Media & Marketing Emmet OliverCable company NTL describes itself as "a pioneer of high-quality digital TV, internet and telephone services" on its corporate website.
However, Irish consumers unhappy with the company's decision to impose a surcharge for late payments and for refusing to sign direct debit mandates might choose a slightly different description.
This week NTL Ireland was on the receiving end of pretty heavy consumer flack over this decision and its general record on customer service.
Not only did the National Consumer Agency launch a broadside against the cable giant, but RTÉ's Joe Duffy radio show devoted a large portion of airtime to the company's various sins, with callers queuing up to lacerate the firm, which is in cut-throat competition with Sky in particular.
Phones tend to go unanswered at NTL for long periods, consumers alleged.
The chairwoman of the National Consumer Agency, Ann Fitzgerald, was particularly displeased with the company's decision on direct debits, which effectively penalises those who would rather pay on an ad-hoc basis or with cash. "Forcing consumers to go the direct debit route has very serious implications for poor and vulnerable people who do not have a bank account," said Fitzgerald, in an argument likely to find favour with many people.
One would think that all this negative energy directed at NTL Ireland would cause some worry among its executives but this is unlikely. Why? Simply because in practical terms NTL as a company no longer exists in this country.
It was bought out back in 2005 and has effectively become part of UPC Ireland. UPC Ireland was formed when Liberty Global acquired NTL Ireland for €325 million and combined it with its existing Irish cable operation, Chorus.
The company is expected to rebrand as UPC in May and the new entity is planning to push aggressively its triple-play offering of digital TV, broadband and phones. The company is currently upgrading its network so that every NTL customer (as they are currently known) can avail of triple play. There are also plans to improve the whole back-office function so that calls are answered more quickly
So in a strange way, if there is to be negative sentiment about the company, it is probably best that it is directed at a brand that will no longer exist in Ireland within a few months. As long as customers keep griping to NTL, rather than UPC, management can probably sleep soundly in the long term.
GAA loses out in viewing game
In terms of sports viewing this year, the main winner was rugby, while the loser was Gaelic football. The audience for rugby's Six Nations averaged 197,000 watching each game, but hit an extraordinary peak of 767,000 for Ireland's game against England at Twickenham. The Heineken Cup is also fast emerging as a major sporting property, with 532,000 tuning in to watch the final between Munster and Biarritz.
However, the 2006 figures for Gaelic football were disappointing. Dublin agency Initiative pointed out that the All-Ireland football final is usually the most watched sporting event of the year. However, it fell to a disappointing fourth place in 2006, with a decrease of 178,000 viewers. The final was contested by Kerry and Mayo this year.
The Ryder Cup managed to get an audience of 144,000 on Sky when it was shown live, although the global audience was disappointing, with only six million people tuning in.
The succession of victories for Europe over the US in the tournament may have dulled the appetite of international viewers for golf's ultimate showpiece.
While six million may sound like a sizeable audience, in global terms that makes the Ryder Cup a minnow.
In 2006 the top three sporting events in terms of viewing were the World Cup with an average audience of 260 million, the Super Bowl with 98 million and the winter Olympic Games with an average audience of 87 million viewers.
Free air time for alcohol awareness
The independent radio sector is providing free air time this Christmas to advertisements concerning alcohol awareness. If somebody was to buy the air time, it would cost them €350,000.
The initial phase of the campaign will consist of a minimum of three spots a day on each commercial station. The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland expect to develop and expand the campaign in 2007 and beyond. Some stations, including regional youth station Beat 102-103, have gone even further by committing to running five spots a day.
Emmet Oliver can be contacted at eoliver@irish-times.ie
