Who misses Prime?

[herbie_g]

In freeview only homes? Seriously?

Having been a digital only home for some years, I think I can honestly say that I don't miss Prime at all. Sure, if it was available truly FTA via satellite, then maybe I'd be more inclined to check it out. I'm sure that I'm not the only one with this view.

Perhaps Sky TV are losing market share on Prime because of their ultimately belligerent attitude toward FTA TV and it's audience?

I would have thought they could easily increase market share by being on whatever platform that people are watching. In the case of freeview satellite, all they need to do is unencrypt their signal and gain potentially 140,000 new viewers. Sure, 30,000 DTT box sales may not be enough to make traction right now but with Prime onboard sales would then soar.

I don't buy into the argument that Sky put up regarding freeview being an unviable market at this time. Imagine what they could do advertising Sky on Prime via freeview! They could easily market themselves as a freeview upgrade.

Also the argument that they won't unencrypt the Prime service via satellite because of leakage is a bit of a crock too. If the Prime service currently resides on a dual-beam transponder, then move it. Simple.

I really don't think Sky are all that interested in Prime, for if they were they would be looking at ways of increasing market share - not let it wallow as they appear to be doing atm.

Be interesting to see what others think...

[Injuised]

Whats Prime

[kiwisteve]

Prime no as I get it twice , North TX and South TX which is on same channel and polarity

so on a 40 inch set it looks crap :D:D:D:D

[Dragon28]

Strangely enough I wouldn't have thought that I would miss Prime that much, but on Monday my PVR died which contained my DVB-S cards, and the only channel I could receive was Prime. The joys of only having a UHF antenna and living in the Wairarapa.

So for a couple of days, the wife and I were stuck with only being able to watch Prime, and it really wasn't that bad. Ok, I don't think I would want to be in that position of having Prime as my sole channel for an extended period of time.

In my ideal world Prime with be broadcast FTA via DVB-S so that I could get (a) better reception and (b) better integration of my existing television reception. I know that the world doesn't revolve around me (more the shame), but given the choice, I would rather have FreeView than Prime.

[kiwisteve]

Where abouts in the Wairarapa are you ?? are you line of site to Otahoua ?

[Dragon28]

Where abouts in the Wairarapa are you ?? are you line of site to Otahoua ?

In central Carterton and yes in line of sight to Otahoua )especially if the neighbour would trim his tree. So theorectically I can get all the analogue channels expect TV3, which is broadcast from Popoiti and C4, which I am pretty sure is not broadcast in the Wairarapa.

The limitation I have is that I only have a UHF antenna, this old house when we brought it didn't have anything else, not a biggie, as I just built myself a PVR with a couple of DVB-S cards threw up a smallish dish and we get FreeView. Just as cheap to do that as putting up new antenna's. That being said, glad to have any pointers to improve my outlook

[sky_satt]

Viewers for Prime will be on the decline as most are going to Digital FTA Freeview as herbie_g points out most will miss by pass Prime altogether as it is not within the digital fta line-up, having said that Prime will need to become fta Digital within the next 4 years 2012 for analogue switch off, it will only be a matter of time, the simplest method would be for Prime/s owner to switch of the NDS encryption on Prime upon their platform on sat thus saving the owners the necessary funding in joining freeview sat as they are already there, it will become more evident to Primes owners within the next 4 years the loss of advertising revenue as Prime is not realising its potential as a true FTA- thus may have an impact upon the owners within the public share-market.

[kiwisteve]

Thats provided the new govt don't force regulation on the ownership
of a FTA channel by a Pay TV operator .
Will be interesting if NZOA comes up with any funding for Prime for the change to digital

[sky_satt]

Time will Tell, don't hold your breath on that one, we will see! lets try an look away from Gov, an look upon the merits of commercial viabilities.

Funding of Prime as an fta, one would think Primes owners are in need to conform it's self to the running of prime as a true digital fta, this is where the owners are not in that mind set as its workings are in pay tv an they know no better, there mind set is in need of a change, until they reach that point losses can accrue for the owner as prime does not reach 100% of NZ as a true digital fta as Prime is owned by a Public listed company the result of any loss could compound.

[wiilliiss]

will be missing some like top gear as according to the epg will be continuous games from 1.30 am mon for 2 weeks with very little room in the schedule for anything else.

[kiwisteve]

well SKY have confirmed by email that Prime on DTT will NOT be in HD for the games . Only the paying customers with mySky !!

[paulw]

The Freeview viewers are screwed again by Sky..