What are non RTÉ FTA digital viewers missing?

The BIG picture

they are missing true widescreen. Analogue viewers see shades of 14:9 & 4:3 aspect ratio while digital viewers see 16:9 true widescreen (and some 4:3). Yes everyone pays for this, but only those that pay RTÉ & pay NTL and Sky see’s it. Full details on aertel 192 or online here.

from the RTÉ document guiding principles 2006 page 23

Broadcasting law requires RTÉ’s radio and television services to have the character of a public service, to be offered free-to-air and to be universally available, where practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland.

while all RTÉ docs say FTA ‘free to air’ universally available, they never say except when digital to 100% of the island from the Sky.

in the UK where FTA signals have been available from Satellite and DTT for years the and campaigning for FTA continues. High Definition FTA is a demand of hdforall.org.uk

thanks to all who are signing the petition and to those who linked us… its time to spread the word.

http://eirepreneur.blogs.com
http://imeall.blogspot.com
http://www.satellites.co.uk
http://www.boards.ie
http://www.runningwithbulls.com
http://netrunning.wordpress.com

press pack delayed another day,  but we are i am committed to keeping my eye on, and not dropping the RTE2FTA ball what ever shape its in!.

In the local library today I found an RTÉ doc called ‘2006 corporate responsibility‘ [pdf]
in the intro on page 6 it says.

Acting in the public interest
Despite the changing landscape one thing will not change; the very high expectations Irish audiences have of RTÉ – and in particular the high editorial standards. They are right to have these expectations and RTÉ consistently strives to meet them. RTÉ sets public interest tests for itself that include

…

High quality schedules available to all (i.e. universally available and free to air)
…

We want all our services to meet these tests and all our audiences to know that they can trust the integrity of our programmes.
…

The changing landscape
As Irish broadcasting moves to a digital age, RTÉ is committed to developing and changing as necessary to maintain an excellence of service to the people of Ireland. RTÉ must maximise on new ways of connecting with its audiences – while not exacerbating effects of the digital divide. Access to and use of the new wave of technologies will not be universal, there may be a significant group of “digital have-nots”, and it is critical that we ensure broadcasting does not become a source of division rather than of unity. RTÉ will work to ensure that everyone is informed of the new reality, of the advantages of digital, and helped to bridge the digital divide.

does RTÉ has a CSR officer? the audience council also sets itself this test. does the audience council still meet?

I am working on a press pack for local media on the subject of RTÉ FTA. I expect it to be ready by Monday. If you have time to help I hope to collaborate via google docs, then email me at brian at this domain .com

if you are seeking interviews for radio / podcast on this issue email at the same address. Also I hope to have webpage / blog buttons to drive traffic to the petition by mid week, thanks everyone for your support so far.

Someone has asked for a list of questions to ask candidates for the ever nearing election, while this subject should not be on the top of your list (there are more disturbing inequalities in our little rich country, see my list here) I would ask them this.

Why is RTE encrypted on Sky?

What is your party committed to do, with regards to equal access to digital television ?

Can you put that in writing?

I have set up a petition online with regards to the FTA transmissions of RTÉ.

to read & sign; please pop over to http://www.petitiononline.com/rte2fta/petition.html

many thanks in advance. brian greene.