Transporter films on Channel 5 are not completely recording

[rond1]

We have recorded each week on Channel 5 the Transporter film series.

On every one of them Sky only records the first hour and seven minutes.

Why is it not recording the rest of the film?

Ron

[Mark39 · Accepted solution]

Are they split by the evening news? If so, set both parts of the film to record individually. Channel 5 don't always provide the required linking information.

[rond1]

Thanks for the thought Mark.

when I set Sky  to record it was only showing one item. I. E. No series  link.

[Mark39]

Yep, sounds like poor linking data from Channel 5. Without the link your Sky box wouldn't 'know' to record the second part.

[rond1]

Thanks again Mark.

I think you're spot-on!

I've raised the same issue with the Channel 5 forum.

Ron

[TimmyBGood]

@rond1 

The channels are playing a game here: by splitting a film with a news broadcast (even if it's a fairly bogus 'celebrity' or 'entertainment' news spot of very short duration) they get to have a couple more advert breaks within the film running time without breaking Ofcom regulations on advertising frequency and overall duration.  Unfortunately this typically causes a Sky recording to fail with the latter part missing, as technically the two segments aren't separate episodes in a 'series' to be 'linked': if they were then presumably the attempt at regulation avoidance would be on thin ice.

[rond1]

Thanks for your response Timmi!

I must admit I am equally cynical as you. I would point out that I don't get a fail message on the recording it just doesn't record  the last hour or so.

My cynical view is that you are encouraged to watch these films and the end is deliberately lopped  off because if you decide you want to search and download it you're invited to pay the rental for it.

as you may have seen I have raised the issue with channel 5 forums  but no response yet.

Ron

[TimmyBGood]

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@rond1 wrote:

My cynical view is that you are encouraged to watch these films and the end is deliberately lopped  off because if you decide you want to search and download it you're invited to pay the rental for it.

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That wouldn't make money for the channel though: if anything it would reduce their audience share and so their advertising revenue.  I'm reasonably certain it's simply a side-effect of the channels concerned straining the limits of the Ofcom regulation I mentioned above.