News Archive
Welcome to the NEW IMPROVED DssCentral.net! -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 28 2005
While some parts of our site have not changed, many parts of it have, and we would like to take this opportunity to point out to you our many new features and some important changes in the way our site is laid out.
Our File Archive is back! and with a new twist, our previous archive is now available in a mini-window directly under the new archive, which has new catagories in more areas that we hope you will find useful and pleasing. We have made some changes to our front page where you will find the links to most of our new features.
Our Latest Filez pop out menu is back, with all new files today, and will continue to be updated when new files are posted, just like the old days! Above our logo you will find the Quick Links menu, this drop down menu contains links to many of the new features on our site and shortcuts to other popular features. Above the world on the right side of the page you now see "Search this site:" use this to find anything contained on our sites, the more keywords you use the more specific your results will be.
Now for the new features!!
- Satelite Angle Calculator
- Find Azimuth, Elevation, Tilt and More from Longitude and Latitude
- DBS Glossary
- Don't know what that term means? Check in here!
- North American Sats and Channels
- Over 50 sateliltes available from North America and the Channels they carry!
- Site Search Engine
- Search our sites for anything (still being fine tuned)
There are also expanded catagories of the File Share, the additional catagory links are available from the related catagories in the New File Archive!
DISH Responds to Good Faith Proposals for Retrans & DirecTV Takes Next Step Towards HD & Dolan Drops Cablevision Board Moves -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, April 26 2005
DISH Responds to Good Faith Proposals for Retrans
EchoStar commented on a Federal Communications Commission proposal that would impose good faith requirements on both broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) when it comes to retransmission consent deals for satellite TV carriage of local TV stations.
The effort is part of the FCC's implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act, signed into law late last year. In its comments, which were made public this week, EchoStar said it agrees with the proposal to apply good faith negotiation requirements to both broadcasters and MVPDs. But it also told the FCC that it should recognize MVPDs and broadcasters occupy significantly different market positions when negotiating retransmission consent.
"The commission should clarify that when applying the 'totality of the circumstances' test and when determining whether a term or condition is consistent with 'competitive marketplace considerations,' the different market positions of each party should be taken into account, and that conduct by an MVPD may be in good faith even though the same conduct by a broadcaster would not - or vice versa," EchoStar said in its comments.
Also, EchoStar said requirements to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith should apply to the carriage of significantly viewed stations. The FCC is working on a separate proceeding that would allow satellite TV companies to deliver significantly-viewed local TV stations to outside markets.
DirecTV Takes Next Step Towards HD
Early Tuesday morning, the Spaceway F1 satellite for DirecTV lifted off from Sea Launch's platform in the Pacific Ocean, the first of two Ka-Band satellites that will fly this year for the satellite TV company.
The Spaceway birds, the second of which will launch in June, will enable DirecTV to broadcast local HD channels into several of the nation's largest TV markets. DirecTV said it initially begin launching digital and HD local channels in 12 markets this fall.
Two other next-generation satellites, DirecTV 10 and DirecTV 11, will launch in 2007. Together, the four satellites will provide additional capacity to deliver more than 1,500 local HD and more than 150 national HD channels and other advanced programming services to consumers.
"With Spaceway F1's successful launch, we enter a new era that will see the most dramatic programming rollout in our history with plans to offer local digital and HD programming to every U.S. household," said Chase Carey, DirecTV president and CEO.
Dolan Drops Cablevision Board Moves
Cablevision said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing released Tuesday that Chairman Charles Dolan has dropped plans to pursue appointing new members to the company's board of directors.
The filing said Dolan informed Cablevision's board about his decision at a meeting last Friday. As a class B shareholder, Dolan could've elected 75 percent of board members. Also, Dolan apparently dropped plans to propose that the board reduce its size to 12 members, with nine directors elected by Class B shareholders and three directors to be elected by Class A shareholders, the filing said.
Dolan had pursued a realignment of the board in order to keep intact Cablevision's struggling VOOM service. He stopped pursuing personal plans to keep VOOM alive earlier in the month, and Cablevision has said it will shut down the satellite TV service on April 30.
as seen on skyreport
DirecTV Uncovers Fraud Scheme at Call Center & Sea Launch Ships Spaceway Bird, DirecTV Prepares for Two Launches & DISH Comments on Retrans, Broadcast Exclusivity & VOOM Subs Get Dear John Letter -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, April 19 2005
DirecTV Uncovers Fraud Scheme at Call Center
DirecTV said it filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Southern Texas against 12 individuals, including at least 10 former customer service agents, it said were allegedly involved in a scheme at a Texas call center to fraudulently activate programming accounts.
DirecTV said it believes those accused in the lawsuit allegedly attempted to defraud the company by creating subscription accounts with false information and fraudulently linking access cards to existing accounts that enabled others to receive DirecTV programming without authorization or proper payment.
The suit was filed following a lengthy investigation by DirecTV's Office of Signal Integrity and legal department into improper activities at the call center in Pharr, Texas, the company said. The center is operated by a third-party vendor that is under contract to DirecTV to provide customer support.
DirecTV also said investigators determined no customer information was compromised by the call center employees involved in the scheme.
The company claims in its litigation that the defendants violated the Federal Communications Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (wiretap laws) and Texas state law. Other claims also include unjust enrichment, tortious interference, civil conspiracy and fraud.
Sea Launch Ships Spaceway Bird, DirecTV Prepares for Two Launches
Sea Launch said its Odyssey Launch Platform and Sea Launch Commander departed home port last week for their second mission of the year, the flight of the Spaceway F1 satellite for DirecTV.
The launch services provider said the flight is tentatively scheduled for April 26, and the mission will have a half-hour launch window, opening at 12:31 a.m. Pacific Time. Sea Launch said the vessels are now sailing from Long Beach, Calif., to the launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude. Upon arrival, the launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown.
Meanwhile, the satellite TV company said DirecTV 8, a spacecraft that will reinforce DirecTV's satellite fleet and provide support for the expansion of new digital and high-def services, is being readied for a mid-May launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
In preparation for the launch, the Space Systems/Loral-built satellite is being integrated with an International Launch Services Proton launch vehicle at the Cosmodrome. DirecTV 8 will provide selectable medium-power and high-power Ku-Band broadcast services to customers and a Ka-Band payload that will link DirecTV broadcast facilities as part of a company initiative to expand its capacity to launch local digital and high-def services.
DISH Comments on Retrans, Broadcast Exclusivity
This week, EchoStar commented on issues concerning retransmission consent and broadcast exclusivity rules, telling the Federal Communications Commission it supports a petition from small cable operators that attempts to address the adverse effects the broadcaster-friendly regulations have on pay-TV providers.
At issue is a petition from the American Cable Association taking to task the retransmission consent and broadcast exclusivity rules. EchoStar said while it supports a look at the issue, the FCC should also attempt to seek parity concerning the treatment of cable and satellite TV operators for any potential changes.
"If the commission adopts proposals to address the abuses identified by MVPDs (multichannel video platform distributors), it should ensure that its solutions do not exacerbate competitive imbalances among MVPDs," EchoStar said in its FCC comments. "Specifically, changes should apply equally to all MVPDs to the extent possible."
VOOM Subs Get Dear John Letter
Rainbow DBS, a unit of Cablevision, sent letters to VOOM subscribers late last week updating them on the upcoming shut down of service. Rainbow said it will cease operations April 30, a date previously released by the company. Cablevision announced earlier in the month it would shut down VOOM, which has struggled to get customers since its October 2003 launch.
as seen on skyreport
Sirius Canada Attempts to Thwart Sat Radio Piracy & DISH: Hey Cable, Cable, Cable...SWING! & Street Eyes Satellite TV's 1Q -- Posted by soullezz
on Saturday, April 16 2005
Sirius Canada Attempts to Thwart Sat Radio Piracy
According to reports, Sirius Canada sent a number of letters to certain retailers and/or distributors in Western and Northern Canada asking them to stop what appears to be the selling of illegal "grey market" subscriptions to satellite radio service provided in the United States by one of Sirius Canada's shareholders, Sirius Satellite Radio.
In an effort to capitalize on demand for satellite radio, the Canadian dealers are allegedly providing U.S. addresses that allow Canadian residents to illegally obtain service from Sirius in the U.S. This practice may subject the providers of the addresses, as well as the consumers who take advantage of them, to penalties under Canada's Radiocommunication Act.
"While we certainly understand the growing demand for satellite radio in Canada, we cannot condone illegal activity," said Sirius Canada CEO, Kevin Shea. "Sirius Canada hopes to be able to offer a legal Canadian service soon, should our application be approved by the CRTC."
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and Standard Radio Inc. partnered with Sirius Satellite Radio to enter the Canadian market legally. Together they have formed Sirius Canada Inc., which has applied for a Canadian license, and is awaiting the decision of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
DISH: Hey Cable, Cable, Cable...SWING!
DISH Network is trying to lure New York-area baseball fans to its satellite TV service by touting a "money saving" deal that competes with local cable TV offerings.
Eligible customers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Wilkes Barre, Pa., area who would enjoy watching the Mets can subscribe to DISH Network for $19.99 per month plus an extra $5 for Fox Sports Net New York and/or Madison Square Garden Network.
DISH Network's Digital Home Advantage, which includes America's Top 60 programming package with local channels plus free installation and no hardware to buy, will cost $19.99 per month in the New York area. The plan (available through June 30) includes a one-year commitment and will appeal more to Yankee fans, according to DISH.
Street Eyes Satellite TV's 1Q
What can you expect from satellite TV for the first quarter?
Tom Watts of SG Cowen said he expects a good first quarter for DirecTV, with the service returning to lower churn and seasonally lower, but strong, net adds. Watts said he expects DirecTV to report 364,000 net adds for the three-month period.
Also, the SG Cowen analyst said he expects EchoStar's DISH Network to post 300,000 net customer additions for the first quarter.
Watts said he expects DirecTV to maintain and perhaps expand its lead on EchoStar. DirecTV already leads EchoStar's DISH Network in subscribers, with 13.9 million at the end of fourth quarter, compared to DISH Network's 10.9 million.
The firm expects DirecTV's lead to expand to 20 million subscribers vs. 15 million subscribers for DISH Network by 2010. "With asset sales now complete, and the merger of DirecTV Latin America with Sky Latin America underway, we expect management to focus 100 percent on growing DTV's satellite TV business," Watts said.
However, despite the rosy outlook, Watts said, "DirecTV continues to look more expensive than DISH on near-term financial metrics. While DirecTV shares may bounce from current lows, we continue to prefer DISH." He added, "Despite our preference for DISH, we continue to view DirecTV as attractive and believe its growth potential should drive its stock price higher as visibility on 2006 and 2007 improves."
DirecTV reports first quarter results May 2.
as seen on skyreport
DISH Eyeing VOOM HD Content? & Washington State Considers Sat Tax & DirecTV Gets Interactive with Ads -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, April 12 2005
DISH Eyeing VOOM HD Content?
At least one platform is apparently looking at obtaining some of VOOM's original high-def content, and the service involved may not come as much of a surprise.
EchoStar CEO Charles Ergen said during his monthly "Charlie Chat" with consumers Monday night that the company is exploring an "opportunity" to obtain some of VOOM's HD programming. He wouldn't commit one way or the other on whether the company's DISH Network service will get the HD content, but said that adding any extra HD channels won't happen until the technology is there to deliver the goods.
In fact, EchoStar is looking to MPEG 4 technology to help expand its high-def slate. Once MPEG 4 is rolled out, DISH Network will look at obtaining additional HD programming, Ergen said.
Cablevision operates VOOM, and has plans to shut down the operation April 30 due to lackluster consumer response and the cost of running the satellite TV platform. EchoStar and Cablevision signed a $200 million deal in January that will give EchoStar VOOM's only satellite - Rainbow 1 - and other related assets.
Washington State Considers Sat Tax
Another state satellite TV tax proposal has surfaced, this time in the Northwest.
Lawmakers in Washington state are considering a 8.5 percent tax on satellite TV subscriptions. The proposal is contained in an amendment to a bill that aims to provide financial assistance to cities, towns and counties in the state.
Time is running out for passage of legislation. The cut-off day for bills to pass the floor in the opposite house is Friday. And the last day for the regular legislative session is April 24.
StopSatelliteTax.com (http://www.StopSatelliteTax.com), a Web site information source on state tax issues established by DirecTV, EchoStar and the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, said the proposed dish tax in Washington state is supported by the cable industry.
The Web site claims that Washington's cable operators want satellite TV to pay the same franchise fees they are charged to use the local infrastructure. "Imposing these fees on satellite TV customers would be unfair because a satellite TV company does not use the public rights of way to deliver its service. This logic is completely misguided especially in rural areas of the State where cable television does not even offer service," the site states.
DirecTV Gets Interactive with Ads
DirecTV said it signed a comprehensive long-term agreement with Chrysler Group in which the automaker will join the satellite TV company's Advertising Development Partner Program, a project DirecTV is working on and hopes to debut in September.
The advertising program allows DirecTV to provide clients with an interactive advertising and research vehicle that spans across multiple DirecTV product platforms, such as interactive basic set-top boxes, digital video recorders and the DirecTV Media Center. Twentieth Television, a provider in the domestic program production and distribution arena, oversees all advertising sales on behalf of DirecTV.
Chrysler will collaborate with DirecTV to define advertising requirements that will impact both existing and future platforms and technology, the company said. As part of the agreement, Chrysler will have the option of customizing its media plan with a wide variety of new media tactics.
as seen on skyreport
DBS: No Two-Dish Ban for Significantly-Viewed Rules & NCTA Report Says Cable Theft Down & 2004 Sub Losses: Not So Bad for Cable? -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, April 11 2005
DBS: No Two-Dish Ban for Significantly-Viewed Rules
The nation's top satellite TV providers told the Federal Communications Commission that it should not place two-dish restrictions on the reception of significantly-viewed stations.
In its comments filed on the matter, EchoStar said the FCC should avoid applying the single-dish provision contained in the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA) to carriage of significantly-viewed stations. DirecTV also agreed that SHVERA's two-dish restriction for locals should not be applied to significantly-viewed TV stations delivered via satellite.
DirecTV said if two-dish restrictions were extended to out-of-market significantly-viewed signals, it could be precluded from providing significantly-viewed TV signals to more than 60 markets since relevant stations - either local stations or significantly-viewed stations - are transmitted from DirecTV's wing slot at 72.5 degrees, far from the company's core 101-degree orbital location.
SHVERA requires satellite TV to stop delivering local TV to a two-dish solution, and keep local channels offered to customers on a single dish. The mandate primarily targets EchoStar and its past use of two dishes for local TV reception.
Also in its comments, DirecTV said the FCC should recognize that existing "cable communities" governing the delivery of significantly-viewed stations were created with cable carriage, not satellite TV carriage, in mind. The company said it can authorize service based on a customer's five-digit zip code and will soon be able to authorize service based on the county where a customer resides.
NCTA Report Says Cable Theft Down
The National Cable and Telecommunications Association said consumer theft of cable's basic video services has declined by more than 50 percent in four years, driven in part by the move to digital cable and increased industry efforts to identify unauthorized service and convert those viewers to paying subscribers.
The NCTA study said the theft rate for expanded analog service is at 4.65 percent (the percentage of theft per 100 homes in a cable network), down from the 11.5 percent found in the previous cable theft survey in 2000. The theft for premium services also decreased from 9.5 percent in 2000 to 2.15 percent in 2004, NCTA said.
New technologies - such as digital cable, high-speed Internet access and VoIP - were found to have low theft rates, less than 1 percent, said the report.
While theft rates are down, theft of service costs the cable industry lots of money, as much as $4.76 billion in annual unrealized revenue. The amount represents more than 8 percent of the cable industry's $57.6 billion annual gross revenues from 2004, the report said.
The 2000 NCTA survey had reported that cable theft resulted in $6 billion in annual unrealized revenue.
The study, conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates for NCTA's Office of Cable Signal Theft, surveyed cable operators and measured theft rates for analog, digital, high-speed data access and phone services.
2004 Sub Losses: Not So Bad for Cable?
Although satellite TV services signed up more than 3 million customers in 2004, the impact on most cable operators was relatively small, stated a report from technology research firm Strategy Analytics.
The report, "U.S. Multichannel TV Update: Satellite Gains, But Does Cable Lose?" said that while DirecTV and EchoStar's DISH Network added 3.2 million new customers in 2004, the 10 largest cable operators didn't come close to losing that amount of basic subscribers.
Strategy Analytics also said it believes cable subscriber losses will decline this year, as underperforming companies, such as Adelphia and Charter, are acquired or reorganized. At the same time, market leaders such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision, will expand availability of triple-play bundles combining video, broadband Internet and IP-based phone.
Also, heightened competition between satellite TV and cable will increase pressure on regional phone companies as they begin to offer pay-TV over their own broadband networks later this year, the research firm said.
as seen on skyreport
NAB: Localism Crucial for Significantly-Viewed Rules & The VOOM Web Site Says it All & Nevada Governor Opposes Sat Tax -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, April 11 2005
NAB: Localism Crucial for Significantly-Viewed Rules
Broadcasters told the Federal Communications Commission last week they can live with satellite TV delivering significantly-viewed stations to consumers as long as localism for TV stations is protected.
The commission is working on rules that would allow satellite TV to deliver significantly-viewed TV stations from one market to its subscribers in a neighboring area, something cable offers its customers today. In comments on the matter, the National Association of Broadcasters told the FCC that it should be guided by the twin goals of achieving regulatory parity between cable and satellite TV while not harming local broadcast stations with its final significantly-viewed rules.
The significantly-viewed item is part of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA).
"SHVERA attempts both to harmonize the 'significantly viewed' copyright scheme for cable operators and satellite carriers and to harmonize the commission's regulatory scheme for significantly viewed signals to the extent practicable, given differences in the two technologies," the NAB told the FCC last week. "While it is clear that Congress intended, to the extent feasible, to achieve regulatory parity between cable and satellite, it is equally clear that it was the intent of Congress to protect 'localism' and not to disadvantage local broadcast stations."
The broadcasters' association also suggested that the process for seeking significantly viewed status for satellite TV delivery of out-of-market signals should be the same as it is for cable, and stations or program suppliers should be able to petition the FCC for waiver of the significantly-viewed exception to the network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules for satellite TV, as proposed.
Also, the NAB said that where a local network station is not broadcasting in digital format, and for reasons the FCC has recognized as legitimate, then the local network station should not be penalized for an out-of-market significantly viewed digital signal imported into its market.
The VOOM Web Site Says it All
VOOM is addressing current and prospective customers about the pending shut down of service via its Web site (http://www.voom.com).
Last week, Cablevision, which controls VOOM, said it would cease operations at the struggling satellite TV unit, which was in operation for about a year and a half but managed to gain only 40,000 customers.
On its Web site during the weekend, VOOM said it will cease service for existing customers on April 30. The company also said new customer orders are no longer being accepted, and VOOM is unable to complete any scheduled installation or service appointments.
While the VOOM service is being shut down, Cablevision is working to sell VOOM's assets.
Cablevision has a $200 million deal in place with EchoStar, in which the DBS company will buy a satellite and related assets. Also, the company's board instructed management to continue to analyze whether VOOM's 21 high-def channels can be marketed to other satellite TV and cable providers as part of the company's Rainbow programming operations, stated a regulatory filing from the company.
Nevada Governor Opposes Sat Tax
Vowing to keep to a promise of not increasing taxes on Nevada residents, Gov. Kenny Guinn said last week he will veto a bill that proposes a levy on satellite TV service in the state.
At issue is Assembly Bill 151, legislation that would impose a 5 percent tax on satellite TV customers in Nevada. Guinn told reporters he has not fully reviewed the legislation, which has strong backing from cable TV interests, but said he opposes the bill simply because it imposes a new tax on consumers.
The dish tax contained in assembly bill 151 aims to fund communications technology for the state's emergency first responders.
The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee has heard arguments on the tax proposal but has not yet voted on the legislation. If the bill is not approved by Nevada state lawmakers by Friday, the satellite TV tax proposal would be considered a dead issue for the remainder of the 2005 legislature.
as seen on skyreport
Reports Say the End of the Road Near for VOOM And ... The End Near for Adelphia? & SES Gets Cable/Satellite Veteran as CEO -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 7 2005
Reports Say the End of the Road Near for VOOM
Long Island newspaper Newsday reported late Thursday night that the Cablevision board of directors agreed to put an end to the company's struggling VOOM service, which chairman Charles Dolan attempted to keep alive despite challenges facing the offering.
The publication said the 15-member board, including Dolan, voted to adopt a timetable to shut down the service. Because of the late nature of the issue, the story couldn't be confirmed with company sources.
It's unclear what the timeline would be for shutting down VOOM, if a deadline has been at all established for ending the service.
A week had passed since the company's deadline for Dolan to report back to the board about his intentions to take over the satellite TV unit. Dolan had promised to fund the operation through the end of March, in order to find a way to take control the service or find additional funding.
Dolan had established VOOM HD to take over remaining assets of the satellite TV unit that weren't being bought by EchoStar. In January, EchoStar agreed to pay Cablevision $200 million for the lone satellite supporting VOOM and other related assets, and that deal is awaiting regulatory approval.
And ... The End Near for Adelphia?
Also late Thursday night, wire reports said Adelphia has presented to the bankruptcy court handling its Chapter 11 proceedings a nearly $18 billion joint bid from Comcast and Time Warner Cable for its assets.
Those reports said that as part of the deal, Comcast will contribute $2 billion and swap its 21 percent stake in Time Warner in exchange for 2 million of Adelphia's 5.3 million subscribers. The deal also would allow Time Warner to take its cable unit public.
Cablevision had come in with a reported last-minute $16.5 billion bid for the Adelphia assets this week.
Adelphia filed for bankruptcy after founder John W. Rigas and others were accused of accounting irregularities and other fraud charges. Rigas and his son Timothy were eventually convicted of conspiracy, bank fraud and securities fraud.
SES Gets Cable/Satellite Veteran as CEO
SES Americom appointed Edward Horowitz president and CEO as well as to the executive committee of SES Global, effective May 2.
Horowitz will report to Romain Bausch, president and CEO of SES Global.
The new SES Americom CEO most recently founded EdsLink, a venture fund providing strategic financial, operations and technology consulting services. Among other jobs, Horowitz served as strategic advisor to the CEO of Cablevision's satellite division, Rainbow DBS.
Also, Horowitz served as senior vice president at Viacom, chairman and CEO of Viacom Interactive Media. Prior to Viacom, Horowitz held various senior management positions at HBO and was a founder of Suburban Cable.
SES Americom had been looking for a permanent CEO after Dean Olmstead departed the company in September 2004. In addition to commercial services, SES Americom is supporting EchoStar's expansion plans, with satellite capacity at 105 degrees, and has an agreement in place to support the Cablevision/Rainbow DBS VOOM service.
as seen on skyreport
DISH Takes On Small Cable, NCTA at FCC & XM Has Record First Quarter & Starz Unveils 'Next-Generation' of VOD -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, April 4 2005
DISH Takes On Small Cable, NCTA at FCC
EchoStar responded to efforts by small, rural cable operators to force satellite TV providers to offer them feeds of local stations, telling the Federal Communications Commission that those cable interests have not presented a plausible case for such mandatory access.
The satellite TV company's comments are directed at the American Cable Association, which asked the FCC to require DBS providers to offer small cable the local TV feeds.
"There is nothing to suggest that DBS operators control any kind of bottleneck or essential facility to which competitors must be provided non-discriminatory access," EchoStar said. "Nor are there barriers preventing small cable operators from making their own arrangements for the collection and delivery of a good quality signal to their headends."
EchoStar also responded to comments made at the FCC by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, which suggested that there's a lack of parity between cable and satellite TV in terms of retransmission consent, programming blackout rules and copyright royalty fees. The company called NCTA's claims "meritless."
EchoStar added, "NCTA first complains that, unlike cable operators, DBS providers can deliver distant signals to unserved households without first obtaining retransmission consent and without having to delete programming under network non-duplication or syndicated exclusivity rules - except when carrying nationally distributed superstations. However, NCTA's comparison is utterly misleading: It picks an exception that qualifies a restriction - unserved households only to which only satellite carriers are subject - even though cable operators are not subject to the unserved household restriction in the first place, and they are in fact subject to a different regime altogether."
XM Has Record First Quarter
XM Satellite Radio said it saw its best first quarter ever in terms of net subscriber additions.
The satellite radio service said it added more than 540,000 new net subscribers during the first quarter, which ended Thursday last week, for a total of 3.77 million subscribers.
The subscriber gain represents a 68 percent increase in new net subscribers compared to first quarter 2004, when XM recorded 321,675 new net subscribers, the company said.
Starz Unveils 'Next-Generation' of VOD
During the first day of the "National Show" in San Francisco, the cable gig held by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Starz Entertainment Group unveiled what it called the "next generation" of on-demand.
In a keynote speech held Sunday, Starz President and CEO Robert Clasen called on-demand TV a new medium that requires programmers to abandon all conventional, linear channel thinking.
Key elements of the next generation of on-demand were launched by Starz April 1. They include:
*The use of "button bonuses" to provide viewers, when they select a movie, a chance to watch complementary short-form programming or to be offered suggestions about other movie options in the same genre. This feature simulates an interactive experience by recognizing and reacting to the film choice the viewer makes;
*A new navigation system to enable viewers to find on-demand programming they want;
*Premiering major movies on-demand on average two weeks before they air on the flagship Starz channel;
*New on-demand programming and promotional stunts that combine movies with short-form programs, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews;
*Airing movies - including foreign language, niche and independent films - exclusively on Starz On Demand that would likely not find a home on the linear channels.
as seen on skyreport
|