Well with the digital switchover happening this year with most having only a few months left it they haven't switched already, the free HD channels will be on Freeviewer for the first time for many more people.
So if it wasn't mainstream before, it will be very soon.
Only if viewers bother to look down the EPG away from the first four channels listed.
Only if viewers bother to look down the EPG away from the first four channels listed.
Millions aren't (if BARB is to be believed).
I think you are spot on, it proves EPG placings have a huge bearing on what some viewers watch.
I'm a HD subscriber to Sky but I must admit I don't always remember to tune into the HD simulcast of a show, particularly on the networks as they are placed all over the EPG.
Well with the digital switchover happening this year with most having only a few months left it they haven't switched already, the free HD channels will be on Freeviewer for the first time for many more people.
So if it wasn't mainstream before, it will be very soon.
But, with those many millions of new viewers in mind, it would be sensible not only to retain the DOGs (even though I would prefer not to have them), but to publicise the fact when a programme is in HD (as the BBC do by saying " .... and in HD on BBC one HD").
Just a shame that BBC1HD still isn't regional and so having to watch a Red testcard during those programmes is off putting and VERY unprofessional.
Yes, not very slick, and something that might lead viewers to stay on the SD channel once they have switched across (aka viewer inertia or the "I can't be bothered" factor).
Yes, not very slick, and something that might lead viewers to stay on the SD channel once they have switched across (aka viewer inertia or the "I can't be bothered" factor).
True, but the BARB figures show that millions are not even tuning in to the HD versions in the first place.
Crazy thing is though that 100% of Sky HD viewers watching ITV2/3/4 or E4 are watching the HD version.
So you know Sky HD customers who go out their way to find the SD version of the channel which is out of place and has a stupidly high number on the EPG?
Do they also cut off their nose to spite their face?
Of course if they are taking it off permanently, they need to actually tell people as no doubt some will contact BBC asking 'Why there is no BBC One HD DOG, and does that mean it's not in HD?'. BBC of course can just tell them to press them their 'i' button and if it shows [HD] it is in HD, they could make it even more obvious by also putting [upscaled HD] for the non HD content as ITV does.
It's getting them to use the right channel numbers.
We had satellite for about four years before we went over to Sky+HD about eighteen months ago.
When switching between the five main channels, my OH still uses 101-105. I cannot get her to remember/use the HD channel numbers.
Of course, no problem with the Sky channels as they did the number swap last year.
Its frustrating that the five 'terrestrial' channels haven't opted in for the HD channel swap on Sky. I think I've remembered all the channel numbers for the HD equivalent now though.
Except for BBC One HD (which doesn't show regional content), is there any reason why ITV1 HD (which I'm pretty sure I've seen show regional content), Channel 4 and Channel 5 haven't swap their SD and HD channels around?
is there any reason why ITV1 HD (which I'm pretty sure I've seen show regional content), Channel 4 and Channel 5 haven't swap their SD and HD channels around?
Well Channel 4 and Channel 5 only have one HD regional version so far, ITV1 has 4, but that's a lot less than the standard definition ITV1 variants. Basically they need to sort out another way of delivering local ads and regional content, either by auto switching to the SD version for those bits, or maybe delivering regional content via the internet.
I wonder if it was a rather (pointless) 'experiment' to see if they got complaints if they removed it. I imagine there may well have been a few hundred complaints or enquiries, but that was entirely predictable if you change something and don't tell people why you are doing it. I really don't think obscuring paid for content is justifiable anymore now Sky have made the step to make a lack of onscreen graphics a mark of quality by removing it from their paid for content except Sport for the majority of the time. It is simply much nicer to watch a drama, film, art, history or nature programme without graphics, as we pay for BBC content we should not have to watch it obscured in this way.
I wonder if it was a rather (pointless) 'experiment' to see if they got complaints if they removed it. I imagine there may well have been a few hundred complaints or enquiries, but that was entirely predictable if you change something and don't tell people why you are doing it. I really don't think obscuring paid for content is justifiable anymore now Sky have made the step to make a lack of onscreen graphics a mark of quality by removing it from their paid for content except Sport for the majority of the time. It is simply much nicer to watch a drama, film, art, history or nature programme without graphics, as we pay for BBC content we should not have to watch it obscured in this way.
It did cross my mind if it was a test of sorts to see if they got any emails about it.
Mind you it isn't the first time they have temporarily removed the DOG, as I recall it happened last year too.
Turned off again now, just before the party election broadcast
Very interesting, it was also turned off for most of last week as well. For example one day it was off all day until escape to the country, and then turned off again for CbbC for the rest of the night.
I hope it is turned off permantally along with the rest of the bbc channels.
Turned off again now, just before the party election broadcast
Very interesting, it was also turned off for most of last week as well. For example one day it was off all day until escape to the country, and then turned off again for CbbC for the rest of the night.
I hope it is turned off permantally along with the rest of the bbc channels.
I wonder if it was a rather (pointless) 'experiment' to see if they got complaints if they removed it. I imagine there may well have been a few hundred complaints or enquiries, but that was entirely predictable if you change something and don't tell people why you are doing it.
So if people prefer it this way, perhaps they should contact them to give them some positive feedback.
Noticed on Silent Witness tonight, and a couple of nights ago, there was no D.O.G., hopefully a sign they are testing dropping for dramas and films etc. as used to be policy on the BBC HD channel, much easier to get into without the corporate branding in the corner. Eventually I hope they see logic & adopt the much sensibler policy that Sky are now adopting for most of their channels with the D.O.G. at the beginning and after ads with a fade out, there is no real reason to have these here, constantly, now everyone knows how to press the i button on their remote....
I thought the DOG dissappeared when the content wasn't HD, so I wouldn't get too excited...
It doesn't, alas, but for those channels which DO put it on for HD content, that is particularly retarded because it simply blights the supposedly-wonderful content they're meant to be displaying(!)
BBC1 HD is better than most, but it's still as welcome as finding blood in your poo.
It doesn't, alas, but for those channels which DO put it on for HD content, that is particularly retarded because it simply blights the supposedly-wonderful content they're meant to be displaying(!)
It's getting them to use the right channel numbers.
When switching between the five main channels, my OH still uses 101-105. I cannot get her to remember/use the HD channel numbers.
My parents and my in-laws both have half decent HD sets; whenever I walk in they're always on SD channels and if I casually mention that HD is better on 51 (Freeview), the response from both is along the lines of "doesn't matter, it all looks the same to us...". In a way it's dispiriting but I'd bet very typical. We had this discussion on here recently and the consensus was that for a lot of people it doesn't matter what you do they won't go out of their way to find the HD equivalent. BBC1 is on 1 / 101 and that's how life works for a lot of people. Short of sticking a huge DOG across the middle of the screen shouting "GO TO CHANNEL 51 YOU BLITHERING HALFWIT" I don't see any way of getting people who don't care to use the HD version. They're not bothered enough.
Maybe the HD channels should be at 1 / 101 etc and SD buried away in the EPG. It's not the DOG, it's the position.
Comments
Only if viewers bother to look down the EPG away from the first four channels listed.
Millions aren't (if BARB is to be believed).
I think you are spot on, it proves EPG placings have a huge bearing on what some viewers watch.
I'm a HD subscriber to Sky but I must admit I don't always remember to tune into the HD simulcast of a show, particularly on the networks as they are placed all over the EPG.
I tend to record from the HD versions though.
Yes, not very slick, and something that might lead viewers to stay on the SD channel once they have switched across (aka viewer inertia or the "I can't be bothered" factor).
True, but the BARB figures show that millions are not even tuning in to the HD versions in the first place.
Crazy thing is though that 100% of Sky HD viewers watching ITV2/3/4 or E4 are watching the HD version.
I know people who don't!
Ken
So you know Sky HD customers who go out their way to find the SD version of the channel which is out of place and has a stupidly high number on the EPG?
Do they also cut off their nose to spite their face?
I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact London completes its digital switchover tonight?
Hopefully this is a permanent feature and we can now enjoy programming without the unwelcome intrusion of these nasty things ever again.
Nooo! The patterns being set now will last for years. Go with your reservation.
Absolutely. And run informational slots pointing out that these have different channel numbers, specifying them if possible.
The fact that it has gone, and come and gone again, means it can't just be a mess-up, so there is hope...
It's getting them to use the right channel numbers.
We had satellite for about four years before we went over to Sky+HD about eighteen months ago.
When switching between the five main channels, my OH still uses 101-105. I cannot get her to remember/use the HD channel numbers.
Of course, no problem with the Sky channels as they did the number swap last year.
Its frustrating that the five 'terrestrial' channels haven't opted in for the HD channel swap on Sky. I think I've remembered all the channel numbers for the HD equivalent now though.
Except for BBC One HD (which doesn't show regional content), is there any reason why ITV1 HD (which I'm pretty sure I've seen show regional content), Channel 4 and Channel 5 haven't swap their SD and HD channels around?
Quite an apt programme to notice it's return!
It did cross my mind if it was a test of sorts to see if they got any emails about it.
Mind you it isn't the first time they have temporarily removed the DOG, as I recall it happened last year too.
Very interesting, it was also turned off for most of last week as well. For example one day it was off all day until escape to the country, and then turned off again for CbbC for the rest of the night.
I hope it is turned off permantally along with the rest of the bbc channels.
It's back on for The Apprentice
So if people prefer it this way, perhaps they should contact them to give them some positive feedback.
https://faq.external.bbc.co.uk/templates/bbcfaqs/emailstatic/emailPage?entryID=&id=GP0U2BML1H8IREDVR3TBR48RLK&moduleID=&uid=983220922
I did...
Here's hoping this happens one day.
BBC1 HD is better than most, but it's still as welcome as finding blood in your poo.
It doesn't, alas, but for those channels which DO put it on for HD content, that is particularly retarded because it simply blights the supposedly-wonderful content they're meant to be displaying(!)
Erm, erm..........Fair enough :eek::eek:
Maybe the HD channels should be at 1 / 101 etc and SD buried away in the EPG. It's not the DOG, it's the position.