Re: The future of television
 

I know, Hugh, but this is the U.K. and we are not part of the EU either. I have not seen any sign of enthusiasm for this here in Britain. Have you?

Re: The future of television
 

I’ve not seen any enthusiasm for shutting down DTT either but that doesn’t stop you from going on about it.

Are ITV, Channel 4 and 5 obliged to have channels other than their main channel on DTT? If they aren’t, why do they?

Re: The future of television
 

Nothing in any of those articles refers to the EU, only Europe - I believe we’re still in Europe…

5BSTF has, as one of its partners, Cordiant Capital (UK).

Re: The future of television
 

Don’t be daft. Streaming is a recent phenomenon, and the transition has begun.

Re: The future of television
 

BBC iPlayer’s private Beta release was 20 years ago this October. It has been universally available for 17 years.

The world’s first high definition scheduled TV service (also the BBC), having launched initially in 1936, didn’t really get going, permanently, until 1946. In other words, at the rate public television services have historically launched and developed, there is nothing ‘recent’ about streaming TV, except in strictly relative terms. 20 years is a long time for any communications technology.

Re: The future of television
 

By recent, do you mean 17 years ago (Hulu) and 18 years ago (Netflix and BBC iPlayer)?

Re: The future of television
 

Time is relative Hugh....

I still miss CEEFAX, the original interweb/streaming service.

Re: The future of television
 

"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so"

Re: The future of television
 

You are the one telling me the broadcasters all want out. As far as I can tell they can withdraw the majority of their content pretty quickly without regulatory intervention. This begs the question once more why don’t they themselves - rational capitalists - lead the retreat from DTT and push people onto streaming services for all but the required PSB content?

Re: The future of television
 

Well, surely, that’s the argument. When that crucial point is arrived at, they will withdraw. Why would they do that now? The contracts for DTT and satellite have a few years to go yet. The big question is, will they be renewed, and if so, for how long?

You seem to view everything in terms of the present rather than the future.

Re: The future of television
 

No, OB I simply view things rationally.

These rational capitalists in the marketplace are complaining about costs. If, as you claim, these are so high as to be unviable they could simply exit the marketplace for the majority of their broadcast hours - hardly anyone uses DTT exclusively after all. Internet is universal enough they could still reach the vast majority of consumers.

They will only exit DTT when they can close it down because they know someone else would step in because of the universal coverage it provides and low barrier to entry for its use - as Chris outlined a couple of days ago. It costs peanuts compared to all the other costs for a content provider.

Re: The future of television
 

Well, yes, they are complaining about costs, which is why the broadcasters are not going to carry on using both methods of transmission. Now that the rollout of broadband is nearing completion, broadcasters will want to cut costs as soon as possible, but will probably wait until existing licences expire.

The average person spent 25% fewer minutes per day watching broadcast TV in 2023 compared to 2018, with projections indicating a further decline.

The fact that both DTT and online platforms have become increasingly expensive for broadcasters is a major factor in looking at likely developments in the years ahead. As DTT viewership diminishes, the cost per viewer escalates, challenging the economic viability of sustaining traditional terrestrial TV, which contrary to what Chris seems to think, is not a pittance. OFCOM’s 2023 report highlights that broadcasters foresee a tipping point where continuing DTT in its current form may no longer be sustainable.

We can all see with our own eyes that major broadcasters are increasingly focusing on internet-based services. For instance, the BBC is contemplating significant structural changes, including potential mergers and a stronger emphasis on digital offerings, to adapt to the evolving media landscape. They have also now developed a ‘digital first’ strategy.

I think the tipping point is likely when existing satellite contracts come to an end. Sky will then be IP only, and this change will impact on DTT due to the further loss of many of those viewers who use satellite but don’t have an aerial. Many of them are likely to transition to on demand viewing, putting further pressure on the viability of running TV channels. This will be a major factor that causes broadcasting via DTT to diminish, and ultimately close.

While it is true that new broadcasters might wish to take advantage of the bigger players leaving the platform, the viewing figures will plummet as the availability of compelling viewing will be absent.

The one thing that might impact on all this is government policy, and there’s a lot of hand wringing taking place at the moment on which way they will go.

Re: The future of television
 

The traditional methods of broadcasting are actually cheaper than streaming to mass audiences. Therefore, when I asked a BBC technologist why they are going to move over to streaming their content, he said that 'It's pointless broadcasting in a format that nobody is using'.

This leads me to believe that broadcasters will carry on using the traditional methods for as long as possible, though this will be impacted by having to sign new contracts, which may not be prudent long term.

Re: Government carbon footprint worries. In a sense, maybe it would be better to ban streaming for those able to broadcast via another methods and continue as we are??

Re: The future of television
 

How to argue like an Old Boy:

1. Read an Ofcom report. Get excited at Ofcom’s description of ‘The Problem’.
2. Read right below Ofcom’s description of the problem, three possible solutions, most of which don’t involve switching off DTT.
3. Ignore Ofcom’s potential solutions because they don’t agree with you.
4. Endlessly post descriptions of the problem as if you’re the only person who knows what it is, and then keep pushing your ideas as if you’re the only person who who’s thought it through.

Re: The future of television
 

Nearing completion ? not really.

Openreach have plans to make fttp available to 80% of UK premises by the end of 2026, and (almost) the rest by the 2030.

Even then, with fttp, you can still get issues watching TV over BB, I have it and the sky-go streams can stutter or freeze for a few seconds.