BBC HD has gone some way towards appeasing viewers by removing the channel logo during certain programs, and making it less bright at other times.
Currently on-screen branding, widely called digital on-screen graphics or DOGs, is a massively controversial subject in television circles.
Although many vociferously call for the removal of anything that distracts the eye from the main program, many channels see the DOG as valuable in identifying to the viewer which channel they are on when they channel hop – and to help link the brand of the channel with the programme they are watching.
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However, BBC HD's supremo Danielle Nagler has explained on the BBC HD blog that she will try to appease everyone with a compromise.
"From this weekend, assuming no technical glitches in the areas responsible for implementing this, the BBC HD DOG will be removed from all films shown on the channel and the majority of the drama content," writes Nagler.
"For other programming, we are turning down the DOG to the lowest level that we can while allowing it to remain visible.
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"In doing this, I'm aiming to make sure that at least some of the programming which really showcases HD quality and experience is DOG-free.
"Hopefully, the irritation factor on the rest is reduced, while retaining the channel branding across much of the output for the benefit of those who may not blog but who do find it valuable.
"I am not sure that this is the final position on the subject, but I do want to give this arrangement a reasonable period of time to bed down before taking a view on whether there is any further adjustment to be made."
TechRadar thinks it's a commendable approach to a longstanding gripe.
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
uncleook
June 24th
3. Agree with dvs. I've complained to some broadcasters about this and their reply is that their customers appreciate the info banners... I've yet to find one person who agrees with that.
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dvs
October 22nd 2008
2. I find DOGs annoying but I find it more annoying when broadcasters feel the need to add extra information on the screen throughout the entire programme such as the name of the programme you are watching, advertising programmes starting in several days time or having words like 'new series', 'first look' or 'catchup'. All the major broadcasters are guilty of this.
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iveoles
October 22nd 2008
1. Great work from the BBC, let's hope it carries through to their other channels as well.
"many channels see the DOG as valuable in identifying to the viewer which channel they are on when they channel hop"
I must disagree with this statement however, while it may have been true in the past almost every freeview box as well as Sky and Virgin media all have an OSD telling you what channel you just changed to when you surf. Makes that little logo a bit redundent.
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