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:
• www.sky.com
• www.virginmedia.com
• www.freeview.co.uk
• www.youview.co.uk
• 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 e-mails 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
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

viewers will have to pay for
each programme they watch
- could build up a big bill
without realising it
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

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
TV companies

TV company receives extra
revenue from customers
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies

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
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies

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
Broadcasters

broadcaster has to make the
‘pay-per-view’ feature
available
- could be expensive
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters

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-perview’ programmes

some programmes can be
watched at any time
- viewer can arrange
viewing around their
life rather than other
way around
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters

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-perview’ 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
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters

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-perview’ 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
• emails 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
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

viewers will have to pay for
each programme they watch
- could build up a big bill
without realising it
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals

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
TV companies

TV company receives extra
revenue from customers
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies

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
Broadcasters
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies

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
Broadcasters

broadcaster has to make the
‘pay-per-view’ feature
available
- could be expensive
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters

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-perview’ programmes

some programmes can be
watched at any time
- viewer can arrange
viewing around their
life rather than other
way around
Pay per View
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters

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-perview’ 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
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters

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-perview’ 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
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters
Voting
Individuals

viewer feels like they are
participating in the
programme and having
an influence on an
outcome
TV companies
Broadcasters
Voting
Individuals

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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Voting
Individuals

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
TV companies

using premium rate
numbers will boost
revenue
- 2 million voters @
£1 per call!
Broadcasters
Voting
Individuals
TV companies

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
using premium rate
numbers will boost
revenue
- 2 million voters @
£1 per call!
more than 1 ending needs
to be written and
performed
Broadcasters
Voting
Individuals
TV companies

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

using premium rate
numbers will boost
revenue
- 2 million voters @
£1 per call!
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
Broadcasters
Voting
Individuals
TV companies

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

using premium rate
numbers will boost
revenue
- 2 million voters @
£1 per call!
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
Broadcasters

broadcaster has to make
interactive feature
available
- could be expensive
Game show participation
Individuals
TV companies
Broadcasters
Game show participation
Individuals

viewers feel more part
of the game show
- more interested
because they are
participating
TV companies
Broadcasters
Game show participation
Individuals

viewers feel more part
of the game show
- more interested
because they are
participating
TV companies

if show popular with
viewers then TV
company receives more
revenue from
advertisers
Broadcasters
Game show participation
Individuals

viewers feel more part
of the game show
- more interested
because they are
participating
TV companies

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
Broadcasters
Game show participation
Individuals

viewers feel more part
of the game show
- more interested
because they are
participating
TV companies

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
Broadcasters

broadcaster has to make
interactive feature
available
- could be expensive
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘phone numbers are
often premium rate
numbers
– expensive for the
viewer
TV companies
Broadcasters
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘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.
TV companies
Broadcasters
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘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.
TV companies
•
need to moderate
messages
– may be offensive or
libellous
Broadcasters
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘phone numbers are
often premium rate
numbers
TV companies
•
– 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.
need to moderate
messages
– may be offensive or
libellous
thousands of comments
may be received
– difficult to find the
best comments to
include on the show
Broadcasters
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘phone numbers are
often premium rate
numbers
TV companies
•
– may be offensive or
libellous
– expensive for the
viewer
•
•
need to moderate
messages
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
•
TV company less likely
to be criticised of bias
may be lots of viewers
feeding back
– may feel frustrated
that their comment
has not been
included.
– difficult to find the
best comments to
include on the show
– if they include a
variety of opinions
from viewers
Broadcasters
Feedback comments to TV studio
Individuals
•
‘phone numbers are
often premium rate
numbers
TV companies
•
– may be offensive or
libellous
– expensive for the
viewer
•
•
need to moderate
messages
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
•
TV company less likely
to be criticised of bias
may be lots of viewers
feeding back
– may feel frustrated
that their comment
has not been
included.
– difficult to find the
best comments to
include on the show
– if they include a
variety of opinions
from viewers
Broadcasters
•
broadcaster has to make
interactive feature
available
– could be expensive
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
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
TV companies
Broadcasters
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
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
TV companies
•
have to provide many
different views of the
same event
– cost of multiple
cameras/operators
Broadcasters
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
viewers get a choice
meaning that they do
not have to rely on the
director
TV companies
•
– cost of multiple
cameras/operators
– 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
have to provide many
different views of the
same event
•
if popular then more
viewers will subscribe
– more revenue
Broadcasters
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
viewers get a choice
meaning that they do
not have to rely on the
director
TV companies
•
– cost of multiple
cameras/operators
– to show them the
‘best’ parts of a show
– they choose how they
view a programme
•
viewers may miss
something exciting
have to provide many
different views of the
same event
•
– 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
Broadcasters
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
viewers get a choice
meaning that they do
not have to rely on the
director
TV companies
•
– cost of multiple
cameras/operators
– to show them the
‘best’ parts of a show
– they choose how they
view a programme
•
viewers may miss
something exciting
have to provide many
different views of the
same event
•
– 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
Broadcasters
•
more bandwidth
required
– for all angles
– = higher cost
Choosing a Camera Angle
Individuals
•
viewers get a choice
meaning that they do
not have to rely on the
director
TV companies
•
– cost of multiple
cameras/operators
– to show them the
‘best’ parts of a show
– they choose how they
view a programme
•
viewers may miss
something exciting
have to provide many
different views of the
same event
•
– 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
Broadcasters
•
more bandwidth
required
– for all angles
– = higher cost
• adverts must be shown
at the same time on all
channels
Interactive Recording
Individuals
•
has monthly charge
TV companies
•
– adds to total bill
may lose revenue from
advertisers
– viewers skip adverts
•
viewers won’t miss part •
of the programme
(answer the phone …)
– pause & return after ..
•
watch one programme
& record another at
same time
– won’t miss one of the
programmes
•
series link
– won’t miss episode
attractive to viewers
– more likely to buy
– more revenue for TV
companies
Broadcasters
•
broadcasters need to
ensure that EPG is
regularly updated
• need to manufacture
set-top boxes with record
facility
–costly if no charge is
made due to competition
between broadcasters