Comments on: Regional networks reject ‘blackspot’ plan

By: Bazza

Bazza — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:16:06 +0000

Nothing like leaving things till the last moment. How long have we had digital? When’s the cutoff? Good grief.

By: Smacca

Smacca — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:32:37 +0000

I think Conroy’s idea is good. Kuttsy’s is far better. As long as current satellite viewers get a better deal, then I’m all for it. It’s the terrestrial black-spot viewers who reside in terrestrial analog’s reach that will not be happy. However, the networks could share responsibility with state-based news. Prime does one state, WIN does the other etc.

By: bindi

bindi — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:17:03 +0000

I’m sure the viewers would rather miss out on localised news than miss out on TV altogether.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:17:42 +0000

“even more alarmingly could affect football codes”
Thats priceless.

By: Someone BBBA

Someone BBBA — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:26:29 +0000

What’s this? Conroy failing at something? Who would have thought…

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:09:57 +0000

The idea isn’t bad, it is much better than the current arrangement.

If this comes to fruition, the broadcasters would be better off just cutting a deal with Sky News Australia and carrying their bulletin at 6:00 PM…

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:58:34 +0000

“The Australian notes that the broadcasters will instead cost an alternative plan to use terrestrial digital TV transmitters estimated to cost about $15 million to boost digital signals in about 200 areas.”

Have they costed satellite dish installations in all those areas, satellite capacity costs (especially if they were to provide a like service by also having HD and multichannels)?

The cheapest option is flash cutting analogue re-transmitters at analogue switchoff, no simulcasting, only a few million to upgrade the transmitters to be digital capable.

By: Kuttsywood

Kuttsywood — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:52:19 +0000

NSW is large enough for it’s own satellite service, so is Queensland.

Simply it should be:
NSW-only
QLD-only
Tas/Vic
WA
SA/NT
satellite digital markets.

By: Angry Face

Angry Face — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:24:40 +0000

I just wish they would boost the power level of my local transmitter. Its only 5 kilometres away, but I don’t get any signal from it at all, and instead have to rely on Newcastle which is over 50 kilometres away.

Who regulates the power levels of transmitters? Is there any way to file a request to have the power level boosted?

By: Andrew B

Andrew B — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:12:42 +0000

Surely helping the regionals to cover digital blackspots with their own broadcast rather than a satellite service would be the best solution anyway? And probably cheaper long term?

They may still need a satellite service though to cover Central Australia where the area is so large, standard transmission equipment would render providing a digital signal unviable.