Picture Of Croatia going Encrypted

[Sadoun]

How do you like the decision by HRT-America to encrypt Picture Of Croatia TV channel?

[croat]

i still won't subscribe
Quality of picture is still horrible eventhough they said they would fix it by end of this month. Channel is not free anymore, FIX IT! Simple as that.
Also still no movies or series. Yes they added Croatia Football League but it's not worth it is as it's not live.
They need to make the program LIVE, like serbian stations do
C'mon, Croatia is in a lot better standing that Serbia plus they're getting subscribtion. I don't see what's the problem.

HRT-America, what is your opinion on this?? Please don't take 2 months to answer. You should take better care of your (potential) customers

[Anonymous]

croat,

What is the response rate like from HRT America?

How long has the program been encrypted for in the US? Have you noticed significant improvement?

I'm waiting for it here in Australia and was hoping for a better service/program, but looks like i'll be disappointed...

[croat]

well I could easily call them up but since they're member of this forum, I ask them questions thru here. So everybody can hear the answers and promises themself, rather than me re telling the story

when it comes to answering questions here, HRT-America hasn't been that good latelly. I remember before encrypting the program they were answering all the questions, pretty quickly. Now that program is encrypted, seems like they don't care anymore.

[hertz]

Thats typical these days.... who were we kidding? How could we have expected better customer service?

[croat]

Well it's been like 2 months since last response from HRT-America. I don't subscribe to them right now due to major rip off. Picture quality is still crappy, programming still sucks (no movies or series), not real 24-7 programming. It redicilous. If serbian private networks can do it, why Croatian Natioanal TV along with subscribtions help can't do it??
Hey, we all like money....


If they cared about their (potential) customers they would answer the questions ASAP.

btw they promised to fix picture quality by end of this month. Well today being 31st, it's their last day. I'll check tomorrow if I catch unencrypted part of the programming but I doubt anything was done

HRT-America, why aren't you answering our questions??

PS. Hertz, I see you are member of austech.info. I am too. Not a bad little place

[hertz]

Hey Croat,

Thanks for the feedback...we still have POC as FTA but are told that the encryption will be in place any day.

I did send an email to hrt in zagreb asking for any info regarding the new programming for Australia, but no response almost 2 weeks later. If the programming and picture quality is the same then its definately not worth paying for.

Yeah Austech is a good site. Do you carry the same Nick there?

[Nsat]

You might want to give HRT a chance to respond here. They have responded in the past and not sure why they don't anymore. Try sending thema PM through this forum.

:-k

[croat]

I am not going to PM them. I want rest of the members see their response. I would hate getting PM's and retelling the story. Hopefully they'll answer soon.

Regarding of programing: Well I've said this many times and I will say it again. They cannot resolve programming right issues (so they can show movies, series, etc) unless channel is encrypted. Well first they encrypted North American feed and basically no change. Now they're going to do Australia. But don't expect any change as Picture of Croatia is still FTA in Europe.

Now HRT-America mentioned that they have solved programming rights for Europe so they can do it FTA. This is NOT true. How come they're not showing Duga Mracna Noc, or Villa Marija on POC? This is because these shows along with others don't have FTA broadcasting rights. When Duga Mracna Noc and Villa Maria are shown on HRT1 or HRT2 in Europe via satellite they're encrypted.
While some shows that are 100% HRT production are shown FTA (even on HRT1, 2)


So as long POC stays FTA in Europe, we WILL NOT see change in programming. They could fix this by having special feed of POC for Europe but we all know this won't happen either. Or they need to shut it down. I don't even know why they have POC in Europe.

Also it's April 1st, and picture quality is still terrible (Checked this during FTA part)

PS Hertz, yes I use same nick.

[hertz]

Word in Australia is that we will be encrypted by the 15th of April. Still no confirmation of the new content.

[HRT-America]

Originally Posted by hertz

Thats typical these days.... who were we kidding? How could we have expected better customer service?

To be honest, I am disappointed at some of the "quick" remarks I have read on the forum this morning...do to my absence!

We at HRT-America are working everyday with HRT to improve the service in order to provide (YOU) the Croatian viewers abroad with the kind of service you expect and deserve...the best of HRT.

I want to make it CLEAR to everyone on this forum, HRT-America values each and every customer...without (YOU) the Croatian viewers, this service will not continue for the long term future...for many generations to follow!!!

Therefore, the customers MUST always come FIRST!!!

We appreciate everyone's patience, understand and ongoing support during this transition to a better more secure future for HRT's programming abroad.

Best regards

[HRT-America]

Originally Posted by Nsat

You might want to give HRT a chance to respond here. They have responded in the past and not sure why they don't anymore. Try sending thema PM through this forum.

:-k

Hello Nsat,

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this busy time.

As you can imagine, March was a crazy month and it looks like April will be as well...we continue to receive over 40 e-mails per day and an average of 75 to 100 + calls per day from Croatians throughout North America.

Thanks again for your support...much appreciated.

[HRT-America]

Originally Posted by croat

Well it's been like 2 months since last response from HRT-America. I don't subscribe to them right now due to major rip off. Picture quality is still crappy, programming still sucks (no movies or series), not real 24-7 programming. It redicilous. If serbian private networks can do it, why Croatian Natioanal TV along with subscribtions help can't do it??
Hey, we all like money....


If they cared about their (potential) customers they would answer the questions ASAP.

btw they promised to fix picture quality by end of this month. Well today being 31st, it's their last day. I'll check tomorrow if I catch unencrypted part of the programming but I doubt anything was done

HRT-America, why aren't you answering our questions??

PS. Hertz, I see you are member of austech.info. I am too. Not a bad little place

Hello Croat,

Thank for your e-mail over the weekend, informing me what is going on within the Croatian TV forum at Sadoun. I am disappointed at some of your remarks you have made regarding HRT-America's feelings towards it customers. Please read my reply to Hertz.

I apologize for not being able to respond sooner. We have been focusing on our current "main" priority which is to improve the overall service of HRT's programming abroad...as we promised (YOU) the Croatian viewers we would. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as everyone on this forum may think...There is a lot involved...but I assure you it will be done.

Please let me try to answer some of your questions and concerns:

1. Picture Quality:
Since we have added the Croatian Soccer League we have manage to increase the overall bandwidth, in return improving the picture quality. I realize it is still not 100% perfect but we will continue to make improvements as the subscriber numbers increase, resulting in an increase in revenues for such improvements.

2. Better Programming:
This was delayed slightly do to the fact we had to extend the partial encryption date in Australia until April 15th in order to give the Croatian viewers in Australia enough time to sign up. HRT will be fully encrypted in Australia & New Zealand on April 15th 2005.

You should begin to see improvements in the programming line-up starting April 15th as the entire satellite link of Picture of Croatia will be encrypted.

Please also remember, I told you from the beginning that this is not going to happen over night. Unfortunately, there is a process that needs to take place regarding programming rights.

Regarding the 24hours - live programming, again this is something we are working towards and will most likely start in Janauary 2006.

Step by Step!!!

3. Why can't HRT do what the private Serbian's can do?
Because HRT is a "Public" Broadcaster and is 10X bigger then most Private Broadcasters including the Serbians. Therefore, the funds are more spread out, overhead is higher, costs are higher, profit is less, the decision process is longer as there are more people involved, etc......If you still need me to elaborate on the reasons why, I can!!!

I hope I was able to answer your questions to your satisfaction. If not, please let me know if you have any other questions or require additional information to the above topics.

Best regards,

[HRT-Australia]

Originally Posted by Herceg

croat,

What is the response rate like from HRT America?

How long has the program been encrypted for in the US? Have you noticed significant improvement?

I'm waiting for it here in Australia and was hoping for a better service/program, but looks like i'll be disappointed...

Hello Herceg,

Thank you for your posting and your interest in HRT's programming abroad.

We at HRT-America & Australia try to respond to everyone's posting as soon as possible. Unfortunately, currently there is so many things happening with HRT in America and Australia during March, April and into the beginning of May 2005, we are not always able to reply as quick as we would like. Many things to do and not enough time in the day to do them!!!

HRT has been Free-to-air (free of charge) in North America for the past 4 years it has just recently become a encrypted (PAYTV) service...February 1st, 2005.

HRT has been Free-to-air (free of charge) in Australia & New Zealand for almost 2 years. HRT has started partial encryption on March 15th and will go fully encrypted (PAYTV) as of April 15th, 2005.

HRT International service has the same programming in (North & South America and Australia & New Zealand). Therefore, once the entire international service is encrypted on April 15th, HRT will be able to begin providing better programming to the Croatian viewers abroad.

If you have any other questions or require additional information, please feel free to visit our web-site or contact us directly.

Sincere regards,

[HRT-America]

Originally Posted by croat

well I could easily call them up but since they're member of this forum, I ask them questions thru here. So everybody can hear the answers and promises themself, rather than me re telling the story

when it comes to answering questions here, HRT-America hasn't been that good latelly. I remember before encrypting the program they were answering all the questions, pretty quickly. Now that program is encrypted, seems like they don't care anymore.

Since the programming has been fully encrypted we have been extremely busy!!!

[croat]

First of all thanks for the quick reply. Seems you put alot of time and effort in this which is greatly appreciated.

I am sorry if I made some remarks about your company but I didn't know you situation. As I said I really appreciate your response and hopefully you'll keep us informing on regular basis.

I just have few more questions

1. So, Picture quality is way it is due to bandwidth? I thought it would be bandwidth issue or bad encoder. I don't know if you remember, but back few months ago when I talked to you you said picture quality is way it is, due to some conversions that take place at every uplink site (NSS806 and Globecast Centre in NY)
Could you elaborate on this?

2.

Originally Posted by HRT-Australia

croat,
HRT International service has the same programming in (North & South America and Australia & New Zealand). Therefore, once the entire international service is encrypted on April 15th, HRT will be able to begin providing better programming to the Croatian viewers abroad.
Sincere regards,

I guess I was right when I said that programming can't be improved due to channel not being encrypted all over the world. But what really wanders is POC in Europe. It's still FTA over there and seems it will be like that (as no one is mentioning POC going pay in europe)
How are you going to resolve programming rights for Europe?
I say this because some shows (for instance, Villa Maria, Duga Mracna Noc) are encrypted on HRT1 in Europe becuase they're not fully HRT producted.
So once POC is encrypted all over the world and you start showng, lets say Villa Maria, does this mean it will be Free to Air on POC in Europe but encrypted on HRT1 in Europe(which is on the same satellite). Quite frankly this makes no sense to me.

Croat

[HRT-America]

Originally Posted by croat

I am not going to PM them. I want rest of the members see their response. I would hate getting PM's and retelling the story. Hopefully they'll answer soon.

Regarding of programing: Well I've said this many times and I will say it again. They cannot resolve programming right issues (so they can show movies, series, etc) unless channel is encrypted. Well first they encrypted North American feed and basically no change. Now they're going to do Australia. But don't expect any change as Picture of Croatia is still FTA in Europe.

Now HRT-America mentioned that they have solved programming rights for Europe so they can do it FTA. This is NOT true. How come they're not showing Duga Mracna Noc, or Villa Marija on POC? This is because these shows along with others don't have FTA broadcasting rights. When Duga Mracna Noc and Villa Maria are shown on HRT1 or HRT2 in Europe via satellite they're encrypted.
While some shows that are 100% HRT production are shown FTA (even on HRT1, 2)


So as long POC stays FTA in Europe, we WILL NOT see change in programming. They could fix this by having special feed of POC for Europe but we all know this won't happen either. Or they need to shut it down. I don't even know why they have POC in Europe.

Also it's April 1st, and picture quality is still terrible (Checked this during FTA part)

PS Hertz, yes I use same nick.

Croat,

First of all, Picture of Croatia is specifically designed for the Croatian’s living abroad….it is not meant for EUROPE viewers. HRT’s currently uses the spare time available at night on HRT2 (Hot Bird) to backhaul the signal to GlobeCast Europe’s facilities. In the past, the programs on POC which required encryption were encrypted while the other programming were free-to-air. This has been like this since HRT took the decision to increase to 8 x 3 hours per day. I don’t understand where you are getting your information regarding what is or should be encrypted on POC in EUROPE and which programming requires which distribution rights / licenses???. Most programs around the world are available to be broadcasted Free-to-air if the Broadcaster / Rights Holder is willing and able to agree to specific terms…i.e. pay a huge price for the free-to-air rights, rebroadcast with a specific delay (ex. 48hrs), pay royalties fees, etc….The program rights business is very complicated and can carry a huge cost depending on the programming, requirements, territory, interest, etc…

HRT-America along with HRT has solved the programming rights. Unfortunately, a few days later then originally expected. Villa Marija is coming soon, as for Duga Mracna Noc, I need to check with my colleagues in the HRT programming department in Zagreb.

I will repeat myself once again, you will begin to see significant changes in the HRT’s Picture of Croatia in the coming days, BUT this will not happen over night as there is a process which needs to take place and requires some time to build up to a better overall programming schedule.

If you have any further questions or require additional information, please feel free to let us know and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we look forward to your continues support towards making HRT service abroad a complete success.

Sincere regards,

[HRT-America]