Hey gang, I was sent this news on Satellite TV here by John Wrenn of the Ibiza Queen Victoria and to give credit where credit is due, I am posting the link to the original thread on his message board...

... CLICK HERE

Saludos,
jer...

This is going to upset many people in Spain, especially along the Costas. The communications world does change fairly quickly though and maybe something else will happen to re-establish the services at a more sensible cost. Maybe it is time for local TV networks in Spain to buy Eastenders and broadcast it on certain regional channels ? ( Eastenders is an example of a popular BBC soap ) Presumably BBC WORLD service will still be available but who knows.
And there is always the BBC World Service on the RADIO and you can get many programmes online especially if you have a fast connection speed at www.bbc.co.uk

nige

Thanks Nige, seems you are more informed about this change than I am.

I agree that tech. changes so fast and surely someone will find a way to bring the BBC back to Spain soon.

Saludos,
jer...

Having lived in the UK for years, it�s better to listen to BBC radio, which is much more intelligent (and no bandwidth problems).
Virtually all radio programs, including World Service and Radio 4, are both broadcast live on the internet and stored for at least a week after transmission. Similarly, you can get complete program listings. Best of all, The Archers is now available at a computer near you: check out
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archers to listen in...

Don�t miss any episodes, there�ll be a test ...

BBC channels will be free-to-air from May
BBC Director General Greg Dyke has dramatically decided not to renew a multi-million pound deal with Sky in protest at the charges which the BBC has to pay for access to Sky's satellite channel lineup. From May 30, the BBC will broadcast all eight of its channels on a free-to-air basis via Astra 2A without paying Sky to encrypt the signal. 'Why should we pay for conditional access when we don't need it?' said Dyke. However, the BBC could face a row with movie studios and programme makers over the plans if they violate existing country-based content deals. Rights owners are concerned that the BBC's signals will be picked up in territories in continental Europe, including France, Switzerland, Belgium and western Germany, thus breaching existing rights deals that cover the UK only. Meanwhile, ITV has also hinted it could follow the BBC's lead and go free-to-air as well when its contract with Sky comes up for renewal in August 2004
John.
http://www.ibizaqueenvictoria.com The Queen Victoria Pub in Santa Eulalia,Ibiza (Eivissa)

That's really confused me ! When I read the original news article about the split by the BBC from the SKY satellite system, it says:

The satellite the BBC is moving to - Astra 2D - covers much less of Europe, so the BBC does not need to worry about scrambling its services.

Apparently the current service is delivered through the ASTRA 2A which covers most of Europe including Spain. The Astra 2D has a smaller 'footprint' which can be seen at the ASTRA website: ASTRA 2D FOOTPRINT

But who knows what the BBC are up to ?
Nige

I was speaking to my local Sky Satellite TV guy in Madrid, Dan Connel 687-322-520 or dctotal1@yahoo.com, and he claims that the new smaller footprint might still be able to be picked up with a larger dish and new LNB connector. We shall have to wait and see for sure. www.broadband-telecoms.com
Also, here are the latest prices for getting a medium size Sky TV setup in Madrid.
1). Antena (1.35m) about �350.
2). Grundig / Panasonic / Pase Digibox cost up to �400 - �600 New (Guaranteed to work in Spain).
3). Installation would be negotiable depending on difficulty and if the equipment is new or used.
The total Price for Antena, Digibox, and installation should be about �800 (Guaranteed to work in Spain) with 1.22 meter dish. So if you were a group of four students sharing a flat in Madrid, you would only have to pay a one time fee of �200 each for equipment/installation and �15 each a month for the Sky card and viewing package, which includes all the English language, version original, movies, sports, TV programs you can handle in these times when it is safer to stay home than go out.
Dan Connel will arrange the Sky card for free if you have a UK address and for a one time �120 fee if you don't.
Cheers.
Rocco Salata.

I hate to admit this but.... I have had SKY TV for a couple of years now and for the past two weeks I have been watching it with a wonderful message across the TV screen saying "Insert your new card" (or something like that!!) Does anyone know how long it�ll be before they cut me off? My brother (who has my new card) is in the States for the next couple of weeks so can�t send it to me yet, and as some people know, the post to this island is absolute &%&$!!!! So it could be months!!! before I get it!!

I hasten to add that I held out against SKY, telling the kids, that once they spoke fluent Spanish, they could have it. I reckoned by that time they wouldn�t need/want UK TV!!! Well I reckoned without the husband, and more importantly, I had forgotten about the (close your ears jer) futbol!!!! :jeje:

Hey madsue, no idea on that SKY question but...

quote:

... the post to this island is absolute &%&$!!!! So it could be months!!! before I get it!!

That means that even if post to Lanzarote were fast you would entrust your SKY card to ANY postal service

Yikers!!! Sounds like a SKY card is not something that can be easily replaced, best if your bro goes over to visit you and hands it to ya personally.

Saludos,
jer...

I don't have sattelite set up in my apt in Alcorcon and I see the BBC with no problem. Why is that? ANd if its free, why are you guys paying for it? How many channels does the dish get you?

Ah now, where to start!!! Jer, my brother doesn�t have any urge whatsoever to come see me here!! So that option is right out!! I have arranged for it to be certificado�d to someone in the UK to bring to me!!

Espe3. Depending how much you pay for your SKY package, will determine what channels you receive!!! There are about 14 free to air channels that obviously cost nothing, then you add on movies, sport etc at your will. Then you can add on pay per view........films....sport... the list is endless!!!

In UK we have to pay a TV licence which allows us to watch BBC. Whether you want to or not is a different matter!!! Then you can also watch commercial TV. Apparently now BBC have decided to end their relationship with SKY, so therefore from the end of this month, there will be no satellite viewing of BBC TV, or reception of BBC radio. It was a bonus when we got it really, but I will miss BBC2 and the radio. I presume you get BBC in Madrid cos you are that much closer to UK than I am?

Hey madsue and espe3.

espe3, what you most likely have is BBC via a parabolic anteana ("antena parab�lica") on the roof of your building.

Here in Madrid we (Ena and I and the neighbors of the Plaza) get CNN, MTV Germany, RTL, Eurosport and a few other premium channels for free without SKY, just an "antena parab�lica" that the town hall put in for us free of charge about a year ago

We had the option of BBC when they installed all this but apparently the neighbors voted for CNN instead (boo for the neighbors ).

Saludos,
jer...

Madsue, Jer...
mmmmmm Madsue, I don't think its because I'm closer to the UK, but maybe because its Madrid.

Jer, wasn't THAT nice of them?! I don't need the extra channels, so its ok, but otherwise I'd think about getting another apt! They really do take care of you at the Plaza Mayor, don't they?!

Hey espe3, you said it!!! When they told us that they were going to install a new parabolic antena for the neighbors of the Plaza Mayor and that the "Ayuntamiento" (Town Hall) was gonna pay for the instalation and first year service, we were very suspicious (to say the least). Well, it was true

After the first year service however, their is a charge if we want to keep MTV, CNN, Eurosport, RTL, etc... (always a catch!!!). The yearly service fee after the first year is only 20€ per year though

Needless to say we are keeping it!!!

�Viva el Ayuntamiento!, my god... I can't believe I wrote that

Saludos,
jer...

Remember if you have any Sky or other Satellite TV questions you can ask Dan Connel at 687-322-520 or dctotal1@yahoo.com from www.broadband-telecoms.com on my behalf.
He will gladly inform you of all of your options in Madrid.
Cheers.
Rocco.