Apsattv
29-09-2008, 10:08 PM
NZ Regulatory Review of Digital Broadcasting.
http://www.mch.govt.nz/publications/digital-tv/index.html
Interesting reading, especially section 88-93 RE: FTA broadcasting via satellite
http://www.mch.govt.nz/publications/digital-tv/CabinetPaperRegulatoryReviewofDigitalBroadcastingR eportBackOnOptionsFollowingPublicConsultation.pdf
An Extract
Programme Availability across Platforms
88. A second set of access issues is the lack of consistency in the availability of free-to-air services across different delivery platforms. Currently TVNZ6, TVNZ7 and TVNZ Sports Extra are not available on the SKY satellite platform. While it is technically possible to access the services, SKY has not included a listing on its electronic programme guide10 and TVNZ has refused
permission for such a listing.
Conversely, one national analogue free-to-air channel, Prime, is not available on the Freeview platform. SKY carries Prime encrypted on its satellite platform and claims this is necessary to meet ‘no leakage’ obligations
under its content contracts (especially for sport such as cricket and rugby). Since the new D1 satellite is configured differently from the earlier B1 satellite, the Ministry of Economic Development considers that it should permit un-encryption without any significant leakage to markets outside New Zealand.
89. In addition, some free-to-air services are encrypted by SKY, so that they are not navailable digitally without a subscription. Freeview and SKY have not yet agreed terms by which channels and services carried by one can
be received by the digital satellite receivers of the other. At present there is only one-way interoperability, with SKYcustomers able to access four channels transmitted by Kordia for Freeview (Te Reo,Stratos, Cue and Parliament TV). The capacity for additional free-to-air services on satellite is currently limited. Kordia leases one transponder, a quarter each of which is available to TVNZ and TVWorks, and the remainder to other sources (including
Stratos). SKY leases or has options on the remaining transponders on the satellite. Free-to-air services could be carried by these, but SKY would need to agree to their being un-encrypted so they could be part of the Freeview line-up.
90. Viewers are thus unable to enjoy their preferred combination of services without purchasing multiple devices. Nevertheless * and particularly in the shorter term * it is likely to assist the transition to free-to-air digital television if some services are offered on Freeview exclusively. There may however be technical factors constraining wider availablilty of services. On the other hand, it may be desirable that national free-to-air services, all of which carry publicly funded content, be available to viewers irrespective of their choice of digital platform. This would not only reduce reliance on analogue services, but would be consistent with the concept of universality, which is one of the principles guiding public broadcasting policy.
91. In other jurisdictions the availability of public service and local television channels on pay platforms is secured by the application of ‘must carry’ rules, accompanied by ‘must offer’ requirements on those services that must be carried. A full implementation of a must carry approach would likely incur significant additional costs either to broadcasters or government. A partial
solution, through electronic programme guide listings and un-encryption, could be considered as a lower-cost alternative to deal with the issues noted above. Some cost savings to broadcasters might also result given that several TVNZ and MediaWorks channels are uplinked and broadcast in parallel
on the SKY and Freeview platforms. Funding incentives, or making content funding conditional on availability across plaforms, could also be considered.
92. At this stage we are aware that there are commercial considerations on both sides. In addition, regional broadcasters are yet to make the transition to a digital platform.The competition issues relating to access to platforms and networks also require more analysis. We propose that broadcasters and
platform providers be encouraged: to make publicly funded programming available to the widest possible audience through minimal electronic programme guide listings of all available programming on technically compatible platforms; and to ensure that any national free-to-air analogue programme that is broadcast on a digital platform is un-encrypted. Any consideration of regulatory action can be deferred pending the findings of
the proposed competition study, and in view of the level of co-operation achieved by the relevant broadcasters. A converged regulator would have a responsibility to implement and administer any regulatory requirements that were determined.
93. Progress on the issues of open access and encryption would do much to resolve the problem faced by consumers of having to purchase
multiple devices in order to access all the television services they wish to have.
http://www.mch.govt.nz/publications/digital-tv/index.html
Interesting reading, especially section 88-93 RE: FTA broadcasting via satellite
http://www.mch.govt.nz/publications/digital-tv/CabinetPaperRegulatoryReviewofDigitalBroadcastingR eportBackOnOptionsFollowingPublicConsultation.pdf
An Extract
Programme Availability across Platforms
88. A second set of access issues is the lack of consistency in the availability of free-to-air services across different delivery platforms. Currently TVNZ6, TVNZ7 and TVNZ Sports Extra are not available on the SKY satellite platform. While it is technically possible to access the services, SKY has not included a listing on its electronic programme guide10 and TVNZ has refused
permission for such a listing.
Conversely, one national analogue free-to-air channel, Prime, is not available on the Freeview platform. SKY carries Prime encrypted on its satellite platform and claims this is necessary to meet ‘no leakage’ obligations
under its content contracts (especially for sport such as cricket and rugby). Since the new D1 satellite is configured differently from the earlier B1 satellite, the Ministry of Economic Development considers that it should permit un-encryption without any significant leakage to markets outside New Zealand.
89. In addition, some free-to-air services are encrypted by SKY, so that they are not navailable digitally without a subscription. Freeview and SKY have not yet agreed terms by which channels and services carried by one can
be received by the digital satellite receivers of the other. At present there is only one-way interoperability, with SKYcustomers able to access four channels transmitted by Kordia for Freeview (Te Reo,Stratos, Cue and Parliament TV). The capacity for additional free-to-air services on satellite is currently limited. Kordia leases one transponder, a quarter each of which is available to TVNZ and TVWorks, and the remainder to other sources (including
Stratos). SKY leases or has options on the remaining transponders on the satellite. Free-to-air services could be carried by these, but SKY would need to agree to their being un-encrypted so they could be part of the Freeview line-up.
90. Viewers are thus unable to enjoy their preferred combination of services without purchasing multiple devices. Nevertheless * and particularly in the shorter term * it is likely to assist the transition to free-to-air digital television if some services are offered on Freeview exclusively. There may however be technical factors constraining wider availablilty of services. On the other hand, it may be desirable that national free-to-air services, all of which carry publicly funded content, be available to viewers irrespective of their choice of digital platform. This would not only reduce reliance on analogue services, but would be consistent with the concept of universality, which is one of the principles guiding public broadcasting policy.
91. In other jurisdictions the availability of public service and local television channels on pay platforms is secured by the application of ‘must carry’ rules, accompanied by ‘must offer’ requirements on those services that must be carried. A full implementation of a must carry approach would likely incur significant additional costs either to broadcasters or government. A partial
solution, through electronic programme guide listings and un-encryption, could be considered as a lower-cost alternative to deal with the issues noted above. Some cost savings to broadcasters might also result given that several TVNZ and MediaWorks channels are uplinked and broadcast in parallel
on the SKY and Freeview platforms. Funding incentives, or making content funding conditional on availability across plaforms, could also be considered.
92. At this stage we are aware that there are commercial considerations on both sides. In addition, regional broadcasters are yet to make the transition to a digital platform.The competition issues relating to access to platforms and networks also require more analysis. We propose that broadcasters and
platform providers be encouraged: to make publicly funded programming available to the widest possible audience through minimal electronic programme guide listings of all available programming on technically compatible platforms; and to ensure that any national free-to-air analogue programme that is broadcast on a digital platform is un-encrypted. Any consideration of regulatory action can be deferred pending the findings of
the proposed competition study, and in view of the level of co-operation achieved by the relevant broadcasters. A converged regulator would have a responsibility to implement and administer any regulatory requirements that were determined.
93. Progress on the issues of open access and encryption would do much to resolve the problem faced by consumers of having to purchase
multiple devices in order to access all the television services they wish to have.