Posts by: Dr Renfield

Sadly, the odious 'Dave' Channel is available on Freeview too. As far as I know, UKTV is not a collection of independent channels - it is a network which is largely owned by the BBC (yes, the public service provider that takes our license money).

UKTV History was the prime reason I bought a Freeview box - at the moment it is difficult to think of any other channel on that system which consistently provides the same kind of programmes. On the other hand, 'Dave' is just one of many comedy/light entertainment channels - it meets a 'need' that is already amply catered for, yet simultaneously deprives an awful lot of Freeview users of the one history channel that was available to them.

UKTV lost money through its inept organisation of 'Bright Ideas', then (as it grasped for a quick ratings 'fix') took away half of the History schedule to make 'Dave' possible, so it is necessary to see the entire network as a single entity. Hence my suggestion that unhappy UKTV History viewers should steadfastly decline to buy goods or services advertised on ANY UKTV channel.

Don't forget, UKTV has a number of channels - thus dissatisfied viewers who return home from work to find a dead UKTV History slot still have the option of shunning products and services advertised in those quarters.

You are certainly correct to point out that many thousands of viewers have simply been lost and thus will not even be aware of goods or services advertised by UKTV.

Even though the quality of the programming on UKTV History was sometimes less than idea and often 'off topic' (not to mention heavily repeated), UKTV had a loyal and appreciative band of viewers who were undoubtedly enthusiastic enough to introduce like-minded people to the channel. UKTV wiped out all those plus points at a stroke by opting to court 'floating' viewers instead.

Time and time again, it has been shown that even a relatively small audience of dedicated viewers can be more productive to a network than apparently larger numbers of casual viewers. UKTV History was obviously truncated by executives who are unaware of that historical lesson.

Perhaps you struggle with basic concepts? In a democratic nation, an individual is allowed to have an opinion and to suggest effective action to others who share his views. You have contributed nothing to this debate except snide remarks that are calculated to personally attack other posters. You don't seem to have any interest in the content of UKTV History and only snipe at those who do. What do you think you are achieving?

By the way, that is a rhetorical question. As your answer will undoubtedly be pointless and 'below the belt', I choose to ignore you.

To intelligent users, I repeat my earlier statement - I will not be purchasing ANY of the goods or services advertised on the UKTV network until Freeview users are once again, allowed access to the full schedule of UKTV History. I urge others who share my sentiments to do likewise.

'Share of viewing' is not a measure of quality. If UKTV devoted a channel to uncensored violence and pornography, the 'share of viewing' would undoubtedly break all previous records. You fail to understand that UKTV was a relatively small oasis of intelligent broadcasting in the midst of a very wide range of 'light entertainment' and 'comedy' programming.

You are not short of opportunities to view your kind of broadcasting, so why do you find so much joy in ridiculing unhappy viewers who now have no option to view the things they prefer?

Enjoy the puppet shows.

I will not purchase ANY product or service advertised on the UKTV network until the History programming is fully restored to Freeview users. I urge other users of this board to follow the same policy and to make it known to the arrogant schedulers who figure that we will, sooner or later, stop complaining and learn to love the puppet shows and old comedy repeats now provided in place of intelligent viewing.