Gizmodo Australia » channel 10

Tip: If You Use IceTV / TiVo / Foxtel iQ’s Series Link To Record Programs On Ten HD, Adjust Them Now

Nick Broughall — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:30:34 +0000

IceTV has a very, very good point on their blog today about planning your scheduled recordings around this week’s introduction of the One HD sports channel. As in, ‘If you don’t change your scheduled recording before March 26, you’ll probably miss the next episode of House in HD’.IceTV details how to change it using their software on their site if you’re struggling with the concept. TiVo and Foxtel users are left to sort it out on their own.

One HD, Network 10’s 24 hour sports channel, officially kicks off on March 26. While it’s not particularly our cup of tea, at least it’s offering (mostly) original content.

[IceTV]

Network 10’s HD Sports Channel Going Live March 26

Nick Broughall — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:41:21 +0000

Despite the fact that Channel 10 seem to persistently run behind Seven and Nine in the ratings, they are the leading Australian network when it comes to HD programming. But, those of you who have been enjoying watching your favourite programs in HD on 10 are going to be bitterly disappointed come March 26 when the network switches their HD programming to cover sport and sport alone.According to TV Tonight, the 24-hour HD sports channel will kick off at 7:30 pm on Thursday March 26, and lead into a massive weekend of HD sports, including live first round AFL action, the swimming Australia SKINS event, and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

If you’re not a sports fan, well, then you’ll probably be spending a bit less time with 10, because they’ll also be using their second SD channel to broadcast the exact same content as HD. While that may be frustrating for some viewers, it does make a lot of sense for the television network, considering how much talk there is about a lack of TV advertising dollars.

And if you are a sports fan… well, enjoy. I just hope 10 get the rights to rebroadcast the Super 14 – rugby union is seriously neglected by the FTA networks in this country…

[TV Tonight]

Where Are Our Extra FTA Digital Channels?

Nick Broughall — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:55:40 +0000

Yesterday may have been the first day of 2009, but it was also the first day the Australian free-to-air TV networks could legally begin broadcasting a second digital SD channel. But here we are, 1.5 days into the new year, and none of the FTA networks have actually made good on their chance to launch a second channel and according to the Australian, aren’t likely to for several more months.

The Oz quotes Foxtel’s Adam Suckling, Director of policy and corporate affairs: “Seven, Nine and Ten have had more than two years to plan and launch one new digital channel each on January 1, 2009… But they have chosen not to do so.” And while this is just another barb in the war of words between FTA and Pay TV in this country, there is a very important point being made here: why haven’t we got extra channels today?

The answer is mostly economics, but if you go back a couple of years to the launch of the FTA HD channels, you’ll also see that there’s sure to be some unhealthy competition between the networks at play here. When HD launched, Ten announced its plans first, then Channel 7 launched their channel a few days before 10’s channel went live so they could claim to be “first”. Channel 9, meanwhile, refused to offer any comment about their plans for fear of letting the other networks know what they were doing. So far, only 10 has announced anything – they’ll be launching a dedicated HD sports channel in April. But expect Seven and Nine to try and pip them at the post.

Of course all of this wouldn’t matter, but for the fact that the networks are “trying” to work together for the FreeView market. Considering they’re already marketing FreeView to have 15 channels, yet that figure includes the new multichannel stations, the networks should really be working together, pro-actively, to try and launch and promote FTA TV. From personal experience, the new FreeView campaign is causing nothing but confusion in the marketplace, judging by the influx of questions I’ve been getting from non-techy friends and family.

Meanwhile, according to the Australian’s article, Foxtel are planning on launching another 20 digital channels this year. Hopefully the majority of them are in HD…

[The Australian]

Hulu Coming To Australia?

Nick Broughall — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:51:42 +0000

Just a little over a week since the ABC launched their iView service for video on demand, executives from Hulu, the NBC/News Corp video streaming service from the US, have flown into Australia to meet with all the Australian networks to try and launch Hulu down under.

According to the SMH, all three free-to-air networks have met with Hulu, and seem to be fairly optimistic about the proposition, although whether or not we see an Australian version could come down to what kind of business deals are offered to the local networks.

But most interesting is the fact that network executives are also considering using the ABC’s iView to do the same thing – act as a central content hub for programming from all the Australian networks.

TiVo Launching Without Subscription?

Nick Broughall — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:59:04 +0000

We all know that TiVo is coming soon, but if the rumblings coming out of the SMH are true, then we’ll be getting it without the usual subscription fee that TiVo charges.

I don’t know about you, but the whole Australian launch of TiVo just got mighty exciting.

The last we heard, they were planning on cutting the subscription fee right down. But by making it a premium box without ongoing fees, the TiVo will stand out against PVRs from other manufacturers thanks to its proven EPG data and internet capabilities.

Apparently we’re looking at a July launch for teh TiVo box, which looks like a month later than Foxtel’s new iQ2. The SMH reckons that the move to a subscription-free TiVo will push Foxtel into dropping their price, but I’ll believe that when I see it.

On a side note, both Channels 9 and 10 have confirmed that they will share their EPG data on the TiVo, which is a nice touch from Channel 9 considering their ongoing litigation against IceTV.

The other interesting thing is that all the extra features that TiVo offers – like online entertainment, for example, won’t be available at launch. Instead they’re focusing on the EPG and getting it launched for the Olympics.

In any case, this is awesome news for PVR enthusiasts in Australia. I’m actually excited by this now. How about you guys?

[SMH]

New Free-To-Air Channels Unlikely To Launch In January 2009

Nick Broughall — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:13:48 +0000

On January 1 2009, all the commercial free-to-air networks are entitled to launch a second SD channel, to show unique programming in conjunction with their original SD and HD channels.

If you’re hanging out for that day, hoping to see a heap more Neighbours spin-offs quality programming, you’re about to be disappointed. The Age is reporting that Channel 10 boss Grant Blackley doesn’t think we’ll see any extra channels until well into 2009.

“We’re capable of launching from January 1 (but) I don’t think any network has said they will physically launch on January 1.”

The hangup seems to be not just finding the programs to show, but also the long search for advertising dollars – at the moment, the free-to-air networks have no OzTAM ratings data for their HD channels to take to advertisers to help sales. That will change by the end of the year, but it will still take a couple of months before the networks will be comfortable launching a third channel.

Of course, Channel 7 was tight-lipped as to whether they’re targeting the Jan 1 date, and Channel 9 are far behind when it comes to digital technology (plus they’re too busy wasting money suing IceTV), so when they launch a second SD channel is anybody’s guess.

Hopefully when they do launch we won’t have to sit through B-grade entertainment – if I have one complaint about the HD channels it’s that sometimes the selection of HD programming is terrible. Just because a show is high-definition doesn’t mean it’s high quality…

[The Age]

Seven ‘Boning’ TiVo Before It Even Gets A Launch

Nick Broughall — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:57:24 +0000

Could it be true? The SMH is reporting today that Channel Seven is considering ditching TiVo before it’s even launched to instead get behind a “Freeview” PVR with all the other networks. The joint venture is an attempt by the free-to-air networks to take the fight to Foxtel.

The Freeview PVR will be based on the successful Freeview unit available in the UK, and would be released early next year. It would give users access to all the free-to-air digital stations, which would number at about 15 once the networks launch their second SD channels next year.
Seven’s TiVo unit is expected to incur a one-off cost of about $300-$400 for the box, plus a monthly subscription fee. There’s no word on pricing on the planned Freeview model being pushed by Nine and 10, but hopefully it would do away with the monthly subscription fee.

Apparently Seven has refused to comment on their plans. I actually hope both go ahead – competition is great for our entertainment industry, which has been held back for too long because of petty squibbles.

But what do you think? Should Seven ditch TiVo in favour of a new Freeview PVR? Or should both be given a go to take on Foxtel?

[SMH]