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ntl publishes plans for EPG
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Ofcom's Code on Electronic Programme Guides (the Code)
ntl's Statement
Ensuring Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory Treatment for all Channels and Appropriate Prominence for Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Channels
Under the Code, ntl, as a provider of its own electronic programme guide (EPG) is required to publish a statement explaining:
a) its approach to ensuring that PSB channels are accorded appropriate prominence within listings on the EPG
b) it's general approach to allocating listings for all channels.
To date, ntl's channel numbers have differed across the legacy Cable and Wireless and ntl systems. As two separate companies, channels were broadly listed by their perceived popularity with customers. When ntl acquired the residential cable business of Cable and Wireless, a policy was adopted of listing new channels on a "first come, first served" basis -at the bottom of the channel list. This represented the most practical and expedient way of allocating listings to new channels in the post-acquisition environment and in the context of non-integrated systems. However, ntl recognises that this is not the most logical method of allocating numbers from a customer's perspective, and therefore plans to conduct a large-scale renumbering exercise in the second half of 2005. The intent of the renumbering will be to group channels by genre to simplify ease of navigation for customers. In advance of this large-scale exercise, ntl may start to apply the new genre approach for any new channel launches in the interim. ntl will be mindful in any event of the need to ensure that PSB channels are given appropriate prominence.
ntl does not own any content itself and therefore, subject to the requirements of the Code and the need to provide the most logical listings experience for our customers, is entirely objective in its approach to channel listings, the primary motive being to ensure simplicity and clarity for our Digital TV customers.
Irrespective of the individual channel numbers allocated by ntl, the EPG provides customers with functionality to wholly personalise the order in which channels are listed to suit their own preference (for example all of the childrens' channels could be moved to the top of the list if a parent wanted to make these easily accessible for his/her children). Therefore, when ntl introduces the new numbering it is important that customers can intuitively find where the channels have been moved to - and from that point a customer can then choose the order in which their channels are listed should they wish to do so.
This statement explains ntl's current approach to channel listings and its new approach from 2005. It is in three parts.
The rationale behind ntl's channel numbering has changed as ntl's Digital TV service has matured. Initially, as two separate companies (ntl and Cable and Wireless) each broadly positioned channels higher up the list according to their perceived popularity with customers. However, no numbers were the same because ntl used 3 digits only, whereas Cable and Wireless used 1, 2 and 3 digit numbers.
When ntl acquired the residential cable business of Cable and Wireless, a new policy of "unity" was adopted. For technical and marketing reasons it was decided to launch new channels on the same number across both platforms. This guided the decision to allocate new channels the next available space at the bottom of both channel lists - on a "first come, first served" basis.
In advance of the large-scale channel renumbering exercise, ntl may start to apply the new genre approach for any future channel launches. Such an approach will be applied in the interests of the customer - to gradually start introducing the idea of a more logical genre approach. This will only apply to new channel launches - ntl does not intend to move channels on a piecemeal basis in the intervening months, as this will not be in the interests of the customer. The large-scale exercise will be supported by considerable communication, which could not be conducted to the same extent for gradual changes.
Part 2 ntl's new channel numbering approach
ntl recognises that the current approach to channel numbering is not logical from a customer's perspective. A large-scale renumbering exercise to group all channels by genre is therefore planned. There is no firm date for this project, although it is expected that it will occur during the second half of 2005.
Research among ntl customers indicated a high level of support for channels to be grouped in a more logical, genre based order - 85% of ntl's customers were keen or very keen for ntl to adopt this approach.
Within each genre ntl will consistently provide the most logical listings experience for our customers.
ntl will conduct periodic internal reviews of the numbers allocated to channels and will allow channel providers appropriate opportunity to participate in those reviews.
ntl will leave some channel numbers vacant to ensure that there is flexibility to re-position individual channels in the future without impacting all channels. This will create the least confusion for customers. Channel providers (including PSB's) should understand that this is in the interests of all channels and ntl would not generally support requests from channel providers to move into these vacant slots.
As a content-neutral platform operator, ntl feels it is important to give customers the tools to personalise their Digital TV service to suit their individual preferences. A tool to "Rearrange channels" is therefore available within the Settings feature. The channel numbers themselves are not changed (so a customer will always type in, say, 101 for BBC One and 103 for ITV1). However, ITV1 does not have to remain in the third position on a list customised by the viewer. For example, a customer could move E4 (say on 144) in between the BBC and ITV channels - ie pressing Channel + will go from 101 to 102 to 144 to 103 to 104 etc) if that was their preference. Therefore, when ntl introduces the new numbering it is important that customers can intuitively find where the channels have moved to - and from that point they can then create a unique order that suits the viewing in their household.
ntl is confident that its new numbering approach will ensure that all channels are treated on a fair, reasonable, non discriminatory and objectively justifiable basis.
Part 3 ntl's approach to appropriate prominence for PSB's
ntl is committed to ensuring that PSB channels are given appropriate prominence within the relevant genre that they appear. ntl's interpretation of appropriate prominence will not, however, automatically position all PSB channels at the top of the relevant genre. All decisions will be made on the basis of what customers would find most logical.
There is a logical precedent in the market with the expectation that certain channels will be numbered in a certain way - BBC1 is generally 101, BBC 2 is 102, ITV is 103 etc. We believe that any modification to this de facto order would be inadvisable and confusing for customers and would therefore propose to maintain this. Other channels broadcast by PSB broadcasters but specifically targeted at certain audiences (for example CBeebies) would be listed in the relevant genre.
http://www.home.ntl.com/page/epgpolicy
ntl's Statement
Ensuring Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory Treatment for all Channels and Appropriate Prominence for Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Channels
Under the Code, ntl, as a provider of its own electronic programme guide (EPG) is required to publish a statement explaining:
a) its approach to ensuring that PSB channels are accorded appropriate prominence within listings on the EPG
b) it's general approach to allocating listings for all channels.
To date, ntl's channel numbers have differed across the legacy Cable and Wireless and ntl systems. As two separate companies, channels were broadly listed by their perceived popularity with customers. When ntl acquired the residential cable business of Cable and Wireless, a policy was adopted of listing new channels on a "first come, first served" basis -at the bottom of the channel list. This represented the most practical and expedient way of allocating listings to new channels in the post-acquisition environment and in the context of non-integrated systems. However, ntl recognises that this is not the most logical method of allocating numbers from a customer's perspective, and therefore plans to conduct a large-scale renumbering exercise in the second half of 2005. The intent of the renumbering will be to group channels by genre to simplify ease of navigation for customers. In advance of this large-scale exercise, ntl may start to apply the new genre approach for any new channel launches in the interim. ntl will be mindful in any event of the need to ensure that PSB channels are given appropriate prominence.
ntl does not own any content itself and therefore, subject to the requirements of the Code and the need to provide the most logical listings experience for our customers, is entirely objective in its approach to channel listings, the primary motive being to ensure simplicity and clarity for our Digital TV customers.
Irrespective of the individual channel numbers allocated by ntl, the EPG provides customers with functionality to wholly personalise the order in which channels are listed to suit their own preference (for example all of the childrens' channels could be moved to the top of the list if a parent wanted to make these easily accessible for his/her children). Therefore, when ntl introduces the new numbering it is important that customers can intuitively find where the channels have been moved to - and from that point a customer can then choose the order in which their channels are listed should they wish to do so.
This statement explains ntl's current approach to channel listings and its new approach from 2005. It is in three parts.
- The first part explains ntl's current approach to channel numbering which has been based, historically, on operating non-integrated systems.
- The second part introduces the new approach that ntl intends to adopt in 2005, when a large-scale renumbering exercise will be implemented.
- The third part explains ntl's approach to ensuring that PSB channels are accorded appropriate prominence.
The rationale behind ntl's channel numbering has changed as ntl's Digital TV service has matured. Initially, as two separate companies (ntl and Cable and Wireless) each broadly positioned channels higher up the list according to their perceived popularity with customers. However, no numbers were the same because ntl used 3 digits only, whereas Cable and Wireless used 1, 2 and 3 digit numbers.
When ntl acquired the residential cable business of Cable and Wireless, a new policy of "unity" was adopted. For technical and marketing reasons it was decided to launch new channels on the same number across both platforms. This guided the decision to allocate new channels the next available space at the bottom of both channel lists - on a "first come, first served" basis.
In advance of the large-scale channel renumbering exercise, ntl may start to apply the new genre approach for any future channel launches. Such an approach will be applied in the interests of the customer - to gradually start introducing the idea of a more logical genre approach. This will only apply to new channel launches - ntl does not intend to move channels on a piecemeal basis in the intervening months, as this will not be in the interests of the customer. The large-scale exercise will be supported by considerable communication, which could not be conducted to the same extent for gradual changes.
Part 2 ntl's new channel numbering approach
ntl recognises that the current approach to channel numbering is not logical from a customer's perspective. A large-scale renumbering exercise to group all channels by genre is therefore planned. There is no firm date for this project, although it is expected that it will occur during the second half of 2005.
Research among ntl customers indicated a high level of support for channels to be grouped in a more logical, genre based order - 85% of ntl's customers were keen or very keen for ntl to adopt this approach.
Within each genre ntl will consistently provide the most logical listings experience for our customers.
- Childrens channels will be ordered by popularity, audience and brand
- Documentary channels will be ordered by content, popularity and brand
- Entertainment channels will be ordered by popularity, audience and brand
- Foreign specialist channels will be ordered by audience, popularity and brand
- Movie channels will be ordered by popularity and brand
- Music channels will be ordered by popularity, audience and brand
- News channels will ordered by popularity and content
- Radio channels will be ordered alphabetically to make searching through 40+ channels the most transparent
- Shopping channels will be ordered by popularity and brand
- Sports channels will be ordered by popularity, audience and brand
- Adult specialist channels will be ordered by popularity and brand
ntl will conduct periodic internal reviews of the numbers allocated to channels and will allow channel providers appropriate opportunity to participate in those reviews.
ntl will leave some channel numbers vacant to ensure that there is flexibility to re-position individual channels in the future without impacting all channels. This will create the least confusion for customers. Channel providers (including PSB's) should understand that this is in the interests of all channels and ntl would not generally support requests from channel providers to move into these vacant slots.
As a content-neutral platform operator, ntl feels it is important to give customers the tools to personalise their Digital TV service to suit their individual preferences. A tool to "Rearrange channels" is therefore available within the Settings feature. The channel numbers themselves are not changed (so a customer will always type in, say, 101 for BBC One and 103 for ITV1). However, ITV1 does not have to remain in the third position on a list customised by the viewer. For example, a customer could move E4 (say on 144) in between the BBC and ITV channels - ie pressing Channel + will go from 101 to 102 to 144 to 103 to 104 etc) if that was their preference. Therefore, when ntl introduces the new numbering it is important that customers can intuitively find where the channels have moved to - and from that point they can then create a unique order that suits the viewing in their household.
ntl is confident that its new numbering approach will ensure that all channels are treated on a fair, reasonable, non discriminatory and objectively justifiable basis.
Part 3 ntl's approach to appropriate prominence for PSB's
ntl is committed to ensuring that PSB channels are given appropriate prominence within the relevant genre that they appear. ntl's interpretation of appropriate prominence will not, however, automatically position all PSB channels at the top of the relevant genre. All decisions will be made on the basis of what customers would find most logical.
There is a logical precedent in the market with the expectation that certain channels will be numbered in a certain way - BBC1 is generally 101, BBC 2 is 102, ITV is 103 etc. We believe that any modification to this de facto order would be inadvisable and confusing for customers and would therefore propose to maintain this. Other channels broadcast by PSB broadcasters but specifically targeted at certain audiences (for example CBeebies) would be listed in the relevant genre.
http://www.home.ntl.com/page/epgpolicy
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Comments
0: Front Row Previews
1-100: Terrestrial Channels and General Entertainment *
101-200: Documentary and News
201-300: Movies
301-350: Sports
351-400: Children's Entertainment
401-500: Music
501-600: Shopping
601-650: Foreign
651-700: Premium Add-Ons ****
701-800: Radio
801-997: ** Free Space **
998: my ntl home
999: ntl Products and Services
* Including BBC ONE England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. BBC 2W, etc. **** Including Adult.
My channel numbering idea will be the same for Bromley and Langley platforms, and if it gets too packed out in the end, you can always remove some channel space from certain sections and use up the even more free space 801-997.
So if I decide to order my favourites in the same genres, Page Dn will take me to the first favourite channel in my list for each genre, then loop around to the first non-favourite channel in the 1-100 genre, 101-200 genre, etc.
fashions change, so will the order?!!
even itv was showing record rating lows this year, so where will it go, 932?
so in 5 years can we see one channel sue ntl because the "popularity" position is wrong and its damaging their business...
it should be done by program type and age of service. its the fairest as otherwise popularity will be wrong after a while, alphabet and number would just lead to the aaa111taxi telephone type listings...
Sorry, but no no no no NO! Subjecting us Langley people to single and double digit numbers would be a disaster.
When I lived in Manchester, I remember it being SO annoying. Say I was trying to tune to Paramount (105) - I would usually end up with either BBC1 (1) or BBC News 24 (10) the first couple of times before I remembered it was a race to get all the digits in!
Your list is otherwise very good, but entertainment HAS to be 101-199 (or 101-299).
Do you think Shopping will be in the 600's since they moved Express Shopping there? (and they stated that new channels will be put into the category scheme from now on)
The only thing with the radio stations is that if you order them alphabetically, you'll be in trouble when new stations launch and have to move stations (unless ntl don't plan to carry anymore radio)
Finally, I'm pleased that they have a coherent scheme for the transition. Well done ntl (don't delay it now!
i.e.
118 ITV3
637 Express
145 E4+1
902 Prem Plus2
and i dont know if anyone noticed but why has the guest channel moved to 108?? i turned to 106 and found a message saying it has moved
101: BBCOne
102: BBCTwo
103: ITV1
104: Channel4
105: Five
107: my: ntlHome
108: Guest Channel
109: Channel ntl
115: BBCThree
116: BBCFour
117: ITV2
118: ITV3
...in future?
(I hope not though. Information Channels should be away from Entertainment channels, IMO)
Could it be for Sky One to go on 106 and Sky Mix to go on 107 the same as Sky Digital??
except those areas that haven't got the decent infrastructure
I don't see Prem Plus 2 on my EPG?
0: Front Row Previews
100-200: Terrestrial Channels and General Entertainment *
201-300: Documentary and News
301-400: Movies
401-550: Sports
551-600: Children's Entertainment
601-700: Shopping
701-800: Music
801-850: Foreign
851-900: Premium Add-Ons ****
901-950: Radio
951-997: ** Free Space **
998: my ntl home
999: ntl Products and Services
* Including BBC ONE England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. BBC 2W, etc. **** Including Adult.
My channel numbering idea will be the same for Bromley and Langley platforms, and if it gets too packed out in the end, you can always remove some channel space from certain sections and use up the even more free space 951-997. Shopping was changed to the 600's as someone suggested about Express Shopping.
Langley only.
Needed when there are 2 PPV matches on the same day!
I'd whack Movies 300-349, Sport 350-399 and Music 400-xxx .... otherwise I agree
I doubt it. It has been said it is the same as Langley, so all you get is a button to move all unsubscribed channels to the end of the list.
Browneggsandham
It's the thing onscreen that tell you what's on.
Browneggsandham