[opendtv] Freeview business model
- From: Dermot Nolan <dermot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv [opendtv]" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:41:23 +0100 (CET)
Just to clarify things:
'Freeview' is actually transmitted by two separate private sector transmission
companies: Arqiva and NGW. The broadcasters pay these transmission companies
for carriage of their services. Arqiva acquired the commercial broadcasters
public networks when they were privatised years ago and NGW acquired the BBC's
transmission networks when they were privatised years ago. Arqiva currently
transmits the low-power DTT services of the commercial broadcasters and NGW
currently transmits the low-power DTT BBC services. Arqiva has won the contract
to build and operate the BBC's high power DTT network currently under
construction and the contract for the commercial broadcasters is soon to be
announced. Topologically all the services are transmitted from the same mast in
each location, each company has its own buildings on the sites, and access to
the masts is regulated. This means the coverage patterns are very similar as
the frequencies are grouped and you only need one antenna. Very simple and very
tidy. Its a key reason why DTT, apart from its working COFDM standard, and the
portfolio of services which are free is such a runaway success. The things
which make Freeview work are economies of scale and scope in both the supply
and demand side:
a) A regulated private sector transmission business with a meshed colocated
network technology
b) A strong free content lineup
c) Works with existing aerials, no rotors thank you very much
d)COFDM
e)Multiple suppliers of IDTVs and STBs
f)Clear consumer demand: its now a utility purchase.
Kind Regards,
Dermot Nolan
Dermot Nolan
Director
TBS
DL: + 44 (0)20 7286 5570
Mobile:+ 44 (0)7973 211703
Email:dermot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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