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With high-definition being such a huge selling point for Freesat, and content still limited to a few hours per day between BBC HD and ITV HD, we have often wondered why HD channels like Luxe TV remain an FTA channel accessible via the ‘Non-Freesat’ mode and not via the Freesat EPG.
Luxe TV for anyone that doesn’t know is a 100% high-definition channel with a luxury shopping channel type feel. Agreed, it doesn’t sound appealing but the picture quality truly showcases what high-definition is capable of, it’s crisp, clear and definitely one to show off to your mates, even if the content isn’t exactly gripping.
We know that at present all broadcast channels must pay an annual fee of £30k (for a television channel) for inclusion within the Freesat EPG, which of course is presumably the reason why channels such as Luxe TV are missing, but with high-definition such an important factor in the promotion and marketing of Freesat, why can’t broadcasters be given free allocation of a channel slot and inclusion for offering HD content?
We appreciate that fairness will play a large part, as well as budget, but in these times of economic uncertainty, shouldn’t broadcasters investing in HD for the future be given some leniency to show off what’s possible?
Broadcasters prioritise at the moment are not likely to be with investing in a Freesat slot hence why we might be finding so few channels being added the past few months.
No doubt Luxe TV isn’t going to offer viewers any long term programme interest, but surely being able to market Freesat with 3 HD channels (of sorts) would have its benefits.
What do you think, should we be encouraging Freesat to take the hit in order to open the door to more HD channels?
Luxe TV can currently be added in ‘non-Freesat’ mode, frequency 12643 H 27500 2/3.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:24 am
I agree, yes the content is more of Sunday glossy mag type but the HD quality is fantastic.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:30 am
It may be HD, but we do really need yet another shopping channel!
March 16th, 2009 at 7:58 am
What is useful with Luxe TV is that they transmit the same content on a standard def channel, as well as the HD channel. It is a good showcase as it is nice to be able to check the difference between the two; BBC HD is rarely synced up with the standard def content.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Nope. I think that the fact that Freesat would subsequently be advertised as having more HD, it would end up disappointing new viewers and seem like a con.
Giving it a free ride just because its HD would mean Freesat would have to give all Freesat Shopping channels the same deal if they changed to HD, by law. And Freesat’s revenue would be significantly affected.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Some people go on and on about how great Luxe HD is, but as a chap on here pointed out its basically just still life photography. I’m sure if they broadcast any normal TV we would be complaining about their low Bit Rates.
A couple of years ago I might of watched it in AWE, but now I have at least ten hours of BBC & ITV HD I need to get round to watching, so I’m not likely to be switching to Luxe even if it is on the EPG.
So that would be a NO then, and I agree with Sparky ( freesat 3 HD Channels) it would seem like a con.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I’m not sure that Luxe HD should have a ‘free pass’ (as that might set a problematic precedent), but It would be good if they got on board, if only for demonstration purposes (their image quality is excellent, even if the content isn’t that riveting). Perhaps they could be lured in with the offer of a discounted rate… (?).
March 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Although Luxe doesn’t have many interesting things on it, I still like to watch it occasionally, as the pictures are indeed stunning in HD. Seeing as you can get it free anyway, It shouldn’t be a problem to include it in the official lineup without putting it in the EPG.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I know BBC/ITV are working together in this none profit making venture but for the life of me could not work out why everybody is charged 30K. Look at the Oscars for example the women don’t pay for there dresses, they promote the garments for the designers. Freesat needs a boast right now, advertising is none existence so why not have different rates for different Broadcasters, come this happens in business all the time, you just don’t have to make it known. We need Lux and the Channel Five Children on board, not to keen on upscaling C4 yet!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Surely a *luxury* shopping channel can cough up £30k
That’s about the same price as a box of chocolates I’ve seen on there.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
No way should they get a free pass; that would be, effectively, a subsidy from the other broadcasters who are paying to go on the EPG. And they’ll wonder why some channels are deemed to be worthy of getting that, when they’re not.
There may well be business areas where companies are charged differential rate, but broadcasting is not one of them. In the area of EPGs, FRND is an important principle – Fair, Reasonable and Non Discriminatory. If other broadcasters thought that there was preferential treatment, breaching the FRND rules, then they would be able to seek judicial review of Freesat’s actions. You may think that’s far fetched, but it’s already happened with Sky’s EPG.
It would give those with an axe to grind an excuse to attack Freesat. And while you might think that HD is the most important thing to get on Freesat, there are plenty of other people who might rate different things more highly. For example, any of the asian channels might make a good case that there’s far more public service value in them getting a free pass to serve a specific community, than in Luxe HD getting a free pass to satisfy the techno-lust of a few geeks.
The only way to do this, and maintain the FRND principles, is for every channel to pay the going rate to get on the EPG.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
It just goes to show you can’t be too careful!
March 16th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Describing Luxe HD as a shopping channel may be technically correct. However it is far more interesting than that and is quite watchable.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
If Freesat is insisting on £30k for EPG entries, why not at least add Luxe TV free of charge to the channel listing. i.e. the EPG will not show any data, which makes recording difficult (i.e. manual only), however this way we can see LuxeTV easily. Make it channel 950 or whatever.
This will at least keep Freesat consistency regarding payment for EPG while consumers can enjoy some extra HD. hurray!
March 16th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
@John (post 2.)
Luxe isn’t just another shopping channel. You obviously haven’t seen it. It bears no resemblance to JML or Thane.
Its more of a cross between The Holiday Programme and a visit to de Boers!!
I’ve never actually seen them selling anything. Its more of a showcase channel that showcases luxury holidays in exotic locations, luxury hotels, luxury spa treatments and luxury goods.
Its not exatly riveting viewing but if you like to see how the millionaires spend their money then its worth a watch.
However, as most will tell you, its worth a watch for its picture alone. Forget BBC HD. Even on its best day it doesn’t measure up to Luxe on its worst. Luxe have the best encoding equipment and it shows. The picture is absolutely sublime. Nearest thing you’ll ever find to Blu Ray over broadcast.
As for should it get a free pass. Why not. After all Freesat is a BBC / ITV partnership and as the only 2 channels currently broadcasting HD it seems no one else has any grounds for complaint if Luxe got in free in HD. When the others also broadcast in HD they complain at favouritism but until, why shouldn’t HD get its own reward.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Just to clear it up, Luxe TV is NOT a shopping channel. It’s merely a channel showcasing various “luxuries”. So therefore, it’s a channel for rich people.
In terms of giving a free pass to them, let me explain a few things:
When I mention Freesat to people, they go “oh yeah, the free HD is cool, but all there is is BBC HD”. People barely realise that iTV HD exists (and for good reason, it’s rubbish). Advertising Freesat as having THREE HD channels might make people pay attention more.
I wouldn’t go as far as a FREE pass. Maybe a discounted one for HD channels (thus persuading people to broadcast in HD so they pay less to Freesat). Just an idea.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I would say no free pass for Luxe. What FREESAT NEEDS is Ch4 HD, This would give it much more appeal and a free pass for the main stream channel, say for 12 months, would defiantly bring Freesat a big boost, well worth the £30,000, down here especially in the South West with anologe switch off in just a few weeks.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:17 am
As the credit crunch bites, more and more broadcasters will be feeling the pinch. They have to weigh up the cost of going on Freesat, 30K for TV channel, against the small viewer base which Freesat has at present.
Freesat will grow in time, though they should lower their fee in order to attract more broadcasters, and more viewers.
Luxe TV does have a limited audience, though it does look fabulous in HD!
March 17th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Ths confirms what I’ve long suspected – many HD enthusiasts watch the technology, not the content. If this channel is advertising luxuries to millionaires surely they can afford the cost of a ticket to board Freesat. And, as most of the correspondents to this thread seem to be looking for freebies, who is interested in luxuries for millionaires?
March 17th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Whilst it would be nice to see all UK receivable satellite channels listed within the Freesat EPG I don’t think giving Luxe HD a free pass is justified and I feel Freesat seem to be making more or less the right decisions so far. Like most people it needs more HD content, repeats are acceptable(series, movies, lifestyle shows) but also new content as long as it doesn’t extend to shopping or gambling.
OFF TOPIC: However what I would like to see is a Freesat dedicated webpage listing all channels in the UK starting with Freesat and other FTA channels within range with their frequency etc. (maybe this website could do something like that!)
I did come across a website, I can’t quite remember what it was called. It did list a number of satellites and channels but was quite hard to follow. What I would prefer to see is a fixed satellite listing then for those who have motorised dishes maybe the rest but more simplified for satellite newbies like myself.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
We are looking to develop a list of all FTA channels on Astra2/Eurobird, the only trouble being that changes in channels and frequencies are quite common and therefore makes it a time consuming exercise. It is being considered though.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
OFF TOPIC REPLY@admin
Sounds good! I wouldn’t expect the FTA(non-Freesat) list to be updated everytime there is a change. I think monthly or even quarterly updates would be fine. Posts like this could serve as a way to list updates as interim solution(providing all info is put in post).
March 17th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Lyngsat has a lot of channels listed, for example at http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/United-Kingdom.html
KingOfSat (http://en.kingofsat.net) also has plenty of info, but is perhaps a little fiddlier to navigate.
Personally, I think trying to do another list on here is just reinventing the wheel.
March 17th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I think some people would watch paint dry if it was in HD. However, speaking as somebody who only turns the TV on when there is something I want to watch, rather than have my life revolve around it, I don’t think Luxe offers anything at all. I would rather watch a quality programme in VGA than Luxe in HD.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Luxe TV = Posh/Extremely Rich TV . .
Most enjoyable, but most aspects of this channel, as far as I’m concerned, are totally out of reach in my price category..
I’m uncertain what kind of message Luxe TV is attempting to pass to ‘normal’ people like myself. Somewhat ‘over endulgant’ and for those with a salary over £250k a year comes to mind . .
Therefore, definately, NO FREE PASS!!
March 17th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
£30k a year to Freesat, huh! . . Less than David Beckham earns in a week . .
Some people would be glad to earn that in 104 weeks (two years) . .
NO! . .
March 18th, 2009 at 7:09 am
if luxe tv can afford 2 sky epg placings then surely they can afford to pay for one freesat epg placing (anyway it’s a rubbish channel
)
March 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I’m with fluffy #23 all the way here!
March 18th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I think a discount for simulcast HD and timeshift (i.e. +1) services would be fair as those channels probably derive less benefit to the broadcaster than the main SD service does from it’s EPG listing. I wonder if Freesat would be reluctant to consider this given it already carries quite a few +1′s and may not have the money to refund them as it’s failed to meet forecasts on the number of channels it would have by now, so it’s operating costs may be being squeezed.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Is there any programme worth watching on Luxe in HD or SD ?
March 20th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Stupid question time: How does one access the non EPG channels from the Foxsat HDR??