Independently-owned channel Ovation has vanished from the Foxtel platform for a second time after struggling to sustain its subscriber base.
The specialist Arts channel had been part of Foxtel packages for 13 years before it was replaced by STVDIO in April 2010. It then installed its own customer service system to oversee its subscriber base and returned via Foxtel and Austar as an add-on channel.
But now the channel advises it has been unable to meet enough subscribers to meet the costs involved in broadcasting via Foxtel.
“We had hoped by now that our subscriber numbers would be enough to keep the channel on Foxtel. Unfortunately we have not reached sustainable subscriber numbers and, due to the hefty access costs involved in getting the channel broadcast to Foxtel homes, it is no longer feasible to continue to bear these costs. As a result Foxtel has removed Ovation from its platform.”
TV Tonight understands that behind the scenes some Ovation staff have recently been let go.
Ovation’s content consists of concerts, dramas, musicals, dance, classical music, cabaret, literature, jazz, rock music, art documentaries and is widely recognised for making Andre Rieu a household name in Australia.
Comment is being sought from Foxtel.
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Ovation Struggling As Stand-alone Arts Channel
Started by
justin25
, Mar 03 2011 06:26 PM
14 replies to this topic
#2
goulash
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Posted 03 March 2011 - 07:52 PM
What a shame like we had the rug pulled under from us.
We still had 4 months left on our 1 year subscription,hope foxtell will compensate?
Or just bring it back.........
We still had 4 months left on our 1 year subscription,hope foxtell will compensate?
Or just bring it back.........
#3
laurie
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Posted 03 March 2011 - 09:23 PM
Its exactly what Foxtel wanted to happen!
cheers laurie
cheers laurie
#4
laurie
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Posted 03 March 2011 - 09:24 PM
goulash, on Mar 3 2011, 08:52 PM, said:
What a shame like we had the rug pulled under from us.
We still had 4 months left on our 1 year subscription,hope foxtell will compensate?
Or just bring it back.........
We still had 4 months left on our 1 year subscription,hope foxtell will compensate?
Or just bring it back.........
Nothing to do with Foxtel
cheers laurie
#5
goulash
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Posted 03 March 2011 - 09:39 PM
laurie, on Mar 3 2011, 10:24 PM, said:
Nothing to do with Foxtel
cheers laurie
cheers laurie
Silly me for even stating the obvious.
Edited by goulash, 03 March 2011 - 09:41 PM.
#6
killer1500
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Posted 05 March 2011 - 08:51 AM
So why is it still being shown on Austar?
#7
goulash
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Posted 05 March 2011 - 11:23 AM
Apparently ovation couldnt afford to pay there landlord foxtel so in turn foxtel cut there transmission.
Its pretty ironic that now we have andre rieu being shown on studio, which never happened since its introduction.
Its pretty ironic that now we have andre rieu being shown on studio, which never happened since its introduction.
Edited by goulash, 05 March 2011 - 11:47 AM.
#8
killer1500
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Posted 06 March 2011 - 10:56 AM
Why is it still on Austar then? Surely it wont happen for much longer though.
#9
goulash
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Posted 06 March 2011 - 03:18 PM
letter from ovation 2 days ago.
Ovation Channel
Dear Ovation Subscriber,
You will have noticed that the Ovation Channel has disappeared from Foxtel. We deeply regret this situation and all of us here at Ovation are devastated by this turn of events, especially as we know that each of our subscribers loves the channel and your decision to subscribe was not taken lightly. We regret that we were not able to inform you in advance. This was a very sudden decision made by Foxtel for which we were not prepared. We are now considering all our options and looking for a solution or alternative so that you can continue viewing Ovation. Please be advised that our viewers are still of utmost importance to us. Many of you have left messages with our call centre. We will endeavour to get back to you but the number of calls has been overwhelming so we ask you to bear with us.
Why Did This Happen?
We had hoped by now that our subscriber numbers would be enough to keep the channel on Foxtel. Unfortunately we have not reached sustainable subscriber numbers and, due to the hefty access costs involved in getting the channel broadcast to Foxtel homes, it is no longer feasible to continue to bear these costs. As a result Foxtel removed Ovation from its platform.
It is with huge regret that we make this announcement. We have strived to provide a stand-alone channel to our viewers who expressed such disappointment when Foxtel removed Ovation from their platform in April 2010. It was because of your passion and love of the channel that we did everything we could to get back in to your lounge rooms. However, the stand alone option has been a very difficult one. Being a small, independent arts channel, it was given little support or encouragement by Foxtel.
What About My Subscription?
Your account will be suspended for up to six months while we try and work out a way to get back or provide you with a new service.
We will keep you updated by email and you can also check the website www.ovationchannel.com for updates.
What Should I Do In The Meantime?
It would be very helpful if you were able to wait until you hear back from us before trying to contact us. As mentioned, the volume of phone calls and emails have been overwhelming and as much as we would like to reply to all of you individually, we cannot promise to in the short term.
What Are The Alternatives?
Ovation is still available as usual, and uninterrupted, on Channel 134 on the AUSTAR and Optus TV platforms. Their contact numbers are AUSTAR 132 342 and Optus TV 1800 780 219.
Ovation is available on the basic tier package on Optus TV, which now offers a satellite service, and the subscription is $49 per month or $44 per month if you have another Optus service.
Many customers who live in fringe metro areas are able to get AUSTAR (call 132 342).
We are also looking into continuing the service with Telstra T-Box and Fetch TV. We will keep you advised of developments here.
We will be sending out more information on the above in the coming weeks.
We are sorry that Foxtel stopped our service to you and we ask for your understanding while we do our best to deliver Ovation to you again.
Ovation Logo
Copyright © 2011 Ovation Media, All rights reserved.
| view email in browser |
Ovation Channel
Dear Ovation Subscriber,
You will have noticed that the Ovation Channel has disappeared from Foxtel. We deeply regret this situation and all of us here at Ovation are devastated by this turn of events, especially as we know that each of our subscribers loves the channel and your decision to subscribe was not taken lightly. We regret that we were not able to inform you in advance. This was a very sudden decision made by Foxtel for which we were not prepared. We are now considering all our options and looking for a solution or alternative so that you can continue viewing Ovation. Please be advised that our viewers are still of utmost importance to us. Many of you have left messages with our call centre. We will endeavour to get back to you but the number of calls has been overwhelming so we ask you to bear with us.
Why Did This Happen?
We had hoped by now that our subscriber numbers would be enough to keep the channel on Foxtel. Unfortunately we have not reached sustainable subscriber numbers and, due to the hefty access costs involved in getting the channel broadcast to Foxtel homes, it is no longer feasible to continue to bear these costs. As a result Foxtel removed Ovation from its platform.
It is with huge regret that we make this announcement. We have strived to provide a stand-alone channel to our viewers who expressed such disappointment when Foxtel removed Ovation from their platform in April 2010. It was because of your passion and love of the channel that we did everything we could to get back in to your lounge rooms. However, the stand alone option has been a very difficult one. Being a small, independent arts channel, it was given little support or encouragement by Foxtel.
What About My Subscription?
Your account will be suspended for up to six months while we try and work out a way to get back or provide you with a new service.
We will keep you updated by email and you can also check the website www.ovationchannel.com for updates.
What Should I Do In The Meantime?
It would be very helpful if you were able to wait until you hear back from us before trying to contact us. As mentioned, the volume of phone calls and emails have been overwhelming and as much as we would like to reply to all of you individually, we cannot promise to in the short term.
What Are The Alternatives?
Ovation is still available as usual, and uninterrupted, on Channel 134 on the AUSTAR and Optus TV platforms. Their contact numbers are AUSTAR 132 342 and Optus TV 1800 780 219.
Ovation is available on the basic tier package on Optus TV, which now offers a satellite service, and the subscription is $49 per month or $44 per month if you have another Optus service.
Many customers who live in fringe metro areas are able to get AUSTAR (call 132 342).
We are also looking into continuing the service with Telstra T-Box and Fetch TV. We will keep you advised of developments here.
We will be sending out more information on the above in the coming weeks.
We are sorry that Foxtel stopped our service to you and we ask for your understanding while we do our best to deliver Ovation to you again.
Ovation Logo
Copyright © 2011 Ovation Media, All rights reserved.
| view email in browser |
#10
brian2
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Posted 18 March 2011 - 08:40 PM
justin25, on Mar 3 2011, 07:26 PM, said:
Independently-owned channel Ovation has vanished from the Foxtel platform for a second time after struggling to sustain its subscriber base.
The specialist Arts channel had been part of Foxtel packages for 13 years before it was replaced by STVDIO in April 2010. It then installed its own customer service system to oversee its subscriber base and returned via Foxtel and Austar as an add-on channel.
But now the channel advises it has been unable to meet enough subscribers to meet the costs involved in broadcasting via Foxtel.
“We had hoped by now that our subscriber numbers would be enough to keep the channel on Foxtel. Unfortunately we have not reached sustainable subscriber numbers and, due to the hefty access costs involved in getting the channel broadcast to Foxtel homes, it is no longer feasible to continue to bear these costs. As a result Foxtel has removed Ovation from its platform.”
TV Tonight understands that behind the scenes some Ovation staff have recently been let go.
Ovation’s content consists of concerts, dramas, musicals, dance, classical music, cabaret, literature, jazz, rock music, art documentaries and is widely recognised for making Andre Rieu a household name in Australia.
Comment is being sought from Foxtel.
The specialist Arts channel had been part of Foxtel packages for 13 years before it was replaced by STVDIO in April 2010. It then installed its own customer service system to oversee its subscriber base and returned via Foxtel and Austar as an add-on channel.
But now the channel advises it has been unable to meet enough subscribers to meet the costs involved in broadcasting via Foxtel.
“We had hoped by now that our subscriber numbers would be enough to keep the channel on Foxtel. Unfortunately we have not reached sustainable subscriber numbers and, due to the hefty access costs involved in getting the channel broadcast to Foxtel homes, it is no longer feasible to continue to bear these costs. As a result Foxtel has removed Ovation from its platform.”
TV Tonight understands that behind the scenes some Ovation staff have recently been let go.
Ovation’s content consists of concerts, dramas, musicals, dance, classical music, cabaret, literature, jazz, rock music, art documentaries and is widely recognised for making Andre Rieu a household name in Australia.
Comment is being sought from Foxtel.
#11
brian2
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Posted 18 March 2011 - 08:50 PM
Ovation took $119 from me in January - to pull the plug on 1st March - They do not answer thair phone nor do they reply to my Emails - I have lodged a complaint with Fair Trading - Requested my credit card provider to dispute the payment (they advise that they are reversing it ) -I am now lodging for a hearing in the Small Claims Tribunal - Surely this must elicit a response from them - Do any other members have any experience in getting satisfaction from Ovation or advice on how to get a response ? - I have heard that they are an offshoot of SBS or the ABC- Is this correct- Regards Brian2
#12
laurie
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Posted 18 March 2011 - 09:23 PM
Well if Foxtel does take over Austar thats another nail in the coffin for Ovation the main problem was subscribers! the blog they had on their web site gave them the impression that thousands will pay the $9,that did not happen the reason people complained was to get it back onto Foxtel for FREE so when it came to forking out money only the dedicated viewer forked out and the cost to get the content to Foxtel via Telstra HFC link proved to be costly and no one who is paying for Foxtel are not going to install another carrier just to get Ovation shame really I like the channel and no I'm not a Andre Rieu fan but watched occasionally
cheers laurie
cheers laurie
#13
beastjim
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Posted 18 March 2011 - 11:37 PM
brian2, on Mar 18 2011, 08:50 PM, said:
I have heard that they are an offshoot of SBS or the ABC- Is this correct- Regards Brian2
No Ovation is an independent company as far as I know. The confusion you may have is that the replacement on foxtel (stvdio) is done in conjunction with SBS.
#14
goulash
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Posted 26 May 2011 - 12:55 PM
beastjim, on Mar 18 2011, 11:37 PM, said:
No Ovation is an independent company as far as I know. The confusion you may have is that the replacement on foxtel (stvdio) is done in conjunction with SBS.
Anyone heard anything new? So i am guessing the Ovation Subscribers who wanted to keep it on and payed $110 for 12 months of transmission only got a few months have been forgotten.
Did they just shaft us out of cash in a very public way.
#15
ChrisCh
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Posted 08 February 2012 - 11:04 AM
After sending them two demand letters, I have finally heard back and was sent a cheque.
Unfortunately, they obviously didn't pay too much attention during the process. I explained to them that they owed me $92.34, and displayed how the amount had been calculated. Despite this, they sent an invalid cheque - in the digits section, they wrote "$81-", and in the amount in words section, they wrote "eighty dollars only" (ie. the amounts don't match)... have contacted them AGAIN and still waiting for a reply... I'll give them a week, and if I don't hear back, it's ACCC time.
If anyone wants a copy of the main demand letter to use for themselves, just let me know and I'll be happy to share it.
Unfortunately, they obviously didn't pay too much attention during the process. I explained to them that they owed me $92.34, and displayed how the amount had been calculated. Despite this, they sent an invalid cheque - in the digits section, they wrote "$81-", and in the amount in words section, they wrote "eighty dollars only" (ie. the amounts don't match)... have contacted them AGAIN and still waiting for a reply... I'll give them a week, and if I don't hear back, it's ACCC time.
If anyone wants a copy of the main demand letter to use for themselves, just let me know and I'll be happy to share it.
Edited by ChrisCh, 08 February 2012 - 11:04 AM.
