For the multitude of people out there who use IceTV as their EPG of choice, you'll be happy to know that you can now network your watching opinions through Facebook. By downloading the IceTV Facebook App, you can rate TV shows, comment, see what TV shows are popular among your friends, what shows are in your schedule to record and more.

The software's in Beta at the moment, and they've got a forum page dedicated to getting feedback on the Facebook App. But if this sounds like something you could use, let us know how it goes in comments.

[IceTV Facebook App]

Why on earth is this still going on? I thought it was finished last year.

Here's an idea Channel 9: Pull your fucking head out of your ass and stop wasting precious resources trying to screw over IceTV in the courts, and instead focus that money on some more quality programming.

According to the IceTV blog:

Chief Justice Black, Justice Lindgren, Justice Sackville have together ruled against IceTV and the Federal Court's previous judgment in the case originally brought against IceTV in May 2006, by the Nine Network regarding an alleged breach of Nine's copyright.

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Some more EPG/TV news: SMH reports the Channel Nine and Ten EPGs began broadcasting this week, while the Channel Seven EPG is the one that won't go live until January 1st.

IceTV also reports that with the multi-channel programming about to launch on the HD channels of the commercial networks, IceTV remains on the outer, so it will take them 2-3 weeks "after the start of full strength programming" to get this new section of the EPG operational.

Our latest instalment in the long running "they just don't get it" series, the electronic program guide that has been coming together (slowly) from the free-to-air networks via FreeTV Australia is now looking to lock out any players that allow 30-second jumps or fast forward speeds of 60x or more. If you don't agree to modify your DVR to meet this requirement, you can't have their EPG.

IceTV is breathing a lot easier with this news, because (a) almost no international DVR manufacturer (which pretty much means ALL DVR manufacturers) will be changing their systems just to suit a not-so-open EPG and (b) if they do, users will still have plenty of reason to buy into IceTV's offering.

IceTV expressed their opinion in a letter to subscribers, giving a nod to the fact FreeTV's EPG will be good for people viewing digital through an integrated tuner or on a basic set-top box while emphasising that their position is all about the consumer hippie free love "do what you wanna do, be what you wanna be" thang.

How the FreeTV EPG will block such usage is anyone's guess. If it is a free over-the-air 7-day EPG, will they try and sue anyone using it who offers slip / fast forward features? That'll be tough to police. [FreeTV, IceTV]

Quietly over the weekend (far as I can tell), Network TEN has joined the Foxtel EPG. It's been a long running 'negotation', but finally Foxtel users, and iQ users in particular, gain the benefit of actually seeing the stations programming in the schedule. Can any satellite users out there tell us whether this means you're now receiving TEN on your box?

UPDATE (10:44): Confirmed by Giz readers that satellite subscribers are now receiving TEN too. Thanks folks!

So it's now just Channel Seven still holding out on Foxtel. Not sure whether the bad blood over the C7 sport court case is going to cloud their judgment on the value of being part of the system, but if their TiVo deal is going to get a universal EPG I wouldn't be surprised if they turn up on there sometime soon as well. Let's hope, anyway. -Seamus Byrne

In a big win for TV viewers around the country, independent EPG provider IceTV has won their eight month battle against Channel Nine. This morning Justice Annabelle Bennett ruled in favour of IceTV that their EPG does not infringe Nine's copyright in their television schedule.

The entire Nine Network case was dismissed, with IceTV declared an "independent compilation" built wholly by their own means.

IceTV General Manager Matt Kossatz was suitably excited, and offered some thoughts in a press release:

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Good news: FreeTV Australia (a body that represents the free-to-air networks) has announced the networks will release a free EPG.

Bad news: This will be a conditional free EPG, given only to those hardware / PVR suppliers whose kit fits in with the tech restraints FreeTV Australia wants imposed.

Two steps forward, one step back? No dates for implementations. The announcement has a great spot of triple speak, actually - "set to transform... by paving the way for the development of..." So, in essence, they have announced that, after years of planning, they have laid a few pavers. Tops work! -Seamus Byrne

"Free TV Networks usher in new era of digital TV." [FreeTV]
Massive blow to free-to-air TV [The Age]
Thanks to Miles for the tip!

Seems there was a big fancy launch for the coming of TiVo to Australia (in '08), and Giz wasn't invited. Yeah, that happens. But that's okay, because from what we're seeing, it is going to suck like a Dyson.

If you haven't heard: TiVo in 2008; distributed by Engin (the VoIP crew); all backed locally by Seven Media Group. Yes, that's Channel Seven.

As soon as I heard Channel Seven is heavily involved, a long time advocate of treating EPGs with prejudice, things started to stink. Even if it wasn't them - shouldn't networks hate this stuff? It can skip their ads! At least, that's what we hope, right?

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