Sunday 9 February 2014

The Bastards.



I expect no sympathy from UK residents, but we ex-pats have now lost our BBC TV broadcasts from Sky. For the moment we still have some ITV channels, but as of the 6th Feb, we can no longer receive any BBC TV or Radio. The satellite footprint has been altered, and I have a feeling that ITV will soon be going the same way.

I can watch through my laptop (piss-poor reception), but when one is used to high quality pictures, it becomes tiresome.  

OK, I can't really complain; as ex-pats we don't pay the UK licence fee. But on the principle that English is the world's most important language (and its usage should be further encouraged) I would have thought that to broadcast 'free to air' English language TV and Radio across the world would be of paramount importance. 

Damn you BBC, I shall really miss a handful of your programmes. My weekly rendezvous with Dave at PMQ's, that amazing Sunday programme 'The Big Questions' that keeps me up-to-date with the UK's most serious nut-cases, and of course the BBC's daily News broadcasts. And on BBC Radio, the loss of the World Service and Radio 4 Extra is already having an effect.

Back to reading BOOKS methinks.



23 comments:

  1. Hi there, are you able to download the Tune in Radio app? Listen to any radio station worldwide over the internet. Lisa

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    1. I can still get TV and Radio through my laptop, but it's all the inconvenience. Also, as an insomniac, I used to listen at nights to BBC radio via my Sky satellite link. I was able to do this with a small bedside box and earpiece without disturbing Lady M. The idea of having to move my laptop upstairs every night is a nightmare. No doubt we will find a solution.

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  2. I certainly wouldn't like to lose Radio 4 and World Service! :(

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    1. My old school chum Alan Yentob, is still 'Creative Director' (whatever that is) with the BBC; so I shall be having words with him!

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  3. My mum, who lives in France, rang the licence people and asked to purchase one but was told no, you can't do that!

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    1. I think we would all buy a licence if it would solve matters, but It's the actual satellite 'footprint' that has changed; so no signal. By making the 'footprint' smaller, they are improving the quality of signals in the UK, so we can't really complain (too much).

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  4. What size dish are you using at the moment?

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    1. It's a black mesh 90 cm dish. We do seem to be on the cusp of the 'footprint', so I'm wondering if it would help to install a bigger one. I'm really waiting to hear what others do.

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  5. I guess we will have the same problem then. We are on 80cm at the moment. Be interested how you get on.

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  6. Can you not subscribe to Sky, Cro? I would go mad if I din't have my Sky television here in rural Ireland.

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    Replies
    1. I don't think a subscription would make any difference. In Summer we hardly ever watch TV, but in Winter....

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  7. Here in Angola we get BBC News, Lifestyle, Entertainment and Knowledge channels, so we can enjoy such programmes as TOWIE, Embarrassing Bodies, Come Dine With Me, Ramsey's Hotel Hell, The Cube, Eastenders, Total Wipeout, Love Town USA, Don't Tell the Bride, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding etc.

    I don't know what I would do without BBC...

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    1. I think we may be getting somewhere. I've just been speaking to 'a man' who thinks he can fix it (at a price). Unfortunately we're about 2,000th in the queue.

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  8. Are you sure you are using the right word in your title?

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  9. We are losing all our programs to digital...we'll soon have to invest in a digital receiver...or....as you say, read more books.

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    1. I'm actually quite surprised that you still have analogue. Europe went all digital some time back. Digital is better!

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  10. Well Cro you have my sympathy anyway and I am a UK resident.

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  11. Couldn't you subscribe to Sky via Italy or Greece ???

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    1. We may have found a solution; it's a matter of waiting (and paying). Damn them all.

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  12. We use FreeSat, not Sky, when we are in France. I wonder if the footprint will still cover the Lot... Good luck Cro!

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  13. look at iportal. 50pounds a year then you can hook your pc up to the tv and watch, or watch it on ipad. brilliant

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