Digital Television

Learning Objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to: discuss the range of services offered by digital television networks; discuss the impact of these services on individuals, television companies and broadcasters; –individual = audience/viewer/subscriber –TV company = make the programmes –broadcaster = transmit the programmes

Digital Television Who is your TV provider? How are the TV channels delivered to your TV set?

Task: Visit these websites: BT vision Make a note of: how the channels are provided to the consumer –hardware, communications media what features/facilities are available to the consumer

Digital Television usually supplied by satellite or cable operators in UK –satellite - BSkyB (Sky) –cable - Virgin Media TV via Internet (IPTV) from some broadcasters (ISPs) –YouView - TalkTalk –BT Vision - BT often subscription services some ‘free to air’ services –via Freeview/Freesat need decoder box (digibox) and viewing card –to decrypt signal –to authenticate user’s subscription

Features of Digital Television TV signal contains information about the transmission –programme details, start/end times Electronic Program Guides (EPG) –what’s on now, next, later … –personal planner –record to disk (Sky+/V+) interact with transmission –different camera views or commentary on sports events –voting during programmes (X-Factor, WWTBAM, ……) programmes-on-demand –watch programmes at a convenient time –different start times for movies –choice of matches (Champions League, Wimbledon)

Features of Digital Television shopping channels & on-line store catalogues –Dixons, Argos … –multimedia display of products make purchases directly and interactively –order pizza from a commercial (interactive advertising ) –book movie tickets during film review programme take part in games with other on-line viewers on-line gambling during live sporting events Internet access send s via telephone line or cable –whilst watching TV & without having to use PC

Learning Objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to: discuss the impact of these services on individuals, television companies and broadcasters; –individual = audience/viewer/subscriber –TV company = make the programmes –broadcaster = transmit the programmes

Pay per View viewers can pay to watch a particular programme –often sporting events or movies –available via Sky, Virgin Media –not available via Freeview viewer can book the programme in advance or at the time of viewing –charge will be added to viewer’s next bill –charges vary: £5 - £15 per programme on top of £20 - £50 monthly subscription

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  broadcaster has to have a facility whereby payments can be made for ‘pay-per- view’ programmes  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  broadcaster has to have a facility whereby payments can be made for ‘pay-per- view’ programmes  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around  broadcaster has to put security such as encryption in place to ensure that the programmes cannot be hacked

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  broadcaster has to have a facility whereby payments can be made for ‘pay-per- view’ programmes  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around  broadcaster has to put security such as encryption in place to ensure that the programmes cannot be hacked  a high bandwidth is required, particularly if viewers are allowed to watch at any start time

Voting allows viewers to vote as part of participating in a television programme: –favourite performer in a competition –remove someone from a reality TV show –choose ending of a TV programme can be made available in a number of ways: –dialling a telephone number or sending a text message –using a website –using the interactive feature of the set-top box

Game show participation TV games shows are very popular allow viewers to take part (in real-time) by answering the questions along with contestants: –multiple-choice options answer using the remote control for the set-top box –pressing coloured buttons –data sent via digibox telephone connection answer via dedicated website using computer/Internet SMS sent from mobile ‘phone

Feedback comments to TV studio viewers can interact with a TV programme –by feeding back comments on live shows. viewer can send a text message –may be shown scrolling along the screen. viewer may be able to ‘phone in to the show –their comments may be read out –may be able to talk on the show s can be sent –may be read out. set top boxes could be used by viewers –to send a comment to the TV studio –make a choice via remote, wireless keyboard, …..

Choosing Camera Angles programmes allow viewer to select the camera angle –sport: director’s cut, behind the goal, ‘manager cam’ …. –reality TV show: choose room (or location) can select game/court / hole to watch for a sporting event –Champions League football, Wimbledon tennis, Olympic games event, Ryder Cup golf ….

Interactive Recording can pause live TV –using set-top box & remote control programme recorded to hard disk programme resumes watching programme from hard disk –rather than watched live via TV programmes can be recorded for later viewing –recording set manually or via multi-day EPG –‘series link’ recording possible no need to set each recording separately

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  broadcaster has to have a facility whereby payments can be made for ‘pay-per- view’ programmes  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  broadcaster has to have a facility whereby payments can be made for ‘pay-per- view’ programmes  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around  broadcaster has to put security such as encryption in place to ensure that the programmes cannot be hacked

Pay per View IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers will have to pay for each programme they watch -could build up a big bill without realising it  TV company receives extra revenue from customers  broadcaster has to make the ‘pay-per-view’ feature available -could be expensive  viewers can watch individual events without paying full subscription price  TV company may lose out on income for their subscription channels -if viewers only buy the programmes they are interested in  broadcaster has to have a facility whereby payments can be made for ‘pay-per- view’ programmes  some programmes can be watched at any time -viewer can arrange viewing around their life rather than other way around  broadcaster has to put security such as encryption in place to ensure that the programmes cannot be hacked  a high bandwidth is required, particularly if viewers are allowed to watch at any start time

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewer feels like they are participating in the programme and having an influence on an outcome

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewer feels like they are participating in the programme and having an influence on an outcome  premium rate numbers can be very expensive for the viewer

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewer feels like they are participating in the programme and having an influence on an outcome  using premium rate numbers will boost revenue -2 million £1 per call!  premium rate numbers can be very expensive for the viewer

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewer feels like they are participating in the programme and having an influence on an outcome  using premium rate numbers will boost revenue -2 million £1 per call!  premium rate numbers can be very expensive for the viewer  more than 1 ending needs to be written and performed

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewer feels like they are participating in the programme and having an influence on an outcome  using premium rate numbers will boost revenue -2 million £1 per call!  premium rate numbers can be very expensive for the viewer  more than 1 ending needs to be written and performed  TV company at the mercy of the voting viewers ­ may not be representative of the majority of viewers -winning vote may possibly be unpopular decision

Voting IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewer feels like they are participating in the programme and having an influence on an outcome  using premium rate numbers will boost revenue -2 million £1 per call!  broadcaster has to make interactive feature available -could be expensive  premium rate numbers can be very expensive for the viewer  more than 1 ending needs to be written and performed  TV company at the mercy of the voting viewers ­ may not be representative of the majority of viewers -winning vote may possibly be unpopular decision

Game show participation IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters

Game show participation IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers feel more part of the game show -more interested because they are participating

Game show participation IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers feel more part of the game show -more interested because they are participating  if show popular with viewers then TV company receives more revenue from advertisers

Game show participation IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers feel more part of the game show -more interested because they are participating  if show popular with viewers then TV company receives more revenue from advertisers  TV company has to set up the facility to receive viewers’ answers and to give feedback -could be expensive

Game show participation IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters  viewers feel more part of the game show -more interested because they are participating  if show popular with viewers then TV company receives more revenue from advertisers  broadcaster has to make interactive feature available -could be expensive  TV company has to set up the facility to receive viewers’ answers and to give feedback -could be expensive

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer viewer may have a very strong opinion on a topic –may feel relieved if they can share this with other viewers

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer viewer may have a very strong opinion on a topic –may feel relieved if they can share this with other viewers may be lots of viewers feeding back –may feel frustrated that their comment has not been included.

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer need to moderate messages –may be offensive or libellous viewer may have a very strong opinion on a topic –may feel relieved if they can share this with other viewers may be lots of viewers feeding back –may feel frustrated that their comment has not been included.

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer need to moderate messages –may be offensive or libellous viewer may have a very strong opinion on a topic –may feel relieved if they can share this with other viewers thousands of comments may be received –difficult to find the best comments to include on the show may be lots of viewers feeding back –may feel frustrated that their comment has not been included.

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer need to moderate messages –may be offensive or libellous viewer may have a very strong opinion on a topic –may feel relieved if they can share this with other viewers thousands of comments may be received –difficult to find the best comments to include on the show may be lots of viewers feeding back –may feel frustrated that their comment has not been included. TV company less likely to be criticised of bias –if they include a variety of opinions from viewers

Feedback comments to TV studio IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters ‘phone numbers are often premium rate numbers –expensive for the viewer need to moderate messages –may be offensive or libellous broadcaster has to make interactive feature available –could be expensive viewer may have a very strong opinion on a topic –may feel relieved if they can share this with other viewers thousands of comments may be received –difficult to find the best comments to include on the show may be lots of viewers feeding back –may feel frustrated that their comment has not been included. TV company less likely to be criticised of bias –if they include a variety of opinions from viewers

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme viewers may miss something exciting –if it occurs on a different camera view

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme have to provide many different views of the same event –cost of multiple cameras/operators viewers may miss something exciting –if it occurs on a different camera view

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme have to provide many different views of the same event –cost of multiple cameras/operators viewers may miss something exciting –if it occurs on a different camera view if popular then more viewers will subscribe –more revenue

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme have to provide many different views of the same event –cost of multiple cameras/operators viewers may miss something exciting –if it occurs on a different camera view if popular then more viewers will subscribe –more revenue content from each camera must be appropriate –not just director’s cut

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme have to provide many different views of the same event –cost of multiple cameras/operators more bandwidth required –for all angles –= higher cost viewers may miss something exciting –if it occurs on a different camera view if popular then more viewers will subscribe –more revenue content from each camera must be appropriate –not just director’s cut

Choosing a Camera Angle IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters viewers get a choice meaning that they do not have to rely on the director –to show them the ‘best’ parts of a show –they choose how they view a programme have to provide many different views of the same event –cost of multiple cameras/operators more bandwidth required –for all angles –= higher cost viewers may miss something exciting –if it occurs on a different camera view if popular then more viewers will subscribe –more revenue adverts must be shown at the same time on all channels content from each camera must be appropriate –not just director’s cut

Interactive Recording IndividualsTV companiesBroadcasters has monthly charge –adds to total bill may lose revenue from advertisers –viewers skip adverts broadcasters need to ensure that EPG is regularly updated viewers won’t miss part of the programme (answer the phone …) –pause & return after.. attractive to viewers –more likely to buy –more revenue for TV companies need to manufacture set-top boxes with record facility –costly if no charge is made due to competition between broadcasters watch one programme & record another at same time –won’t miss one of the programmes series link –won’t miss episode