News Archive
DirecTV, Intel Set to Connect TVs and PCs -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, September 27 2006
The evolution of the set-top box has just taken another step forward as the nation's largest satellite TV provider and a well-known chip maker are joining forces to bridge the gap between a personal computer and the living room television. Made public at a developer conference yesterday, attendees heard the news that DirecTV and Intel are preparing to launch the first digital set-top box that will enable customers to enjoy content from their PCs on a TV.
With digital media adapter (DMA) functionality that will work with Intel's Viiv technology, DirecTV's new HD DVR marks the first time a major service provider has endorsed an integrated DMA deployment in the home via set-top. Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, Intel President Paul Otellini detailed the companies' new product which could be deployed to customers practically overnight through a software download available in December.
The DirecTV Plus HDDVR has the ability to record and view 200 hours of standard definition content or 50 hours of MPEG 4 high-def programming, the companies said. And working in tandem with Intel's Viiv technology, the new set-top will allow consumers to access on TV the photos and music albums on their PCs.
DirecTV and Intel said the new capability will help accelerate the adoption of connected digital homes by providing a substantial footprint of interoperable set-top boxes and PCs.
Both companies are in the final stages of testing and verification.
Hybrid STBs: Wave of Future? -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, September 27 2006
Fresh on the heels of DirecTV's announcement about its new HD DVR being integrated with DMA functionality, industry analysts are examining these new hybrid set-top boxes and wondering what impact they will have on the satellite TV biz. With pay-TV competition from both cable and the telcos, is a hybrid set-top enough to keep satellite orbiting a successful business model?
According to a recent report from ABI Research, worldwide shipments of hybrid set-tops (boxes that combine a broadband connection with satellite TV reception) will reach 50 million by 2011. During that time, hybrids will represent 70 percent of all set-top box shipments in Europe and 45 percent of all in North America.
Said ABI Principle Analyst Michael Arden, because satellite operators can't offer a triple-play bundle, companies like DirecTV and EchoStar are very interested in hybrid set-top box technology. And, he said, satellite providers see the new technology as a way to reduce churn in their customer base.
But as the satellite companies pair with telcos to help both sides of the situation fulfill a triple-play offering, the telcos are simultaneously entering the pay-TV market on their own via fiber-powered systems (i.e. Verizon's FiOS and AT&T's U-verse). In this regard, the hybrids are particularly important in keeping customers happy.
"They're turning to these partnerships in order to roll out interactive and triple-play services and keep their customers," Arden said. "I don't think they're necessarily going to win new customers. They're just trying not to lose customers at this point."
And it seems those partnerships aren't as mutually beneficial as first hoped. According to In-Stat's Michelle Abraham, EchoStar - which has a parntership with AT&T - has complained that the telco giant conveniently forgot to promote the company's DISH Network as part of its triple-play package in areas where AT&T expected to rollout U-verse.
Research Shows TV Popularity Still on Rise -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, September 27 2006
Stop the press- new research suggests that people love watching TV. And, if that wasn't a big enough shocker: teenage girls watch the most. According to Nielsen Media Research, average American television viewing continues to increase despite growing competition from new media platforms and devices like iPods, cell phones and streaming video.
The TV-monitoring company said during the 2005-2006 television year (ending Sept. 17, 2006), traditional in-home television viewing maintained its numbers with audiences, and even gained ground among some of the more tech-savvy teenagers. These results, Nielsen said, come at a time when it can provide "more granular information on diverse television viewing" via a larger national sample and additional technology.
The total average time a household watched during the TV-year was 8 hours and 14 minutes per day, a 3-minute increase from the previous year. The average amount watched by an individual viewer increased 3 minutes per day to 4 hours and 35 minutes. Both numbers represent new records for TV viewing, Nielsen said.
And although teens typically drive the consumption of new media, children age 12-17 viewed three percent more traditional TV during the day as compared to last year. This increase was driven by teenage girls who wasted 6 percent more of their time in front of the TV.
The news of viewership increases comes as another company, Magna Global, unveiled its new report showing the number of DVR homes growing 62 percent to 15 million in the first half of 2006 over 2005. According to the study, the increases put DVR adoption into 14 percent of U.S. homes.
Anomaly Reported on Intelsat 802 -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, September 25 2006
An unknown problem was reported back from Intelsat's 802 satellite late last week and the company is unsure of what went wrong. According to Intelsat, its IS-802 satellite, located at 33 degrees east, experienced a sudden and unexpected anomaly around 8:30 p.m. ET last Thursday, Sept. 21.
Intelsat said its control center is communicating with the satellite and that the Lockheed Martin-made unit is under control accepting commands. Intelsat said it is in the process of making alternative capacity available to is IS-802 customers in accordance with existing contingency plans.
Launched in 1997, the satellite furnishes telecommunications services to customers on the African continent and throughout the Indian Ocean region. Intelsat said it does not know if there is a connection between this event and the Intelsat 804 failure - also manufactured by Lockheed - in January of last year.
Intelsat said the IS-802 is not insured, which is in accordance with the company's practice of self insuring satellites that are beyond the initial year of operations. The company's initial response is that it will be able to restore a substantial portion of the customer traffic, "given the resilience and redundancy of the Intelsat system." The company said it would issue a statement regarding its ability to retain revenue on the system after the restoration process is complete.
In related news, Intelsat is seeking permission from the FCC to relocate its Intelsat 601 satellite from its current orbital location at 64.25 degrees east to 63.65 degrees east and to operate the satellite's C-band and Ku-band capabilities at alternative frequencies. According to the application filed with the FCC, the move will enable Intelsat to "eliminate intrasystem interference being experienced by customers on the Intelsat 906 satellite currently operating at 64.15 degrees east.
Liberty Deal More Good than Bad -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, September 25 2006
...For DirecTV shareholders, that is. A week has passed since rumors hit the Street that News Corp. was discussing trading its stake in DirecTV to Liberty Media for its shares of News Corp., but many investors still are unsure what it will mean for the country's largest satellite TV provider.
After fleshing out many different possible scenarios, at least one source seems to think that in the long run, an ownership swap for DirecTV would end up being more positive than negative.
According to Banc of America's Doug Shapiro, since DirecTV would represent nearly 80 percent of the value of Liberty, its interest would probably be far more aligned with those of DirecTV shareholders than are News Corp.'s. And, the analyst said, Liberty would likely encourage more aggressing financial management, which would ultimately be a positive, because the company could use its excess capacity to resume a share buyback.
"Based on its stated desire to own operating assets, Liberty might want a path to consolidating it," Shapiro said. "If existing safeguards protecting DTV shareholders remain in place, as we expect they would, this might require it to eventually tender for the entire public stake."
Sirius Launches Catholic Channel -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, September 25 2006
The Archdiocese of New York and Sirius Satellite Radio are together launching the religious lifestyle Catholic Channel next week exclusively on Sirius. The channel, debuting Tuesday, Sept. 26 on channel 159, will air 24/7 and feature contemporary talk and live daily Mass from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
According to the satellite radio company, The Catholic Channel will feature an open-dialogue format focused on Catholicism in the 21st century and how it is practiced in the world today. Lisnteners will be encouraged to call in and discuss what's happening in the church, current events, entertainment, the arts and sports. Daily program hosts and guests will include members of the clergy and laity from across the country.
Programming on The Catholic Channel will aso include human-interest stories and inspirational themes, reflections on scripture, church history, sacred music and shows offering spiritual guidance. Don't forget about Notre Dame football and hoops, too.
The Archbishop of New York, Edward Cardinal Egan, will be a regular contributor to the channel making frequent appearances on several different programs across the channels line-up. Cardinal Egan will also be a regular celebrant and homilist for the Masses broadcast from St. Patrick's Cathedral.
For more detailed information about The Catholic Channel's programming, visit www.sirius.com.
as seen on skyreport
News Briefs: First Amendment Comedy -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, September 25 2006
PROGRAMMING -- Starz Entertainment has agreed to terms with actor/comedian Martin Lawrence to executively produce a new stand-up comedy series titled Marin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Stand-Up as part of new original programming for the company. Also beginning in production are The Bronx Bunny - a "provocative" interview show - and the original comedy series Head Case.
SATELLITE -- The fueling of Australia's Optus D1 communications satellite is now finished as the preparation campaign continues for the next Ariane 5 mission, set for Oct. 12. Optus D1 was topped off in the S5 facility at the Spacesport. The satellite will be orbited with the DirecTV 9S television broadcast satellite, as well as an auxiliary payload for Japan.
REPORTS -- The Convergence Consulting Group released its latest report, The Battle for the North American Couch Potato: Bundling, Internet, TV, Telephone Report. The October version of the 310-page report comes out twice a year and can be sampled at http://www.convergenceonline.com.
Industry Aftershocks Being Felt at DISH -- Posted by soullezz
on Sunday, September 24 2006
If there was any chance left of a merger between the nation's two largest satellite TV providers, Federal Communications Commission Chair Kevin Martin's comments last week kept any union between DirecTV and EchoStar's DISH Network a long shot. If Martin's comments weren't enough, maybe rumors that News Corp and Liberty Media were discussing a possible asset swap for DirecTV ownership would be the nail in the coffin.
Despite DISH Network rising 21 percent year-to-date, the recent rumblings in the DBS industry - coming on the heels of a rough handful of weeks for DISH in the courts - have led analysts to reevaluate their opinions of the company.
As did Kaufman Bros.' Todd Mitchell who downgraded DISH on the idea that disappointment by the end of merger speculations would cause the company's shares to pull back in the near term.
"As long as Murdoch continued to float the idea of merging DirecTV with EchoStar, EchoStar was in a sweet position with regards to its partnership with AT&T," he said. "However, the FCC's rejection of the proposed merger now makes AT&T the only real potential buyer of EchoStar and removes the likelihood of a large acquisition premium."
Also, with DirecTV's sizable investment in satellite TV around the globe, Kaufman said, News Corp's abandonment of its DBS company will cause investors to lose confidence in the industry's competitive positioning in the U.S. multichannel market. This, he said, would not only put pressure on DirecTV stocks but DISH Network's as well.
An Inside Look At DirecTV/Liberty Deal -- Posted by soullezz
on Sunday, September 24 2006
Since reports of News Corp negotiating with Liberty Media to swap around 40 percent of its share of DirecTV for News Corp shares held by Liberty, the story has caught the attention of newspapers and trade publications everywhere. With the story gaining momentum, industry analysts are taking a closer look at the possible ownership swap's feasibility and implications.
Some believe the deal is possible- but probably not imminent...
Such is Bank of America's Doug Shapiro who said the ramifications to DirecTV are unclear, but possibly less significant than initially perceived, and that the deal would primarily be a positive move for Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
In a research note late last week, Shapiro posed a few questions to shed some light on the rumored transaction. First- would News Corp sell? Don't rule it out, he said, because many speculate that Murdoch has become disenchanted with sub growth prospects of DirecTV. Further, Shapiro said, Liberty would "probably" want the satellite TV service because company chair John Malone regrets selling TCI and losing the bargaining leverage that comes with being a major distributor.
So what would it mean for DirecTV? Shapiro said it would be hard to determine, but in the long run probably not all that bad. Although the initial Street reaction may be negative, the long term results may prove to be neither good or bad. As for News Corp the move would be mostly positive because DirecTV, Shapiro said, is below fair value.
But Kaufman Bros.' Todd Mitchell said the news of a possible asset swap was troubling. "After spending billions of dollars and several years to acquire its interest in DirecTV, we cannot see how a 180-degree reversal is in the best interest of News Corp. or DirecTV shareholders," the analyst said. "We never put much stake in the rumor that DirecTV would merge with EchoStar (and) we find the rumors that Murdoch has suddenly soured on the business suspicious."
An Inside Look At DirecTV/Liberty Deal & Industry Aftershocks Being Felt at DISH -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, September 18 2006
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An Inside Look At DirecTV/Liberty Deal
Since reports of News Corp negotiating with Liberty Media to swap around 40 percent of its share of DirecTV for News Corp shares held by Liberty, the story has caught the attention of newspapers and trade publications everywhere. With the story gaining momentum, industry analysts are taking a closer look at the possible ownership swap's feasibility and implications.
Some believe the deal is possible- but probably not imminent...
Such is Bank of America's Doug Shapiro who said the ramifications to DirecTV are unclear, but possibly less significant than initially perceived, and that the deal would primarily be a positive move for Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
In a research note late last week, Shapiro posed a few questions to shed some light on the rumored transaction. First- would News Corp sell? Don't rule it out, he said, because many speculate that Murdoch has become disenchanted with sub growth prospects of DirecTV. Further, Shapiro said, Liberty would "probably" want the satellite TV service because company chair John Malone regrets selling TCI and losing the bargaining leverage that comes with being a major distributor.
So what would it mean for DirecTV? Shapiro said it would be hard to determine, but in the long run probably not all that bad. Although the initial Street reaction may be negative, the long term results may prove to be neither good or bad. As for News Corp the move would be mostly positive because DirecTV, Shapiro said, is below fair value.
But Kaufman Bros.' Todd Mitchell said the news of a possible asset swap was troubling. "After spending billions of dollars and several years to acquire its interest in DirecTV, we cannot see how a 180-degree reversal is in the best interest of News Corp. or DirecTV shareholders," the analyst said. "We never put much stake in the rumor that DirecTV would merge with EchoStar (and) we find the rumors that Murdoch has suddenly soured on the business suspicious."
Industry Aftershocks Being Felt at DISH
If there was any chance left of a merger between the nation's two largest satellite TV providers, Federal Communications Commission Chair Kevin Martin's comments last week kept any union between DirecTV and EchoStar's DISH Network a long shot. If Martin's comments weren't enough, maybe rumors that News Corp and Liberty Media were discussing a possible asset swap for DirecTV ownership would be the nail in the coffin.
Despite DISH Network rising 21 percent year-to-date, the recent rumblings in the DBS industry - coming on the heels of a rough handful of weeks for DISH in the courts - have led analysts to reevaluate their opinions of the company.
As did Kaufman Bros.' Todd Mitchell who downgraded DISH on the idea that disappointment by the end of merger speculations would cause the company's shares to pull back in the near term.
"As long as Murdoch continued to float the idea of merging DirecTV with EchoStar, EchoStar was in a sweet position with regards to its partnership with AT&T," he said. "However, the FCC's rejection of the proposed merger now makes AT&T the only real potential buyer of EchoStar and removes the likelihood of a large acquisition premium."
Also, with DirecTV's sizable investment in satellite TV around the globe, Kaufman said, News Corp's abandonment of its DBS company will cause investors to lose confidence in the industry's competitive positioning in the U.S. multichannel market. This, he said, would not only put pressure on DirecTV stocks but DISH Network's as well.
as seen on skyreport
DirecTV Swap Between News Corp., Liberty Media? & Verizon, DirecTV Partner on MDUs -- Posted by soullezz
on Friday, September 15 2006
DirecTV Swap Between News Corp., Liberty Media?
News reports yesterday suggested that News Corp. and Liberty Media are discussing an agreement that would include swapping News Corp.'s 40 percent stake in DirecTV - worth about $9 billion - for Liberty's 18 percent hold on News Corp. (valued currently at $11 billion).
According to Wachovia's Jeff Wlodarczak citing a CNBC report, News Corp. owner Rupert Murdoch is souring on DirecTV and his company is attempting to resolve the 18 percent ownership stake issue by the Oct. 20 shareholder meeting. Press reports have noted that Liberty is also talking to News Corp. regarding its TV stations, the report said.
Wlodarczak said Murdoch seems to vary from week to week on his commitment to being in the satellite television biz as "industry transforming transactions" loom on the horizon for the U.S. DBS market.
Speaking on the recent talks of a merger between DirecTV and EchoStar Wlodoarczak said, "If management reached the conclusion that they could not clear regulatory hurdles or EchoStar CEO (Charlie) Ergen is unwilling to sell, it may - along with the prospect of buying back the 18 percent in News from Liberty - have opened up the possibility of a News Corp. exit from DirecTV.
"If News Corp. decides to swap its stake in DirecTV with Liberty Media it would likely reduce EchoStar's short-term negotiating leverage for a potential sale of the company to AT&T," the analyst said.
Verizon, DirecTV Partner on MDUs
Verizon and DirecTV entered into an agreement to collectively serve the multiple dwelling unit (MDU) market with a bundle of services, an effort the companies said takes aim at cable and its triple-play offerings.
Verizon said the multi-year agreement will enable it to serve as the single point of contact for a bundle of offerings that includes the telco's broadband and phone services in addition to DirecTV's offerings. Verizon said it will offer the DirecTV bundle in locations where it does not offer its own entertainment services, such as the fiber-supported FiOS TV.
As part of the deal, Verizon and MDU Communications, a long-time partner and provider of DirecTV services to MDUs, have entered into a sales-teaming agreement covering the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Verizon and MDUC will work together to jointly propose, provide, install, market, operate and maintain specially designed multi dwelling unit technology systems for reception and distribution of DirecTV's satellite TV and Verizon's FiOS broadband, phone and other telecommunications services, the companies said.
as seen on skyreport
EchoStar Backs Off iN Demand & DirecPath Acquires Apartment MediaWorks & Big Rumblings From Telesat Ranks -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, September 12 2006
EchoStar Backs Off iN Demand
The Federal Communications Commission said yesterday that EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. withdrew its program access complaint against iN Demand and asked the agency to dismiss the complaint without prejudice.
The issue stemmed from a 2005 complaint filed on behalf of EchoStar against iN Demand alleging the programmer's fee structure for the sale of iN Demand high definition programming violated the FCC's rules by discriminating in its price, terms and conditions.
EchoStar alleged in the initial complaint that iN Demand's fee structure also constituted an unfair practice of the commission's laws. The satellite company said iN Demand's conduct, as a matter of law, violated the FCC's prohibition on exclusive cable contracts by reserving the HD programming to certain cable companies.
EchoStar declined to comment on the case.
DirecPath Acquires Apartment MediaWorks
Earlier this year, Hicks Holdings joined forces with DirecTV to create DirecPath - a new company dedicated to serving gated communities and multiple dwelling units (MDU) with bundled satellite TV, internet and telephony. Just a few short months later, the fledgling joint venture is branching out with the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Apartment MediaWorks.
Atlanta-based MediaWorks is a provider of pay television, broadband internet and other services to the MDU market in southeastern regions throughout Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Southern Florida.
According to DirecPath, the transaction is the largest to date the company has undertaken since its formation in May 2006. Completion of the deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, is expected to occur sometime within the next month.
With the MediaWorks acquisition, DirecPath will be the largest private video operator in the Southeast, the company said.
Big Rumblings From Telesat Ranks
Over the years, Telesat Canada has grown to become a significant presence across the Americas. But as the company looks upward to continued success, one of Telesat's most influential minds is stepping down.
Telesat Canada, and its shareholder BCE Inc., announced yesterday that after 34 years of service to Canada's top satellite service provider - 13 of which as company President and CEO - Larry Boisvert has decided to call it quits.
"Telesat has always been more than a job for me," Boisvert said. "The company is about to embark on the next phase of its evolution and I have decided it is the appropriate time for me to retire."
Taking the reigns for Boisvert will be Daniel Goldberg, former president and CEO of SES New Skies. Boisvert, the company said, will remain a senior advisor at Telesat for the next few months.
as seen on skyreport
Adult Humor Contest & XM Sub Projections Lead to SEC Inquiry & SES, Telesat and Globalstar Honored for Excellence & Homegrown TV for U.S. Citizens Overseas -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, September 7 2006
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XM Sub Projections Lead to SEC Inquiry
XM Satellite Radio said the Securities and Exchange Commission is asking to look at documents concerning its internal subscriber targets, costs associated with attempting to reach those targets and other related matters during the third and fourth quarters of 2005.
There were not a lot of details concerning the regulatory filing the company made concerning the SEC investigation. But it's another issue plaguing XM, which has been under fire for lowering subscriber goals this year and a recall of radios that we're not in compliance with regulations.
This year, XM pulled back its subscriber target twice, first reducing projected net additions from 3 million to 2.5 million, and then this summer reducing guidance from 2.5 million to between 1.8 million and 2.3 million.
News of the XM filing sent the company's shares down 47 cents to $12.32.
Despite the challenges at XM, some on Wall Street said they still like the satellite radio stock.
Tom Eagan of Oppenheimer and Co. on Wednesday maintained a "buy" rating on XM shares, saying the company's stock at its current price is "a value play on long term favorable consumer demand for satellite radio." Nonetheless, Eagan said he prefers satellite radio competitor Sirius "due to the company's more strategic approach to the business."
SES, Telesat and Globalstar Honored for Excellence
This week, the annual awards for Excellence in Satellite Management 2006 were given during the 10th World Summit for Satellite Financing taking place in Paris.
SES Global was the recipient of the "Operator of the Year" honor. The "Development of a National Operator" was given to Telesat Canada, and honored in the new "MSS Project Financing" category was Globalstar and Wachovia.
Euroconsult organized the World Summit for Satellite Financing in partnership with SES Global, Milbank, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Marsh, Arianespace, ISB, ILS and SpaceIsle as well as media partners Space News and Satellite Finance.
Homegrown TV for U.S. Citizens Overseas
There's a solution for U.S. citizens who live overseas and miss some of the TV trappings from home.
Last week, TV Anywhere unveiled its service offering focused on providing U.S. television programming to subscribers residing outside of the States. The product is a broadband enabled service that will allow subscribers to view live linear TV, on-demand movies and shows, and daily local news on either a PC client or a digital IP based set-top box connected to a television.
TV Anywhere said it has agreements for distribution from several broadcasters and will continue to work with content owners for the rest of 2006 to round out the product offerings. Subscribers can expect to see services that closely mirror those available today from existing service providers in the U.S. and Canada, the company said.
TV Anywhere is targeting an early 2007 launch for the service pending successful field trials that will be conducted throughout the balance of 2006. The company also said it has applied for several U.S. and international patents related to the distribution model and delivery concept.
as seen on skyreport
'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin dead -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, September 4 2006
'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin dead
SYDNEY, Australia -- Steve Irwin, the enthusiastic "Crocodile Hunter" who enthralled audiences around the world with his wildlife adventures, died Monday morning after being stung by a stingray while shooting a TV program off Australia's north coast.
Media reports say Irwin was snorkeling at Batt Reef, a part of the Great Barrier Reef about 9 miles (about 15 kilometers) from the town of Port Douglas, when the incident happened.
Irwin, 44, was killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest, according to Cairns police sources.
Irwin was in the area to film pieces for a show called "The Ocean's Deadliest" with Philippe Cousteau, grandson of Jacques, according to Irwin's manager and friend John Stainton. But weather had prevented the crew from doing work for that program, Stainton said, so Irwin decided to do some softer features for a new children's TV show he was doing with his daughter, Bindi.
"He came over the top of a stingray that was buried in the sand, and the barb came up and hit him in the chest," Stainton said.
Wildlife documentary maker Ben Cropp, citing a colleague who saw footage of the attack, told Time.com that Irwin had accidentally boxed the animal in. "It stopped and twisted and threw up its tail with the spike, and it caught him in the chest," said Cropp. "It's a defensive thing. It's like being stabbed with a dirty dagger."
Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.
Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified.
Irwin was director of the Australia Zoo in Queensland. He is survived by his American-born wife, Terri, and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told reporters in Cairns, according to The Associated Press. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!' "
"Steve was a larger-than-life force. He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe," said Discovery Communications founder and chairman John Hendricks in a statement. "We extend our thoughts and prayers to Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin as well as to the incredible staff and many friends Steve leaves behind."
Irwin's "Crocodile Hunter" show aired on the company's Animal Planet network.
Cousteau's office issued a statement that he is "still in Australia with the family of his friend, Steve Irwin. It was a tragic ordeal for everyone on the boat that morning. All of our thoughts are now with Steve's family."
Discovery Communications said it will rename the garden space in front of Discovery's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, the "Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden."
The company also is looking at the creation of a Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund. The fund will support wildlife protection, education and conservation, as well as aid Irwin's Australia Zoo and provide educational support for Bindi and Bob Irwin, the company said.
Australia Prime Minister John Howard said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," according to AP. "It's a huge loss to Australia."
Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.
Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catch phrase "Crikey!"
"His message is really about conservation: He really wants to leave the world a better place for everybody," Animal Planet's Maureen Smith told CNN.com in April.
"It's unbelievable, really," Jack Hanna, the host of "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventure" and director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo, told CNN. "You think about Steve Irwin and you think of people who are invincible."
Hanna, a friend of Irwin's, noted that Irwin's persona of the Crocodile Hunter was no act. Irwin grew up around crocodiles, snakes and other animals at his parents' Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park and had been handling such creatures since he was a child.
"Steve really knew what he was doing. He was one of the finest reptile people in the world. He knew more about reptiles than anybody did. He was raised that way," said Hanna.
Though stingrays can be threatening, their sting -- usually prompted by self-defense -- is not often fatal. The bull ray that apparently stung Irwin was "a one-in-a-million thing," Cropp told Time.com. "I have swum with many rays, and I have only had one do that to me."
"A wild animal is like a loaded gun -- it can go off at any time," Hanna said. "You have to be careful of that." But, he added, it's not the animals who are inherently dangerous, but the way they may react around humans. "People use the word 'dangerous,' and that sometimes is a word that's not fair to that animal, because that animal is only using the defenses that God gave it," said Hanna.
Rise to popularity
Irwin became popular with his show "Crocodile Hunter," which first aired on Australian TV in 1992. Eventually, the program was picked up by Discovery in the United States, establishing Irwin worldwide.
His popularity led to a film, "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course" (2002).
Irwin was caught in a minor flap in January 2004 when he held his then 1-month-old son while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.
In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s "Australian Story" television program about how he was perceived in his home country.
"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he told the ABC.
"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. You know, there's this ... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty.' "
At Australia Zoo at Beerwah, south Queensland, floral tributes were dropped at the entrance, where a huge fake crocodile gapes, the AP reported. Drivers honked their horns as they passed.
"Steve, from all God's creatures, thank you. Rest in peace," was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.
"We're all very shocked. I don't know what the zoo will do without him. He's done so much for us, the environment and it's a big loss," said Paula Kelly, a local resident and volunteer at the zoo, after dropping off a wreath at the gate, according to the AP.
"He has left a legacy: That people do love some of the unloved animals like crocodiles and reptiles that people wanted to kill," Stainton told CNN. "He's actually put a position in their hearts for them. I want that to continue. ... I want people to really go out there and remember Steve Irwin for what he really was, which was a great conservationist, saving wildlife and actually promoting wildlife that people didn't love."
as seen on CNN
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