[Stooky Bill]

A 'nightlight' style service on PSB1 isn't quite the same on DTT as it was on satellite. If they decide to close down SD they'll certainly put up captions but thats probably where the similarities end

With the satellite services 5 out of the 5 BBC transponders were converted to DVB-S2 and one left as DVB-S for backward compatibility. On DTT there's only 2 BBC multiplexes, one DVB-T and one T2 so there's nothing that can be done until it was closed. They can't mix the modulation standards in a multiplex - it's all or nothing. I suppose possibly HD on a T mux alongside SD is possible? Not desirable though

There's no advantage with de-regionalising, the only reason that was done on satellite was because everything was going onto one transponder. The coding and multiplexing kit for PSB1 exists already and is fairly new, I don't think there'd be any real advantage in reducing it's use.

If it happens (and AIUI there's no plans to) then they'll publicise it lots both in and off air, but you won't see a 'nightlight'

[Brekkie]

wouldn't exactly release much capacity though, and it provides another avenue to fill in FM/DAB not-spots (isn't that why BBC local radio was put on Freeview?)

They can't use that justification for radio on a TV platform though when they're justifying moving TV channels online.   And as we see in Scotland removing the radio channels can free up space for two TV channels on PSB1. 

Personally I'd rather they were left but if it came down to a choice it's an obvious move to make.

[Keith]

They can't use that justification for radio on a TV platform though when they're justifying moving TV channels online.   And as we see in Scotland removing the radio channels can free up space for two TV channels on PSB1. 

With the radio stations there's also alternative ways of listening, such as smart speaker, mobiles, and of course physical radios.

There's no advantage with de-regionalising, the only reason that was done on satellite was because everything was going onto one transponder. The coding and multiplexing kit for PSB1 exists already and is fairly new, I don't think there'd be any real advantage in reducing it's use.

Potentially an advantage would be to encourage users to switch to the HD channel version, whilst making those with older TVs aware that their TV wasn't compatible and needed an external device or upgrading.

This would be useful if they were planning to convert PSB1 to DVB-T2. Considering they've not yet renewed PSB3 it's feasible they might want to move their HD channels onto PSB1 to save costs, leaving just BBC One on PSB3 due to that multiplex's English regions support. Paying whoever then takes over PSB3 to transmit BBC One would presumably be cheaper than the cost of running the entire PSB3 multiplex in addition to PSB1.

[Technologist]

With the radio stations there's also alternative ways of listening, such as smart speaker, mobiles, and of course physical radios.

Potentially an advantage would be to encourage users to switch to the HD channel version, whilst making those with older TVs aware that their TV wasn't compatible and needed an external device or upgrading.

This would be useful if they were planning to convert PSB1 to DVB-T2. Considering they've not yet renewed PSB3 it's feasible they might want to move their HD channels onto PSB1 to save costs, leaving just BBC One on PSB3 due to that multiplex's English regions support. Paying whoever then takes over PSB3 to transmit BBC One would presumably be cheaper than the cost of running the entire PSB3 multiplex in addition to PSB1.

Currently we have PSB DTT code and mux
PSB1 BBC A SD installed at DSO say 2010
PSB2 D3&4 SD installed this year 2023 by BT M&B
PSB 3 BBC B BBC FTA HD installed October last year 2022

All are regionalised - PSB2 and 3 use the same coder equipment/Platform
The 2010 PSB 3 coders were redeployed by the BBC to code the HD services on DSAT
and there are plans to move them to the same ATEME Platform like PSB2 and 3.

If the DTT PSB muxes were reorganised to have PSB HD Only "Vaizey plan"
this could be done by a Regional Mux say 180 coder instances
and National Mux say 60 coder instances and UK Wide mux say 20 coder instances
(actually the UK wide mux is fairly empty so need not be needed for PSB!!!)

Other than the large regulatory issues PSB1 could be replaced by a National Mux....
and if PSB3 carried BBC Local radios it becomes the PSB mux for the legacy PSB plus Some Other BBC TV

PSB1 Re-engineered would carry the rest of BBC services and National TV and UKwide and national Radio.
(And a few other channels may be - but that is a great leap regulatory and commercaily)

and PSB2 would just loose three channels but then would not carry any PSB
- which again is a serious regulatory issue ....... and thus can stay SD
It may be commercial issue for D3&4 as there are cheaper way of transmitting some channels
and rather changes their current contracts if it goes UK wide!

But is there a commercial imperative for this ?? The answer is NO
which is why the Vaizey plan was mandation for
PSB to be HD only on ALL platforms at 700 Mhz band clearance (note ALL)
i.e. direct government intervention following the regulatory action which set up PSB 3 at DSO

But this is one of very many scenerios- but as DVB DTT ends in mid 2030s
any changes would need to be done fairly soon to amortize the costs .......
( noting that DSO was funded by the 25 year contracts rather than a normal shorter one)

[Humphrey Hacker]

A 'nightlight' style service on PSB1 isn't quite the same on DTT as it was on satellite. If they decide to close down SD they'll certainly put up captions but thats probably where the similarities end

With the satellite services 5 out of the 5 BBC transponders were converted to DVB-S2 and one left as DVB-S for backward compatibility. On DTT there's only 2 BBC multiplexes, one DVB-T and one T2 so there's nothing that can be done until it was closed. They can't mix the modulation standards in a multiplex - it's all or nothing. I suppose possibly HD on a T mux alongside SD is possible? Not desirable though

There's no advantage with de-regionalising, the only reason that was done on satellite was because everything was going onto one transponder. The coding and multiplexing kit for PSB1 exists already and is fairly new, I don't think there'd be any real advantage in reducing it's use.

If it happens (and AIUI there's no plans to) then they'll publicise it lots both in and off air, but you won't see a 'nightlight'

What is a "nightlight" service?

[Stuart]

What is a "nightlight" service?

The name derives from the thought of just 'leaving a nightlight on' for the SD services until they are closed on DSat next year. A nightlight is a low level functional light, hence the name for the service.

They are single national versions of all channels, with a new Red Slate directing people to the appropriate HD channel during regional programmes which they no longer broadcast.

[Humphrey Hacker]

The name derives from the thought of just 'leaving a night light on' for the SD services until they are closed on DSat next year.

They are single national versions of all channels, with a new Red Slate directing people to the appropriate HD channel during regional programmes which they no longer broadcast.

Ah right. Thanks.

[Stooky Bill]

I think the term was first used during the digital switchover in the US. There some stations remained on air in analogue for a while playing an informational loop about switching to digital.

The idea being that if there was anyone without a digital receiver at that point there was still a transmission they could recieve. Like a nightlight in a dark room it guided you

[Humphrey Hacker]

I think the term was first used during the digital switchover in the US. There some stations remained on air in analogue for a while playing an informational loop about switching to digital.

The idea being that if there was anyone without a digital receiver at that point there was still a transmission they could recieve. Like a nightlight in a dark room it guided you

www.youtube.com 

[Stuart]

www.youtube.com 

I just love the 'rabbit ears' internal aerial on that TV.