Re FTV satelite - Do what I did. Complain to the the Dept of Media Sport and Culture in London
I was very annoyed about the loss of FTV satellite, as TV reception in the Isle of Wight is patchy at best. The only way to pick up CH4, and in good weather ITV, is via FTV.
It was a government manifesto promise that PBS TV (terrestrial to you and me) would remain free however it was broadcast.
So I rang up the government (at the above) and complained.
I was told I was not the first, and a list of email addresses is being taken, so that as developments happen, the public can remain informed, and they can properly guage the depth of feeling.
I asked if this was yet another example of the govt lying to the public. There are not many people who are worried whether the govt "sexed up" a report on Iraq.......but take Coronation St off a million viewers and the Minstry will find out what a real pressure group can do. The advertisers will have a say too.
The gentleman I spoke to told me that the whole thing is under active discussion, and there is dismay in the government at this turn of events. They do intend to keep FTV and will force the broadcasters to provide it if neccessary.
There are a number of ways forward, and the options on the table are
ITV, CH4 and CH5 may feel they wish to move to an un encrypted satellite like the Beeb.
They may decide to stump up the cash to continue to administer the FTV card (previously subsidised by the BBC who no longer pay for them as they have moved to a different satellite)
They may carry on the card and charge a notional £10 - £20 for a FTV card.
BUT I was assured that the Minister in charge of the department is having high level talks with Sky to come to an arrangement whereby it will continue to provide the chanels un encrypted.
If this fails, the new body that is to replace the ITC later in the year will pass a law stating that the PBS chanels are to be protected by statute and have to be distributed free of charge.
So the channels will continue to be provided free, the worst case scenario is there may be a hiccup for a few months.
Make sure there is no hiccup, complain to the very government department that has the power to do something about it. You are all passionate about your TV viewing, make your voice heard. The more calls they receive, the more they are likely to do something now rather than later.
Meantime, Sky, of course, will not tell you this, cos once they've got you to sign a contract, even at £6.25 a month, they've got you.
Try to get out of it and they'll say that it's for the provision of the other channels, such as Sky One.
Hey! We could form an AV pressure group. Couch potatos unite!
Karma