2013 a year in review

Looking back at Dialog TV's 2013, it has been a mixed bag. With more replacements than new ones as always. The MPEG4 DVB-S2 switch over hasn't exactly gone the way that all hoped it will. With just two channels switching (Discovery Turbo & Setanta) and that too to make way for FTA channels Sirasa TV & Shakthi TV. 

The negatives with Dialog TV are always the channel replacements which is similar to musical chairs, MTV India was given the boot is yet to return even after reports indicated that the channel will return by end of this year. Who knows maybe Dialog TV will spring a surprise tomorrow Jan 1st, although highly unlikely.

The only well thought channel replacement was switching Hindi Star Sports 3 with Star Sports 2. On some positives the Gold package subscribers have all been issued with HD enabled PVR's and some of the new ones are getting MPEG4 set top boxes instead of the older MPEG2 ones. The only major new channel was Comedy Central and that also due to BBC Entertainment pulling out of this region.

2013 hasn't been as ground breaking as 2012 when Dialog TV launched HD services but it hasn't been bad either since now those who want can activate the channels on the HD package on a per channel basis instead of having to pay for the entire package.

We hope that at least in 2014 Dialog will switch to MPEG4 DVB-S2 100% so that this transponder curse can be put off for sometime. We hope that all time sharing on ALL channels will end and every channel will have its own slot.

Please keep us updated on the latest on Dialog TV as the days progress.

MTV India where art thou????

It's now several months since popular music channel MTV India was removed from the Dialog TV lineup and despite some strong rumors that the channel will return before the end of this year, it seems more of a dream than a reality.

Just to recap, MTV India was booted earlier this year when Dialog re-organised few channels to add FTA channels Sirasa TV & Shakthi TV. Initially Eurosport was removed but after strong protests from subscribers the channel was brought back and replaced MTV India. 

If MTV India is to return before the year ends, we should have already seen some sort of development or should see something sooner.

The highlighted MPEG2 to MPEG4 conversion hasn't progressed as we expected it to. A few channels were moved to MPEG4 DVB-S2 (2 channels namely Discovery Turbo & Setanta Sports) and that too by moving them to a transponder that broadcasts on MPEG4 DVB-S2 and not by converting an existing MPEG2 transponder.

With just a few days to go for this year to draw to a close, it will be interesting to wait and see if Dialog TV makes it to the naughty or nice list. Dialog has this "naughty" habit of replacing some channels almost as if it were a tradition when the year rolls over. It will be interesting to note what "naughty" things the DTV  management have in store for their loyal subscribers.

Please keep us updated on the latest on Dialog TV as the days progress.