ITV on Sky

[common]

Do we know when ?

Thanks

This is the last info I had from my source, who is normally pretty reliable. I don't know if anything more recent has been mentioned though (this was from March)

==========================================

The long awaited announcement that ITV will come to UK satellite has
finally happened - see below.

Before all you the ex-patriots get too excited, please note the following:

1. No actual date has been set - it may be that ITV have to create a new
technical infrastructure before they can go live

2. ITV appear to be going alone, i.e. not with in tandem with Sky
Television. This means:
- we can't be sure the same Sky digibox will be used (although it is
*highly* likely!)
- There may be an additional need to register with ITV to receive these
channels and/or an additional viewing card.

3.ITV have bought transponder services on Astra 2D. This satellite has
limited coverage outside of UK (see http://www.astra.lu/satellites/footp...images/2_d.gif ). This is the
same satellite now being used (since 01.02.01) for channels such as
Hallmark and Tara (and therefore the reason many none-UK viewers have lost
these - see http://www.transponderliste.de/astra2d.html for a complete
list), and also the satellite proposed for the so-far unfounded rumours
for future BBC transmissions.

If you have any questions, please let us know!

Your friends at Bavaria Satellite

Press Announcement from 14.03.01:


ITV AND SES REACH ASTRA CAPACITY AGREEMENT:
Three ASTRA 2D transponders at 28.2° East to provide 16 regional ITV
services in digital.
Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) is delighted to announce it has
reached a 10 year capacity agreement with the UK's ITV Network Ltd. for
three transponders on ASTRA 2D at 28.2° East to digitally broadcast the
ITV services to the UK.

ITV is planning to broadcast 16 regional services on satellite, comprising
the 14 ITV regions and separate services for HTV Wales and HTV West, and
Border Scotland and Border England. The services are expected to begin
transmitting via ASTRA before the end of the year. The agreement also
includes options for ITV to secure additional ASTRA capacity in the future
if needed for other ITV services.

Commenting on the agreement, Yves Elsen, Commercial and Marketing Director
of SES, stated: "This is exciting news for the 4.7 million ASTRA digital
satellite homes in the UK. Given ITV's emphasis on regional programming,
this decision to launch on ASTRA highlights the important role satellite
can play in delivering local as well as pan-European services. We believe
that ITV's programming pedigree will further accelerate the demand for
digital satellite services in Britain."

Kate Stross, ITV Finance and Development Director, said: "We are delighted
to have concluded this agreement with SES. This is an important first step
towards ITV broadcasting on satellite."

The SES Satellite Monitor, conducted by Continental Research at the end of
2000, recorded an amazing increase of 2.5 million new digital satellite
homes in the UK during the year. This strong growth means that nearly one
in five UK households - 19% - now receives digital satellite services from
ASTRA.

[neilybealy]

Hi

That all sounds great but does that mean they're transmitting on astra 2d right now??

Neil

From my note above...

"The services are expected to begin
transmitting via ASTRA before the end of the year"

I would guess that means not yet...

[gozzy]

Here's a reply I just got from ITV:


Dear John,

Thank you for taking the time to contact ITV/ITV2 with regard to
transmissions via the Sky Digital platform.

As you are no doubt aware, we do not currently broadcast on satellite
although we have now taken the first step towards making our services
available via digital satellite.

ITV has now secured capacity on three transponders, which will enable us to
broadcast ITV services via ASTRA to the UK. We will transmit 16 regional
services, meaning that satellite viewers will automatically receive their
relevant regional ITV broadcasts in the same way as current analogue users.

We are unable to commit finally to time scales, but it is unlikely that our
services will be available on satellite until the end of this coming year.

We do realise that this does not provide you with the instant answers that
you are seeking, but we believe that it does highlight our commitment to
broadcasting via satellite television.

We are aware of viewers' feelings on this issue, and I will gladly make our
broadcast executives aware of your comments.

Kind regards,

ITV/ITV2 Duty Office