high-flyers… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Television March 20th 2010 — 11:08 am

No VCRs in sight in Freeview ad campaign

Freeview has hosed down yesterday’s reports that it would run an advertising campaign declaring the death of the VCR.

This afternoon, the organisation issued a press release saying that while it was planning a new ad offensive, VCRs would not be part of it.

According to Freeview’s chief executive Robin… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television March 16th 2010 — 9:19 pm

Freeview: ‘The VCR is dead’

Freeview will roll out a new advertising campaign proclaiming the obsolescence of the VCR, as industry data continue to show that set-top boxes are becoming the device of choice among household viewers.

According to The Australian, distributors of personal video recorders (PVRs) expect the penetration of their devices to exceed… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Television March 15th 2010 — 9:42 am

Remember to rescan for TVS: ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has indicated that viewers in Sydney may need to manually retune their digital television or set-top box in order to receive the new community station TVS.

As reported previously in TSR, TVS launched its digital service earlier this month, and is available on… Continue Reading >>

Community Television, Digital Television March 12th 2010 — 1:33 pm

Questions answered on digital switchover

Advisory members of the Federal Government’s Digital Switchover Taskforce, visited the South Australian region of Whyalla last week, to address local concerns before its digital switchover in December.

The Whyalla News reports, executive director of the taskforce, Andy Townend, communications officer, Vanessa Liell, and public affairs manager, Matthew Francis, were present to answer questions. Townend confirmed that… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Industry, Television March 8th 2010 — 4:39 pm

June for Freeview’s EPG

Today’s Sydney Morning Herald reports Freeview will launch its electronic programming guide (EPG) in June along with a combined online catch-up television service.

Originally due in May last year, commercial free-to-air television networks are confident that the launch of an EPG will be the next step towards tackling the growing… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Industry, Television March 5th 2010 — 10:02 am

Regional SA to go digital-only in December

The Federal Government has confirmed a date for the digital switchover in regional South Australia and Broken Hill, indicating that the regions will switch to digital-only television signals on 15 December this year.

The date announced by the minister for communications, Stephen Conroy, is in accordance with the government’s digital switchover… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Industry, Television March 1st 2010 — 1:39 pm

TVS officially launched on digital

Sydney community TV station TVS has launched its digital simulcast on Digital Channel 44.

The launch marks the culmination of a lengthy campaign by the Community Television sector to gain access to the digital platform, having been denied access while national broadcasters ABC and SBS and commercial operators were all… Continue Reading >>

Community Television, Digital Television, Television March 1st 2010 — 11:55 am

Concern over Mildura’s digital switchover readiness

Despite having the highest switchover rate in the country, the federal member representing Mildura does not believe the region is ready for switchover later this year.

National MP John Forrest’s comments published in today’s The Age stem from community concerns that work at a retransmission facility in Ouyen will not… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Television February 25th 2010 — 7:59 pm

Regulator to develop parental lock on digital receivers

Australia’s broadcasting regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), says that it is seeking submissions relating to the development of a mandatory “parental lock” standard on digital television receivers.

Announcing its review today, ACMA said that would be developing an industry-wide technical standard for parental locks, which allow parents… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Industry, Telecommunications, Television February 24th 2010 — 10:15 am

Scott to face questions over 24-hour news

The ABC’s managing director Mark Scott will today appear before a parliamentary committee to justify the financial viability of the public broadcaster’s proposed 24-hour news channel.

The Australian reports today that Coalition senators will raise concerns about whether it is possible for the news channel to be funded without affecting… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Television February 8th 2010 — 7:52 am

Nine, Ten and SBS outline new digital channels

The Nine and Ten Networks, along with public broadcaster SBS, have released tidbits on their new digital channels which will be launched this year.

Nine CEO David Gyngell has told the Australian Financial Review the network has settled on a format, and will be ready to launch within three months,… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television February 8th 2010 — 4:51 am

Digital Forty Four trial to end

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has granted a final extension to the digital datacasting service provided by Broadcast Australia.

The service has had its trial period extended to 30 April 2010 and will therefore cease to broadcast from that date or earlier.

ACMA chairman Chris Chapman has said… Continue Reading >>

Community Television, Digital Television, Television January 29th 2010 — 8:06 pm

Hunter Valley viewers GO! to digital

Newcastle viewers love their digital channels, according to the first official release of channel viewing habits released this week.

GO!88, a part of the NBN/Nine Network, is Newcastle and the Hunter’s favourite channel, followed by ABC2 and Prime’s 7Two, while Southern Cross Ten sports channel One is the least watched.… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television January 25th 2010 — 5:37 am

ABC fires salvo in 24/7 news war

The ABC is to take on Sky News Australia by launching a Freeview 24/7 news channel on its existing HD channel, D20.

The ABC’s Managing Director, Mark Scott, said the ABC’s commitment to quality news and current affairs would enter a new era with the creation of the new digital… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Subscription Television, Television January 21st 2010 — 10:23 am