All 4 and 4 HD leaving Freesat

teddysmum

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

So Panasonic have pulled the ITV Hub from their TV's and now Freesat have lost the All4 catchup, similarities to the Discovery/Sky spat over pricing.

We have one of the Panasonic (Freetime) models that lost ITV Hub. At the time of announcement it disappeared from the EPG but on the given date the app also disappeared.


Now the Channel 4 catch up app, with no warning as the case with ITV,is greyed out and doesn't work, yet the Channel 4 catch up still works with the Freetime part. Confused ?


When I complained to Panasonic about the Hub's disappearance ,they had the cheek to suggest buying a new set, as first preference before watching on laptop etc. and I suspect that a lot of this soon obsolete technology s just a ploy to get us to buy more (after two or three years'use)


Having left Sky, I have one of the Humax's out, but considered buying a newer model with catch up.However,the way things are going,that will be a waste of money.


Panasonic are bringing out a range of tv sets with Freeview and Freesat,so more things to cease functioning.

Inner_Zone

teddysmum wrote: »

We have one of the Panasonic (Freetime) models that lost ITV Hub. At the time of announcement it disappeared from the EPG but on the given date the app also disappeared.


Now the Channel 4 catch up app, with no warning as the case with ITV,is greyed out and doesn't work, yet the Channel 4 catch up still works with the Freetime part. Confused ?


When I complained to Panasonic about the Hub's disappearance ,they had the cheek to suggest buying a new set, as first preference before watching on laptop etc. and I suspect that a lot of this soon obsolete technology s just a ploy to get us to buy more (after two or three years'use)


Having left Sky, I have one of the Humax's out, but considered buying a newer model with catch up.However,the way things are going,that will be a waste of money.


Panasonic are bringing out a range of tv sets with Freeview and Freesat,so more things to cease functioning.

Don't buy a Freeview or Freesat TV or TV box for apps, but a NowTV, Amazon Fire or Roku stick or a Google Chromecast. Lots more apps and more likely to get updates and if not, not a lot too much money to loose.

DavidWalket

It's not right that Freeview is unaffected by the Channel4 decision. I don't have Freesat. And now I don't have the All4 on demand/catch-up service either, though I can still receive live Channel4 HD.
My Smart TV is on Freeview, with a wireless internet connection via BT broadband.

DavidWalket

I've exactly the same issue, save that Channel 4 no longer functions on Freetime either. The EPG still shows it and lets you scroll backwards, but selecting a programme to catch up that way just leaves a blank screen. It's all a massive con by Panasonic and/or Channel 4 and ITV Hub

[Deleted User]

DavidWalket wrote: »

It's all a massive con by Panasonic and/or Channel 4 and ITV Hub

If it's all "a massive con by Panasonic and/or Channel 4 and ITV Hub" how exactly are they getting your money by not showing the service, after all it's not much of a con if it doesn't make cash.

teddysmum

DavidWalket wrote: »

I've exactly the same issue, save that Channel 4 no longer functions on Freetime either. The EPG still shows it and lets you scroll backwards, but selecting a programme to catch up that way just leaves a blank screen. It's all a massive con by Panasonic and/or Channel 4 and ITV Hub

You are correct. I assumed that catchup worked , because you could select a programme , but didn't, until now,actually attempt to view.


It's not a con and I don't blame the channels, but do think that Panasonic , who gave us their 'wonderful' new Freetime setup, adding more of a burden to channel providers, by way of having to work out how to supply another setup, should take some responsibility.


They were quick to reply to my query about ITV Hub supply,blaming ITV, but failed to reply to my query as to whether they were willing to make an adjustment to tv software, so we can once more receive what we have lost. Obviously they know it was a duff setup, which meant loss of services on an under 3 year old set, as they have reverted to Freeview Play.


I think I may contact Watchdog, but it does require a number of viewers' contacts before they make an investigation.

[Deleted User]

teddysmum wrote: »

I don't blame the channels, but do think that Panasonic , who gave us their 'wonderful' new Freetime setup, adding more of a burden to channel providers, by way of having to work out how to supply another setup, should take some responsibility.

I used to work for ITV and every single time Samsung updated their software it would break our catch-up, so you've got my full agreement there.

teddysmum wrote: »

I think I may contact Watchdog, but it does require a number of viewers' contacts before they make an investigation.

I'd suspect that would go nowhere but you don't have much recourse left.

almillar

However, as I said earlier in the thread, I expect this will be a temporary hiatus from the Freesat platform.

I waited until the channel actually vanished to ask this - interested in your thinking here - any more you can share?

Now the Channel 4 catch up app, with no warning as the case with ITV

There was just under a week's warning this time.

teddysmum

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I used to work for ITV and every single time Samsung updated their software it would break our catch-up, so you've got my full agreement there.




I'd suspect that would go nowhere but you don't have much recourse left.

If a number of people contact them, they may well put Panasonic on the spot,as they have done with internet providers, but they do require more than one person to get in touch. (I've done so)

[Deleted User]

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I'd suspect that would go nowhere

Catch Up services are not part of any retailer guarantee or manufacturer's warranty and can disappear at any time.
They are the responsibility of the Channels themselves to provide (or not) as they see fit.
As such, Watchdog won't be interested.

I fully expect other makes of SMART TV will have very limited pre-loaded apps in future, as there is no profit involved for FTA providers.