Probably yes, but that would only solve one problem. The other problem is getting VAST channels into a single mux for retransmission. Seven can only output MPEG-2 doing it this way for some reason - probably because the broadcasters didn’t have the foresight to use the right equipment at each site back when they were rolling out digital in 2011.
So, I think, Seven are left with only three options;
Continue to use VAST to feed each site, don’t upgrade any site equipment, swap 7mateHD to 7HD and vice versa, and swap ishoptv for 7flix. Problem with not having MPEG-4 to launch more HD service wouldn’t be solved. Problem with existing MPEG-2 allocations already being degraded wouldn’t be solved. Problem with ‘setting and forgetting’ and not being able to monitor whether stat muxing is actually working wouldn’t be solved. Least expensive option.
Continue to use VAST to feed each site, but upgrade each site to be able to successfully mix MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 services together, to be able to launch more HD services. Problem with ‘setting and forgetting’ and not being able to monitor whether stat muxing is actually working wouldn’t be solved. Expensive but only site equipment would change.
Use Optus D1 or another bird to feed each site instead just like ABC and SBS. Solves all problems but the most expensive option.
I like option 2 but only if they just go the whole hog and make everything MPEG-4. I have a feeling it’s the mixing of MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 that causes WIN so much grief and if it was just MPEG-4 straight through to the viewer it would be easier to set and forget as they’d only need to closely match the bandwidths used on VAST instead of devising a way to perfect the bandwidth for MPEG-2 at each site.
I’m not an engineer and I don’t have any experience with retransmitting television services, so I apologise if I’m missing something here. My knowledge is based on talking directly to GWN network engineers, insiders and knowledgeable MS members.
WIN can, but WIN 9HD and 9Life look terrible in WA because of MPEG-4. If Seven want to avoid that, they could do a 7QLD and have 6, 60 and 61 in MPEG-2 HD.
They could work with WIN and put ishoptv or Racing or 7flix on WDT to free up space. The Seven mux is already strained as it is now. 7mate often shows it’s starved of bandwidth during sport.
QTQ and BTQ air the Brisbane feed into the Gold Coast. It has opt-outs at 4:30pm for Millionaire Hot Seat, and Nine/Seven Gold Coast News at 5:30pm then back to the network feed for Nine/Seven News Brisbane at 6. They are ONLY allowed to air local ads during the Gold Coast News, at other times they must air the Brisbane ads. However on the location names they have “Channel 9 Gold Coast” and “7 Gold Coast”
TVQ have the entire Brisbane feed into the Gold Coast. They do not have “10 News First Gold Coast” instead just airing the Brisbane bulletin. Also unlike the other stations, there is no “10 Gold Coast” branding on the EPG like other 10 O&Os Also like QTQ and BTQ, they cannot air Gold Coast ads and MUST air Brisbane ads.
NEN airs the Sydney feed into the Gold Coast. They do not have a local news, as it was axed in 2000. Unlike QTQ, TVQ and BTQ, the regional stations including NEN are allowed to sell local advertising and air them at whatever times they want to. As been said before, both BTQ and NEN have “7 Gold Coast” on the EPG, leading to confused viewers.
NBN airs the Sydney feed into the Gold Coast. They used to air the Brisbane feed, but when I was there they aired the Sydney afternoon news. NBN does not air Nine News Queensland/Sydney, instead airing “NBN News” a 1-hour composite bulletin with stories from Nine. With EPGs, it is a bit less confusing as NBN has “Nine-NBN Gold Coast” while QTQ has “Channel 9 Gold Coast”. Like NEN, they can sell local ads.
I am not sure what NRN airs, as I hardly checked. I think they air the Brisbane feed, not entirely sure. They do not have a local news service, as it was axed in 1994 like how BCV/GLVs was. However, they air updates through-out the day unlike NEN and TVQ. EPGs are less confusing as there is “10SD Gold Coast” and “10HD Gold Coast” not “10” and “10 HD”. Like NBN and NEN, they can also sell local ads.
10 Gold Coast (WIN, NRN) airs the 5pm Brisbane news. Used to air the Sydney edition up until a few years ago. Local News Updates are produced out of WIN Wollongong.
There’s not many local commercials on Seven and Nine Gold Coast News. Usually only local election commercials (local, state and federal candidates). Rates would be sky high and are better value for money on the “regional” stations.
It’s not just the ads that are different on 7 and 9 Gold Coast, the promos for the 6pm news differ from Brisbane’s, often specifically referring to a story being about a Gold Coast subject when the Brisbane promo says the exact same story is about Brisbane or Queensland. The promos for breakfast TV are also often Gold Coast specific.
Nine GC yesterday has local adverts and a local sponsor.
Does 7 Gold Coast (ie. the BTQ opt out service) use an internal call sign?
I know that 9 Gold Coast (QTQ opt out) is known internally as GCQ. It’s sometimes used to indicate that promos are “Gold Coast safe” - in the case of Hot Seat, a QTQ and a GCQ version will exist, with different start times advertised.
I have noticed today while watching SWAT there was 2 metro sponsor billboards for national businesses using the seven metro voice over rather than the one they use for most other sponsor billboards. Is seven using a dirty feed during SWAT. I know nbn has used the metro voice over since Win started doing sales on Nine’s behalf, im just unsure if Seven is following suit.
