Digital Terrestrial TV – The Bids
The ITC has received three bids to run digital TV *TV Giants Submit Joint Bid For Digital Power.
British Digital Broadcasting is an equal partnership between Carlton Communications, Granada Group and BSkyB. BDB has applied for multiplex licences B, C and D. The service will offer 12 basic and 3 premium channels. The BBC has agreed to provide exclusive access to its programming. The consortium promises a competitively priced subscription service. Customers will be able to buy set-top-boxes from high-street stores, they will plug into TV aerial sockets. BDB hope that the box will be compatible with other multiplex operators’ services. These boxes will be subsidised in the early stages of the licence. BDB hope to have the infrastructure to support the service in place by 1999. BDB believes that it is well equipped to take the leadership role in the development of digital terrestrial TV.
Digital Television Network has submitted a rival bid to run multiplexes B, C and D. DTN is owned by International CableTel, the UK’s third largest cable operator. CableTel also owns NTL a British transmission company. DTT set-top boxes will be compatible with digital satellite and cable services. These boxes will be subsidised by DTN. DTN will exploit the interactive potential of Digital TV. If successful, the service will be launched within the first six months of 1998.
Ammirati Puris Lintas has joined forces with DTN. APL is advising on the bidding process and will handle the advertising account if the bid is succesful. While Lowe Howard-Spink is advising BDB and is hoping to be in line for the ad’ account if a successful outcome is achieved.
Below is a comparison of the channels the two rival bidders are proposing to offer:
| Category | British Digital Broadcasting | Digital Television Network |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Carlton Select drama, childrens and lifestlye | Cartoon Network cartoons and adult programming |
| Basic | Granada Plus entertainment, documentary | Turner Classic Movies Classic Hollywood films |
| Basic | BBC Horizon nature, science and technolgy documentaries | Animal Planet wildlife programming for the whole family |
| Basic | Carlton Films films and made for TV movies | The Movie Experience films |
| Basic | Granada Good Life lifestyle | Travel Channel places to go and see |
| Basic | Sky 1 entertainment, documentaries | Metro TV local programming |
| Basic | BBC Showcase classic and contemporary programmes from the BC | Living History Channel real stories behind recent events produced by ITN |
| Basic | BBC Style fashion and style | The Money Channel money and finance |
| Basic | Public Eye law and order-based film, drama and documentaries | The Knowledge Network A new way of learning for young and old |
| Basic | Granada TV Shopping British-centred shopping programmes | Digital Box Office pay per view films, sport and entertainment events |
| Basic | Carlton Entertainment children’s, comedy, talk | MGM Gold entertainment programming |
| Basic | Granada Sports Club daily sport, evening music | The British Sports Channel sports related programming |
| Basic | BBC One TV a visual Radio One | The Box popular music chosen by viewers |
| Premium | Sky Movies 24 hour films | |
| Premium | The Movie Channel 24 hour films | |
| Premium | Sky Sports Sports related programmes | |
| Future intentions | Pay-per view possibly interactivity | Home-shopping and discount telephone service |
S4C Digital Networks Limited created by S4C, the Welsh channel, has entered a bid for multiplex A.
It is a condition that Multiplex A transmits regional programming for Scotland and Wales. Muliplex A will deliver Channel 5 throughout the UK, S4C in Wales and Gaelic language programmes in Scotland. S4C is committed to cooperating with other mulitplex licensees to develop a compatible programme reception system. The programmes on offer are as follows:
| Category | S4C Digital Networks Ltd |
|---|---|
| Basic | Nursery School a pre-school nursery channel |
| Basic | Turner Entertainment Channel drama, film, comedy, lifestyle |
| Basic | The Motoring Channel ITN produced motoring programmes |
| Basic | The Information Channel news, sport, what’s on, with an interactive element |
| Basic | Nature Live natural history |
| Basic | Gaelic Language Channel |
| Basic | Welsh Language Channel |
| Basic | Channel 5 |
*Subscribers only
British Digital Broadcasting: 0171 663 6363
Digital Television Network: 01252 402662
S4C: 01222 741 458