Sky to introduce new HD EPG system
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Sky are swapping SD channel numbers with HD numbers on 1 Feb 2011 (e.g. Sky1 HD will be listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 will be listed at channel number 170), for "residential viewers with an HD set top box and a subscription to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky".
But there are channels that could opt out such as those "channels which are regionalised, where the HD version of the channel is not an exact simulcast of the SD version in all regions (an HD version of a channel that broadcasts different advertisements or regional programming will not be an exact simulcast)".
So maybe BBC One HD and ITV1 HD will opt out?
Apparently Sky has started another very short consultation (until Dec 6th) before going totally firm. This is really to allow channels a chance to opt out now, or be stuck with it.
Full details direct from Sky (see section 3.4) http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/20c24d2e1c62406594e1a79de5f917db/Allocating_listings_EPG
3.4 HD Swap Bouquet
In this section, “HD Simulcast” means a television channel which meets the minimum programming and technical requirements for HD channels as specified in section 1 of this Listing Methodology and which (a) broadcasts identical content to that which is broadcast on an SD television channel broadcast by the same broadcaster or by another broadcaster within the same wholly-owned corporate group, and (b) broadcasts such content at the same time that it is broadcast on the SD television channel, except that:
(i) the HD Simulcast may broadcast different advertisements, promotions, interstitials, on-screen graphics and/or regional programming to those which are broadcast on the SD television channel; and
(ii) in addition to (i) above, up to 5% of the broadcast hours on the SD television channel each day may be blacked out on the HD Simulcast if the broadcaster is unable for rights reasons to broadcast such content on the HD Simulcast.
In order to help viewers more easily locate HD television channels within the EPG, Sky will make two different versions of the EPG line-up available to residential and retail premises: the “Standard Bouquet” and the “HD Swap Bouquet”. The version of the EPG available in the HD Swap Bouquet will be viewable by consumers from the Swap Date (defined below).
The HD Swap Bouquet will be made available to:
(i) residential viewers with an HD set top box and a subscription to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky; and
(ii) retail premises with an HD set top box and an entitlement to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky.
The Standard Bouquet will be made available to all other viewers in residential and retail premises.
The EPG channel line-up in the HD Swap Bouquet will, initially, be identical to the EPG channel line-up in the Standard Bouquet. However, with effect from 1 February 2011 (the “Swap Date”), where the Standard Bouquet lists a SD television channel and its HD Simulcast, and the HD Simulcast is listed beneath the SD television channel, then in the HD Swap Bouquet the EPG channel number of the SD television channel will be swapped with the EPG channel number of its HD Simulcast, unless the broadcaster of the channels exercises one of the opt-outs (as set out below). For example, Sky1 is currently listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 HD is currently listed at channel number 170.
However, in the HD Swap Bouquet, Sky1 HD will be listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 will be listed at channel number 170.
From the Swap Date:
(i) the HD tab will continue to list HD channels in the order in which they appear to the viewer in the “All Channels” menu. Accordingly, where a viewer receives the Standard Bouquet, the HD tab will list the HD channels in the order in which they appear in the Standard Bouquet; however, where a viewer receives the HD Swap Bouquet, the HD tab will list the HD channels in the order in which they appear in the HD Swap Bouquet;
(ii) in the event that a channel evolves from an SD channel or a non-simulcast HD channel into an HD Simulcast, and Sky therefore intends to swap the EPG channel number of that channel with the EPG channel number of the SD version of the channel as described in this section 3.4, Sky will provide the broadcaster with at least 1 week’s notice of the date of the intended swap;
(iii) in the event that a channel launches into the EPG as an HD Simulcast, then with effect from the date of launch, the EPG channel number for such channel will be swapped with the EPG channel number of the SD version of the channel in accordance with this section 3.4.
In the event that a channel ceases to be an HD Simulcast and Sky therefore intends to reverse the swap carried out in accordance with this section 3.4, Sky will provide the broadcaster and/or distributor with no less than 2 working days’ notice of the date of the intended swap reversal.
Opt-out from HD Channel Swap
Subject to the below, broadcasters of channel that meet either one of the following criteria are able to exercise an opt-out from HD Channel Swap, such that HD Simulcasts are not swapped with their SD counterparts:
(i) channels which are regionalised, where the HD version of the channel is not an exact simulcast of the SD version in all regions (an HD version of a channel that broadcasts different advertisements or regional programming will not be an exact simulcast), except that:
a. the swap will be implemented for the UK if the HD and SD versions of a channel are exact simulcasts in respect of the whole of the UK;
b. Sky is currently minded, subject to any further representations on the matter, to require that the swap is implemented for relevant Nations for any National Variants where the HD and SD versions are exact simulcasts in respect of such Nation.
“National Variant” means a single variant of the channel available to all of a Nation. “Nation” means the whole of: England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
(ii) Pay TV channels which are not retailed by Sky may opt out of HD Channel Swap.
All broadcasters entitled to opt-out prior to the initial swap have been contacted about the timeframe for informing Sky of their wish to exercise the option. Following the initial swap (which will occur prior to the Swap Date), in the event that a broadcaster wishes to exercise an opt-out, the broadcaster must notify Sky of its wishes (in accordance with the procedure for giving notices under its EPG Agreement) prior to its channels first being swapped.
But there are channels that could opt out such as those "channels which are regionalised, where the HD version of the channel is not an exact simulcast of the SD version in all regions (an HD version of a channel that broadcasts different advertisements or regional programming will not be an exact simulcast)".
So maybe BBC One HD and ITV1 HD will opt out?
Apparently Sky has started another very short consultation (until Dec 6th) before going totally firm. This is really to allow channels a chance to opt out now, or be stuck with it.
Full details direct from Sky (see section 3.4) http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/20c24d2e1c62406594e1a79de5f917db/Allocating_listings_EPG
3.4 HD Swap Bouquet
In this section, “HD Simulcast” means a television channel which meets the minimum programming and technical requirements for HD channels as specified in section 1 of this Listing Methodology and which (a) broadcasts identical content to that which is broadcast on an SD television channel broadcast by the same broadcaster or by another broadcaster within the same wholly-owned corporate group, and (b) broadcasts such content at the same time that it is broadcast on the SD television channel, except that:
(i) the HD Simulcast may broadcast different advertisements, promotions, interstitials, on-screen graphics and/or regional programming to those which are broadcast on the SD television channel; and
(ii) in addition to (i) above, up to 5% of the broadcast hours on the SD television channel each day may be blacked out on the HD Simulcast if the broadcaster is unable for rights reasons to broadcast such content on the HD Simulcast.
In order to help viewers more easily locate HD television channels within the EPG, Sky will make two different versions of the EPG line-up available to residential and retail premises: the “Standard Bouquet” and the “HD Swap Bouquet”. The version of the EPG available in the HD Swap Bouquet will be viewable by consumers from the Swap Date (defined below).
The HD Swap Bouquet will be made available to:
(i) residential viewers with an HD set top box and a subscription to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky; and
(ii) retail premises with an HD set top box and an entitlement to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky.
The Standard Bouquet will be made available to all other viewers in residential and retail premises.
The EPG channel line-up in the HD Swap Bouquet will, initially, be identical to the EPG channel line-up in the Standard Bouquet. However, with effect from 1 February 2011 (the “Swap Date”), where the Standard Bouquet lists a SD television channel and its HD Simulcast, and the HD Simulcast is listed beneath the SD television channel, then in the HD Swap Bouquet the EPG channel number of the SD television channel will be swapped with the EPG channel number of its HD Simulcast, unless the broadcaster of the channels exercises one of the opt-outs (as set out below). For example, Sky1 is currently listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 HD is currently listed at channel number 170.
However, in the HD Swap Bouquet, Sky1 HD will be listed at channel number 106 and Sky1 will be listed at channel number 170.
From the Swap Date:
(i) the HD tab will continue to list HD channels in the order in which they appear to the viewer in the “All Channels” menu. Accordingly, where a viewer receives the Standard Bouquet, the HD tab will list the HD channels in the order in which they appear in the Standard Bouquet; however, where a viewer receives the HD Swap Bouquet, the HD tab will list the HD channels in the order in which they appear in the HD Swap Bouquet;
(ii) in the event that a channel evolves from an SD channel or a non-simulcast HD channel into an HD Simulcast, and Sky therefore intends to swap the EPG channel number of that channel with the EPG channel number of the SD version of the channel as described in this section 3.4, Sky will provide the broadcaster with at least 1 week’s notice of the date of the intended swap;
(iii) in the event that a channel launches into the EPG as an HD Simulcast, then with effect from the date of launch, the EPG channel number for such channel will be swapped with the EPG channel number of the SD version of the channel in accordance with this section 3.4.
In the event that a channel ceases to be an HD Simulcast and Sky therefore intends to reverse the swap carried out in accordance with this section 3.4, Sky will provide the broadcaster and/or distributor with no less than 2 working days’ notice of the date of the intended swap reversal.
Opt-out from HD Channel Swap
Subject to the below, broadcasters of channel that meet either one of the following criteria are able to exercise an opt-out from HD Channel Swap, such that HD Simulcasts are not swapped with their SD counterparts:
(i) channels which are regionalised, where the HD version of the channel is not an exact simulcast of the SD version in all regions (an HD version of a channel that broadcasts different advertisements or regional programming will not be an exact simulcast), except that:
a. the swap will be implemented for the UK if the HD and SD versions of a channel are exact simulcasts in respect of the whole of the UK;
b. Sky is currently minded, subject to any further representations on the matter, to require that the swap is implemented for relevant Nations for any National Variants where the HD and SD versions are exact simulcasts in respect of such Nation.
“National Variant” means a single variant of the channel available to all of a Nation. “Nation” means the whole of: England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
(ii) Pay TV channels which are not retailed by Sky may opt out of HD Channel Swap.
All broadcasters entitled to opt-out prior to the initial swap have been contacted about the timeframe for informing Sky of their wish to exercise the option. Following the initial swap (which will occur prior to the Swap Date), in the event that a broadcaster wishes to exercise an opt-out, the broadcaster must notify Sky of its wishes (in accordance with the procedure for giving notices under its EPG Agreement) prior to its channels first being swapped.
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Comments
So does that mean a freesat from sky viewer, or a sky subscriber WITHOUT the HD mix (i.e just getting the free HD channels) will not get BBC1, channel 4 and five HD versions swapped with the SD versions?
The document says you need "a subscription to one or more HD television channels distributed by Sky" to beneft from this change, so I guess you need to be subscribed to the HD pack.
Correct, will only be swapped with an HD sub i.e.paying sky £10.25/month
This is cool so all so HD channels will be in order, this is just a mock up ive done so updated the list
106 Sky One HD / sky One sd moves to 170.
107 Sky Atlanic HD / Sky Atlanic SD moves to 121 ??.
108 Sky Living HD / Sky living SD moves to 224 ??.
126 Comedy Central HD / comedy central SD moves to 222 ??.
129 SyFy HD / switches to syfy sd to 214 ??
130 Universal HD / universal SD moves to 220 ??.
137 E4 HD / E4 sd moves to 215 ??
164 FXHD / FX sd moves to 193 ??
Movies Section
301 - Sky Movies Premiere HD / sd verions move to 313
302 - Sky Movies Showcase HD / sd verions move to 314
303 - Sky Movies Comedy HD / sd verions move to 332
304 - Sky Movies Action HD / sd verions move to 333
305 - Sky Movies Family HD / sd verions move to 334
306 - Sky Movies Crime/Thriller HD / sd verions move to 335
307 - Sky Movies DramaHD /sd verions move to 336
308 - Sky Movies Sci-fi/Horror HD / sd verions move to 337
309 - Sky Movies Modern Greats HD/sd verions move to 338
310 - Sky Movies Indie HD / sd verions move to 339
311 - Sky Movies Classics HD / sd verions move to 346
Sport sections
401 Sky sports 1HD / sky sports 1sd moves to 408.
402 Sky sports 2HD / sky sports 2sd moves to 409.
403 Sky sports 3HD / sky sports 3sd moves to 418.
404 Sky sports 4HD / sky sports 3sd moves to 454.
405 Sky sportsNewsHD / sky sportsnews sd moves to 455.
501 Sky News HD / sky News sd moves to 517??.
520 Discovery HD / Dicovery sd moves to 536??
526 Nat Geo HD / Nat Geo sd moves to 543??
528 Nat Geo wild HD / Nat Geo Wild sd moves to 544??
Looking forward to the moves of channels on the HD boxes. Its about time sky sorted this matter out. [/B]
There will be nothing stopping you from continuing to record in SD if that is what you prefer.
E4 is on 136, not 137
Sky Atlantic will be on 108, and Sky Living on 107
I'd expect Bio, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and Five all to take part too.
miss type thanks
Sorry, a few further mistakes:
Discovery HD is not a simulcast
Disney Cinemagic, Nick HD, Disney XD, ESPN HD, ESPN America HD, Good Food HD & Eden HD are simulcasts and will probably take part
You forgot: Sky Arts 1 HD & Sky Arts 2 HD
Radio Times instantly springs to mind, as they show the HD channel numbers beneath the listings.
With new encoders much less space is used than previously.
I can see the issue tho, most blokes will know that to do a SD record, you will have to move away from the obvious channel number, but 'those who must be obeyed' (
makes sense to be able to choose if toy would like BBC1HD on 101 and ITVHD on 103, what happens to the local news? but it should be just that choice and not 'forced'
And what about the voice over announcements ... which always say things like "turn to 170 for HD" etc !
But what about all those, who by habit will tune into the current channel numbers?
Sky One has been 170 for years for me now!!
If HD's so bloody good, why do you need a DOG (BBC, ITV, SKY et al) telling you the channel's HD?
Let's face it, when colour TV came to be, there wasn't a great big graphic telling you the colour TV transmission you're watching is in colour. Reckon most people knew. Just a hunch.