2020 MTV EMAs.
Encore Screening Monday, 9 November At 9.30pm On 10 Shake.
It’s very simple. 100% of digital TVs can watch a channel broadcast in MPEG-2, less than 100% can watch one in MPEG-4.
It’s why Nine and Seven added Gem/7Mate HD alongside the SD channel, rather than just replacing the SD channel. If networks didn’t think it mattered, why would they waste the bandwidth on that?
Ten have a low rating channel, and are leaving potential audience on the table by making their channel inaccessible to a portion of viewers. They are attempting to address the schedule side of things, they should address the reach side too.
3 Likes
The main driver behind the HD versions of 9Gem and 7Mate was live sport, something 10’s multichannels have very little of.
3 Likes
That’s not really the point though, if networks were comfortable with MPEG-4 receiver take-up, they could have done a straight swap, rather than add the HD simulcast.
The issue here is mostly one of audience awareness, Freeview ready TV labelling was a mess, and no network has ever made a good ‘this is why you can’t watch these channels’ ad or awareness campaign.
Ten could try that instead - run a “can’t get 10 Shake on your TV” as campaign with a hotline for help - but far easier for them to just flip the channel to the format all can access, then explain the complexity.
3 Likes
If that’s your only theory, how do you explain what SBS did with Viceland and World Movies? And Seven with racing.com?
1 Like
I don’t know what 9Go! is like these days, but 10Shake’s programming seems to remind of 9G0! when it launched , constant changing of shows, dropping shows etc.
Yeah, I pretty much agree with everything said by Moe in his most recent comments.
If Seven and Nine were really comfortable with MPEG4 receiver take-up, they would’ve made 7mate and 9GEM HD-only channels rather than continuing the MPEG2 SD simulcasts, 9Rush would’ve launched as an MPEG4 channel in April of this year, 7Flix would not have switched to MPEG2 and do a “Now available on more TVs” promo campaign in June 2016…you get my point.
MPEG4 is hardly the very latest and greatest thing in video encoding on DVB-T though, it was the codec of choice for 3D trials more than a decade ago!
The SBS channels are fairly niche services (VICELAND seems to be aimed at hipsters in places like Newtown and Brunswick, while I’m not even sure what the target demographic for World Movies is) while RACING.COM isn’t even listed in the OzTAM ratings.
By contrast, I’m pretty sure Ten wants 10 Shake to be aimed at a reasonably broad audience from all walks of life. To do that, you need to be available in 100% homes, not just some of them.
1 Like
But they are still commercial services. With higher ratings than Shake. And do you think that racing.com’s joint owners would have been happy if they thought that only some of the people with TVs could watch the channel? Not likely.
1 Like
The AFL and NRL broadcast contracts may not allow this. They don’t want to alienate fans.
2 Likes
While SBS has good reason to abandon it, the commercials still have good reason to prioritise it. As @parano1a points out, the commercials have big ticket programming that would require maximum possible exposure. SBS not so much.
The next step is surely all primary SD’s in MPEG-2 and everything else in MPEG-4 SD or HD. But as long as the commercials use their multi’s for the big tickets, it’s going to drag out as long as possible or until someone can produce an accurate number of households still using old tech. It’s all just guesses and gut feeling based on TV and set-top box sales.
3 Likes
Maybe the answer is put it in MPEG-2 for the moment, and then if the networks as a whole want their additional channels in MPEG-4 they can have a chat amongst themselves and suggest and advertise a future switchover date for that - almost like an analogue tv switch off.
That way you expose the channels to as many people as possible for a period of time, and give people time to catch up with technology.
How much more time do people need though
5 Likes
Some people may not replace for replacement’s sake, it’s more when things stop working, and that takes time.
We’re also in an environment where if free to air doesn’t work on a device, people may not worry as much because free to air’s influence is waning.
I for one have a lesser used tv which doesn’t get MPEG-4, but I’m not going to replace it until it properly breaks, if I want to watch 9rush (never), or 10shake, then I’ll use a chromecast plugged in to it and will just stream it from the app.
Would it be easier to have the channels on the tv, yes, am I going to fork out money for it if I don’t need to, no.
8 Likes
Exactly. Most people upgrade their TVs about once a decade, few do so more frequently.
Given that there was a wave of new sets purchased during 2011-13 as analogue was being turned off in the major regional & metro markets of Australia, it’ll probably be another 2-3 years before the number of TVs in Australia which can receive MPEG4 are close to 100%. And by then, surely it’d be better for us to start thinking about a transition to DVB-T2 so we can potentially get things like HEVC encoding and 4K?
2 Likes
A couple of points.
When SBS switched Viceland to MPEG 4 HD, the ratings dropped significantly for a few days; then it became available on the Foxtel platform and it improved but never has reached the previous levels.
There have been reports produce that suggest MPEG 4 penetration e.g. The Australian Viewing Report that showed household penetration of smart TVs which in 2017 was 66% - ie per household there was at least one smart TV (which to me suggests a recent purchase that is MPEG 4 compatible). Doesn’t say how many old TVs are in teh house still in use though.
4 Likes
It would be nice if we can compare the viewership on Standard vs HD channels, to see if it’s worth switching the channel to HD.
Such as 7 and 70, 9 and 90, 10 and 15.
Ridiculous that they advertised Total Wipeout on 10 Shake at 6.30pm during Neighbours on 10 Peach at 6.30pm. Why would you encourage viewers to flick channels at that time? They’re a bit hopeless like that.
4 Likes
Blue’s Clues & You!
Premieres Monday, 23 November at 8.00am
Pull up your Thinking Chair and grab your Handy Dandy Notebook, because hit preschool series Blue’s Clues & You! , a remake of the 90s’ classic Blue’s Clues, is shaking it’s way on to 10 Shake from Monday, 23 November at 8.00am.
Airing weekday mornings, Blue’s Clues & You! invites our littlest audience to join CG-animated Blue and new host Josh Dela Cruz, on clue-led adventures to solve a puzzle in each episode. With each signature paw print, Blue identifies clues in her animated world that propel the story and inspire the audience to interact with the characters.
Blue’s Clues & You! has been reimagined for today’s younger generation. Pups Blue and Magenta return with a fresh CG-animated coat; fan-favourites Tickety Tock, Slippery Soap, Shovel, Pail, Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper, Cinnamon, Paprika, Mailbox and the original Thinking Chair are back for more clue-lead adventures; and the Handy Dandy Notebook is now fully equipped with smartphone technology, allowing emails and video calls.
Excited to be part of a show for kids that encouraged participation, host Josh said: “It’s more of a transfer of power and authority to the home viewer, which is something as a kid, you don’t usually get. You’re usually told to be quiet and listen.
“Our show gives us the opportunity as kids, to voice our opinions and make mistakes, because that’s a part of learning.”
The original Blue’s Clues series launched in 1996 to critical praise from educators, parents, and preschoolers for its unique interactivity that helped change the way kids watch television. The landmark series also raised the bar in preschool television by exploring advanced subject matter such as sign language, geography, physics, emotions, and anatomy.
With fandom already afoot, the series premiere will coincide with the launch of the first toy range, an adorable animated plush Blue that raises her ears and barks fun phrases from the show. Available exclusively to Big W online (RRP $45) Peek-A-Blue is the perfect companion to help solves clues.
3 Likes
No. Please No. Why do they have to ruin everything!!!
2 Likes