Telmicro Levante

[Gav]

Back soon

4 persons were arrested on fraud charges and were held for 72 hours before being released without charge.

The owner or owners have said that they will be broadcasting again within the next few days, its is very unlikely though that this will include the Sky Sports channels.

This info has come from my installer within the last hour, he also installs other systems and said not have a new one fitted yet as telemicro should be broadcasting again shortly.

[ian henderson]

Direct Debit To Telmicro Lavante S.l.

Today I went on to my spanish bank web-site and pulled up my direct debits page and saw that TELMICRO LAVANTE S.L. had opened (3) direct debit orders to my personal account.
They all had different Authorization codes and Reference codes. Now I have only been with them for 34 months So in that time they had closed and opened 3 transactions with the bank with out informing me that they were doing so. I have closed ALL these direct debit today over the internet using e-banking with Bankinter.

If they do get a license to transmit in the future I will reopen a direct debit account with them again but in the mean time it will be cheeper to close all the accounts and pay the bank there fee for shutting down the DD than having the bank pay into there account every month even when they are off the air.

[simmy]

Today I went on to my spanish bank web-site and pulled up my direct debits page and saw that TELMICRO LAVANTE S.L. had opened (3) direct debit orders to my personal account.
They all had different Authorization codes and Reference codes. Now I have only been with them for 34 months So in that time they had closed and opened 3 transactions with the bank with out informing me that they were doing so. I have closed ALL these direct debit today over the internet using e-banking with Bankinter.

If they do get a license to transmit in the future I will reopen a direct debit account with them again but in the mean time it will be cheeper to close all the accounts and pay the bank there fee for shutting down the DD than having the bank pay into there account every month even when they are off the air.

Me too. I don't know when the other 2 DD's were set up but it must have been recently as I only paid €18 last month.

[C4S]

How do we contyact you C4S?

Hi Golferschoice,
My MSN messenger ID is listed in my profile.
As a general statement, I have found forum colleague entries most interesting. A mix of those who love, kiss and cuddle their TV viewing habits, and those who despise those who dare watch a screen for any length of time. I noted with interest the comment suggesting that, as a Telmicro transmission receiver, I may be receiving stolen goods. Perhaps technically and morally this may be true, however the payment to Telmicro was always made in good faith. Perhaps lets look at the reverse situation now and deduce we have all paid, either via an annual payment of via direct debit, paid for something which now does not exist. Where is the morality in that. After reading the RTN for this week, I agree with a complainer that a recorded message should have been supplied instead of a constant engaged signal. Now we should look at the base level for human existence, those who demand, those who supply, those who are greedy and those who dont care. Each category is well catered for with our species.
I have been discussing a "public ownership" solution to the TV transmission "crisis" and continue to seek investors and those who are "generally interested". I have updated my profile ( god help me ! to broadcast this ) with an MSN ID. I am interested in people who have motivation and committment to such a project (ie English TV administered by English and Spanish equally). If we/I could make a good business plan for this, never again will TV broadcasting capture so much focus, anger, disappointment and disillusionment ever again leaving the forum free for other important issues. If I can collaborate people and monies to change the shape of English TV broadcasting in South East Spain I will ( but not without your help!) I will try. I am not a hero, no devine information, simply a wish to provide "A" service, like any, matching value for money with customer sat.
Thanks for listening and if I have bored you I aplogise.

[steve69]

Telmicro (Again!)

Working in a bar near Playa Los Locos last night I got speaking to a couple of English residents who have heard that Telmicro will definitely be rebroadcasting and will be including Canal Plus (with Sky Sports etc) in the package!? I dont know how true this information is but would be nice to think that Telmicro will give us all our viewing back with these new channels and maybe even a couple of months free! Sorry was in fantasy land there for a moment!! But seriously I hope it is all finally sorted out soon and my wife can get over her Corrie, DeadEnders etc withdrawal symptoms!!

[lori]

I also had three direct debit 'records'. It would appear that everytime the cost per month was varied a new account was set up and also the name changed it first showed on my statement Cina, then Telemicro and now Elmicro Levante. So you must make sure that your bank cancels all three records.
Lori

[paulc307]

Canal +

i know your'e missing corrie emmers and enders etc and you are right in assuming that, even IF telmicro try to start up again, you will not get any free viewing.
but even more to the point it was canal + who denounced telmicro 3 months ago for transmitting "pay to view packages that they had purchased the licences for. bet you'd be upset at that ! if you want info "stevethepainter" seems to have all the answers??

[Mikea]

C4S...it would appear that we have the same views and goals but from slightly differing angles!!!

The concept of providing fully legitimate and legally broadcast English Language Television in Spain has kept us busy for nearly three years now, but it is only in the past year that we have made real progress and gained the support of a number of content license holders, broadcasters and satellite deployment operators that will allow ELTEL TV to provide the service.

I also concur with your comments about raising the investment funding...not easy especially under the current economic conditions but nevertheless possible...and very much needed when one is quoted in excess of 350 Million sterling per annum for the license to show a certain companies sports channels...OK if you have the critical mass numbers but not quite so good when the subscriber base is new and growing!!!

However, the Telmicro debacle has changed a large number of peoples perception and we have received considerable interest from a number of local people interested in both our product and indeed seeking to invest (and I quote "if it helps get things started, we've got some savings you can use") but all subject to the simple verification that it is and will remain FULLY LEGAL IN ALL WAYS...which is exactly how ELTEL TV is to be operated.

If you would like further information or to discuss the situation, please send an email to info@eltel.tv

MikeA

[Mikea]

Does anyone like conspiracy theories?

How about this...

Canal+ Spain is owned by Sogecable SA

Sogecable SA is a part of Grupo Prisa

Grupo Prisa own Digital+ Spain

BSkyB Plc (via News Corporation) wish to acquire Digital+ Spain

Grupo Prisa through another subsidiary own the broadcast rights to the Prima Liga and also hold certain video rights to the Premiership (as do TVE).

Therefore, it seems very good commercial sense for SKY to come to an arrangement for their Sports Channels to be broadcast by Canal+ and in turn they become the preferred bidder for Digital+

However, there is a downside to this...Canal+ know that to maximise value for their product they must cease all non-revenue generating viewers, so the pirate re-broadcasters must go...thinking logically, the next will be those using UK Sky receivers in Spain will be required to convert to Canal+ pay channel at their local pricing...

This is clearly total and absolute supposition...or is it?

[JOHN73]

C4S...it would appear that we have the same views and goals but from slightly differing angles!!!

The concept of providing fully legitimate and legally broadcast English Language Television in Spain has kept us busy for nearly three years now, but it is only in the past year that we have made real progress and gained the support of a number of content license holders, broadcasters and satellite deployment operators that will allow ELTEL TV to provide the service.

I also concur with your comments about raising the investment funding...not easy especially under the current economic conditions but nevertheless possible...and very much needed when one is quoted in excess of 350 Million sterling per annum for the license to show a certain companies sports channels...OK if you have the critical mass numbers but not quite so good when the subscriber base is new and growing!!!

However, the Telmicro debacle has changed a large number of peoples perception and we have received considerable interest from a number of local people interested in both our product and indeed seeking to invest (and I quote "if it helps get things started, we've got some savings you can use") but all subject to the simple verification that it is and will remain FULLY LEGAL IN ALL WAYS...which is exactly how ELTEL TV is to be operated.

If you would like further information or to discuss the situation, please send an email to info@eltel.tv

MikeA

MikeA: Again, I think your project sounds like the right way to go. It is also pretty much what C4S is suggesting, only that you have probably done some more work on it.

Ex-pats here in Spain seems to be making much the same mistakes immigrants in Britain are making. They think they are more then they are, and they think that they are more important then they are. They keep forgetting that while the total number of British living here is around 1 million, the total number of Spanish living in Spain is 40 million.

In my opinion it would be natural to try to cooperate with the large Spanish networks. Perhaps have someone like Canal+ as a major share holder. Perhaps they already have the technology and network that you need, perhaps they even have the right to the programs, but fail to give it the "British Twist" that would make it easy to sell to the 1 million British and Irish on the Costa.

Things that should be looked into is: Finance through advertising aimed specifically at the Costa Blanca Audience, English commentary on sportscasts and even production of local news and event programs. For a large cooperating broadcaster, this may be things they already supply to other parts of Spain (I have not researched) like Catalonia and the Basque areas, and if not, it could be ideas to increase their market potential and revenue in these areas.

Another thing that should be looked into is the possibility of having a few Scandinavian, Dutch, German, Polish, Russian and French channels. Most of us understand and use bought English and Spanish on a daily basis, but would be willing to pay some extra news programs and narrow local programs in our own language. A selection of these programs might even qualify for financial support from the EU for cultural integration.

As to pricing it would be natural to dive it into packages. Someone like me has no interest in Sport, but may be very interested in documentaries, news, and willing to pay extra for this. At this time, I think we must accept that Telemicro has "corrupted" the market slightly. It may be hard to get people to accept that they must pay much more than 20-30 euros a month for all the sports channels and the standard national British channels. Perhaps it is possible to keep the price on this level if one also incorporate other services like utility services (mobile telephony, broadband, electricity etc) and subsidise the basic package. I picture that a full TV package would cost approximately the same to provide here as it does in the UK. In the long run I think people are willing to pay, after all they are getting a 100% legal service that deliver what it promises.

The future of TV is changing. Competition from the Internet is going to be fierce. Soon everyone will have "free" music and movie on demand packages based on torrent-distribution and annual subscription fees. The business model will need to be evaluated all the time. If the job is not done properly TV as we know it, will no longer be peoples choice and the market will be in steady decline. It will take innovative leadership who knows how to "run a newspaper" to survive. Take into account that you need these people. The ones that come up with shows like "Deal or no deal" and also understands that at a certain point this show starts to bore people. Viewer interaction will be ever more important.

Again, these are only some of my opinions. I wish you all the best, and hope that you manage to get the project off the ground before someone else beats you too it.

[JOHN73]

Does anyone like conspiracy theories?

How about this...

Canal+ Spain is owned by Sogecable SA

Sogecable SA is a part of Grupo Prisa

Grupo Prisa own Digital+ Spain

BSkyB Plc (via News Corporation) wish to acquire Digital+ Spain

Grupo Prisa through another subsidiary own the broadcast rights to the Prima Liga and also hold certain video rights to the Premiership (as do TVE).

Therefore, it seems very good commercial sense for SKY to come to an arrangement for their Sports Channels to be broadcast by Canal+ and in turn they become the preferred bidder for Digital+

However, there is a downside to this...Canal+ know that to maximise value for their product they must cease all non-revenue generating viewers, so the pirate re-broadcasters must go...thinking logically, the next will be those using UK Sky receivers in Spain will be required to convert to Canal+ pay channel at their local pricing...

This is clearly total and absolute supposition...or is it?

Not conspiracy, just facts. You got one thing wrong though: News Corp only has a minority hold in BSkyB and only possesses certain rights to send Premiership Football in the UK. I also think News Corp is a partner with Digital already, but would really want to broadcast everything on their fully owned FOX platform.

People seem to think News Corp is the bad wolf. Perhaps they are. They are in it for the money, and the make no secret of it. SO is everyone else. The reason that these rights have become so expensive is that people are willing to pay for "ball players" having enormous salaries and (Russian and American) owners of football clubs huge profits. This is why I stopped watching football - it quite frankly sickens me when people are more concerned with "footballers wifes" and "contracts and transfers" rather than the actual game. For me it has turned into the worlds most boring soap. Didn't this happen to Baseball and American Football in the US a few years ago?

However, despite that I want to see something else, I think anyone should be allowed to watch what they want as long as they pay for it. For me, a package with the basic British, Scandinavian, Spanish, an extensive package with Documentary and Music would be perfect. I think I would be willing to pay around 50-60 euros a month for it.

[paulc307]

why would CANAL+ want to be a share holder, when, if they wanted to be involved in british tv, they could broardcast thro their own network and charge their normal fees + a bit more.... much more income from that solution !!!

[JOHN73]

Pricing in a limited market

why would CANAL+ want to be a share holder, when, if they wanted to be involved in british tv, they could broardcast thro their own network and charge their normal fees + a bit more.... much more income from that solution !!!

Because this could be a good platform for them to reach a else limited marked.

Price affects demand, and the correct pricing in a market without competition is if you want to utilise one product maximal to set the price where price * sales is greatest. However you may have other goals, like reaching as many customers as possible, or selling to all different kinds of customers, that complicates the pricing model slightly. Without having done any research except reading the different price lists, I imagine that the way to go is: Provide a basic package for a basic price, and let people add on modules according to their interests and economy.

It could be that co-branding and sales of other services (like utilities) would favour a different model, or that my opinion on this is wrong.

I think that if I was going to make a muslim or irish network in the UK, I would want to have it separated as independent companies, and have members of its community run it.

[Mikea]

John,

Your views and comments are great and contain useful feed-back so please do me a favour and as well as posting them here, send a copy to info@eltel.tv as well.

Just one small point if I may...it is my understanding that News Corp hold circa 30% of the stock in BSkyB and therefore by number are the single majority player but also they have a number of proxy and pref positions that give them control of the Board..and therefore RM has considerable influence over BSkyB...

and long live Fox...Aussie rules rules (if you get my drift!!!)

[paulc307]

crickey, someone bin reading a marketing book !!!!!!
do it the easy way use the platform you already have why start another??