[Eston Bleu]

Originally Posted by Muzer

It's not THAT hard, considering you only need to do it once (theoretically...)

Except when they change the channel frequency of a channel, or make it encrypted (so you re-do it to find out what's happened, and then have to do it again once they've changed it again) - and every time there's a new channel on freesat OR FTA satellite.

I mean, apart form all those times. I guess it is only once every single time. Though multiple values of once exist.

[Fran Blakes]

Originally Posted by Jason100

I'm still waiting for them to show the infamous "turkey" episode!

I think that's tonights episode!
Watching Challenge+1

[rossi_dr]

this FTA has got to have been planned ? to plug sky ? or what ever

In the Broadcast section on here about 3 weeks ago there was a thread on picktv and new shows / progs coming to picktv showing up in the tv listings

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1665676

so the picktv scheduling improved then it went FTA

Coincidence ? i think not

i have noticed Spartacus Blood and Sand Season 1
is running on picktv and Sky1 at the same time
picktv is on pt1-2 sky1 is on pt-10

[DragonQ]

But what's the point in deliberatly making the channels FTA if they're not on Freesat too? Their audience will only increase by the number of people who frequent forums like this, which is tiny.

It could also be that their encryption contracts for these channels have run out and they don't think it's worth the money encrypting them again.

[Ray Cathode]

Originally Posted by rossi_dr

this FTA has got to have been planned ? to plug sky ? or what ever

Not to mention wide beam and pan European rights. If this is to be permanent I'd expect Pick & Challenge to move to narrow beam.

[M60]

Originally Posted by Ray Cathode

Not to mention wide beam and pan European rights. If this is to be permanent I'd expect Pick & Challenge to move to narrow beam.

Perhaps they might end up on 10921H once the Olympic streams are done with? It does seem odd to make these FTA rather than FTV which is Sky's choice to try and tie you in with their hardware.

[omnidirectional]

Originally Posted by Ray Cathode

Not to mention wide beam and pan European rights. If this is to be permanent I'd expect Pick & Challenge to move to narrow beam.

Most of the content on Challenge isn't very high value, I don't think there'd be a problem with showing 30 year old episodes of 3-2-1 and Family Fortunes across Europe. TNA Wrestling is perhaps the only potential issue.

[ProDave]

Originally Posted by DragonQ

But what's the point in deliberatly making the channels FTA if they're not on Freesat too? Their audience will only increase by the number of people who frequent forums like this, which is tiny.

It could also be that their encryption contracts for these channels have run out and they don't think it's worth the money encrypting them again.

The audience will potentially increase by the number of freesat from sky viewers who now have access to these channels on their EPG.

[Muzer]

Originally Posted by ProDave

The audience will potentially increase by the number of freesat from sky viewers who now have access to these channels on their EPG.

...for Challenge; for Pick TV, just the number of Sky box users who have an old or no card.

[KianD]

Originally Posted by DragonQ

But what's the point in deliberatly making the channels FTA if they're not on Freesat too? Their audience will only increase by the number of people who frequent forums like this, which is tiny.
.

There is still a sizeable (6 figures, I'd guess) number of generic FTA boxes in use in Ireland. Every electronics shop in the country sells them including the big boys.

Often used in a sat/DTT combo to 'replace' basic cable.

[gkmac]

Originally Posted by Ray Cathode

Not to mention wide beam and pan European rights. If this is to be permanent I'd expect Pick & Challenge to move to narrow beam.

Originally Posted by M60

Perhaps they might end up on 10921H once the Olympic streams are done with?

Sounds like when Channel 4 HD went FTA, I'm pretty sure that was on a pan European beam for the first few months or so.

[LongBallPlease]

Originally Posted by omnidirectional

Most of the content on Challenge isn't very high value, I don't think there'd be a problem with showing 30 year old episodes of 3-2-1 and Family Fortunes across Europe. TNA Wrestling is perhaps the only potential issue.

I can't see TNA complaining about FTA broadcasting, they're a growing company, they'll be pleased I think.

[Mickey_T]

Originally Posted by ProDave

The audience will potentially increase by the number of freesat from sky viewers who now have access to these channels on their EPG.

Presuming they even know about it.

With the free channels spread out all over the EPG and there being no news from Sky about it, I'd say most people will still be ignorant of the fact they've gone FTA.

I didn't even know ITV4+1 had reappeared on the EPG until I stumbled upon a thread on these forums today.

[popeye13]

Still FTA, both of them, so its not a glitch as first suggested, but a Freesat launch still beyond the realms of possibility?!

[jzee]

Originally Posted by popeye13

Still FTA, both of them, so its not a glitch as first suggested, but a Freesat launch still beyond the realms of possibility?!

I suspect they'd want something from BBC/ITV in return, but I presume they are not allowed to make deals involving Freesat due to competition or legal reasons?

[popeye13]

The BBC could easily of said that in return for the 24 HD & SD Olympic channels, they have to add an offering or 2 onto the Freesat EPG, in a gentleman's agreement the kind that is never recorded onto paper?
It does happen, and lets face it, Sky saying they have 24 HD Olympic channels is a puller, yes they are also on Freesat and VM too, but Sky has a giant ego aswell!

[M60]

Originally Posted by popeye13

The BBC could easily of said that in return for the 24 HD & SD Olympic channels, they have to add an offering or 2 onto the Freesat EPG, in a gentleman's agreement the kind that is never recorded onto paper?
It does happen, and lets face it, Sky saying they have 24 HD Olympic channels is a puller, yes they are also on Freesat and VM too, but Sky has a giant ego aswell!

I agree there and as jzee mentions too then the Beeb may have asked for something in return, more a 'commitment to all platform in terms of neutrality' rather than just their own on Satellite. Maybe the BBC told Sky that the deal was conditional on this, we will have to wait and see! It does seem odd they aren't FTV and devalues their FSFS offering so maybe we could possibly see the unthinkable actually happen!!

[jzee]

Originally Posted by M60

I agree there and as jzee mentions too then the Beeb may have asked for something in return, more a 'commitment to all platform in terms of neutrality' rather than just their own on Satellite. Maybe the BBC told Sky that the deal was conditional on this, we will have to wait and see!

I see what you mean, might be linked to iplayer/ITV player on Sky etc., the cost would be quite a bit for Sky though for five channels assuming they'd add Sky News if they added Pick & Challenge TV & the +1s.

[M60]

Originally Posted by jzee

I see what you mean, might be linked to iplayer/ITV player on Sky etc., the cost would be quite a bit for Sky though for five channels assuming they'd add Sky News if they added Pick & Challenge TV & the +1s.

I'm wondering similar. Cost-wise it's peanuts for Sky who'll have fibre backbone connectivity to the BBC (ATOS) for the relevant engineering costs involved in EPG addition, presume if something does happen, like you say, all five services inc. timeshifts will appear.

I still can't understand why they'd go FTA when they love their beloved NDS Videoguard so much!!

[davemurgatroyd]

Originally Posted by M60

I still can't understand why they'd go FTA when they love their beloved NDS Videoguard so much!!

It is no longer their NDS - It has been sold off to Cisco.

[popeye13]

Originally Posted by davemurgatroyd

It is no longer their NDS - It has been sold off to Cisco.

We know. It was tongue in cheek, kind-of a give-away with the huge smiley face..

[davetech]

It could be that as sky don;t own a bit of nds - the cost may be going up soon for cheap and very low cost channels like challange and pick tv,

Plus these channels are on the lowest tier of virgin tv package thus making it worth less as there is 4 channels anyone with a dish fta or freeview can get,

And not being on freesat as well thats 5 channels with sky news fta -

how many channels does sky have free to view? need a viewing card left! to get

[Rolandh]

Motors TV, Viva & 4Music as far as I know, not sure if Dave is FTV or part of one of the Entertainment Packs.

Roland

[popeye13]

Dave is free on Freeview but a pay channel everywhere else.

[staticman]

Originally Posted by davetech

how many channels does sky have free to view? need a viewing card left! to get

Sony TV
Sony TV+1
Sony Movie CH
Sony Movie CH+1
Viva
Motors TV
Liverpool FCTV

Originally Posted by Rolandh

Motors TV, Viva & 4Music as far as I know, not sure if Dave is FTV or part of one of the Entertainment Packs.

Roland

4Music,Dave are on subs!