Freesat a good idea but should offer some subscriptions as well - Page 4 - Freesat

TelevisionUser · 05-11-2009, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

Such a service is already in the pipeline. It will be called REAL Digital and the first set top boxes from Fortec Star should appear around Christmas.

All free to air channels will be listed on the EPG and a viewing card is required to receive the EPG. The viewing card will be free but a activation fee of £20 is required. The cards will run for 3 years from activation. Red button will also be supported.

Pay TV channels will also be offered next year using the same card. However unlike Sky there will be an option to Pay As You Go or a subscription. Channels will be able to either be offered as part of a package or as stand alone channels. Basically the best of all worlds.

Some Free To Air channels may use the Pay TV service for one off special events.

A truely open and flexible service. A HD box will sell for around £125 in the new year. A PVR Twin tuner is also expected but there is no prices yet.

The link is here: http://www.realdigitaltv.com/index.html. The website, like the business itself, appears to be "under construction".

Whether this business model is viable remains to be seen. They haven't even been able to say yet what pay channels will be available - http://www.realdigitaltv.com/page4.html.

The only certainty about this venture will be that Sky will try and crush it one way or another as it represents some form of potential competition to Sky's pay satellite service.

Rapture TV · 05-11-2009, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by TelevisionUser

The link is here: http://www.realdigitaltv.com/index.html. The website, like the business itself, appears to be "under construction".

Whether this business model is viable remains to be seen. They haven't even been able to say yet what pay channels will be available - http://www.realdigitaltv.com/page4.html.

The only certainty about this venture will be that Sky will try and crush it one way or another as it represents some form of potential competition to Sky's pay satellite service.

I'm sure an official press release with details will be out soon. The NMM story appeared last Friday but there has been no offical announcement.

Its quite normal to keep details of a Pay package as confidential until all parties are ready. Sky didn't announce its full channels until they were ready to launch.

If Sky was to try to as you put it 'Crush' then they can expect a swift anti trust action against them for breaches of competition law from either Ofcom or Competition Authorities in Brussels.

Why is it that there are so many Sky fans that try to rubbish other offerings? Perhaps deep down they are very unhappy at being forced to pay expensive monthly subscriptions?

No matter what develops the consumer will have more of a choice. That is always good except for a monopolist that sees consumer choice as a threat.

coopermanyorks · 05-11-2009, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

Why is it that there are so many Sky fans that try to rubbish other offerings? Perhaps deep down they are very unhappy at being forced to pay expensive monthly subscriptions?

I get the feeling its more the Freesat owners who have a downer on the idea,I am a Sky User and I am quite open to any alternatives as others have also posted .
I think everyone remembers the petulance shown when ITV Hd appeared on Sky HD boxes after the HD EPG was launched,emails sent to ITV and Ofcom etc expressing their disgust at allowing Sky to be able to pick up ITV HD and they had bought their Freesat boxes on the understanding they had ITV Exclusivity

Surely its simply pick what system is best for you based upon you and your families requirements.What is good for me is not good for others,that is why choice is quite welcome from me.

Andrue · 05-11-2009, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

Why is it that there are so many Sky fans that try to rubbish other offerings? Perhaps deep down they are very unhappy at being forced to pay expensive monthly subscriptions?

I don't see many Sky people (or indeed anyone really) rubbishing what you are proposing. Some of us are saying it goes against the principal of Freesat but the basic concept is fine. It would actually make far more sense for the free TV brigade to be whining about it rather than the pay TV people.

I mean think about it for a minute without your automatic 'I hate Sky' hat on:

The myth of a 'Sky fanboi' has largely always been just that - a myth. Very few people actually like Sky in the same way that very few people like Tesco or any retailer. We don't subscribe because we love Sky - we subscribe to get at the content. If someone else comes along and offers us the content for less cost we will sign up and be pleased up about it.

But those not willing to pay to watch TV will be unhappy because if this venture succeeds it will almost inevitably suck more customers into the pay TV arena. It is in effect yet another nail in the coffin of free TV.

Anything that improves the experience of pay TV is anathema to free TV. I think your mistake here is that your bias against Sky is clouding your judgement.

This isn't "FreeXX+Real digital against Sky". It's "Sky+Real digital against FreeXXX". The "Sky v. Real digital" battle will annoy Sky but likely cause a price war which will further damage "FreeXX".

wgmorg · 05-11-2009, 13:51

But that's dependent on who's using the account that day...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wouter

Rapture TV, who does come across as a crackpot sometimes

wgmorg · 05-11-2009, 13:55

OR the content + other services...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrue

We don't subscribe because we love Sky - we subscribe to get at the content.

jwball · 05-11-2009, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrue

If someone else comes along and offers us the content for less cost we will sign up and be pleased up about it.

Highly unlikely due to the boardgame style (high barrier to entry) market in the UK.

Don't pass go, don't launch a rival.

Andrue · 05-11-2009, 15:27

*Deleted - duplicate*

Andrue · 05-11-2009, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwball

Highly unlikely due to the boardgame style (high barrier to entry) market in the UK.

Don't pass go, don't launch a rival.

Oh true but I'm just trying to refute the suggestion that such a service would fail because we all wub Sky too much

'tain't true. If you can save me money for the same content or provide more content for a price I can accept then I'll sign up. I think that most Sky subscribers would feel the same way. Sky has the advantage of familiarity..but tbh it's more a case of "better the devil you know"

TelevisionUser · 05-11-2009, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

I'm sure an official press release with details will be out soon. The NMM story appeared last Friday but there has been no offical announcement.

Its quite normal to keep details of a Pay package as confidential until all parties are ready. Sky didn't announce its full channels until they were ready to launch.

If Sky was to try to as you put it 'Crush' then they can expect a swift anti trust action against them for breaches of competition law from either Ofcom or Competition Authorities in Brussels.

Why is it that there are so many Sky fans that try to rubbish other offerings? Perhaps deep down they are very unhappy at being forced to pay expensive monthly subscriptions?

No matter what develops the consumer will have more of a choice. That is always good except for a monopolist that sees consumer choice as a threat.

Just for the record I've no time for any of Sky's anticompetitive practices. However, they are notorious for trying to do down their pay TV opponents, e.g. by witholding sports & film rights, hacking of others' encryption systems thus allowing piracy, etc.

Depending upon what Real Digital can offer, they might pose a threat to Sky and start siphoning off some customers. Sky might, for instance, launch a new marketing initiative on the same day that Real Digital launches plus Sky might offer some good subscriber package deals to blunt the impact of Real Digital.

Real Digital might end up being a small niche player like Top Up TV or they might go the way of Setanta - we'll have to see on that one.

coopermanyorks · 05-11-2009, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwball

Highly unlikely due to the boardgame style (high barrier to entry) market in the UK.

Don't pass go, don't launch a rival.

I guess your glass is always half empty ?

Rapture TV · 06-11-2009, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by TelevisionUser

Just for the record I've no time for any of Sky's anticompetitive practices. However, they are notorious for trying to do down their pay TV opponents, e.g. by witholding sports & film rights, hacking of others' encryption systems thus allowing piracy, etc.

Depending upon what Real Digital can offer, they might pose a threat to Sky and start siphoning off some customers. Sky might, for instance, launch a new marketing initiative on the same day that Real Digital launches plus Sky might offer some good subscriber package deals to blunt the impact of Real Digital.

Real Digital might end up being a small niche player like Top Up TV or they might go the way of Setanta - we'll have to see on that one.

The freedom to choose is the core belief. Whether someone wants just the free to air channels but would like a full EPG for all the FTA channels or a low cost Pay TV addition to the maximum Free To Air channels.

Not only will the viewers and or subscribers to Pay TV have more of a choice but the channels themselves will also have a choice.

There has been talk in the satellite industry that there a number of new as yet not UK available channels that have wanted to launch here. However the cost barriers that Sky has in place has prevented these channel owners from launching. So who knows there may be new channels not available on other Digital TV platforms just waiting on the right opportunity?

Andrue · 06-11-2009, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

So who knows there may be new channels not available on other Digital TV platforms just waiting on the right opportunity?

Absolutely. Equally there are (approximately

) nine million people just waiting for someone else to offer them a deal.

The problem for regulars of this particular forum is that there might be another several million also just waiting

fbloke · 06-11-2009, 14:45

Real Digital sounds like a good idea if I could chose some one other than Sky for hd tv & some pay channels at a reasonable price I'd go for it.
I also like the idea of pay as you go that way if u find yourself short of cash no worries ur not tied into a contract.
Also if they can produce a pvr that will record whether ur a subscriber or not it would be a good thing as long as it's cheaper than the £300 Humax Freesat pvr or atleast reliable thats the biggest problem I have with Sky their box is just so buggy & unreliable it drives me mad.
All I can say is good luck to them it's about time the Uk had more choice on satellite services they can use.

wgmorg · 07-11-2009, 13:37

Interesting * next to the £20 epg viewing card fee ... will it be annual ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbloke

Real Digital sounds like a good idea

Rapture TV · 08-11-2009, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgmorg

Interesting * next to the £20 epg viewing card fee ... will it be annual ...

I think the viewing card fee has been highlighted as a 3 year card and just 1 activation fee. I have seen a PVR from a as yet not UK player. If that launches here with a REAL Digital software stack then it will continue to record and playback recordings as long as a active card is in the slot.

No need to pay every month just to record free to air channels. It also had a 500gb built in hard drive and was very good quality. Prices are down to the exchange rates as most come from Korea or China now and volumes. Hopefully it will be cheaper than the freesat Humax PVR.

ian-d · 08-11-2009, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

I think the viewing card fee has been highlighted as a 3 year card and just 1 activation fee. I have seen a PVR from a as yet not UK player. If that launches here with a REAL Digital software stack then it will continue to record and playback recordings as long as a active card is in the slot.

No need to pay every month just to record free to air channels. It also had a 500gb built in hard drive and was very good quality. Prices are down to the exchange rates as most come from Korea or China now and volumes. Hopefully it will be cheaper than the freesat Humax PVR.

Why do you keep talking of the service as if you know about it but aren't involved? You have joint ownership!!!

davemurgatroyd · 09-11-2009, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian-d

Why do you keep talking of the service as if you know about it but aren't involved? You have joint ownership!!! :rolleyes:

He probably thinks he can then get away with publicising it on this forum without being accused of self advertising. :eek:

Do you have proof?

antenna1 · 09-11-2009, 00:16

Real Digital web site looks cool

please keep us posted when and where receiver will be on sale thanks,

about time there was another pay tv dsat option in the uk

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapture TV

I'm sure an official press release with details will be out soon. The NMM story appeared last Friday but there has been no offical announcement.

Its quite normal to keep details of a Pay package as confidential until all parties are ready. Sky didn't announce its full channels until they were ready to launch.

If Sky was to try to as you put it 'Crush' then they can expect a swift anti trust action against them for breaches of competition law from either Ofcom or Competition Authorities in Brussels.

Why is it that there are so many Sky fans that try to rubbish other offerings? Perhaps deep down they are very unhappy at being forced to pay expensive monthly subscriptions?

No matter what develops the consumer will have more of a choice. That is always good except for a monopolist that sees consumer choice as a threat.

remlap · 09-11-2009, 00:25

Sorry but when a website looks like one big wind up, how can anyone take that seriously.

coopermanyorks · 09-11-2009, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian-d

Why do you keep talking of the service as if you know about it but aren't involved? You have joint ownership!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemurgatroyd

He probably thinks he can then get away with publicising it on this forum without being accused of self advertising.

Do you have proof?

No,give the guy a break

http://whois.org/whois/realdigitaltv.com

Humid · 09-11-2009, 15:48

This thread has been hijacked by those with more money than sense.

davemurgatroyd · 09-11-2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humid

This thread has been hijacked by those with more money than sense.

You ought not talk about Rapture TV that way.

Rapture TV · 09-11-2009, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian-d

Why do you keep talking of the service as if you know about it but aren't involved? You have joint ownership!!!

Ian-d, who are you referring to when you ask this question? If its Rapture TV then Rapture TV has no direct involvement. However I personally do therefore I can answer some of the questions that have been posted here.

freesat has little chance in the short or medium term of attracting any new free to air HD channels as the advertising market for TV has seen a drop of 20-30% in the last year.

Five's advertising revenue was down 35% in the first 6 months of this year. Add to this the drop in value of the pound against the Euro and you have the perfect storm for FTA channels.

The question posed on this thread was 'freesat a good idea but should offer some subscriptions'. freesat on its own can't do that but REAL Digital can and will. So hopefully this answers your question?

Rapture TV · 09-11-2009, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by remlap

Sorry but when a website looks like one big wind up, how can anyone take that seriously.

Perhaps you are happy to pay the ever increasing Sky subscriptions? Many however would welcome a clear choice from a service not owned or controlled by Sky.

Many non Digital Satellite homes may also like the freedom to choose a service that brings the maximum number of free digital TV channels while not forcing them to take out a subscription in order to get a cheap or 'free' Digital STB?

Who knows you may want to switch sides when you see whats on offer?

05-11-2009, 15:27	#83
Andrue Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Brackley, UK Services: Sky HD, Be ADSL (13.5Mb), FreeSat PC Posts: 2,065	Deleted - duplicate

06-11-2009, 14:45	#89
fbloke Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CORNWALL Services: SKY HD, TISCALI BROADBAND & VODAFONE PAY MONTHLY ANYTIME 600 Posts: 357	Real Digital sounds like a good idea if I could chose some one other than Sky for hd tv & some pay channels at a reasonable price I'd go for it. I also like the idea of pay as you go that way if u find yourself short of cash no worries ur not tied into a contract. Also if they can produce a pvr that will record whether ur a subscriber or not it would be a good thing as long as it's cheaper than the £300 Humax Freesat pvr or atleast reliable thats the biggest problem I have with Sky their box is just so buggy & unreliable it drives me mad. All I can say is good luck to them it's about time the Uk had more choice on satellite services they can use.

09-11-2009, 00:25	#95
remlap Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SOUTH WALES! Services: SKY HD Technomate 1500CI+ Humax HDCI2000 NOVA DVBS2 on 105cm Motorised Dish Posts: 5,179	Sorry but when a website looks like one big wind up, how can anyone take that seriously.

09-11-2009, 15:48	#97
Humid Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 446	This thread has been hijacked by those with more money than sense.