Re: Freeview changes
 

Just found out that Mike Ashley's Frasers Group did buy the "bigger stake" in Ideal World last week.

*Also Mike Ashley owned Ideal World HQ
*So DS Forum thinks that Ideal World may get rebrand as Sports Direct TV soon

Re: Freeview changes
 

Does anybody watch shopping TV? It's all American accent trash adverts and products.

There are much better outlets.

Re: Freeview changes
 

I know a "American accent trash adverts" shopping channels you on about but they are only on Sky.

I watch Shopping TV as they are something better then a comedy channels.

Re: Freeview changes
 

That's mostly the Teleshopping segments you get, especially on late and early parts of major channels and the filler shopping channels you get in the lower (higher, depending on hiw you look at it) parts of the Sky Guide. The "bigger" ones in the UK are basically a studio, a British presenter or two discussing the products beside them, and then they cut to another part of the studio with the next category of items with the presenter of the next "show". And depending on the item, it can be things you can get on the high street. Last time I stumbled onto a channel (easy to do when on DTT) they were selling HP laptops.

I know what you mean though, there is a lot of complete drivel and tat.

Re: Freeview changes
 

GREAT! Network expands multiplex reach

*Owner Narrative Entertainment UK is also bringing back POP Max to Freeview, part of its POP network of children’s channels. The changes will be completed by Wednesday 19 July 2023.

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023...ltiplex-reach/

Re: Freeview changes
 

Pop! is swapping streams with Great! Romance, so the former is reducing its coverage. RXTV also has the Pop Max part as TBC, so that's not necessarily definite.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Pop Max will use GREAT! tv old slot.

Here what I have found out by sources:

Changes for the following channels on Freeview:

*GREAT! Romance (GREAT! Christmas Sep-Jan) moves from Local mux to COM6.

*POP to move from COM6 to Local mux.
*POP Max to use GREAT tv old slot on Local mux.

Re: Freeview changes
 

I guess they are finally seeing the mistake they made in their rush to move from mainstream multiplexes to the local ones. Cheaper, yes but lower coverage so less advertising revenue to fund the channels. I wonder if they are, or have been, lobbying for PSB funds for the kids content.

---------- Post added at 20:45 ---------- Previous post was at 20:39 ----------

I know they asset stripped IW and got out while it could still be sold as a going concern but I lost all faith in IW when the former backers of Bid TV got involved. A lot of former Bid presenters also ended up on IW and that really didn't give me any confidence in its long term future.

Re: Freeview changes
 

They possibly needed to cut costs quickly and saw it as the least bad option. They may not have been able to stick it out on a main mux.

Given CITV is closing it's a shame they didn't stick it out a little longer with wider Pop DTT coverage. They can always change their minds though.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Reports are coming in that 250 staff at Ideal World made redundant. No buyer for the channel.

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/...undant-4209633

Re: Freeview changes
 

Ideal World was broadcasting on COM6 on Freeview Channel 51.

Re: Freeview changes
 

If reports are to be believed and it is burdened with debt it won't be an attractive acquisition for any buyer. I guess the best hope was a full takeover by the Fraser Group, who seem to have been increasing their shareholding in recent times. Even so, it is better to go through liquidation, and then acquire any assets at a bargain basement price from the liquidators. That may be what eventually happens but it could just be that IW has finally run out of steam.

Re: Freeview changes
 

My own views:

What will happen next to Ideal World (WI) slot on Freeview:

*IW administrators will be talking to Arqiva & Everyone TV
*Will the owned of GREAT! buy Channel 50 for:
-GREAT! Romance to move to channel 51
-GREAT! Movies +1 moves to channel 52
-With channel 63 becomes available to another broadcaster.

Re: Freeview changes
 

Kroll Advisory Ltd, who were actively seeking a new buyer for IW recently have now been appointed as administrators. Meanwhile, the Fraser Group, acting as "Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited" have registered a charge over the assets of the company. So, it would seem that Frasers have claimed ownership of anything of any value and the administrators are left handling the debt. This should be interesting.

Re: Freeview changes
 

I feel Frasers may buy the non TV Side of the company and own Ideal World name to run the web site.

With the EPG channels numbers on both Sky and Freeview going to any broadcaster who want them.