What you will find in the article:
- Pay-TV operators must comply with technical and distribution rules.
- Restrictions on ad-skipping and catch-up viewing will be enforced.
- Operators face limits on the number of concurrent devices.
- Geographical filtering is required to protect sports rights.
- Increased costs expected for higher-tier channel placements.
The launch of the new thematic channel Prima sport is approaching, and operators are gradually familiarising themselves with the expected technical and commercial parameters they will have to comply with in relation to distribution.
Including the new channel in their line-ups requires compliance with a number of precise distribution rules, which the media group applies across the board to its partners. Operators will most likely have to prepare for regulations concerning limits on the number of devices that can be used simultaneously, or restrictions on the ability to create viewer collections from broadcast programmes.
The financial framework and the actual inclusion in specific programme packages will depend primarily on the distribution technology used and the operator’s chosen business model. The television group traditionally prefers, for its projects, that the channel be included in the basic package and not be disadvantaged in any way in the user interface compared to its direct competitors.
Prima Sport will incur increased costs
Where a channel is placed in higher-tier or supplementary packages, a corresponding increase in wholesale distribution fees can generally be expected, regardless of the type of pay-TV service in question. Any changes to the channel’s position within the programme schedule are usually contractually limited to a maximum of one change per year and require timely notification well in advance.
Pay-TV providers may secure more favourable terms overall if they meet specific conditions, such as placing the channel in a prominent position in the electronic programme guide. Through this tried-and-tested method, the broadcaster ensures the widest possible availability of its exclusive content to end viewers across the entire domestic market.
Blocking ad-skipping? Without a doubt!
As regards ad-skipping, it can be assumed that the forthcoming sports channel will apply exactly the same settings as those already operating successfully on other free-to-air channels within the Prima group. Operators will therefore undoubtedly not be able, without prior agreement, to allow viewers any fast-forwarding or unrestricted skipping of standard commercial messages, i.e. adverts. It can be assumed that pay-TV operators will have a choice.
The available catch-up options will likely offer a basic model with partially restricted skipping, or more advanced versions based on the targeted insertion of dynamic online adverts. If providers agree to this modern system of replacing TV adverts, they will be able to secure additional discounts or other forms of commission from the broadcaster.
Distribution signal protection
Major media groups traditionally apply very strict rules to the distribution process itself, whereby the signal must be received exclusively from officially approved centres and must not be altered in any way by operators. With regard to the purchase of sports rights, distributors undertake to supply the protected programme to end customers strictly within the territory of the Czech Republic only.
The distribution of content in neighbouring countries would pose a major problem; therefore, providers must implement reliable tools for geographical filtering based on IP address checks. These security databases must be constantly updated to fully comply with all technological standards and effectively prevent the illegal reception of protected broadcasts across borders. The only legal means of reception in Slovakia will therefore be via DVB-T2 nationwide coverage.
Maximum number of concurrent devices
Limits are also to be expected in the area of technical security, where standard specifications precisely define the maximum permitted number of registered client devices and concurrently playing video streams. Furthermore, the scope of access rights for catch-up viewing or server-based recording may vary dynamically depending on the nature of the specific programme.
Digital copies of recordings cannot be downloaded outside the closed application of the television service in question; they cannot be freely transferred or permanently archived on the user’s own storage device. The broadcaster also reserves the right, in the case of selected exclusive programmes, to completely block additional features without prior notice or to prevent the channel from being widely recommended in general search results. Violations of these terms and conditions may result in heavy penalties.
Source: mediaguru.cz