News Archive
Car Makers May Come Up Big for XM in 2006 & SES Americom Launches IPConnect & End the Terrestrial Loophole -- Posted by soullezz
on Friday, October 28 2005
Car Makers May Come Up Big for XM in 2006
Vehicle manufacturers may come up big for XM Satellite Radio in 2006.
The company said Thursday that two automakers, General Motors and Honda, could collectively produce more than 2 million vehicles containing its satellite radio service next year.
In September, GM announced the production of its 3 millionth vehicle with a factory-installed XM radio, and the auto giant this week announced plans to manufacture 1.55 million vehicles factory-installed with XM in the 2006 calendar year. Honda has plans to produce 550,000 XM equipped vehicles in the 2006 model year, compared to a 2005 target of 400,000, the satellite radio company said.
XM said its vehicle manufacturing partners represent 61 percent of the U.S. auto market, with automotive partners Toyota and Hyundai gearing up for XM factory installation beginning in the 2007 model year.
XM also reported second quarter results with revenue for the three-month period at $153 million. Subscriber Acquisition Costs (SAC) in the third quarter 2005 were $53, a decrease from the $57 reported in third quarter 2004. XM's operating loss for the quarter was $109 million.
XM said its products are well stocked for the holiday season and expects to accelerate subscriber and revenue growth through the fourth quarter.
SES Americom Launches IPConnect
SES Americom this week launched IPConnect, a centralized distribution platform designed to serve key enterprise markets with a suite of satellite-delivered, IP-based voice, video and data solutions.
The company also unveiled IPConnect VNO (Virtual Network Operator) services, enabling enterprise service providers to offer everything from basic Web surfing and point-of-sale authorizations to business continuity, VoIP, video and private networks.
SES Americom also announced a suite of IPConnect services, based on Verestar's IPLex offering it acquired in December, that allow corporate networks and public organizations to tap dedicated and shared bandwidth for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint applications, including voice and videoconferencing.
Also, SES Americom said it inked its first IPConnect VNO agreement with Signal Mountain Networks. The Atlanta-based network integrator is providing secure voice and data services across the U.S. and around the world to businesses and government agencies serving mission-critical markets, including oil and gas, hospitality, disaster recovery, homeland security and national defense, SES said.
End the Terrestrial Loophole
It's time to close the terrestrial loophole.
The loophole allows a cable company (and really, it's only one cable company, and that's Comcast) to withhold programming from a competitor by delivering a video service via terrestrial means instead of satellite. It has been a thorn in satellite TV's side for years.
And given the pending acquisition of Adelphia assets by Comcast and Time Warner Cable, in which the nation's two biggest cable companies will gain considerable size in several of the markets they serve, the terrestrial loophole presents an even bigger threat to cable's small dish competitors.
What's stopping Comcast and/or Time Warner Cable from using terrestrial means for delivering programming in an effort to stop short of offering content they control - including key regional sports networks - to the competition?
Comcast has used the terrestrial loophole in one market, in its home town of Philadelphia. Satellite TV cannot access Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia since it's delivered via terrestrial means.
It should be noted that Comcast also has RSNs in other markets, such as Washington, D.C., Chicago and Sacramento. None of the networks are tied into a terrestrial delivery regime, and are available to satellite TV.
Still, DirecTV has complained it has a difficult time reaching a fair deal on access to RSN programming controlled by Comcast.
And the satellite TV company said if history is any guide, the plan for Time Warner Cable and Comcast "is to create RSNs in new markets where they gain sufficient market share and then withhold or raise the price of regional sports programming" from video competitors.
Could the terrestrial loophole make that lack of access worse?
The Adelphia transaction could lead to high market shares in specific markets served by Comcast and Time Warner Cable, with the share in some cities jumping to as much as 70 percent, one lawmaker on Capitol Hill recently suggested. If the cable companies take over that much of a market, and the local RSN in that market, would it then be difficult for other video competitors, such as satellite TV, to receive that programming?
Want to address some of that high market share? Eliminating the terrestrial loophole would be one antidote preventing the operators, and other MSOs, from acting in an anti-competitive manner.
as seen on skyreport
On the Lighter Side -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, October 27 2005
On the Lighter Side
Instead of posting news today we are going to post a couple of good laughs to lighten things up!!
This mp3 is hilarious!!
http://www.dsscentral.net/media/my_check.mp3
(to download this file right click on the link and choose "Save Target As")
SIPPING VODKA
A new priest at his first mass was so nervous he could hardly speak.
After mass he asked the monsignor how he had done.
The monsignor replied, "When I am worried about getting nervous on the pulpit, I put a glass of vodka next to the water glass. If I start to get nervous, I take a sip."
So next Sunday he took the monsignor's advice.
At the beginning of the sermon, he got nervous and took a drink.
He proceeded to talk up a storm.
Upon his return to his office after the mass, he found the following note on the door:
1) Sip the vodka, don't gulp.
2) There are 10 commandments, not 12.
3) There are 12 disciples, not 10.
4) Jesus was consecrated, not constipated.
5) Jacob wagered his donkey, he did not bet his ass.
6) We do not refer to Jesus Christ as the late J.C.
7) The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not referred to as Daddy, Junior and the spook.
8) David slew Goliath; he did not kick the shit out of him.
9) When David was hit by a rock and was knocked off his donkey, don't say he was stoned off his ass.
10) We do not refer to the cross as the "Big T."
11) When Jesus broke the bread at the last supper he said, "Take this and eat it for it is my body." He did not say "Eat me".
12) The Virgin Mary is not called "Mary with the Cherry".
13) The recommended grace before a meal is not: Rub-A-Dub-Dub thanks for the grub, Yeah God.
14) Next Sunday there will be a taffy pulling contest at St. Peter's not a peter pulling contest at St. Taffy's.
mp3 and jokes contributed by DssCommunity Chat members
DirecTV Proposes National EAS Effort & News Corp. Directors Win Re-Election at Tense Meeting & FCC to Consider Significantly-Viewed Rules -- Posted by soullezz
on Sunday, October 23 2005
DirecTV Proposes National EAS Effort
In a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission late last week, DirecTV proposed that it could develop a system and procedures necessary to deliver national emergency alert system (EAS) messages to its subscribers.
DirecTV said it does not currently have a national EAS capability, and achieving it would require a "substantial investment of time and money to develop and deploy the necessary hardware and software."
However, the company said it recognizes "the important role such a capability can play in ensuring that subscribers have timely access to critical information of national importance."
DirecTV told the FCC it's prepared to commit the assets necessary to implement a national EAS strategy. The company estimated it would take 18 months to implement a fully-functioning system.
In its letter, DirecTV also pointed out that satellite TV services are inherently national. Any obligation to carry EAS messages on a state or local basis would be highly problematic, the company said, "assuming that there was actually a way to overcome the technological and managerial challenges such a requirement would present."
DirecTV also highlighted its efforts to deliver information to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina via an information channel and offering viewers raw news pool feed from press conferences and other public statements from local, state, or national officials.
News Corp. Directors Win Re-Election at Tense Meeting
Four News Corp. directors were re-elected to the board of the media giant during its annual meeting in New York City Friday, a gathering that was a bit tense for attendees.
Re-gaining their board seats were News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin, DirecTV CEO Chase Carey, British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington, and Rothschild Investment Trust's Andrew Knight. All four were elected to three-year terms.
As for the contentious meeting, apparently 16 percent of News Corp. shareholders withheld their votes to protest the company's poison pill provision. News Corp. and Chairman Rupert Murdoch adopted the poison pill to head off any outside hostile takeover after Liberty Media boosted its voting stake in the company to about 18 percent last year.
FCC to Consider Significantly-Viewed Rules
At its open meeting Friday, the Federal Communications Commission will consider a report and order to adopt rules for satellite TV carriage of significantly-viewed TV stations.
The action item, in which DBS services would be allowed to offer local channels from a neighboring market, is part of the FCC's implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA).
The FCC also will consider two big telecom mega mergers: SBC Communications' takeover of AT&T and Verizon's acquisition of MCI.
as seen on skyreport
DirecTV Inks Big NASCAR Deal & Christian Broadcaster Pushing Multicast & FCC Begins Look at PanAmSat/Intelsat Deal -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, October 18 2005
DirecTV Inks Big NASCAR Deal
DirecTV signed a corporate sponsorship agreement with NASCAR that will give the satellite TV company exclusive rights among pay-TV distributors to use the car racing brand in marketing and advertising promotions through early 2010.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed by DirecTV or NASCAR. But the company said in a statement that the NASCAR deal will be an important part of its subscriber acquisition strategy in 2006 as well as a retention tool for existing customers.
The sponsorship agreement will enable DirecTV to create consumer marketing and retail promotions targeting 75 million NASCAR fans, and leverage the power of the NASCAR brand in promotions for customers who have access to all networks on DirecTV that air NASCAR events. Networks airing NASCAR - Fox, FX, NBC, TNT and Speed Channel - are available from the DBS service.
DirecTV also said NASCAR will be integrated into marketing campaigns, including national promotions. Several of the NASCAR-related campaigns will focus on the company's new DirecTV Plus DVR. Special NASCAR promotions are also planned.
The satellite TV company also said it has rights to use NASCAR marks and taglines to promote NASCAR sponsorships on DirecTV receiving equipment, service vehicles and installer uniforms.
In addition, DirecTV said it will sponsor a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race team and driver for the 2006 season.
Christian Broadcaster Pushing Multicast
A Christian broadcaster is asking its viewers to contact lawmakers and urged them to support a multicast must-carry mandate for cable and satellite TV.
Recently, Christian wire news source WDC Media, which has ties to Trinity Broadcasting Network, helped the Christian TV broadcaster put out the call for TV viewers to contact senators and representatives about the multicast push.
In its efforts, WDN and TBN cited the 1992 Cable Act, in which Congress approved must-carry rules requiring cable operators to carry all signals of locally available networks. "That law changed the broadcast landscape and made Christian television available to millions of homes across the nation," said Paul Crouch Jr., vice president of administration for TBN.
Crouch said a multicast must-carry mandate would add digital signals to the law, and would require cable and satellite TV companies to carry all of the digital signals of a TV station. He added, ""Without this law the cable and satellite companies will not readily add new Christian channels."
As part of its multicast efforts, TBN is already broadcasting four networks from a number of TV stations, said Crouch.
Broadcasters are pushing Congress to consider a multicast must-carry mandate for cable, and presumably satellite TV. At the moment, there isn't any legislation proposed concerning the issue.
FCC Begins Look at PanAmSat/Intelsat Deal
The Federal Communications Commission has started its look into Intelsat's purchase of PanAmSat's assets.
Specifically, the commission will scrutinize the transfer of control of FCC licenses held by two subsidiaries of PanAmSat to Intelsat. PanAmSat operates satellites in C-Band and Ku-Band, and holds authorizations for numerous earth stations that transmit and/or receive signals in those frequency bands. Intelsat owns and operates a global satellite system serving voice, data and Internet customers, and its fleet of satellites offers service in more than 200 countries.
The FCC will take comments on the Intelsat/PanAmSat transaction: Comments are due Nov. 14, and responses and opposition comments are due Nov. 29. All replies are due Dec. 6.
as seen on skyreport
Mobile TV? Not So Fast & Broadband Gets Broader & Free Satellite TV Growing in Arab World & Telesat, Star Choice Begin Anik F1R Operations -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, October 10 2005
Mobile TV? Not So Fast
Here's the good news: According to the latest from Wireless Intelligence (a JV featuring Ovum and the GSM Association), global cellular phone subs will exceed 2 billion this month. And, according to various hotshot research companies, digital mobile broadcast (DMB) will be a very, very big business. (Juniper Research says $7.6 billion in revenues by 2010.)
Now here's the bad news: One early service, launched in cell-phone happy Korea, is not exactly ringing the cash registers. According to news from Telecom Asia, TU Media, a venture that started commercial DMB services in May, has announced that it won't make its 600,000 subscriber target by the end of this year.
Of course, as the report points out, a $900 per phone price hasn't helped; nor has a poor selection of handsets. Those issues will, of course, be solved in time. But still to be addressed are questions of differing technology standards, the need for dedicated (and thus costly) networks and unresolved issues over who will provide the actual services.
So for now at least, we suggest keeping the DMB champagne corked.
Broadband Gets Broader
Add Portugal to the number of countries with broadband Internet penetration of more than 10 percent.
According to the nation's communications regulator, Anacom, Portuguese broadband subscribers grew to 1.067 million during the year's second quarter for a 61.3 percent growth over the same period a year earlier.
According to reports from DM Europe, ADSL won the majority of new subs, gaining three out of every four new broadband access subscriptions.
Free Satellite TV Growing in Arab World
How's satellite TV doing in the Arab world?
Dublin-based firm Research and Markets, which recently added "Satellite TV in the Arab World 2005" to its data offerings, said its information found 55 new free-to-air satellite TV stations have started broadcasting in the last 18 months, bringing the total to 155 FTA Arab Sat TV stations.
Further analysis reveals that the 55 percent growth in FTA sat TV stations has increased pressure on pay-TV operators in the region. And the three main pay-TV operators are cutting prices and expanding offerings in a bid to maintain a differentiated service.
There are two satellite systems providers that cater to the Arab region, Arabsat and Nilesat. Together these two satellite services provide 155 free-to-air TV channels, more than 20 free radio stations, and carry the TV and radio channels of the three main pay-TV providers in the region, which are ART, Orbit and Showtime, the research company said.
For more on Research and Markets, visit: http://www.researchandmarkets.com.
Telesat, Star Choice Begin Anik F1R Operations
Telesat Canada said it began commercial services on its newest satellite, the state-of-the-art Anik F1R.
The satellite will support Canadian satellite TV service Star Choice. Other major customers aboard the bird include CTV, CHUM Television and CBC.
Also, Telesat's Anik F1R has a navigation payload that aims to enhance the global positioning system used in aviation across Canada and the United States.
Telesat's Anik F1R payload consists of 32 Ku-Band transponders, 24 C-Band transponders and two navigation transponders. Anik F1R, co-located with Telesat's Anik F1 satellite, operates from 107.3 degrees. Telesat said will transfer its existing North American traffic from Anik F1 to Anik F1R, allowing Anik F1 to focus exclusively on service to South America.
as seen on skyreport
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