S4C Digital Networks
Encyclopedia
SDN is a company that operates Multiplex
A, one of the six groups of channels on digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
. Despite its name, the company is now owned by ITV plc
.
in Wales and TeleG in Scotland. The right to operate the multiplex (and therefore the rest of the space) was to be given to the highest bidder. S4C (who were already guaranteed their 'gifted' space on the multiplex), United News and Media and NTL
set up S4C Digital Networks (each owned one-third of the company) and bid for the right to operate Multiplex A. In the event, they were the only bidder and, after having their business plan approved, were awarded the licence to operate Multiplex A by the Independent Television Commission
in 1997. Before their licence became active, the name of the company was changed from S4C Digital Networks to SDN.
Upon the activation of the licence in 1998, SDN began broadcasting Multiplex A in 64QAM mode at 24 megabits/second (which allows many channels to broadcast, though makes it more difficult to get a good signal). They rented out their capacity to various free and subscription channels (though S4C did keep their gifted space in Wales to launch S4C2
). After the launch of Freeview to replace ITV Digital
, the free services carried on Multiplex A became effectively part of Freeview. As SDN was not a member of the Freeview consortium, they were technically not part of the service (though they were available to all Freeview viewers).
In 2004, Top Up TV
launched on Multiplex A, though it sub-let its capacity from Five, and not SDN directly. Multiplexes A and 2 were the only options for Top Up TV as the regulations set out by Ofcom
directed that only free to air television channels could be broadcast on multiplexes 1, B, C and D, despite there being available space on some of those multiplexes. This regulation has since been lifted.
In 2005, SDN was sold to ITV plc (which had previously been formed by the merger of Carlton Communications
and Granada Television
). As ITV plc was by then a member of the Freeview consortium, the free services on Multiplex A became officially part of Freeview.
Prior to ITV Digital's collapse in 2002, SDN leased out most of its capacity to ITV Select
(previously ONrequest). The ITV Select package consisted of five of SDN's streams, plus a sixth as a free "taster" channel. After 11pm, most of the ITV Select capacity was handed over to various adult
channels, which included Television X
and Adults Only channels 1-3. These channels have since left the platform, however SDN still holds the licences to broadcast these services.http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/dtt/main.htm. Other non-premium channels that were broadcast included BBC Four
, CBeebies
, BBC Red Button, QVC
(and prior to that, Shop!), TV Travel Shop
, Simply Money (now Simply Shopping), the ITN News Channel
and an NTL
EPG. The ITN News Channel, TV Travel Shop and Simply Money time-shared with the ITV Select streams.
Multiplexer
In electronics, a multiplexer is a device that selects one of several analog or digital input signals and forwards the selected input into a single line. A multiplexer of 2n inputs has n select lines, which are used to select which input line to send to the output...
A, one of the six groups of channels on digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom
Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom encompasses over 100 television, radio and interactive services broadcast via the UK's terrestrial television network and receivable with a standard television aerial...
. Despite its name, the company is now owned by ITV plc
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom...
.
History
When digital terrestrial television was first launched in the UK, it was decided that Multiplex A must carry Channel 5 nationally, S4CS4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
in Wales and TeleG in Scotland. The right to operate the multiplex (and therefore the rest of the space) was to be given to the highest bidder. S4C (who were already guaranteed their 'gifted' space on the multiplex), United News and Media and NTL
NTL
NTL Incorporated, was a U.S.-listed British company, that became the first "quadruple-play" media-company in the UK, bringing together television, Internet, mobile phone and fixed-line telephone services. While NTL has its headquarters in New York City, the company's activities focus heavily on...
set up S4C Digital Networks (each owned one-third of the company) and bid for the right to operate Multiplex A. In the event, they were the only bidder and, after having their business plan approved, were awarded the licence to operate Multiplex A by the Independent Television Commission
Independent Television Commission
The Independent Television Commission licensed and regulated commercial television services in the United Kingdom between 1 January 1991 and 28 December 2003....
in 1997. Before their licence became active, the name of the company was changed from S4C Digital Networks to SDN.
Upon the activation of the licence in 1998, SDN began broadcasting Multiplex A in 64QAM mode at 24 megabits/second (which allows many channels to broadcast, though makes it more difficult to get a good signal). They rented out their capacity to various free and subscription channels (though S4C did keep their gifted space in Wales to launch S4C2
S4C2
S4C2 was a free-to-air British television station owned by S4C which, until 2010, broadcast coverage of the National Assembly for Wales at the Senedd....
). After the launch of Freeview to replace ITV Digital
ITV Digital
ITV Digital was a British digital terrestrial television broadcaster, which launched a pay-TV service on the world's first digital terrestrial television network as ONdigital in 1998 and briefly re-branded as ITV Digital in July 2001, before the service ceased in May 2002. Its main shareholders...
, the free services carried on Multiplex A became effectively part of Freeview. As SDN was not a member of the Freeview consortium, they were technically not part of the service (though they were available to all Freeview viewers).
In 2004, Top Up TV
Top Up TV
Top Up TV is a pay television service in the UK launched in March 2004, operating on the digital terrestrial platform. The aim of the service is to "Top Up" Freeview customers by providing additional channels and services....
launched on Multiplex A, though it sub-let its capacity from Five, and not SDN directly. Multiplexes A and 2 were the only options for Top Up TV as the regulations set out by Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
directed that only free to air television channels could be broadcast on multiplexes 1, B, C and D, despite there being available space on some of those multiplexes. This regulation has since been lifted.
In 2005, SDN was sold to ITV plc (which had previously been formed by the merger of Carlton Communications
Carlton Communications
Carlton Communications was a British media company. It was led by Michael Green and listed on the London Stock Exchange from 1983 until 2 February 2004, when it taken over by Granada plc to form ITV plc with Carlton gaining 32% of the new company....
and Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
). As ITV plc was by then a member of the Freeview consortium, the free services on Multiplex A became officially part of Freeview.
Channels carried
At present SDN carries the following services on Multiplex A:| EPG Electronic program guide Electronic program guides and interactive program guides provide users of television, radio, and other media applications with continuously updated menus displaying broadcast programming or scheduling information for current and upcoming programming... No. |
Channel name | Notes | Owner/parent company | Broadcast hours | Encryption/package | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | ITV3 ITV3 ITV3 is an entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom that is owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. The channel was launched on 1 November 2004. ITV3 is the second largest UK multi-channel, second only to ITV2.-History:... |
ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc ITV plc ITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom... ) |
24 hours | 16:9 SDTV | ||
| 16 | QVC QVC (UK) QVC UK is a digital television shopping channel broadcast in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1993 when QVC, Inc. formed a deal with Sky TV to create a UK version of the US channel. "QVC — The Shopping Channel" first broadcast in the UK on 1 October 1993. QVC UK - 20% owned by Sky - moved into... |
QVC QVC QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan and – QVC Italy to 200 million households... (Liberty Media Liberty Media Liberty Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate and the control is exercised by company Chairman John C. Malone, who owns a majority of the voting shares.... ) |
24 hours (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland) 24 hours (Wales) (Friday-Monday) 17:00 - 09:00 (Wales) (Tuesday-Thursday) |
16:9 SDTV | ||
| 17 | GOLD | Timeshares with Top Up TV Anytime 3, Home, Television X. | UKTV UKTV UKTV is a digital cable and satellite television network, formed through a joint venture between BBC Worldwide, a commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and Scripps Networks Interactive, spun off from The E.W Scripps Company in 2008... (BBC Worldwide BBC Worldwide BBC Worldwide Limited is the wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation, formed out of a restructuring of its predecessor BBC Enterprises in 1995. In the year to 31 March 2010 it made a profit of £145m on a turnover of £1.074bn. The company had made a profit of £106m... /Virgin Media Virgin Media Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom... ) |
18:00 - 23:00 | Subscription channel | 16:9 SDTV |
| 23 | Bid | Bid Shopping | 24 hours | 16:9 SDTV | ||
| 26 | Home | Timeshares with TopUp Anytime 3, GOLD, Television X. | UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Virgin Media) | 10:00 - 11:00 | Subscription channel | 16:9 SDTV |
| 27 | ITV2 +1 | 1 hour timeshift of ITV2. | ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) | 24 hours | 16:9 SDTV | |
| 28 | E4 | Wales only. | Channel Four Television Corporation | 24 hours | 16:9 SDTV | |
| 30 | 5* | Timeshares with Red Hot TV. | Northern & Shell | 06:00 - 00:00 | 16:9 SDTV | |
| 31 | 5USA | Timeshares with Filth. | Northern & Shell | 06:00 - 01:00 | 16:9 SDTV | |
| 34 | ESPN ESPN (UK) ESPN is a sports television channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland owned by American sports broadcaster ESPN Inc. The channel launched on 3 August 2009... |
Timeshares with TopUp Anytime 1. | ESPN Inc. ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming.... (The Walt Disney Company The Walt Disney Company The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into... /Hearst Corporation Hearst Corporation The Hearst Corporation is an American media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower, Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media... ) |
14:00 - 04:00 (Monday-Friday) 11:00 - 06:00 (Saturday) 11:00 – 04:00 (Sunday) |
Subscription channel | 16:9 SDTV |
| 38 | Quest | Discovery Networks UK Discovery Networks UK Discovery Networks UK was a branch of Discovery Networks responsible for overseeing Discovery Networks Europe's channels in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland.... |
24 hours | 16:9 SDTV | ||
| 46 | Challenge | British Sky Broadcasting British Sky Broadcasting British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland.... |
24 hours (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland) 06:00 - 19:00 (Wales) |
16:9 SDTV | ||
| 72 | CITV CITV CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00... |
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland only. | ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) | 06:00 - 18:00 | 16:9 SDTV | |
| 92 | ADULT Section | Digital television Multiplex Operators Limited | 24 hours | Text service | ||
| 93 | Television X Television X Television X is the name of a series of adult television channels in the UK, produced by Portland TV, a subsidiary of Northern & Shell owned by Richard Desmond, the proprietor of the Daily Express... |
Timeshares with GOLD, Home, TopUp Anytime 3. | TVX Europe Limited (Northern & Shell) | 23:00 - 03:00 | Pay-per-view | 4:3 SDTV |
| 101 | Teletext Holidays | Teletext Ltd. Teletext Ltd. Teletext Ltd was the provider of teletext and digital interactive services for ITV, Channel 4 and Five in the United Kingdom.-Origins:Teletext Ltd started providing teletext services for ITV and Channel 4 on 1 January 1993, replacing the previous Oracle service which had lost the franchise... |
24 hours | Text service | ||
| 104 | 1-2-1 Dating | Teletext Ltd. | 24 hours | Text service | ||
| 109 | Mobilizer | Placeholder channel. | Teletext Ltd. | Text service | ||
| 189 | ADULT Section | Digital television Multiplex Operators Limited | 24 hours | Text service | ||
| 191 | Red Hot TV | Timeshares with 5*. | Northern & Shell | 00:00 - 05:30 | Pay-per-view | 16:9 SDTV |
| 192 | Filth | Timeshares with 5USA. | Northern & Shell | 01:00 - 05:30 | 16:9 SDTV | |
| 307 | TopUp Anytime 1 | Top Up TV Downloads. Timeshares with ESPN. | Top Up TV Top Up TV Top Up TV is a pay television service in the UK launched in March 2004, operating on the digital terrestrial platform. The aim of the service is to "Top Up" Freeview customers by providing additional channels and services.... |
04:00 - 14:00 (Monday-Friday) 06:00 - 11:00 (Saturday) 04:00 - 11:00 (Sunday) |
Subscription channel | 16:9 SDTV |
| 309 | TopUp Anytime 3 | Top Up TV Downloads. Timeshares with GOLD, Home, Television X. | Top Up TV | 03:00 - 10:00 11:00 - 16:00 |
Subscription channel | 16:9 SDTV |
| 724 | 95.8 Capital FM | Global Radio Global Radio Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen... |
24 hours | Radio service | ||
| 727 | Absolute Radio | TIML Radio Limited | 24 hours | Radio service | ||
| 728 | Heart London | Global Radio | 24 hours | Radio service |
Prior to ITV Digital's collapse in 2002, SDN leased out most of its capacity to ITV Select
ITV Digital
ITV Digital was a British digital terrestrial television broadcaster, which launched a pay-TV service on the world's first digital terrestrial television network as ONdigital in 1998 and briefly re-branded as ITV Digital in July 2001, before the service ceased in May 2002. Its main shareholders...
(previously ONrequest). The ITV Select package consisted of five of SDN's streams, plus a sixth as a free "taster" channel. After 11pm, most of the ITV Select capacity was handed over to various adult
Adult
An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age....
channels, which included Television X
Television X
Television X is the name of a series of adult television channels in the UK, produced by Portland TV, a subsidiary of Northern & Shell owned by Richard Desmond, the proprietor of the Daily Express...
and Adults Only channels 1-3. These channels have since left the platform, however SDN still holds the licences to broadcast these services.http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/dtt/main.htm. Other non-premium channels that were broadcast included BBC Four
BBC Four
BBC Four is a British television network operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation and available to digital television viewers on Freeview, IPTV, satellite and cable....
, CBeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
, BBC Red Button, QVC
QVC
QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan and – QVC Italy to 200 million households...
(and prior to that, Shop!), TV Travel Shop
TV Travel Shop
TV Travel Shop was a British television channel that sold holidays.It launched in 1998, primarily on satellite and cable. In 2000, the channel launched on ONdigital, using capacity from ONrequest 2 , and broadcast 6am-12pm weekdays, and 6am-10am weekends, free to air on channel 44. Its hours were...
, Simply Money (now Simply Shopping), the ITN News Channel
ITV News Channel
The ITV News Channel was a 24-hour television news channel in the United Kingdom which broadcast from 1 August 2000 to 23 December 2005. It was available on Sky, NTL:Telewest, Freeview and analogue cable, presenting national and international news plus regular business, sport, entertainment and...
and an NTL
NTL
NTL Incorporated, was a U.S.-listed British company, that became the first "quadruple-play" media-company in the UK, bringing together television, Internet, mobile phone and fixed-line telephone services. While NTL has its headquarters in New York City, the company's activities focus heavily on...
EPG. The ITN News Channel, TV Travel Shop and Simply Money time-shared with the ITV Select streams.
See also
- Digital terrestrial television in the United KingdomDigital terrestrial television in the United KingdomDigital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom encompasses over 100 television, radio and interactive services broadcast via the UK's terrestrial television network and receivable with a standard television aerial...