Sky Digital

[The Mighty 890]

Afternoon folks,

I'm hoping to move into a new house in the next 3-4 months and I'm wondering about Sky Digital.

The reason I ask is that the area my house is in is on the Chorus Network which quite frankly looks crap (no radio stations whatsoever is just one of the problems).

I'm thinking about going for Sky Digital. Could anyone tell me what the situation is with RTE and TV3. Are they going to be available in Dublin on the SkyDigital platform (including radio stations) and what is the likely timescale involved?

Even if they're not available on a Package as such, am I correct in assuming that there is some way of adding channels?

Any help/advice is gratefully accepted.

[Francis Dunne]

Chorus dont get me started about chorus

as to the irish channels on sky me thinks they are due to launch on 23 april RTE1 Network 2 TV3 and TG4

Radio 1 2FM radio na gaelteachta and lyric are on the satelite now

BBC1 and 2 Norther Ireland are on the platform but UTV and Ch 4 are blocked to Irish viewers

bbc radio stations are (some of them anyway) blocked

you get bbc ws and bbc cymru (god knows why)

anyone know if Today FM plan going on sky

[John Fleming]

Latest thoughts are that RTÉ and TV3 will be available on the Family Package (about 21euro i think). They cannot leave them free-to-air because rights restrictions means they can only be made available in the Republic (and possibly Northern) Ireland. There is presently no way of making them free-to-view here. They will be on from the 23rd of this month.

The RTÉ radio channels WILL be free-to-air though.

BBC1 and BBC2 are (as Francis said) on the same Family Package, as are all the channels bar Sky's Sports and Movie channels.

All the BBC Radios are available via adding channels. Only Five Live (and Extra) and Talksport is not available here in the Republic.

Get a moveable dish and there are a wealth of free tv and radio (Radio Caroline!) channels at other locations.

[The Mighty 890]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll wait and see what happens but as a big sport fan I'd really miss 5 Live, it's a great service.

Any idea why ITV1 and C4 are blocked in this country? Is it a rights issue and if so with the recent demise of ITV Digital do either of you think that this may change in the near future?

Many thanks.

[John Fleming]

I'd miss 5Live myself, and not just for the football.:(

If you could get your hands on a UK card for Sky, not only would you still have Five Live, but Five Live Extra - which annoyingly for me was carrying a Manchester United match recently while the main Five Live focussed on the rivals from down the road whose name i cannot mention for fear of bringing down the tone of the board!

Also with the UK card, you'd get all the BBC channels on the EPG - radio and tv. Television wise you could add BBC Choice, News 24, BBC Four (and BBC Three when it comes along) to your viewing choice.

ITV1 and Channel 4 are "officially" blocked because of programming rights. Which seems ludicrous to anyone with a cable connection.
We had all the ITV regions (via Other Channels only) up to a while ago, but marketeers started selling dishes on the strength of this, ITV got wind of it and took it away. UTV aren't happy about this situation, they'd love to be on in the Republic - but TV3's ties with Granada are stalling those plans.

[The Mighty 890]

So John, am I correct in thinking that you do get BBC1 & BBC2 TV along with BBC Radios 1-4 but not 5Live (or Xtra) and any of the auxilary tv (Choice, 4, News etc...)?
Do we get ITV2 and E4 on SkyDigital in Ireland? They tend to show most ITV1 programmes a bit later and most C4 programmes a bit earlier!

Who are the rivals down the road, Liverpool? Don't worry about them mate, the title is comin' back to Highbury!!! :D


Cheers, :)

[John Fleming]

Yep, that's about right. Will reiterate that with the BBC Radios 1-4, you also get BBC R Scot, Wales, WS and WS extra plus others but all are only available via 'Other Channels' which is awkward. (There is another method but i've never condoned it because of the damage it *might* do to the box.)

We don't get ITV2 but we do get E4 - or the 'Friends Channel' as they, i'm sure, will be renaming it soon. Depending on your tastes, E4 is worth it because it is ahead of N2 with new Friends and new Ally - but only by a week or two. It will also probably carry the Big Brother thingy around the clock when it's on - it did last time.

I cannot comment on the last part of your post for fear i would have to ban myself. It does look likely to be heading for north London though. Ah well, hopefully there'll be something to celebrate in Glasgow very shortly!

Ironically, ITV1 will NOT be showing the second leg of the semi-final. They insist on showing it on the ITV Sport Channel! It WILL be on our TV Three of course, which will be available on Sky (in the Republic only) by then. Now, there's a marketing opportunity if ever i seen one!

[Francis Dunne]

Well knowing ally is going to get canned on E$ first is a good reason to subscribe. lol

[The Mighty 890]

Cheers for all the info guys. I'll watch this space with interest over the next few months.

Still a way to go before the title comes to North London John, I ain't countin' any chickens yet. I think Liverpool are more of a threat to be honest but I reckon Man U have a good chance of winning the CL alright. Bad blows losing Beckham and Keano but they still have the quality to at least get to the final I think. Will you go to Hampden if they get there?

Best of luck.