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| Virgin Galactic completes initial rocket tests |
The space tourism firm Virgin Galactic has successfully test-fired the rocket motor designed to boost a passenger spaceliner on suborbital joy rides into space.
The hybrid rocket motor would launch Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo spacecraft into suborbital space at speeds of over 2,500 mph (4,000 kph) to send ticket-carrying passengers soaring to heights of 65 miles (110 km) above the Earth.
This latest series of tests in the California desert follows flight tests for SpaceShipTwo's carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo, dubbed "Eve." The Eve mother ship ended up with a slight ding on its tail in April during what was then its longest test run yet.
"SpaceShipTwo, which will air launch from Eve, is largely constructed and awaiting the start of its own test flight program later this year," said Sir Richard Branson, the British billionaire founder of Virgin Galactic.
SpaceShipTwo is designed to carry eight people — six passengers and two pilots — into suborbital space and back for about $200,000 a ticket
Unlike typical rockets, SpaceShipTwo would ride into the upper atmosphere under Eve's wing before igniting its own rocket engine to make the final ascent into space. That means the rocket motor only needs to burn for a short time period.
"This means much less fuel is required — fuel which provides none of the toxins that are present in the solid rockets used by the space shuttle and satellite launches," Branson noted.
He added that the spaceship's carbon footprint for each of its passengers and crew would be just a quarter of that for a return trip from London to New York.
Read More... |
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| 29 May 2009 - 10:49 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| HARDWARE: Pioneer Intros iPod-enabled Receivers; D-Tools Adds SI Screens to Software Package |
Electronics maker Pioneer this week began shipping a new line of A/V receivers with built-in iPod and iPhone support. The company's new VSX-819AH, VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH offer plug-and-play iPod playback with a full color graphic user interface and remote control support --- Users of D-Tools' System Integrator software package can now spec projection screens from SI Screens for their projects as part of a new partnership between the two companies.
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| 29 May 2009 - 10:38 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Consumer Confidence Boost to Benefit Electronics Sector |
U.S. consumers are becoming far more confident in the state of the economy overall and, according to CEA and CNET, that's good news for consumer electronics makers.
The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Expectations, which measures confidence in the economy as a whole, jumped nearly six points in May to 174.6 to reach its highest level since February 2008. In terms of consumer electronics expectations, the index increased nearly four points in May.
“Consumer spending on technology appears to have bottomed,” said Shawn DuBravac, CEA’s director of research. “While the economy continues to deteriorate, albeit at a slower rate, consumer spending generally and specifically consumer spending on technology are likely beginning to rebound, which is inline with the timing of consumer spending in past recessions.”
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| 29 May 2009 - 10:37 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| LG Xcanvas Bobos 50PQ60D & 42PQ60D Plasma HDTVs [1,000,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio] |
LG (specifically LG Korea) have curiously waited till after CES to announce its latest plasma HDTV units, namely the 50” LG Xcanvas Bobos 50PQ60D HDTV and the 42” Xcanvas Bobos 42PQ60D HDTV, both of which sport ultra slim designs - though not quite on par with Samsung’s latest HDTVs – and integrated USB ports, allowing both units to offer audio, image and video playback (including WMV and DivX encoded video) directly from USB flash drives or external media hard disks.
Both set for release in Korea next month, both of LG’s new Xcanvas Bobos plasma HDTVs offer a purported, and frankly phenomenal, contrast ratio of 1,000,000,000:1 (yes, you read that right) as well as 600 frames per second fluidity paired with integrated ambient light sensors that act to dynamically adjust backlight brightness according to ambient lighting conditions to both ensure optimum viewing experience as well as increase energy efficiency; to the point where LG claim that both new units can save up to 60% through reduced energy consumption when compared with other similarly specified HDTVs.
Both the LG Xcanvas Bobos 50PQ60D and the 42PQ60D HDTVs come with integrated speakers – no specific word concerning output – and measure in at just 76.8mm – which place them way out of the ball park of the aforementioned Samsung LED HDTVs which come in at just 6.5mm.
The 50” LG Xcanvas Bobos 50PQ60D is set to retail in Korea for the equivalent of $1,460 whilst the 42” LG Xcanvas Bobos 42PQ60D will come in at the equivalent of $1,022.
LG are yet to confirm whether either or both of these new plasma HDTVs will see a release outside of Korea in the future.
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| 27 May 2009 - 08:14 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| PROGRAMMING: DIRECTV Expands ESPNU Carriage; Fox Soccer Covering FA Cup; Sirius XM To Carry Dave Matthews Band Radio |
Starting July 1, DIRECTV will move ESPN's college sports channel ESPNU from its sports tier to the more widely distributed Choice programming package. The DBS provider has also announced plans to add ESPNU HD to its high-def lineup by the end of Q1 2010 --- On May 30, Fox Soccer will broadcast live coverage of the FA Cup Final between British clubs Chelsea and Everton, airing the event to what Fox claims will be the widest U.S. television audience in FA Cup history. Because, you know, Americans don't really like soccer and networks don't often broadcast it here, although Fox Soccer reaches some 35 million U.S. households --- As part of the rollout celebration for the band's forthcoming Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, the Dave Matthews Band is getting its own channel on Sirius XM. Starting June 1, Sirius channel 17 and XM channel 56 will turn into 24/7 Dave Matthews Band Radio, airing a range of DMB-centric music spanning the band's entire career.
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| 27 May 2009 - 08:10 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Analyst Cuts Estimates on DISH |
Sorry, DISH Network, but Wall Street doesn't seem to love you like it used to.
On Tuesday, Collins Stewart analyst Tom Eagan cut his fiscal year 2009 estimate for the DBS provider, saying that he does not see "a sustainable turn-around in sight." Eagan cited DISH's lackluster first quarter results and a potentially damaging decision in the company's TiVo lawsuit in the decision.
Eagan said he now expects DISH to lose some 417,000 net subscribers this year, up from the 392,000 sub losses he had previously predicted, and report earnings of around $3.06 billion. The analyst had been expecting DISH to bring in about $3.16 billion this year, but falling subscriber numbers have eaten away at that revenue base.
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| 27 May 2009 - 08:08 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| CEA: Consumer Electronic Spending Slipping On More Than Just Economy |
The average U.S. household spent about $1,230 on CE products in the last 12 months, according to a study released Thursday by the Consumer Electronics Association.
Think that's a lot of money? In fact the figure fell about $176 year-to-year as consumers pulled back on purchases given the struggling economy. But, according to CEA, there's more to reduced CE spending than just money problems; many shoppers already have the technologies (e.g. flat panel HDTVs, digital cameras, MP3 players, etc) they want and aren't looking to buy more anytime soon.
“While consumers report spending less on CE, ownership of nearly all products measured in this study are higher compared to last year showing that consumers continue to buy CE products but are purchasing them at lower price points," said Ben Arnold, senior research analyst with CEA.
Televisions remain the most-owned consumer electronic devices in the U.S., with some 99 percent of households owning a TV. According to the CEA study, high-def TV ownership rose 11 percent in the last year to account for 52 percent of U.S. homes, double the technology's penetration in 2007.
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| 25 May 2009 - 07:21 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| NASA puts off shuttle landing until Saturday |
(CNN) -- NASA officials have postponed the landing of space shuttle Atlantis until Saturday because of weather concerns.
The first opportunity to land the shuttle at Florida's Kennedy Space Center will be at 9:16 a.m. ET Saturday, NASA said on its Web site.
"Edwards Air Force Base in California will be activated for consideration as well," it said.
NASA canceled possible Friday landing times at 10 a.m. and 11:39 a.m. because of a weather system that has dumped more than 2 feet of rain over parts of northeastern Florida.
"Weather currently is forecast 'no go' due to a prediction of broken clouds at 4,000 feet and a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility," NASA said Friday.
That weather system is lingering in the Gulf of Mexico and continues to spread rain across the region.
Atlantis launched May 11 for NASA's final repair visit to the Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis astronauts conducted spacewalks during the mission to perform routine repairs and replace key instruments.
The mission was one of the most ambitious space repair efforts ever attempted. Hubble was released back into solo orbit Tuesday morning.
In space for 19 years, Hubble can capture clear images that telescopes on Earth cannot, partly because it does not have to gaze through Earth's murky atmosphere.
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| 22 May 2009 - 09:55 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Traditional TV Still Winning Hearts, Eyes |
I'll be the first to admit that the Internet is changing the face of video delivery, but according to a recent report from Nielsen, the majority of U.S. viewers still prefer to get their TV the old fashioned way: via the big, black box in their living room.
In fact, the amount of TV the average American watches at home (153 hours per month) actually increased 1.2 percent from last year, despite the recent onslaught of mobile viewing and other alternatives.
But, the fact is we're all just watching more TV, at home or not. Online video consumption rose 13 percent in the first quarter, according to Nielsen, and there are now about 131 million Americans regularly watching video on the Internet. What's more, mobile viewers now total 13.4 million, representing a year-over-year increase of some 52 percent.
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| 22 May 2009 - 08:02 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| PROGRAMMING: DiSH Adds FUEL TV; DIRECTV Expands HD Locals in Texas |
DISH Network on Thursday announced that it had added FUEL TV to its programming lineup on channel 155. FUEL TV - which covers action sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and motocross - is now available in some 30 million U.S. homes --- DIRECTV has launched local programming in HD for its customers in Odessa-Midland, Texas (the original setting for what has become "Friday Night Lights," FYI), bringing to 126 the total number of U.S. cities where the DBS provider offers HD locals. In Odessa, KPEJ Fox and KPBT PBS are now both available in high-def.
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| 22 May 2009 - 08:01 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| PROGRAMMING: DIRECTV At The French Open; CBS Snags Medium |
DIRECTV is bringing its interactive service package back to the French Open tennis tournament this week, offering viewers six channels of live coverage from ESPN2 and Tennis Channel, along with in-depth scores and other tournament news. And for the first time, the French Open Mix channel, which enables fans to watch up to six matches simultaneously, will be available in HD --- Just a few days after being canceled by NBC, drama "Medium" was picked up by rival network CBS and inserted in the fall schedule on Thursdays at 10.
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| 21 May 2009 - 08:04 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| SATELLITE: Arianespace, ViaSat Agree On Assurances; Arianespace Wins Alphasat Contract |
Arianespace Wednesday announced that it had signed a reorganized launch services agreement with ViaSat that will secure launch capabilities for the ViaSat-1 satellite if it becomes necessary. The deal also includes advanced payments for a potential future ViaSat launch by Arianespace --- Inmarsat has selected Arianespace to launch its new Alphasat I-XL communications satellite. Set for 2012, the satellite will be carried aboard an Ariane 5 rocket launched from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana and positioned at 25 degrees East, offering mobile voice and data services for Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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| 21 May 2009 - 08:04 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Why Ion's Latest Bankruptcy Filing Is A Good Thing |
The word "bankruptcy" might conjure up some negative images (especially these days), but it doesn't have to necessarily be a bad thing. Sometimes, a well-timed filing can set up a company for more success going forward.
Take broadcast station owner and standalone network operator Ion, for instance. This week the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a pre-arranged deal that will allow it to retire $2.7 billion in legacy debt and bring in $150 million in new funding. The move, which is similar to Charter's pre-arranged bankruptcy filing from March, is Ion's second in two years and came about after Ion reached debt-for-equity swap agreements with several of its debtholders, effectively transferring its outstanding debts into shared stakes.
"We are positioning the business for growth and will emerge from the restructuring in a strong position to serve viewers, clients, and stakeholders," said Ion CEO Brandon Burgess.
And viewers of Ion's 60-plus broadcast stations and its cable network shouldn't even notice a change, as the company says it plans to continue normal operations throughout the accelerated process.
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| 21 May 2009 - 08:04 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| SatLink Adds God's Learning Channel; Starfish Television Gets DISHFamily Carriage; Rogers Gets More Sports Nets |
SatLink has added God's Learning Channel (GLC) to its AsiaSat 2 C-band platform, broadcasting to Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The 24/7 GLC was launched by Prime Time Christian Broadcasting, features 40 different programmers and covers a range of religious topics --- Non-profit channel Starfish Television Network announced that it is now available via DISH Network's DISHFamily programming package --- Canadian MSO Rogers has reached an agreement with CTV that will bring sports channels TSN2, TSN2HD and RDS HD to its programming lineup.
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| 19 May 2009 - 10:29 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Peerless, Euromet Sign Distribution, Development Agreement |
A/V installation developer Peerless Industries on Monday announced that it had signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Italian distributor and manufacturer Euromet to deliver its mounting products throughout Europe, North America and South America.
Under terms of the deal, the two companies will also work together to develop new products and expand existing offerings.
“This partnership weds unique Italian design and aesthetics with exciting products that give our customers around the world the best product choices for their A/V needs," said Mike Campagna, president of Peerless Industries.
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| 19 May 2009 - 10:29 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Protostar Launch Goes Off Without a Hitch |
International Launch Services (ILS) on Monday announced the successful launch of the Indostar II/Protostar II satellite over the weekend form the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The satellite, to be operated by Indonesian direct-to-home operator Indovision, is now located at 107.7 degrees East and is the second satellite in Protostar's constellation. The bird will offer expanded S-band and Ku-band coverage over Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Taiwan, supporting direct-to-home TV and radio services for Indovision as well as HDTV and broadband services throughout the region.
An ILS Proton Breeze M transport vehicle carried the satellite into orbit.
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| 19 May 2009 - 10:28 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| HARDWARE: D-Tools Adds KORDZ To System Integrator; D-LINK Intros New Security Feature for Home Routers |
Users of D-Tools' System Integrator software package now have access to a variety of home theater cables from Australian manufacturer KORDZ, the company announced Tuesday. According to D-Tools, KORDZ produces a range of A/V interconnects for the home entertainment market. It will provide detailed product specifications about its entire line to users of System Integrator. As the latest addition to D-Tools' Manufacture Vantage Program, KORDZ joins more than 2,500 companies with products that are accessible via the System Integrator software package. The program allows installers to access detailed product information for an array of integration solutions --- D-LINK has added CAPTCHA (a.k.a. Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) functionality to its home and small business routers as a new security measure, designed to prevent trojan horse attacks by determining whether actions are human or computer generated.
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| 13 May 2009 - 08:09 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Zenith Offers DTV Converter Box Help for VCR Users |
Still in love with that old VCR? Worried that the digital television transition will render it, and its built-in analog tuner, obsolete (finally)?
Don't worry, Zenith has you covered. The CE maker on Tuesday announced new features on its www.ConnectYourBox.com and www.ConecteSuConvertidor.com DTV setup sites designed to help VCR users cross the digital divide.
"With the transition to digital broadcasting, a VCR's built-in analog tuner becomes obsolete," explained Zenith Senior VP Richard Lewis. "So if you want to continue using an old VCR to record TV shows off the air through your antenna, you'll need a digital TV converter box that produces analog signals that the VCR can record."
Bet you never thought you'd see the letters V-C-R in the digital pages again, did you?
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| 13 May 2009 - 07:59 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| INDUSTRY: Iridium Headed to Russia; Playboy Reports Net Loss; DISH Goes Country |
Iridium Satellite on Monday announced that it had formed a new company called Iridium Communications Russia, OOO and had begun pursuing a license to provide MSS services to the Russian market --- Playboy Enterprises on Monday reported a $13.7 million net loss for the first quarter on revenues of $61.6 million. Both figures are down from this time last year --- Starting June 2, DISH Network will present an exclusive country concert series in partnership with CMT entitled "Invitation Only." Six episodes of the monthly show will air on DISH channel 101 and be available on demand.
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| 12 May 2009 - 09:36 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Flat Panel Demand Outstripping Supply |
Finally, some good news for the consumer electronics space.
According to market research firm DisplaySearch, demand for flat panel TVs outpaced retailers supply during the first quarter of 2009. That's a stark change from the first year-to-year quarterly decline in Q4 '08, with LCD shipments surging 23 percent in Q1 to 7.2 million units as consumers find their way back to the remaining CE retailers.
Not surprisingly, price was a factor, with both closeout sales (due to oversupply) and Circuit City's liquidation deals both being credited with driving the growth.
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| 12 May 2009 - 09:34 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| How DISH Turned Q1 Into a Good Thing |
Few in the industry were surprised Monday when DISH Network reported that it had lost 94,000 subscribers in the first quarter. After all, the DBS provider was expected to continue shedding subs as its distribution deal with AT&T unravels.
That sort of result is generally considered bad news for operators.
But even three straight quarters of customer loss couldn't dull the fact that DISH beat analysts estimates (which were hovering around 128,000 net subs lost) and turned a $313 million profit in Q1. The company even increased quarterly revenues 2.1 percent to $2.9 billion.
How'd they do it? By cutting costs ... big time. DISH's subscriber acquisition costs fell 22 percent in the period to $292.2 million. Still, it's not all smooth sailing for DISH, even though its stock spiked as high as 200 percent after Monday's reporting. The impact of the AT&T split will likely increase in future quarters -- the telco accounted for about five percent of gross additions in Q1, down from the 17 percent it contributed in 2008 -- and it might take several quarters for the company's current promotions (including its $9.99 discounted programming deal which Charlie Ergen himself mentioned disliking) to show up on its balance sheet.
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| 12 May 2009 - 09:33 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DISH Bolsters HD Lineup With New Channel Feeds |
DISH Network on Friday added five new channels to its high-def programming lineup, taking its total number of national HD channels beyond 140. According to the provider, it now leads all pay TV operators in terms of total HD channel count.
The new channels include high-def feeds of FX, SPEED, Fashion TV, Logo and MavTV. DISH also said it will host the entire 24-hour feed of The N on channel 181.
Both FX HD and SPEED HD are available via DISH's Classic Silver 200 HD programming package and above, while FTV HD, Logo and MavTV HD are available in the Platinum HD add-on package.
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| 11 May 2009 - 10:07 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| HARDWARE: Vizio Number One North American LCD TV Vendor; Gefen Intros New Wireless HD Options |
Value-priced CE manufacturer Vizio last week claimed the top spot on iSuppli's list of North American LCD TV makers with 21.6 percent of the market in the first quarter. That's up from just 13.8 percent of the North American market in the fourth quarter of 2008 --- Connectivity developer Gefen has introduced two new wireless solutions capable of sending a 1280x1024/1080i high-def video signal via wireless wi-fi. The Wireless VGA LR Extender can send an HD signal up to 100 feet, while the SR Extender can handle distances up to 30 feet. Both are currently available for purchase.
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| 11 May 2009 - 10:07 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DISH Intros Remote DVR Features, Promises Sling Functionality |
Jumping onto a feature bandwagon that other providers have been offering for months, DISH Network on Friday launched a new remote access service that allows its customers to manage their home DISH Network DVR from anywhere in the world.
The free web-based service, titled DISH Remote Access, includes all of the features of the user's DVR remote control along with comprehensive program search tools. The company also announced that the upcoming ViP 922 HD DVR will include built-in Slingbox technology ... finally linking that Sling Media acquisition to the flagship business.
According to DISH, the new DISH Remote Access service is compatible with the ViP 922, ViP 722k, ViP 722, ViP 622 and ViP 612 HD DVRs
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| 11 May 2009 - 10:06 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| FINANCE: CBS Revenues Down in Q1 |
Broadcaster CBS on Thursday reported that its revenues for the first quarter of 2009 had slipped to $3.16 billion, down from the $3.65 billion it brought in for Q1 2008, due in large part to a 15 percent drop in advertising sales. The company reported a net loss of $55.3 million for the period. CBS' television revenues decreased 12 percent to $2.23 billion.
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| 8 May 2009 - 09:31 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Revenues Down at OpenTV, But New Partnerships in the Works |
Access software developer OpenTV on Thursday reported a 13 percent drop in first quarter revenues to $29.4 million, down from $33.8 million in the first quarter of 2008, but execs were upbeat about the company's long-term prospects.
Net income for the quarter was $1.2 million, down considerably from the $7.6 million in profit that OpenTV reported this time last year. Still, OpenTV CEO Ben Bennett told reporters that the company is well-positioned for growth and maintains a health balance sheet, despite the slowdown. He called the outlook for 2009 "cautiously optimistic" and said the company would continue to make strategic investments to take advantage of new opportunities.
On the positive side, OpenTV on Thursday also announced that Time Warner Cable will deploy its EclipsePlus ad management tool at all of its regional operating centers in the U.S., and that Seagate Technology had named its PVR solution one of the best digital video recording technologies on the market.
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| 8 May 2009 - 09:30 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Inside the DIRECTV Results |
DIRECTV released its first quarter financial results on Thursday, reporting a 46 percent drop in net income to $201 million despite boosting quarterly revenues by seven percent.
So why is that good news?
Because the DBS provider also announced that it had added a staggering 460,000 net new subscribers in the period, its highest figure in four years, to end March with about 18.08 million U.S. subscribers. That's up six percent from the 17.04 million DIRECTV had on the books this time last year, growth the provider attributes to its HD offerings, interactive services and new hardware.
And, despite the temporary setback in profits that comes with adding new customers, that growing subscriber base will only serve to strengthen DIRECTV's place in the satellite video marketplace going forward.
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| 8 May 2009 - 09:30 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DIRECTV Taps DirectPlus For MDU Honor |
DIRECTV on Tuesday named Coral Gables, Fla.-based dealer DirectPlus its 2008 MDU Dealer of the Year. The award, which recognizes one company every year for excellence in installing and operating DIRECTV systems in multi-dwelling unit (MDU) properties, was awarded to the company at a recent dealer conference.
In explaining why DirectPlus was chosen for the award, David Olsen, DIRECTV's senior vice president of sales said, “DirectPlus demonstrated exceptional growth for the year as well as outstanding customer service to the thousands of residents they serve in multiple states."
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| 6 May 2009 - 09:27 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Profits, Advertising Up At Discovery |
Discovery Communications on Monday reported an $8 million increase in first quarter revenues to $817 million, well outstripping analysts expectations for the period and posting $119 million in profit.
The company reported only $34 million in profit for the first quarter of 2008.
Discovery even bucked the media industry-wide advertising slump, posting a two percent increase in ad revenues thanks to higher insertion prices and increased ratings, but even that figure fell short of the 6.4 percent increase the company reported in Q4. Most of the company's recent gains, however, can be traced back to its tax bill, which dropped 36 percent in the quarter to $70 million.
As for the full year, Discovery execs said they expect total revenues to reach between $3.4 and $3.5 billion by the end of 2009, with as much as $575 million in net income.
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| 5 May 2009 - 09:54 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| INDUSTRY: Cedar Point Goes to Russia; NYTimes Close to Shuttering Globe; LATV Highlights Second Anniversary |
Hardware developer Cedar Point Communications on Monday announced that the Russian Ministry of Communications had formally approved its VoIP switching system for use in the country, opening the door for expansion into the Russian telco market --- Despite some promising talks between management and union leaders, the New York Times Company is reportedly planning to notify federal authorities of its plans to shut down the Boston Globe sometime this week. If it happens, the paper could be history by the end of the month -- Since launching two years ago this week, Spanish-language multicast network LATV has grown from 14 U.S. affiliates to 35, the network said Monday. As part of the two-year celebration, LATV is launching two new programs: a "music-driven" drama series and a comedy centered on a man with two wives and families. Ay yai yai.
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| 5 May 2009 - 09:53 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DIRECTV, Liberty Release Spinoff Specifics |
DIRECTV is about to go through a business shakeup ... courtesy of Liberty Media's entertainment unit.
On Monday the two companies announced new details about the upcoming transaction, saying that Liberty Entertainment will be merged with DIRECTV to form a new company, called DIRECTV, that will hold a 54 percent stake in the DBS provider. The new DIRECTV will also hold a 65 percent in Game Show Network, game developer Fun Technologies and a trio of regional sports nets. In addition, the spinoff will boost Liberty Media's total stake in DIRECTV from 48 to 54 percent.
Chase Carey will stay on as president and CEO of DIRECTV, and no other changes to the company's leadership are expected.
On the financial side, the spinoff will leave the new DIRECTV with about $30 million in cash and about $2 billion in debt, plus $650 million in long-term funding. Liberty's other entertainment holdings, those not included in the spinoff, will operate under the name Liberty Starz.
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| 5 May 2009 - 09:52 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DISH Debate, Cont. |
SkyReport: There are many problems that can be attributed to DISH's loss of subscribers, but in the New York area the one thing that destroyed new subscribers was the poor management decision to not carry the YES Network.
Here you have a company (DISH) that had a great subscriber rate and market penetration for the area and as soon as YES came out and DIRECTV signed up, and the announcement that DISH would not carry this important sports channel, the DISH subscribers that happened to be Yankee fans switched immediately. Not only did this destroy the subscriber base, but cost money in chargebacks, and there were some very upset customers that had been with DISH for years.
Adding to the mix is the cable/FiOS digital packages that include everything for one price. This Triple Play introduction pulls even more customers away from anything satellite related.
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| 4 May 2009 - 11:28 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| SATELLITE: Space Foundation Expands Forum Roster |
The Space Foundation has added Gary Payton, Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for Space Program; Maureen Wylie, CFO of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and Joe Fuller, president and CEO of Futron, to its speaker lineup for the Space Business Forum: New York, to be held June 4 at the Hilton New York Hotel in New York City. The three join a speaker lineup that already includes Thomas Pickens III, CEO of Astrotech; Hoyt Davidson, managing member of Near Earth and Morgan Stanley aerospace analyst Heidi Wood, among others.
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| 4 May 2009 - 11:25 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| PROGRAMMING: All is Well Between Comcast, NFL Network; VOD Gets Cheap on FiOS |
Despite the fact that their carriage agreement expired last night, Comcast and the NFL issued a statement Thursday afternoon assuring viewers that the NFL Network will continued to be carried on Comcast systems while the two sides hammer out a deal --- As if VOD wasn't already a low-cost alternative to "going to the movies," Verizon on Thursday announced a May promotion that will offer three recent titles -- "Marley and Me," "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" -- on demand for $2.99 each.
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| 1 May 2009 - 10:44 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| INDUSTRY: ESPA Launches New Career Tools; German MSO Selects NDS; FiOS TV Reaches Milestone in California; Cablevision Intros Pancreatic Cancer PSAs |
The Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA) on Thursday launched two new online resources to help entry-level electronic systems techs get started in the industry. The association's free Career Entry Survey includes 10 basic questions to help users decide if the field is for them, while the Pretest Assessment helps new technicians determine if they're ready to take the full Certified-EST exam that ESPA administers --- German cable provider Kabel Deutschland has selected NDS to serve as end-to-end solution provider as it enhances its digital TV platform and roll out new services --- According to Verizon, more than one million households in California now have access to its fiber-supported FiOS TV service. The telco offers FiOS TV service in 83 California cities throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino counties --- In an effort to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, Cablevision and The Lustgarten Foundation on Thursday launched a new series of curePC PSA featuring a range of Cablevision-associated celebrities, including actor Bryan Cranston, New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, New York Rangers player Scott Gomez and a pair of New York-area news anchors.
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| 1 May 2009 - 10:44 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Eutelsat Launches Satellite Broadband in U.K. |
European satellite operator Eutelsat on Thursday began offering 2 Mbps broadband to rural British households via its new Tooway satellite internet service. Based on ViaSat's similar offering in North America, Tooway is the U.K.'s first satellite broadband service offering speeds and prices on par with ADSL, according to the provider.
And this is just the beginning, Eutelsat said. The firm plans to expand the service up to 10 Mbps in 2010 after the launch of its KA-SAT satellite. Until then, however, the service will be delivered by Eutelsat's EUROBIRD 3 at 33 degrees East and be sold by a network of local distributors.
In addition to Britain, Eutelsat's Tooway also serves customers in 20 European countries including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Ireland.
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| 1 May 2009 - 10:43 by soullezz |
Industry News
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