General : BBC3 to become online only

[Gunslinger]

What will they use the Freeview & Sky slots for? BBC1+1 maybe?

The news is now confirmed, though still not officially announced.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26447089

[denphone]

One suspects BBC+1 will take over the slot on the EPG if l have hazard a guess.

[chris9991]

If the BBC don't want to put original programming in the BBC Three slot, then it should be opened up to new bidders before the BBC can use it for BBC1+1. Otherwise, it's just more repeats.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

What will they use the Freeview & Sky slots for? BBC1+1 maybe?

Space is limited on Freeview, so this move will indeed allow the BBC to launch BBC1+1 on the platform.

I'm not sure this will save much transmission wise on satellite, especially now that Sky have agreed to waive the BBC Platform Contribution Charge.

As BBC3 is carried for free by VM, I wonder if there is scope to keep some sort of BBC3 service on cable?

---------- Post added at 15:40 ---------- Previous post was at 15:38 ----------

Originally Posted by chris9991

If the BBC don't want to put original programming in the BBC Three slot, then it should be opened up to new bidders before the BBC can use it for BBC1+1. Otherwise, it's just more repeats.

On Freeview the BBC own the slot, on Sky virtually anyone can open a channel if they wish to do so anyway. The same goes for cable, subject to the agreement of the owners.

I'm not sure what the plan is here, if the intention is to save money. In broadcast terms, Three is the same channel as Cbeebies. One shuts down at 1858, the other starts at 1900, in the same stream on the same mux. The EPG of your chosen tellybox generally (but not always) maintains the illusion of separateness by preventing you seeing the channels on each other's EPG number.

Therefore they can't relinquish that slot because they still need it, unless they're going to make the blindingly obvious money-saving decision and stop broadcasting programmes for school-age kids during the school day. They could then consolidate Cbeebies and CBBC into the same channel for broadcast from 0600 to 1900 daily (which is more or less what CITV does already) and then switch to BBC Four for the evening.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Chris

I'm not sure what the plan is here, if the intention is to save money. In broadcast terms, Three is the same channel as Cbeebies. One shuts down at 1858, the other starts at 1900, in the same stream on the same mux. The EPG of your chosen tellybox generally (but not always) maintains the illusion of separateness by preventing you seeing the channels on each other's EPG number.

Therefore they can't relinquish that slot because they still need it, unless they're going to make the blindingly obvious money-saving decision and stop broadcasting programmes for school-age kids during the school day. They could then consolidate Cbeebies and CBBC into the same channel for broadcast from 0600 to 1900 daily (which is more or less what CITV does already) and then switch to BBC Four for the evening.

Yes, it doesn't seem to make much sense from the information we have thus far.

When the BBC talk about making BBC3 online only, we are assuming that they mean i player only. Perhaps it means (on Freeview at least) delivery for BBC3 via IPTV in the same way as the 'Connect' services??

[Chad]

On the BBC website they have revealed each channels budget:

BBC One: £1,051m
BBC Two: £415m
BBC Three: £85m
BBC Four: £49m
CBBC: £79m
CBeebies: £29m
BBC News Channel: £53m
BBC Parliament: £2m

£79m on CBBC? That's pretty hefty.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Chris

If they need to save money, they should stop broadcasting CBBC on weekdays when their entire audience is supposed to be at school.

Or even better stop paying there top executives massive pay and severance payments when they decided they need to replace them.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by Chad

On the BBC website they have revealed each channels budget:

BBC One: £1,051m
BBC Two: £415m
BBC Three: £85m
BBC Four: £49m
CBBC: £79m
CBeebies: £29m
BBC News Channel: £53m
BBC Parliament: £2m

£79m on CBBC? That's pretty hefty.

In fairness to the BBC, they have a long tradition of very decent original children's programming. BBC one being more than the rest combined, though? And BBC three costing more than four?

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Chris

Yes, well, we shall see about that. There's no sign of anything happening around here, not even any plans for the subsidised roll out which would be essential to bring super fast broadband to areas such as where I live.

The thing you need to remember is, we have regulated broadcasting with public service channels that are obliged to provide a universal service. If BT gets to 95% of the population and refuses to go further because it costs them too much, the government won't pay or the technical challenges are too great, then that leaves 5% that by law must still be served. Linear broadcast by terrestrial transmitter or by satellite would have to continue for that reason alone.

Interesting you should say that. How will the BBC get around this little requirement if they put the BBC3 channel online?

[Chad]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Interesting you should say that. How will the BBC get around this little requirement if they put the BBC3 channel online?

Maybe they'll argue the channel isn't being broadcast, it's being streamed. Are the rules different for an internet only channel.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Chad

Maybe they'll argue the channel isn't being broadcast, it's being streamed. Are the rules different for an internet only channel.

In which case, there's nothing to stop them from showing all their channels in that way in the medium to long term.

[Mr K]

It's a shame but I'm glad it's not BBC4 they axed, leave the low brow stuff to Sky. Its preferable to having adverts on the Beeb.

Maybe people will now see the consequence of a licence fee freeze and a Govt. who hates the BBC.

As for BBC 3's output now being iPlayer, that's a bummer for anyone that's got TiVo ......

[Stephen]

Amended the title slighty as its not 100% yet.