The ‘press red’ DOT that won’t go away!

On By In Press Releasess

The ‘press red’ DOT that won’t go away!
(produced in conjunction with ‘Stupid Logos Monthly’)
Posted: March 21st, 2004.
Last updated: July 5th, 2004.
    UPDATE: MONDAY MAY 24TH

      BBC THREE – Sunday Best

        Perhaps Stuart Murphy (BBC3 Controller) would like to explain why hischannel sticks horrendous “BBC THREE – SUNDAY BEST” logos over most of itsSunday night output, except for when it actually grows a brain and droppedthe logos during “Bodies”?

        Perhaps if you had even the slightest respect for your viewers, you’d havehad a chance of getting the BBC2 controller job. Then again, you couldn’t havedumbed it down any further than Jane Root managed.

        Anyone for The Goodies(?)

      UPDATE: WEDNESDAY APRIL 21ST

      Reponse from the Government’s Culture Dept.:

        Yesterday, we received the following response from Sky TV which entirely missed the point waswas disappointing to say the least.

          “I’m sorry to read of your dissatisfaction with certain logos and interactiveicons on Sky and other channels broadcasting on our platform.

          It is the case that in a multi-channel world, many channel providers arechoosing to use an on screen logo in order to make sure that viewers knowwhich channel they are watching and to build a clear brand identity withthose viewers. They are intended to be used to help inform or navigatecustomers through their viewing, not to distract from viewers’ enjoyment ofany broadcast.

          Similarly, the interactive icons used by Sky and other broadcasters aredesigned to give valuable viewer information, drawing attention to aparticular interactive opportunity – such as a quiz or to highlight thatthere are general interactive viewer opportunities which, for many viewers,add value to the service offered.

          I hope I’ve been able to address your concerns and clarify our position.”

        And our response was as follows:

          “Thankyou for your email, but unfortunately it’s the same response that’s been dished out toeveryone else and doesn’t tell me anything more than the responses I’ve had from Sky in the pastover the last few years.

          The problems you continue to misunderstand are:

          • 1. The digibox tells you what channel you’re watching, and all relevant information about a show,making the logos unnecessary.
          • 2. People watch programmes not channels. For example, I’ll regularly watch ’24’ on Sky One at 9pmon a Thursday. Later on I’ll switch to E4+1 to watch ‘ER’ from 10.30pm. I won’t continue watching SkyOne at that point for any reason because you do not show ‘ER’, hence you are wrong in your belief thatviewers build a “clear brand identity”. This simply doesn’t happen and it’s what you, and other channels,refuse to accept. All these logos and interactive icons actually put viewers off watching – such as theextraordinary mess that occurred last year for the Simpsons Golden “D’oh!nut Awards”, where you placed anobscene amount of logos onscreen, namely:
            • a. “Sky One” channel logo in the top-left corner
            • b. “ALL NEW” on a new episode of The Simpsons
            • c. The red dot
            • d. The animated Golden “D’oh!nut” which was spinning constantly during each Simpsons episode that week.
          • 3. You allow the red dot to be removed from playback on a Sky+ machine, so why can you not give thischoice to viewers of all digiboxes, along with all the other logos that tell us what we already know?

          The interactive icons used by Sky and other broadcasters are *not* giving valuable information, they onlyserve to irritate and they’re not even making the money for the broadcasters you hoped for becauseviewers are tiring of being insulted like this all the time, so they’re neither an opportunity for you orfor the viewer.

          I hope this time I actually get a real reply, and I ask you to defend how the example with The Simpsonsin point 2 was designed “not to distract from viewers’ enjoyment” of the broadcast when you could barely*see* the broadcast!”

      UPDATE: FRIDAY APRIL 16TH

      Reponse from the Government’s Culture Dept.:

        Yesterday, we received the following response from Rachel Hitchman, Commercial and DigitalTelevision Policy Advisor, Broadcasting Policy Division, Department for Culture Media and Sport,which follows below as does our reply to that. All broadcasters should take note because itpasses the buck on to you, despite the fact that the government desperately want to switch offanalogue and sell off the airwaves for their own profit which will leave us with nothing but DOG’d programming.

          “Thank you for your recent e-mail correspondence regarding the interactivered dot, which appears on some digital programming.

          I understand your concerns that any constant on-screen graphic may causedamage to plasma screens over time, however, I should emphasise thatbroadcasting any on screen graphics or images is a commercial matter for thebroadcasters involved and one in which the Government has no right tointervene. It is long standing policy that broadcasting services areindependent of Government.

          It is a decision for the broadcasters concerned as to whether they choose tocarry these images and I therefore suggest you contact them directly withyour concerns. Alternatively, you may wish to contact Ofcom who regulate UKbroadcasting services.”

        And our response was as follows:

          “I appreciate your comments and I am regularly contacting the broadcasters and OFCOM as well.However, the Culture department of the government does have a part to play because they are pushingus over towards digital, where these unnecessary logos and icons proliferate, in addition to the factthat the bitrate used on digital satellite by the BBC is significantly less than that used before the2000 Olympics, by their own admission, and so these are all problems that need to be resolved.

          As we get closer to that time, the price of TVs which are more affected by logos, such as plasma TVs,will drop and become more affordable to the average consumer, and these TVs will be inadvertently lefton too long on such channels, such as when parents leave their children unsupervised to watch children’sTV which consists of oversized, bright logos. There are a number of cases of these being burned intothe screen already.

          Reading your email, you say it is a problem for the broadcasters. The broadcasters tell us we shouldcontact the manufacturers because their equipment technically isn’t up to the job, and themanufacturers are just telling us not to watch such channels as often. Everyone is passing the buckand it’s high time it stopped.

          This campaign will continue until these logos are all made to be an option since they aresignificantly increasing in number and they are being forced upon us with no option to permanentlyremove them at present.”

      UPDATE: TUESDAY APRIL 13TH

        Adding of new email addresses:

          Email addresses added for Sci-Fi Channel and Bravo, due to their totally unnecessary 24/7 logosadvertising the likes of ‘Veritas’ and ‘Alias’.

      UPDATE: THURSDAY APRIL 8TH

        change of email address for ITV:

          After discussion with Justin Judd, producer of red-dot content for ITV, it appears it’s Jane Marshall whomanages the red button interactivity on ITV, so his email address has been replaced by hers.

      UPDATE: MONDAY APRIL 5TH

        First up is the reply from Channel 4’s Mark Thompson:

          “Thank you for your recent e-mail about the interactive red dot on Sky Digital. I do sympathise withwhat you have to say, but as is often the case with such issues neither the problem nor the solutionis as straightforward as one might think.

          Let me make it clear at the outset that neither Channel 4 nor E4 has a red dot on screen all the time.We take great care to ensure that the red dot is there only when we have an interactive offeringappropriate to the programme being shown. This means in particular that programmes shown during peaktime do not have a red dot present unless it is strictly relevant to what is on air – for exampleduring a viewers’ poll on Channel 4 News or Big Brother, or when we have a bespoke interactive gamedeveloped for a programme such as NY Graham Norton.

          Interactive television is a new development that gives digital viewers the opportunity to accessadditional content, to participate in viewer polls, to play on-screen games, to send emails and totake part in retail and other financial transactions. Our interactive service on the Sky platform,known as Four Active, is always present and can be accessed via the red button on the viewer’ssatellite remote control at any time. However, in order to inform viewers of the new service andalert them to content they may be interested in, we need to display the red dot from time to time.

          Those viewers who do not wish to see a red dot can remove it by pressing the back-up button. However,as you rightly say, the dot reappears after commercial breaks, and back-up has to be pressed again.I can understand how frustrating this must be, and we have asked Sky (who provide the infrastructurefor our interactive services) whether there is anything they can do to rectify this. We will alsodiscuss with them the related question of whether programmes can be recorded without the red dot being visible.

          I understand that the chance of damaging your television screen by the constant presence of a red dotis extremely remote, and that for such damage to occur a television would need to have a red dotdisplayed continuously for many many hours. As I have said already, Channel 4 does not have a red doton screen anything like all the time.

          A balance clearly needs to be struck between alerting viewers to the new services that interactivity canoffer them and not offending those who feel irritated by the presence of the red dot. I believe we havegot this balance right, but let me assure you that we will keep this under review and make appropriateadjustments as people get more used to the availability of interactivity.”

        Our response to this:

          “The red dot is still onscreen during a number of programmes that do not harbour such content, such asHollyoaks, ER and several other programmes I have tuned into.

          The reasons for the dot not to appear have been made clear on the webpage so I wonÂ’t repeat them here,but there is no reason for it to be present. All you need to do is inform viewers by voice alone as SkyOne now do.

          As for the damage to TVs, you are very much mistaken that the damage is a remote possibility. One onlyhas to note the effects of logos on the BBC’s own TVs in their reception for the screen-burn effect.Similarly, this will happen in households where children’s programmes, for example, are left on constantlywith bright red dots, or even your own channels with the garish “NEW GAME” logo. To dismiss this fact issimply to show contempt and ignorance towards your viewers.

          The campaign will continue until these are made an option for viewers, especially since red dots cannot beremoved from a recording, and hence you are removing consumer choice.”

        And a response from ITV:

          “Your email campaign appears to be addressed to all UK broadcasters,however, we are only able to answer for ITV.

          Along with all other broadcasters we are keen to actively promote and drawattention to interactive services across our channels. As this is arelatively new element within our programming we feel that it is of benefitto the viewer to provide on-air pointers as and when interactivity isavailable within the programming.

          Pressing Back up at any point removes the prompt, but during a broadcastthe prompt re-appears after any ad break. Again there is a benefit to theviewer in that this highlights availability of services to any new viewersto the programme.

          We are keen to balance the expectations of viewers, acknowledging those whowant to enjoy the programme and those who want to be part of interactivity.So far, we believe we have this balance right – complaints about the promptare very rare indeed, and the feedback we receive about our interactiveservices is generally very positive.

          Please also accept this as acknowledgement of all of the enquiries relatingto your campaign which will all be highlighted to ITV controllers via ourdaily report.”

        And our response to them:

          Thankyou for your reply. Alas, it is a disappointing one because the red dot is appearingwithout the viewers’ consent and cannot be removed permanently.

          It cannot also be removed from recordings, however often one presses back-up.

          I am not complaining about the content of your interactive services, but I never view them andso wish to be able to switch off the constant reminders. By not making these an option you areremoving viewers’ choice, and choice is one thing that is highlighted when it comes to digital TV.

          Until such an option can be made available for the user to remove red dots and logos that tellus what we already know, the campaign will continue.

        And OFCOM Tony Close’s care-free response to LogoFreeTV.org in relation to Channel 4’s “NEWGRID” logo:

          “The files tell me that you’ve had considerable correspondence with the ITC in the past on thesubject of interactive icons and screen clutter. And I do certainly understand the point you makeabout the intrusion of these things into programmes. But I’m afraid I really can’t see that there’sa regulatory issue here: Ofcom is if anything less inclined than the ITC was to seek some sort ofgraphical “purity” on-screen.

          We don’t believe that the appearance of the ‘newgrid’ icon through Channel 4 News is likely to havecaused widespread offence. Indeed, you’re the only person who’s complained about it.

          The wider, legal aspects of interactive icons and other impositions on programmes that you mentionare things you really need to pursue with the broadcasters yourself.

          I’m sorry not to be of more help.”

      UPDATE: FRIDAY MARCH 26TH

        I have added Living TV’s contact email address to the line-up becauseof their constant use of pointless DOGs like 24/7 advertising of “Queer Eye” at the weekend.Talk about overkill! I’d include Sci-Fi if I knew their address, for their constant “ALL NEW VERITAS”whatever that is(!)

        Also, only ITV have given the following response so far, for which I am very grateful and I lookforward to their next one, “We are liaising with our interactive team and will respond toall enquiries just as soon as we have further information.”

    The reason for this page is that there is a new menace amongst your TV viewing.

    The problem is that there are several channels which stick a red dot onscreenwhether or not it relates to the programme being broadcast at the time and itinterferes with the viewing. Not only is it annoying, but it can also be damagingto the TV set, particularly rear-projection and plasma screens, as a static, boldimage burns its place on the screen. This has been proved with general DOGs(Digitally-Originated Graphics – aka TV station logos, which are sadly commonplaceon satellite TV)

    Until recently, all broadcasters have said is to press ‘backup’ and the dot is gone…but it hasn’t. It comes back after the advert break. Up until March 2004, it waspossible to press red-then-backup quickly to get rid of it while you were on the samechannel, but even still, this required you to be present during the recording whichis no good if you’re out.

    When you play back a recording containing a red dot, there is no option to remove it.It’s there permanently. The broadcasters blame the TV manufacturers for not making them”red dot”-proof, and the manufacturers tell you not to watch such channels, but I watchprogrammes not the channels and there are times when I have to put up with such shoddytreatment from a channel if I want to see the programme. It’s clear that it’s thebroadcasters who are at fault because they’re the ones broadcasting the dot.

    During March 2004, at different times, all Sky digiboxes have had their software”upgraded” so that you can no longer press red-then-backup to remove the incessant reddot from your TV screen during the time you are on that particular channel.

    Simply pressing ‘backup’ isn’t an option because the dot comes back after the advertbreak, a “red dot zapper” that constantly sends a ‘backup’ signal to the Sky box isn’tan option because it would interfere with any valid use of the Sky menus, and since Iown several VCRs plus a TiVo and a DVD recorder, I’m not going to splash out on a Sky+box just to remove the dot given that the TiVo has far more functionality.

    There is only one option, and that is to make all onscreen and/or interactive logos anoption within the digibox software, and not to force viewers to endure them. I have norequirement for voting someone out of the Big Brother house, playing a stupid gameabout chickens at 50p a go, voting in the karaoke challenges that masquerade as ‘pop star’contests, seeing more news items on the 24-hour news channels, and if I need any of thesethen I’ll switch the red blob back on, but until then – get rid!

    The only channel that seems to have made any head-way in recent months is, surprisingly,Sky One, as they have taken the better option of simply telling the viewer that there is’press red’ content available (eg. clips of next week’s “24” and “Nip/Tuck”) without theneed for a constant onscreen presence, and this is the option that ALL broadcasters musttake. However, the red dot is still viewable on Sky News and should not be there.

    Similarly, Five improved upon things when they rebranded from “Channel 5”, but then spoiledit all with their three-week “Back to Reality” nonsense.

    The following link will email many of those in the positions that matter that we no longerwish to be treated with disdain. They’re always going on about giving us more choice, butthe choice we want is that we can see our channels logo-free!

    (see also Channel 4’s use of the red dotandThe BBC’s use of the red dot)

    If you feel the same, then click the following link which will forward youremail to the following people:

    • BBC: Lorraine Heggessey (BBC1 controller), Jana Bennett, Stuart Murphy (BBC3 controller), Jane Root(BBC2 controller), Andrew Whyte, Andy Duncan, BBC Four, Mick Gleave, Tom Archer, BBC News 24, Duty Office
    • ITV: Duty Office, Jane Marshall – manager of red-dot content
    • Channel 4: Duty Office, Gerry Bastable, CEO Mark Thompson, Peter Good, Rufus Radcliffe
    • Five: Duty Office
    • Sky: Duty Office, Sara Ramsden (Sky One boss), Dawn Airey (her boss), Tony Ball (ex-Sky boss),James Murdoch (new Sky boss)
    • UK Gold: Duty Office
    • OFCOM: The new regulator for the BBC and all commercial channels
    • BARB: They who compile the TV ratings for the programmes viewersare switching off because of DOGs.
    • Government Ministers: Tessa Jowell MP – Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport,Lord McIntosh of Haringey – Minister For Broadcasting at the Department for Culture Media & Sport
    • Living TV: because of their constant use of pointless DOGs like 24/7 advertising of “Queer Eye”at the weekend. Talk about overkill!
    • Sci-Fi Channel: for the same reason – 24/7 logos for “ALL NEW VERITAS MONDAY 9pm”
    • Bravo: for the same reason – 24/7 logos for “ALIAS Sun 9PM”

    If you include further text with your email, please keep the replies politeand to the point, but I am suggesting that these people are lobbied dailyso they actually get the point and do something about it.

    One email address I have omitted, but I suggest you contact at least once is that of the radio times:radio.times@bbc.co.uk

    CLICK HERE TO COMPLAIN

    Of the support received, the following selected complaints indicate the feelings that havebeen made to the broadcasters to date:

  • Steve:
      Firstly, if you do not read this Email fully and comprehend my request thenSHAME ON YOU.

      The RED DOT and other static advertising on channel 4 & E4 is damaging my TVscreen.
      Please remove this, or give me the option to disable it.
      I know what the RED DOT does & what it offers. I DO NOT REQUIRE A CONSTANTREMINDER.

      If the RED DOT and static adverts must be shown, then show them after eachadd break for a short time (10 seconds). The appearance & disappearance ofthese objects will be far more visually effective since viewers will noticethe difference.

      FAO CHANNEL 4
      When (not if) your RED DOT becomes permanently etched on my £2600 TV, willyou (channel 4) pay for my replacement TV?

      FAO Dom
      Dom, is the issue of onscreen graphics an issue the government takesseriously? There are literally tens of thousands (if not millions) of postsin newsgroups, forums, blogs, online petitions) on this issue. Many peoplehave different concerns (screen burn, too simple access to premium servicesfor children, medical issues (serious biological & physiological issues),purist concerns – this list goes on) but ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESEPEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF – WANT THE CHOICE TO DISABLE THEM. Look at theinformation below there is a LOT. If this is what the ‘Online’ communityfeels, then being just a smallish percentage of the number of people in theUK & being an even smaller percentage of people who make the effort tocomplain, it doesn’t take a genius to figure this IS BAD. In fact, this ismy first ever official complaint, never before have I been so compelled toraise an issue. That in itself should show you how strongly I and othersfeel about this.

      If any of you are not convinced, follow the links below.

      What Video & TV
      Google search
      LogofreeTV.org.uk

      A Quote fromGoogle

        “I suffer from a medical problem know as ocularalbinism with photophobia (biological not psychological) The result is thatmy eyes react badly to light and flicker. i got a good 100hz tv to help withthis problem. With the contrast set to low and the 100hz I was able to watch tvfairly well for a period until the red dot! With my contrast low forprogrammes ir shines out like a torch light and causes my eyesight to blur badly”
  • Mark Broughton:
      Can we maybe remove these RED things, and replace it with an ON screenreminder before the programme starts, its Anooying to say the least, yourecord a programme to watch later, and 90 % of the screen has a “Press Red@” logo all over it.

      You may as well just paint the screen red and not show ANY picture, since onscreen graphics were introduced, all you broadcasters are making bigger,(erm, sorry) MASSIVE on screen logos, when WE dont need them on screen,Whats the Search and Scan banner for ?? – that tells me on pressing SELECTwhat channel im watching, whats on now and next, and this about advertisingsuch things as “programme X on sunday @ 9 pm” is stupid – WE all buymagazines, or use Sky Planner to access this sort of info.

      That RED DOT on Countdown saying “NEW GAME” was stupid !!!! – Half thescreen covered, you may has well have covered the WHOLE screen up, so wecould just see the central part of it.

      This onscreen logo has to stop, its far too BIG and its DAMN annoying, Whycant you state “Press the RED button” before your programmes begin.

      If you want to advertise interactive MENTION it BEFORE the programme begins,and please NO RED DOT during or even on the CREDITS of a show, cause evenTHATS annoying.

      This logo imprinting is stupid, and “I” am one who pays your licence fee, Ido not want this kind of crap sprayed all over MY viewing.

      If this continues, I may have to STOP viewing your digital channels, due toeye strain !!!

      This is pathetic – It needs to stop right now.

      Please REMOVE them!

  • Brian Williams:
      Over the last two or three years, my viewing pleasure has been significantly reduced by the following:

      • Intrusive visual messages during the programme;
      • Intrusive and loud voice-overs, usually in a ‘mockney’ accent coincident with, or just prior to, the end credits of a programme, sometimes with the end credits compressed. This is a particular complaint with, but not limited to, Sky One and BBC Three
      • An intrusive red dot, which I never use, but can not get rid of without frequent use of a backup button.
      • An intrusive and completely unecessary logo – my digiboxes (Sky and Freeview) both show the channel I’m watching via the info button.

      I spent the years 1997-2001 working in the USA and was convinced that the viewing public there were morons. I returned to find that the broadcasters of this country are trying to make us into morons as well – or at least treating us as though we were.

  • John Chrapowicki:
      I wish to complain about a recent change in your policy regarding the broadcasting of the ‘red dot’interactive button accompanying your digital programmes on the Sky platform. Up until a few weeks agoit was possible to remove an unwanted red dot for the duration of the programme by pressing the redbutton of the Sky remote and then the backup button. Recently a change was made which means that onecan no longer do this. It’s still possible to remove the red dot by pressing backup but it’s temporaryand it soon comes back. This is not acceptable to me as I have a plasma TV and it’s common knowledgeamongst electronic engineers that bright or high-contrast DOGs constantly displayed in the same place(such as the red dot) will cause irreparable burn-in to the screen.

      Please return to the previous situation or, failing that, please remove the dot after a programme has started.

  • Stephen Poppitt:
      I’m writing to complain about your indiscriminate use of the notorious “reddot”, which is currently spoiling my viwing of your channel.

      I don’t want it, and I won’t watch programmes that are spolied by it.You can be sure that, whenever you include it, I’ll be switching over.

  • Miles and Dawn Treacher:
      Please remove the unnecessary DOGs and ‘Press Red’ logos on our screens, they are not needed and detract from viewing, especially animated logos. I can not emphasize strongly enough how we feel about the unwanted additions to our programmes.
  • Christopher Hughes:
      Dear UK Gold,

      I would like to subscribe to the new package offered by digitalterrestrial television. It includes UK Gold which in my opinion showsquality programmes. Unfortunately the logos that you display aroundthe screen mean that I am distracted and cannot enjoy the programmes. Further more there is a note in my Panasonic plasma television’sinstructions stating that I should avoiding watching a channel thatshows logos for extended periods.

      Please can you let me know if, as plasma screens become more popularand more people are put off by logos covering the screen that you planto remove the graphics during programmes.

  • Anon:
      Hi, i would like to complain about certain things that make me a paying customerneedlessly annoyed.

    • 1. Red dot: Please please get rid of this it drives everyone nuts, their is noneed for it people are not stupid they know you can get interactive.
    • 2. All New. Yes, people might like to know a programme is new but that is whatthe TV guide and info bar is for.
    • 3.Hearing an irritating voice seconds after a episode or film ends is soannoying. What these announcers say is nothing of worth as we all know what’s on next.
    • 4. The red dot again in live boxing. As adverts are on every couple of roundsthe red dot keeps coming back on.
  • Christopher Parkes:
      No more annoying Red Dots!!
  • Max:
      Please remove the “interactive” red dots.

      You don’t put “teletext warnings” on screen ever. Occasionally you may have a mention at the endof the program “you can find more info by pressing teletext page xxx”

      Why not have announcers say “you can get more info by pressing your red button”.

      There is little difference between the offering of interactive servicesand the offering of teletext. Deal with it in the same way please.

  • Ian Watkinson:
      I wonder why you need to question my intelligence, by contantlyreminding me that my television is interactive.

      There appears to be no way, with current hardware to turn off thesered dots, and other “interactive prompts”, so I’m at your mercy.

      However, I can assure you, that given the choice, I’d rather watch achannel without.

      I’d be delighted to hear the thinking behind the persitant red-dots.I don’t mind the odd, btw you can do some thing extra prompts, withvarious programs, but constand red dots are annoying.

  • Helen McBriar:
      Please desist from this damaging practice. At least give me the choice, I will press the redbutton if I want/need to.
  • Bill McBlane – response to Channel 4’s Mark Thompson:
      It is, worthy of note that C4 admits that “Unfortunately the dot reappears aftercommercial breaks, and we have asked Sky (who provide theinfrastructure for our interactive services) whether there is anythingthey can do to rectify this”.

      I have replied to C4 that:”Your reply is OK as for as it goes but it does nothing to change theludicrous situation that presenters and contestants on “Meet theNation” sometimes appear to have an axe stamped across their foreheador, worse, protruding from the side of their wide.

      That large and ugly “NEWGRID” is just as bad.

      Oh, and how are these juvenile prats that talk over the end titles of”Stargate SG-1″ and Enterprise” when they are on on Sunday afternoons.”

  • Mansep:
      Please…
      …can you stop putting so many graphics on screen during a programme.

      the bbc three logo is bad enough (and unneccessary seeing as the channel is not remotely hard to find oidentify what with it being the first channel after FIVE on Freeview).

      but these annoying friday drama graphics or whatever it is they say are just bloody irritating and justmake me switch over. what is wrong with you guys? are you so insecure about the quality of your programmesthat you feel you have to do this? it’s like you’re saying “there’s something better on later, we’re justfilling airtime with this rubbish for the moment”

      and the ALL NEW one is the worst. it’s not even lined up or in the same typeface or style. it looksincredibly ugly. Please, it’s not necessary to mark programmes in this way – all programmes are new to aviewer if it’s the first time they’ve seen it, even if it’s actually a repeat. by having the ALL NEWlogo it kind of suggests that the rest of your programmes are old and not as important.

      think about what your actually saying to the viewers!

      personally i can’t watch any programme with these kind of graphics. the only thing i watch is eastenders.why can’t you have a bit more conviction about the qulaity of your programmes and let them speak for themselves?

      and by the way, the way you cut films with news is brutal. there is no warning or fade to black, it justsuddenly goes to news. and it does it REALLY LOUDLY!! can’t you check the levels?! and what makes you thinkanyone wants to have their film interrupted by a minute’s worth of news? – talk about ruining the atmosphere.

      you lot have a lot to learn about presentation.

  • Stuart Evans:
      Please remove, or at least give us the option to remove the Red dots from our screens, they arewholly unnecessary and spoil the enjoyment of the programs. We know there is an interactive serviceon Sky, so please donÂ’t treat us like morons by reminding us with visual graffiti.
  • Steve Roberts:
      I wish to complain about the incessant use of onscreen Red Dot technology.

      I will not bother entering into a diatribe as to my reasons for the dislike of this onscreenspam menace, as I am sure you have reviewed other complainants.

      It is an insult to my intelligence, and if you consider that those of less intelligence require thisfeature, then you are insulting them too.

  • Peter Kirk:
      I feel strongly about the issue of intrusive Red Dots etc on digital TV broadcasts and wish toadd my voice to the campaign for their removal.
  • Phillip Maguire:
      IÂ’d like to point out that we get enough rubbish through our letterboxes, in our email, and onour phones – do we really need it on our TVs as well??? It wouldnÂ’t be so bad if ‘press red nowÂ’type messages just popped up once, but no, you obviously think we need reminding…. a lot.

      Additionally, why do we need a constant reminder of what channel weÂ’re on???

      IÂ’d like to point out that most peoples short term memories do stretch to more that a few minutes,and as such most people do not need to be constantly reminded that interactive services exist, andthat they are watching your channel.

      I’ll send you this again soon just in case you forget 😉

  • Shaun Nicholls:
      Please, please, please get rid of the annoying red dot (and interactive text) off the TV channels.It is extremelly irritating and does in fact have the opposite effect to that you desire with me -in that while this carries on, I have not and will not use interactive services on principle.
  • Mark Baron:
      I would like to add my support to the above campaign to eliminate the ‘interactive’ red dot / graphicsfrom being almost constantly present on my TV screen. I can accept the use of non-obtrusive logos forchannel names, but the forcing of these intrusive graphics onto our screens (and sometimes large texttoo!!) is not acceptable to me. I NEVER use any of the interactive services through my TV and oftentime-shift my viewing due to work commitments which means there is then no way to remove it. I alsohave a rear projection television, and have been warned that the red-dot / graphics being constantlypresent in the same location will cause permanent damage to my TV.

      Please remove these red dots / interactive graphics from my screen, or at least give me an option todisable them or opt-out.

  • Deano:
      AArrrrgghhhhh i dont like the red dots please get rid just show at start of programs.
  • The Fat Controller:
      As header – please add MY name to the growing list of complainants aboutthese incessantly infuriating red-dots and on screen channel logos.
  • Dean Matthews:
      I access television broadcasts via Sky Digital and feel very strongly that the “interactive” elements ofthis medium are being forced onto subscribers who do not wish to view them. The presence of logos, reddots and other on-screen paraphernalia is very unwelcome on my screen and I am very interested in theproposal by DVDFever.co.uk that these on-screen graphics have an opt-out option. As the people whodetermine what we see on our screens I would ask you to either remove on-screen logos, red-dots andother interactive rubbish completely or provide your viewers with the power to permanently prevent theseirritants from being displayed on their own screens.

      I would also suggest that there is no need for an on-screen identity logo where the act of changing channel(or just the press of one button) displays the current channel name, the current programme, the time andthe details of the next programme. If that is so easily accessible by the viewer then what is the realreason for the presence of on-screen idents? Surely an option that allows the viewer to choose whetherthey want to see on-screen graphics of this type is possible, since Sky have so recently “upgraded” thedigibox software to remove the ability to stop the red dot by pressing red-then-backup quickly?

      Please take this matter seriously and not simply cite some unknown “study” into viewing preferences – theseissues are a huge annoyance to myself and many, many other viewers.

  • Rob Laskey:
      I too wish to complain about the unnecessary use of logoÂ’s on all but themain terrestrial channels on digital. On a digital system you have to betotally stupid not to know which channel you are watching especially as youcan just press one button on the remote to get all this info. On somechannels like Living you often have to peer around a screen full of garbageto actually see the picture.

      CanÂ’t we have the option to get rid of all this distracting useless mess onthe screen. The logoÂ’s are not exactly discrete either, usually being atthe top left and brighter than the rest on the picture in most cases. FXchannel for example is un-watchable.

      I know itÂ’s not part of this campaign but when are we also going to getproper anamorphic widescreen pictures on all of the channels. The mainbroadcasters do but when channel like Gold re-broadcast widescreenprogrammes from the Beeb we get naff letter box versions.

      PS. When are the bit rates going to be turned up too. It should all bebetter than it is, we are being short changed for the whole thing!

  • Andy Chandler:
      I would like to express my concern at the policy of many digital broadcasters with regards to the “Red Dot” and various “Dogs” (on-screen logos).

      On many of the channels on Sky TV and Freeview there is an annoying amount of clutter and unwanted SPAM. I watch TV for the programmes, not for the interactive functions – I have a games console, PC (with web access), phone, family and friends if I want to interact with people, I don’t need this on my TV but I don’t have a method of switching it off. On some days, we have the large channel logo, then we have large interactive logo asking us to press the red button and more logos reminding us there is a program that we are not interested in watching on in 7 days AND also a logo telling us what is on next.

      What is the point of having an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) if we are told on screen what is coming up in 7 days or 2 hours etc.? Are you viewers that stupid they can’t remember what channel they are watching we have to be constantly reminded?

      Why can we not remove the “Press Red” logos in the Sky Box menus? Who is going to pay when my TV gets screen-burn from the constant logos? The broadcasters then have the cheek to blame the TV manufacturers who clearly state that these logos will damage modern technology in TVs? So, our only option is not to watch your channels. It’s quite ironic don’t you think, that you are putting things on your channels output that is actually forcing people to watch your channel LESS? Thought that might catch your attention.

  • Richard Leadbetter:
      I’m writing in support of the above campaign, because I’m getting sickand tired of the intrusive on-screen graphics that appear on my screenurging me to press the “red button”. I consider this to be a form ofadvertising and would much prefer that a) exposure to this is kept to aminimum and b) on commercial channels, the on-screen graphic DOES NOTre-appear after a commercial break. Additionally, an option added to thedigital receiver’s software to choose whether to display these at allwould be very welcome.

      Over and above the sheer irritation, because of the static nature ofthese graphics, they can actually cause “burn in” on new plasma TVdisplays, damaging equipment that costs in excess of £2,000 if letrunning for more than an hour or so.

      Surely the digital revolution is supposed to improve the viewingexperience and not detract from it with unnecessary and irritatingadditions?

  • Pieter Jellema:
      Please, please remove this red dot from your programming. It is a source ofconstant irritation. Temporary removal in the programme by using the “Backup” key is not really a valid option as you need to be present to do it, andin any case, it returns in the advert break.

      When recording to VCR the red dot is ever present, not removable and notactionable. Please listen to your viewers and remove this.

  • Derek Bayley:
      Please, can I have a function to remove red dots, DOG’s etc.I know what channel I am watching, I know what programmes I like and theonly thing this on screen “SPAM” does is stops me watching what I wouldnormally watch.

      That’s right, if there is too much on my screen it spoils the programme so Iswitch it off.

      Please listen to the viewers; we don’t like it, Funny how these thingsdisappear when the adverts are on.

  • Stuart Nuttall:
      Can we just have an option in the digital software (either Sky or freeviewor built-in IDTVs software) to “not display DOGs”; this would still allowyou to press Red, just not display any messages. If not, remove them alltogether!
  • David Low:
      With regard to the campaign over DOGs and Red Dot logos carried onDVDfever.co.uk:

      For the sake of balance, I would like to register my lack of a strongopinion over channel identity icons on my screen. As someone who does nothave a Plasma screen and is not likely to buy one, I can’t say I have hadany problem with idents viewed via Sky Digital or Sky Analogue channels (aswell as terrestrial channels) in my time viewing them.

      However the use of the “Red Dot” is something I am increasingly concernedwith. Again it has not yet distracted me from watching programmes to anyextent (partly because I have been able to remove them easily enough) but ifin future the dots were to be made permanent and non-removable, I wouldsimply avoid programmes where they resided.

      I’d like to think I’m intelligent enough to decide for myself when to useInteractive services – and intermittent mentions for these services wouldprobably have a far greater effect on people’s usage of them, rather than aconstant and mostly anonymous “Press Red” message which means little toanyone.

  • Darren:
      What do these emails tell you… The British public already pay more than enoughwithout risking physical damage to RP/Plasma screens – bet you won’t stumpup the cash to pay for the damage your channel idents and red dots areslowly causing.
  • Daffyd Thomas:
      I wish to add my voice to this campaign, it spoils the enjoyment of manyprograms that you have to constantly reach for the remote to remove suchan intrusive reminder of a service I never use.
  • Ian Mitchell:
      Like most of the rest of the UK population I would rather just see the TVpicture and not a collection of red on screen graphics. Sky One were the firstto start these and they have finally got the message and nearly phased them out during most programs.

      Please get rid of them.

  • Steve Healey:
      Please give us, the viewer, an option to either have the red dot on screen or to be able to remove it.I find all on-screen logos to be irritating, intrusive and, in some instances, actually block off an areaof the programme I’m actually viewing. This is a disgraceful state of affairs. Lose the Dots.
  • Lee Jones:
      I am e-mailing to express my complete disgust at the uses of the”interactive” red dot that appears to be on all TV channels now! Please stopbroadcasting “PRESS RED” and the red dot – it is not needed, irritating andcan damage expensive TV equipment by causing screen burn. I need to beconstantly vigilant, particularly during news broadcasts to avoid suchintrusions damaging my plasma TV. You do not need to advertise yourinteractive content.Users are already fully aware of what they can accesswithout a moronic prompt which stays on the screen throughout the broadcast
  • Paul Forsdick:
      I access television broadcasts via Sky Digital and feel very strongly thatthe “interactive” elements of this medium are being forced onto subscriberswho do not wish to view them. The presence of logos, red dots and otheron-screen paraphernalia is very unwelcome on my screen and I am veryinterested in the proposal by DVDFever.co.uk that these on-screen graphicshave an opt-out option. As the people who determine what we see on ourscreens I would ask you to either remove on-screen logos, red-dots andother interactive rubbish completely or provide your viewers with the powerto permanently prevent these irritants from being displayed on their ownscreens.

      I would also suggest that there is no need for an on-screen identity logowhere the act of changing channel (or just the press of one button)displays the current channel name, the current programme, the time and thedetails of the next programme. If that is so easily accessible by theviewer then what is the real reason for the presence of on-screen idents?Surely an option that allows the viewer to choose whether they want to seeon-screen graphics of this type is possible, since Sky have so recently”upgraded” the digibox software to remove the ability to stop the red dotby pressing red-then-backup quickly?

      Please take this matter seriously and not simply cite some unknown “study”into viewing preferences – these issues are a huge annoyance to myself andmany, many other viewers.

  • Jonathan:
      Please get rid of them now !
  • Max Graves:
      May I express my opinion that I resent your intrusive use of the “press red”interactive button that is regularly displayed on my television. This is notonly intrusive but is a service I do NOT use and have no intention of everdoing so. As a user of the internet, as I’m sure you all are, you will beaware of how annoying “spam” email is, and also pop ups while browsing webpages.

      This is exactly how I view your use of this red button and I therefore askyou to cease its use. Or at the very minimum allow users the option todisable it.

  • Clem Dye:
      I am writing to complain about the continued use of Digital On-screenGraphics (DOGs) and red button/’press red now’ icons that appear on thevast majority of digital television channels, in particular on the Skydigital platform.

      As a person of reasonable intelligence, I do not need the constantreminder of a DOG to remind what channel I’m watching – that’s what theEPG is for. Similarly, I don’t need constant reminders about theinteractive services being available. I’m aware that they’re thereshould I want to use them (which I don’t).

      It is interesting to note that on a fair number of the channels, theDOGs and channel red dot icons disappear during commercial breaks. Why?

      It is a well-documented fact that the persistent display of icons andDOGs can damage TV equipment, especially plasma TVs, after only a shortperiod of time. Having recently acquired an expensive plasma display Iclearly do not want it damaged by the irresponsible actions of the TVbroadcasters.

      Until such time as the DOGs and red dots are removed from the TVpicture, or facilities are provided to disable their display, I shallrefrain from watching those channels/programmes that persist indisplaying this on-screen rubbish. I recently cancelled my Skysubscription, due in part to the continued display of these materials.

      I look forward to receiving a reply to this message in due course, but,as I’m only a customer/viewer, I doubt very much if I will receiveanything …..

  • Psychotic Dreamer:
      If you have ANY consideration for your viewing audience, please take a closelook at the following page: DVDfever.co.uk/pressrel/pressred.shtml

      Failure to do so is hampering the usability of digital television!

  • Cliff Ainsworth:
      Having just bought a Plasma screen which does not take kindly to constantly displayed static images,I too would like to add my note of dissaproval to the practice of constantly displaying channel logos,and “press red” interactive messages. The technology to display the channel info is in the DTT boxeswe don’t need them to be broadcast as well.
  • Alan Rhodes:
      get rid of it
  • Bob Carter:
      As a licence payer I demand that the red and other D.O.G.s are removed from your broadcasts.
  • Geoff Spence:
      Please, please remove this red dot from your programming. It is a source of constant irritation.Temporary removal in the programme by using the “Back up” key is not really a valid option as youneed to be present to do it, and in any case, it returns in the advert break.

      When recording to VCR the red dot is ever present, not removable and not actionable.Please listen to your viewers and remove this.

  • M.P. Hearn:
      I AGREE! The constant red dot is offensive and unnecessary!
  • Jeff Morgan:
      I wish to complain about the annoying red dot that now infests many TV programmes.
  • John Thompson:
      Please allow viewers to watch television programmes just as they were shot. A good deal of effortgoes into each production only to have things spoiled by shoddy presentation.

      I and many others do not want to see Channel Logos and Red Dots in the foreground of our favourite programmes.

      These have become a huge problem on digital TV channels and it is all so unnecessary.

  • Martin Clark:
      If you insist on the continued use of the “Press Red Button” I will nolonger watch your channels. It is an intrusion and should not beallowed.
  • Andrew Bond:
      These DOGs and dots have irritated me so much that as a result I nowwatch considerably less television. No doubt this is good for me, so Isuppose I should actually be thanking you… but I can’t find it in meto do that, because I very much doubt that you had this result in mindwhen making the decision to broadcast these.

      They have been variously described as SPAM and malicious, an insult tothe viewer’s intelligence, and I agree with all of this. Clearly theyare causing many other viewers to turn off. I have yet to find any ofthe content advertised by the red dot to be worth any of my time.

      I add my voice to those asking for this to be made a voluntary thing.You are giving us the choice to put up with it or turn off. My choiceis to turn off, but I feel that you are doing us the viewers adisservice in this – and yourselves too. Is it good business practiceto irritate your customers so much that they turn to other forms ofentertainment?

  • James Fox:
      We’re always being told TV is supposed to be about choice, so why do I have no choice over theintrusive red dots that plague my TV?

      It started with channel logos but now we have ‘Coming Nexts’, onscreen countdowns, textmessage tickers, program ads during programs (Sci-Fi Channel), ‘All New’ logos and of course red dots.

      All I want to do is watch TV without the visual equivalent of spam and allowing me to opt-out ofred dots would be a start.

  • Benny Boyd:
      You do not build a successful relationship with your customers by constantly irritating them. Advertiserson the internet are finally discovering that using pop-up advertising is risking “suicide” for theirbrand (see http://www.theregister.com/content/6/35792.html ). Your non-removable red-dots and otherunwanted on-screen graphics are an exact TV equivalent of the web’s pop-up advertising. Stop themnow – before you alienate your audience further.
  • Steve Currell:
      PLEASE REMOVE THE RED DOTS WE DONT WANT THEM !!!!!

      WE ARE THE CUSTOMERS

  • Gordon Hyslop:
      Please remove the DOGS and the DOTS they are the graffiti of TV and I resent any channel whichuses them The BBC must listen to the viewers.
  • Nigel Griffin:
      I am heartily sick if the constant PRESS RED logos that spoil my viewing experience and cannot beturned off. If I want to use interactive services I will do so, I don’t need to be constantly urgedto PRESS RED. If a reminder is necessary or appropriate, then it could be given at the beginning of theprogramme, but often it has nothing to do with the current programme and is promoting non-relatedservices or a ‘public involvement campaign’ related to a different programme. I am sure I am not theonly person to be annoyed by this, but as a licence payer I trust that even one viewer’s opinion willbe listened to.
  • Anthony Crewe:
      I send this e-mail in the hope that all channels will eventually realise how annoying and offputtingonscreen logos of all kinds are, this includes the ever present red dot, and anything that flasheson screen while a programme is showing. I appreciate that the main aim of satellite channels is togenerate profit, but surely these intrusions just encourage people to turn off? The BBC however receivesa license fee and has no excuse.
  • Neil Sultan:
      I am just about at the end of my tether with the perpetual broadcast of Digitally-Originated Graphicsand the even more hateful red dot. I the viewer, pay my hard earned cash to watch your services. Ido not want to be treated like a moron. I implore that you all wake up and cease to broadcast theseirritations before we start voting with our subscriptions.

      For the sake of clarity I find myself repeating what many others have said: –

      We know we can press red…
      We know what channel we are watching…
      We do not need to be told by the omnipresent “unkillable” Red Dot or DOG….

      If you cannot cease to broadcast these please at least give us the choice by supplying software thatallows choice for those that care enough.

  • Kevin Littlefield:
      I am becoming increasingly irritated by the presence of the interactive TV red dot when I watchChannel 4 on my cable TV. I cannot watch programmes defaced in this way, I just find it too distratcting.The upshot of this is that you are losing my viewing for most programmes that I would otherwise liketo watch. Channel 4 is one of my preferred channels as far as programming goes, but I find thatincreasingly I don’t watch because I cannot achieve a non-defaced display.Please allow viewers to switch off the red dot from Channel 4 programmes. Thank you.
  • Joe Bloggs:
      I wish to make a complaint to all those responsible for the BUGs, DOGs, LOGOs, Corporate Brandings,Emblems, Channel Identifiers & Red Dots which plague our screens.

      Please get rid of them or at least give us the control to switch them off – even the great monopolythat is Microsoft allows us to switch off the stupid “office” paperclip – so should you. Nuff said.

  • Thomas Crosswell:
      I am e-mailing to express my complete disguest at the uses of the “interactive” red dot that appears tobe on all TV channels now! Please stop broadcasting “PRESS RED” and the red dot – it is not needed,irritating and can damage expensive TV equipment by causing screen burn. I need to be constantly vigilant,particularly during news broadcasts to avoid such intrusions damaging my plasma TV. You do not need toadvertise your interactive content.Users are already fully aware of what they can access without amoronic prompt which stays on the screen throughout the broadcast
  • Drew:
      On-screen logos are bad enough. The red dot is an absolute nuisance. Please cease.
  • Richard Youlden:
      Please remove the annoying RED DOT from your programmes. I find it particularly annoying having toreach for the remote control after adverts to turn the damn thing off again. And if that isn’t badenough, recording shows imprints them with a pointless RED DOT that can not be removed! Please,please, please stop messing around and treat us with some respect. We tune in to watch programmes.We don’t want them defacing by logos, dots, or any other rubbish!
  • Raymond Lafferty:
      I have just purchased a new expensive plasma screen and live in fear of the kids leaving it tunedto a channel with a permanent red dot/logo. If I am watching and the red dot cannot be removed Ichange channels. I (and this applies to most viewers) am not an idiot and consequently do not needa permanent reminder for a service I seldom use or even worse an advert for another program totallyunrelated to the one I am watching.Please get rid of these eyesores or at least treat them like subtitlesfor the hard of hearing where you have the option to have them or not.
  • Martin Dean:
      I wish to associate myself with the campain against the permanent reddot on digital tv. I am a digital Tv enthusiast with all 3 platforms inmy house, and my pay tv through NTL specifically because they do nothave the red dot

      I have written to various media people before at BBC, ITV, C4, $ky andNTL about this problem and indeed to C5 who rightly dumped their DOG,anddeserved congratulation.

      The arguments are not complicated – viewers (and parents) should controlwhat is shown on their TV screens. Access to interactive content isfine, we all know the red button is the one we need to press – you donot need it to be there on the screen spoiling the pictures. Colleaguesat logo free TV have already suggested an opt in piece of softwareshould replace the red dot in its current form see herehttp://logofreetv.org/?mode=article_bskyb_30032003

      In particular your failure to recognise this as an issue for videoingprogrammes is a scandal

      We are interested in programmes – not channels and you should alsoeliminate DOGS – and stop treating us as cretins. THE I BUTTON TELLS MEWHAT CHANNEL IT IS (my web site proves it – please lookhttp://uk.geocities.com/logofree2004 ). It also tells me what is onnext. Sometimes I want to know which actor played x or y on a film orprogramme, so let me watch the credits unsquashed and without voiceoversor stupid “trendy” rubbish on the screen.

      Tens of thousands of complaints have been made about this as thepetition here alone showshttp://www.whatvideotv.com/frame.html?http://www.whatvideotv.com/cgi-bin/petition.php

  • Paul Taylor:
      Permanent graphics mean I rarely watch TV any more (exception being Five for films).Not just because of possible permanent damage to my rear projection TV either (intentional vandalism?).

      I would be VERY willing to pay a ‘legal fees’ contribution to sort this junk out.Not just to avoid screen burn, but to have clear pictures to watch.

      Perhaps we should boycott the advertised products shown on Sky, UK ****, and BBC DVDs etc, as the broadcasters clearly care more for advertisers than for the paying viewer.

      That Panorama program about the future of the BBC was well staged I thought.Too scared to have an open discussion huh?We’re in the 21st century, yet UK broadcasters don’t even have a high-profile technology showto educate the nation regarding PC software, hardware, digital cameras, web authoring, GPS, etc.I’m sure the german commercial channels show such programs.Hell, maybe Germany should of won the war 🙂

      Over 6700 people have already gone out of their way to sign a ‘logos must die’ petition:http://www.whatvideotv.com/cgi-bin/petition.php

      Broadcasters:Show logos ONLY AT THE START FOR 5-10 SECONDS and we’ll stop annoying you.Also, 10 items in my house show me the time (and don’t cost ££££ when they are broken by vandals.)Perhaps you can send out stickers to any viewers who actually want logos so they can plaster their TVs with them?Why should I possibly want digital TV? (I’d pay for HDTV though).

  • Tommy Ovens:
      I and many of my associates are being increasingly irritated by theproliferation of the insidious “red dot” which is being blamed fordamage to Flat Panel television screens and has become more difficultto remove. This plus announcements of forthcoming programmes and/orintrusive station logos (which cannot be removed and seem to be gettingbigger) appearing on the left top corners of our TV screens on someChannels is ruining the enjoyment of satellite television. I fullysuspect that this graffiti would soon be added to other areas if theChannels could get away with it!

      As far as station logos are concerned a simple flick of the remote cansoon clarify the station being watched. Programmes currently runningand future scheduling can easily be picked up on the EPG. Surely, if arequirement arises to draw attention to a forthcoming programmeannouncements to that affect, with a reminder to use the red button ifnecessary, can be made during the advertising slots.

      It is requested that action is taken soon to reduce this problem and/orconsideration given to some programmed remote button to remove theoffending items.

  • Walter Ryder:
      Ladies and Gentlemen who control what we are allowed to watch, beware many of us are watching significantlyLESS because of your grafitti. Yes grafitti, when (usually) young people spray paint railway wagons or thesides of buildings they are condemmed by society as vandals for defacing property and making them eyesores.

      YOU, yes you reading this are just as guilty of a similar crime by defacing our television screens withred dots, logos, shrunken credits whilst advertising the next three weeks worth of programmes or maybeit just seems that long). When I watch television, which is getting less and less because of your patheticforms of “brand identity”, it is bacause I want to watch a programme. Those of you over twenty may rememberwhat one of those things are, they were what was on television before all theses “wonderful extras” nowbeing offered. I am well aware of the red dot facility – I actually use it quite often on both Sky andBBC News, what I don’t want or need is it splattered all over my screen during the programme. If you wentinto any art gallery and wrote the name of that gallery across it’s masterpieces and slapped a further reddot inone corner to tell visitors that there’s a guide book available to tell you more about the paintingand offer you some form of lottery ticket or bet on the horses at the same time there would a public outcry.

      And rightly so. Where is the difference here. There isn’t. Please remove the philistines from theirpower in the various broadcasting organisations and let us watch our programmes unfettered withAmerican-style branding.

  • Susan Rutherford:
      Please rid our televisions of this plague. Give us the choice whether to accept or reject these logos.
  • Bill McBlane:
      I would like to add my voice to those complaing abouit thosepersistent red dots plaguing my TV screen. If I’m watching, say, aprogramme about art I don’t want to be constantly reminded about a socall “Reality” show in which I have absolutely no interest.

      Sometimes I record as many shows as I watch live (e.g. “Beat theNation”) so it’s often a case of suffer the red dot or miss theprogramme.

      Why should this be so? Why can there not be a setting on my Sky boxto opt out of all this constant irritation? With modern technologythat is as easy as A-B-C.

      My view it’s either a money making scam or it’s down to those in powerhaving made a decision and now being unwilling to back down.

  • Nick Lee:
      Dear Sky,

      You seem to be using ideas first used by American TV. Americans needlogos on the screen because they are American.

      Britains don’t. We’re British, and we know what the square root of nineis, where the United Kingdom is on a map of the world, and how to readthe delightfully informative banner at the bottom of the screen EVERYTIME we change the station.

      There is no need to tell us what is on next, there is no need to tell usanything. We get it. We just want to see the programme. That’s all wewant!

      Nick Lee
      A British Person. (Not an American)

  • Lyris:
      I’ve been watching Freeview for a few weeks now. There is of course someMPEG artifacting on the pictures, but that’s OK because digital TV getsrid of all those annoying Composite video artifacts, and there are morechannels – plus the sides of my widescreen set are no longer covered byblack borders where there should be picture.

      However, there is this a new annoynace for me and my plasma TV. Whyexactly do you insist on burning a channel identification mark over thepicture AND try to burn it into my screen? I can press the INFO buttonto see what channel I’m watching. Not only this, but you sometimes evenflash up “PRESS RED” – get this, I DON’T WANT TO! Your interactivecontent is, in a word, crap. Please stop trying to shove it in my faceand ruin my viewing enjoyment and equipment!!!

      Would you like to know how I have to get around this? Well, beside my TVset sits a large PC tower, equipped with video input and outputhardware. With this setup I can choose a LogoKiller filter which usesthe picture information around the graffittied area of my screen tosmudge the logo out. It looks absolutely awful and smudges the area upbadly, but the logo looks even worse and is damaging to my equipment.

      So, when I want to watch TV, I have to turn on the (noisey) computer,load the TV viewing software, turn on my decoder, enable the TV outputcard, select the Filter on the PC, tell the computer the area to beblurred out (sometimes the entire top area of the screen if you have alogo AS WELL AS “PRESS RED”), and then decide if I would like tocontinue watching the channel or not.

      THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE CASUAL TV VIEWING. Do you have any idea how*pathetic* this situation and your services are? Thousands of pounds ofhardware, computer know-how and wasted time, just to safely watch TV andhave to avoid spending thousands pounds MORE on repairs or replacementsfor plasma screens. Well, now I don’t watch TV much anymore because ofthis hassle. The screen is used for undefaced programs and films only.

      To BBC: Congratulations on making your service (that I AM FORCED TO PAYFOR UNDER LAW) so accessible! Well done!!! Now give me the option of notpaying for it.

      To Sky: Guess who cancelled their subscription?

      Thank you for reading my email. I ask you to respond and tell me whataction you are going to take for me and the thousands of other disgustedviewers.

  • Paul Anderson:
      Please remove these ridiculous “Press Red” prompts and insanely large brightlogos that infest our digital TV. I know the interactive features are thereand I will use them if I need them. I dislike having it rammed down mythroat. First we had email Spam, then text message Spam. Now we have “RedDot Spam” It’s just the same and just as annoying. How long before thebanner in the top left corner asking us to press red for a test drive forthe cheap car turns into a half page “DOG” or we get “Pop Up Dogs”?
  • Colin Hoggard:
      Are you really all so STUPID that you do not know or care thatyou are turning viewers away in their thousands? NOBODY benefits from your unwarranted, intrusive anddownright offensive DOGs. We care passionately about what used to be the best television in the world- why do you insist on preventing us from watching?
  • Andy Ashworth:
      I am increasingly concerned about the use of the “Press Red” feature onbraodcast programmes. Following the instructions to press it may incur charges (which my childrendo not understand); it, along with the omnipresent (and in my opinion, redundant) channel identifier,is a distraction which detracts from the programme content. Furthermore, much of the content isshallow, content and patronising – surely your job as broadcasters is to make quality programmeswhich engage the viewer.
  • John Catley:
      Please stop broadcasting “PRESS RED” and the red dot – it is not needed,irritating and can damage expensive TV equipment by causing screen burn. I need to be constantlyvigilant, particularly during news broadcasts to avoid such intrusions damaging my plasma TV.You do not need to advertise your interactive content.Users are already fully aware of what theycan access without a moronic prompt which stays on the screen throughout the broadcast.
  • Clive Du Port:
      Please BBC, remove logos, red dots, voiceovers and the like. You’returning me away from watching your usually excellent programming by incorporating these irritating distractions.
  • Graeme Exall:
      Can I just add my voice to the fact that I don’t want the PRESS RED typelogo on the screen when I watch TV.
  • Steve Cousins:
      Please remove on screen logos. I purchased a TV to watch the programs,not have the picture obscured my logos. I find this most annoying.
  • Phil Jones:
      Please desist with the red dot.
  • Piers Finlayson:
      I wish to complain about the use of DOGs on the television channels I watch.I don’t need them and I don’t want them. I look forward to you removing the DOGs on all of the channelswhich I pay you for.
  • Richard Warner:
      Please would you consider removing the red dot from your programming which Ialready pay for twice through my TV licence and my Sky+ subscription ­ it is ruining my plasma­ who should I send the bill to for a replacement when your red dot has burned itself in.
  • Andy Middleton:
      I’m a Sky Digital viewer and as I work too much I rely on videotapes a lotto catch up with programmes I want to watch. I find it quite annoying thatnearly all programmes I record now include some variation of the “pressred” logo, which is of no use to me as I am watching the programme off tape.

      As John Inverdale said on my recording of the Six Nations rugby on BBC1 onSaturday, if you have a digital satellite system and you want to use theinteractive features, you know that it is there and press the red button ifrequired. Just a reminder from the presenter is enough to inform viewersthat the service is available – nobody is stupid enough to need to havesome logo on the screen constantly to remind them. There’s no constantreminder for subtitles, or stereo sound, or anything else – these are atthe start of the programme only, so do we really need one for theinteractive services?

      I am also hoping to buy a plasma screen TV soon, but I am most concernedthat I have read many reports that this expensive purchase will be damagedby screen burn from these red dots, so I guess until the situation isresolved I’ll have to forget it.

      Please could you take a sensible course of action and stop showing thesered dots constantly on the screen, or even better – introduce a menu optionfor those of us who don’t want to see them, or have plasma TVs, so thatthey can be turned off.

  • Peter Smith:
      I also wish to complain about DOGs. I have a plasma screen and socannot watch a number of channels, or at least not for long. As this type of equipment becomesmore widely used you will have to address this issue as your use of these static images damagesmore people’s TVs. You will also have to address the issue of poor quality of digital transmissionswhich is magnified on larger screens.
  • Alan Potter:
      I am writing to express my CONCERN and irritation over the use of the’red dot’ on your channels. CONCERN because they are an intrusion on mypersonal viewing experience . CONCERN because they seem to be a deviceto generate income from the gullible. CONCERN that the young may beviewed as an easy target. CONCERN that they are unaccountable andCONCERN that they seem impossible to get rid of.

      I am not asking much, simply the CHOICE to rationally decide whether Iwant junk on my screen, to be able to switch them off, all of them, andnever be intruded upon unless I decide to switch them on. This is theCHOICE we would all like to make.

      I recall that CHOICE is often the rallying cry and justification of somany in the media sector to produce the muti channel world, but so oftenCHOICE is denied to us the humble viewer. Channel executives so oftenignore us and marginalise us, even well loved institutions such as theBBC have been swayed by the seductive thinking of marketing people. Butmarketing and those that control the money cannot see the creativeimpact and its intrusion and so deny us the CHOICE.

      Lastly I express my IRRITATION of this junk, the sheer amount of my timethat is spent in attempting to get rid of it, the IRRITATION I have toendure of beloved programmes defaced and the IRRITATION of having tocomplain and be ignored because I am one person and so many remainsilent. Apathy is always exploited.

      Having expressed my CONCERN and IRRITATION and made a plea for CHOICE, Ihope one day the creative individuals who used to run our channels, willgain control again give us back our pride in our industry and consignmarketing philosophies the dustbin of history.

  • Matt Roxburgh:
      1) The TV in our gym is now permanently burnt with your on screen logoas there is no way to turn it off, who pays for that damage ?Are you saying you don’t want people to watch your channels all thetime ? If so where are the warnings ?
      2) If the logo is to show which channel I am on then what is the EPG for? Surely this is miles better as it shows me the channel and the program Iam watching.
      3) If there are yellow cartoon characters running around called Marge,Homer, Lisa and Bart then I am fairly sure that I am watching the Simpsons,no need for a permanent reminder.
      4) If the logo is there to show me what channel I am on then why thehell do I get Sky One logos appearing when I am watching other channels, howconfusing is that ?
      5) You interactive services suck (apart from FanZone) so don’t remind meabout them or at least give me a SERVICES setting to switch it off.
      6) I don’t need to be told Teletext is there on terrestrial so why do Ineed to be told that interactive is there on digital.
      7) Why would anyone use those interactive services ? They are eitherslower than teletext or hopelessly out of date (football results over a dayold are not unusual)
      8) The classic horror story was your jacko Monday logo, everyone hatedit, if your program needed that much advertising then it probably was notworth buying

      If you really want to continue these dogs and blobs then at least spare athought for us viewers and give us the option to turn them OFF ! I paid towatch sky not watch sky’s adverts after all you put at least 4 minute advert/ coming next / forthcoming feature breaks at least every 15 minutes.

  • Tony Kast:
      The Red Dot and tv logos are not just annoying they are extremley harmful tothose of us who own the latetest in tv technology.I my self own a £1149.99 42″ Widescreen Toshiba Tv with a rear projector I have now had to stop my 3 year old daughter watching cbeebies because of not only the cbeebies logo but also because of the “come and play” red dot in the other corner we should be aloud to chose if we want these intrusions on ourtv’s and that is all they are, because when they finally burn there way on toour screens unless we pay a huge price they will stay there.This is a very serious matter and I know that the BBC are not the only company that use the red dot and logo’s but if you could be the first to take notice being the main television company im sure that others would follow.
  • Richard Bowes:
      Please remove the RedDot. Surely the success of Teletext without anannoying and distracting reminder on screen, will show that you all you need to do is to provideuseful content and your interactive services will be a success. If you’re finding that the onlyway to attract users is a constant reminder of the service, perhaps you should be looking at thecontent rather than the reddot.
  • Paul Maher:
      My enjoyment of your television programmes is being reduced by theannoying red interactive dot or graphic. I do not need constantreminding about other services, nor do I need an on screen logo all thetime. I know what I am watching and if I need any information I have anelectronic programme guide. Please would you consider reducing theamount of clutter on my television screen and allow me to see as much ofthe picture as possible.
  • Colin Toogood:
      Please remove the red dot NOW, it is destroying both my viewing pleasure, and my plasma screen.

      I have been following a number of campaigns regarding on screen logo’s etc, and the BBC is one of the worst offenders that seemingly refuses to listen to protests from views.

      Definition: Viewer: A licence fee payer, and someone that pays YOUR salary.

      I am an ex-BBC employee, and with the BBC’s current attitude towards the people that fund it, I must say I am extremely proud to be ex!!!

      I would be very please if you could give me an explanation of why the BBC will not listen to its own bankroll.

  • Dave Alcock:
      For goodness sake stop treating us like morons and get rid of the red dot. If we wantinteractive services then we can press the Interactive button on the sky remote. While you’reat it, please get rid of the channel DOGs and identifiers. We’re not imbeciles, we know whatchannel we’re watching, and the intrusive logos all over the place are hideous, not tomention potentially damaging to my plasma screen.
  • Trevor Tucker:
      Please remove the Red dots from our screens, they are unnecessary and spoilthe enjoyment of the programs. Even worse they also are visible on recordedprogrammes and do not even work in this case!
  • Nic Blinston:
      At last, someone has offered us a voice!

      I used to enjoy watching television, back in the good old days beforedigital TV. With the old analogue set-up, so long as the aerial waspicking up a strong enough signal, I was able to virtually guaranteehigh-quality pictures, free from any kind of interference.

      Now I have to contend with not only lower quality pictures because ofthe blockiness and other digital artefacts, but also the constantinterference from DOGs, pop-ups, miscellaneous other superimposedgraphics, and now the Red Dot / Press Red menace.

      I know that broadcasters believe we have the attention span of agoldfish (witness all those half-hour documentary programmes whichcover six different stories, cutting between them every minute orso), and I’m happy to acknowledge that my mobile phone has probablyreduced my short-term memory capability slightly.

      However, even I can remember from the start of a programme to the endthat if I want some ‘extra information’ or feel the urge to spendmoney on some pointless voting options, all I have to do is ‘pressthe red button’. I don’t need constant reminders. Especially when I do most of my viewing on time-shift as I’m never aroundwhen the prog rammes are actually trans mitted.

      So, for me, the red button isn’t that useful.

      Flippin’ annoying, isn’t it?

      I don’t mind you OFFERING the red dot, but since my digibox iscapable of all sorts of clever things – like displaying menus WHEN ICHOOSE, showing the channel identity WHEN I CHOOSE, telling me what’son now (in case I can’t work it out) WHEN I CHOOSE, please make the red dot available to me WHEN I CHOOSE.

      Just to reiterate that point without interference:

      I’m happy with the availability of the red dot, I’m happy with theavailability of the so-called interactive services. I just want to beallowed to exercise a level of choice about what appears on my screenthat isn’t as drastic as ‘you can always switch it off’.

      Of course, I suppose I could be really cynical and imagine that thelong-term aim of lower picture quality, more and more intrusiveon-screen clutter etc, is to encourage me to buy the DVD of whateverI’m interested in, so you can actually eventually stop broadcastingaltogether and switch off the expensive distribution network.

      All those years I taught media students and trained editors,producers and directors, I never imagined 21st century televisionwould be such a disappointment. But I suppose most of theprogramme-makers would rather not have their work defaced anddegraded in this way either.

  • Lee Mellows:
      Please remove these logos. They are ruining my enjoyment of your programmes.We are not stupid, we do not need red dots, logos, ‘Brand new’ captions oranything else littering our screens.Who on earth do you think these bits of visual garbage are eitherentertaining or informing.They are simply irritating, messy and irrelevant. You must know this istrue. Why do you persist in this mad vandalism of your own programmes?
  • John Newman:
      I would like to add my voice to the many complaints which I am sure youare/will receive on this subject. I appreciate the technical advances in respectof interactivity which, at times chosen by the viewer, can add to one’sexperience but I must stress I wish this to be at my choice.

      I am continually having to pres the backup button to remove this annoyingclutter on my screen and, to be frank, sometimes now avoid certain channels andprogrammes I would otherwise watch. This especially applies when I record aprogramme for viewing later in the day as, in these cases, I have no way ofremoving this nuisance.

      I am considering the purchase of a plasma screen in the new future but,having taken advice from several retailers, will not now do so on the basis thatthat certain areas may be burned out by on screen logos. Those nice chaps atSony have, unfortunately, lost several thousands pound worth of sales from mebecause of this and I know I am not the only one! Perhaps we ought to askthem to write to you as well!!

      Seriously, I am now getting to the stage where I am regularly purchasing DVDbox sets for the programmes I watch most (admittedly not just for this onereason but it is one of the reasons) and I sincerely and respectfully hope youwill give this matter your consideration)

  • Glenn Curtis:
      Recently, I watched Stargate and apart from the fact that you can’t even leta programme finish before some stupid announcer crashes in; you not onlyreduced the credits to half the screen but you showed a trailer for the nextweek’s episode in the right hand frame which you couldn’t hear anywaybecause of the announcer.

      Surely Sky are supposed to be a responsible broadcaster so would it not bepossible just to let us all enjoy the closing credits of programmes as theywere supposed to be seen AND HEARD.

  • Paul Morris:
      Please will you remove the red dot logo from our television screens. We (theviewing public) are not stupid and I personally, resent being treated as if I am. Iam intelligent enough to know that I can reach the interactive services on variouschannels by pressing the button marked ‘interactive’ – it’s not rocket science -so get rid of it… PLEASE!!

      While you are at it – get rid of all the other on screen clutter as well i.e.:’Only 10 days until this new program starts’ ‘All new episode’ etc.

  • Susan Crawley:
      I am writing to express my displeasure at the constant use of “red dots” andother DOGS. Both myself, family and friends are boycotting ALL interactiveservices until these are disabled by default. There should be an option to opt in rather than opt out. Surely we have theright not to have our rear projection TV’s permanently damaged by TVcompanies?
  • Dave Chapman:
      Please STOP the SPOT – or make it user-selectable.
  • Jonathan Rackowe:
      I am watching a movie or news item, yet I am distracted. Why? Because the impact of the scenes isruined by the bright white channel ID logo burned into the upper left part of the picture.

      This ever-present logo is both distracting and irritating. And I cannot press any sort of button tomake it go away. Perhaps the movie runs for two hours – I don’t have any wish, nor is there anyreason, to be continually told on screen the name of the channel I’m watching. But irritatingly it’sthere. Please, please make these nightmare logos go away.

      Now, additionally, red dots before the eyes have become a permanent feature of my viewing.AAARRRGGGGH !!! Get rid of them please.

  • Pete Sipple:
      Why do broadcasters feel is it so important to remind everyone about the redbutton all of the time? Anyone who’s savvy enough to want to use interactiveTV KNOWS to use the red button, the rest of the viewers just find thisirritating. Can anything be done to reduce this on-screen spam?
  • Alan Taylor:
      Personally, I see no good reason for the use of any red dots or on screenlogos…

      Anyone with digital reception now has access to a box that will tell themhow to “go interactive” or find out which channel or programme they arewatching. I do not need a constant “branding” in order for me to rememberwho has the the programmes I want to watch…

      I have not and will not watch such programming…

      In order to make this clear to Sky I will be removing subscription to allbut basic sport channels.

      For the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 I will be making it clear that I will nolonger watch programmes that have a persistent red dot or logo…

  • Sean Black:
      Please either decease or at the very least make the red dot optional.
  • Jack Nicklaus:
      Stop the Red Dot.
  • Paul Keane:
      We don’t need red dots, “press red” or any other on-screen graphics. Theyare a nuisance and of no help to the viewing customer. Please get rid ofthem immediately.
  • Matthew Jones:
      My enjoyment of your television programmes is being reduced by theannoying red interactive dot or graphic. I do not need constant reminding about other services,nor do I need an on screen logo all the time. I know what I am watching and if I need any informationI have an electronic programme guide. Please would you consider reducing the amount of clutter on mytelevision screen and allow me to see as much of the picture as possible.
  • Alan Groves:
      Interactive tv is a good development to make the tv work more like a PC inthe internet/digital tv age we are in. However, the all pervasive red dot on-screen as an access point is not.Since the placement of the dot is pretty much the same whatever channel you are watching, there isdefinite risk of damage to the tv set screen itself.
  • Anthony Hagger:
      I am sick and tired of these red dots being displayed on your channel andbeing able to remove them or constantly pressing backup to get rid of them. This is a form of spam muchlike in the email world and I shall be writing to my MP and seeing if a law can be brought in to stopspamming of my TV channels by this evil menace.
  • Laurie Rose:
      Please give me the choice to permanently disable the Red Dot.
  • Mark Epps:
      I wish to express my dissatisfaction regarding the way that the ‘red dot’is used on many programs currently broadcast. I do not use any interactive features, and having topress the ‘backup’ button on my Sky remote after each advert break is very tiresome. Additionally,if I record a program on my video, there’s no way that I can remove the red dot. I also have concernsthat this red dot is damaging my television screen over a period of time. I would ideally like to beable to permanently remove not only the red dot, but also the channel logo in the top corner that seemsto be more and more prevalent these days.
  • Dean Jarratt:
      That annoying red dot…come on…sort it out.
  • Philip Edwards:
      Please give us viewers the option to have the RED DOT displayed on our screens or not.They are really irritating!
  • Martin:
      I’m in agreement with DVDfever. The inability to control the red dot/Press Red displaysmust constitute some violation of the computer misuse act. There are many things that we as viewersdon’t have control over; is it too much to give us some choice in what is displayed on top of theTV programmes we want to watch?
  • Peter Wakefield:
      I am writing to complain about the current usage of a red dot/logo on thecorner of the screen of your channel that interferes with my viewing pleasure. I politely request thatit is either removed/ hidden from view or made optional on my screen.
  • Patrick Navin:
      I’m another person sick to death of the red dot spoiling my tv enjoyment.It’s bad enough that TV companies feel the need to plaster logos all over their shows but the red dotis the final straw. Start listening to your subscribers for a change.
  • Ed Wheeler:
      I think it is totally unacceptable that broadcasters access my set top boxand display interactive advertising on my owned computer hardware in the form of my Sky Set Top Box.I do not consent for any UK television broadcaster to place their “RED DOT” / PRESS RED / or gameadvertisements on my set top box. In my opinion this amounts to unsolicited SPAM and maliciousunauthorised software.

News page content input by Dominic Robinson, 2004.

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