Amazingly, this sounds like a story you would read in almost any U.S. city, but it actually originates in Calcutta, India! I guess no matter where you go in the world, people still want to dump cable for a dish!
"Tired of cable spats and whimsical service providers spoiling your television viewing? Maybe it's time to cut the cable and make a dash for the dish.
Saturday's STAR and Sony switch-off on multi-system operator SitiCable provided the perfect platform for Zee Network to pitch its direct-to-home (DTH) service, Dish TV, in the city on Sunday."
The Telegraph - Calcutta : Metro
Friday
KVH Introduces New High-Performance Marine TracVision Satellite TV Systems
"'KVH's new TracVision 4-HP, G4-HP, 6-HP, and G6-HP marine satellite television antennas ensure the best possible operation in even the most extreme conditions,' said Ian Palmer, executive vice president of satellite sales for KVH. 'The new HP enhancements also offer significant improvements to our already robust tracking capabilities.
Now, thanks to TracVision's even more precise tracking, KVH customers are able to enjoy satellite TV farther offshore and in conditions where competing products just won't work reliably. These improvements, which have been phased in over the last several months, allow the TracVision antenna systems to provide superior performance even when installed in dynamic and demanding applications, such as on tuna towers.' "
KVH Introduces New High-Performance Marine TracVision Satellite TV Systems:
Now, thanks to TracVision's even more precise tracking, KVH customers are able to enjoy satellite TV farther offshore and in conditions where competing products just won't work reliably. These improvements, which have been phased in over the last several months, allow the TracVision antenna systems to provide superior performance even when installed in dynamic and demanding applications, such as on tuna towers.' "
KVH Introduces New High-Performance Marine TracVision Satellite TV Systems:
Tuesday
Interactive TV poised for a rollout
This is interesting.... just as the cable companies are eating away at the dominance of phone companies in providing voice services, now the Bells are getting into Interactive TV. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side huh?
Article Excerpt:
"Just as the tech bubble's promise of 'IP' telephone service over an Internet connection is only now becoming a widespread reality, IPTV finally appears to be on the verge of cracking the U.S. mainstream.
Not the cable TV establishment - which questions the technology and the demand for so much interactivity - but rather three Bell telephone companies are taking IPTV off the drawing board in the United States, much as telecom players in Asia and Europe have led the way abroad.
The extent of the Bells' plans vary considerably, but perhaps a dozen markets will see some form of IPTV starting later this year, and millions of homes may have the option by the end of 2006. "
Link To Complete Article:
USATODAY.com - Interactive TV poised for a rollout
Article Excerpt:
"Just as the tech bubble's promise of 'IP' telephone service over an Internet connection is only now becoming a widespread reality, IPTV finally appears to be on the verge of cracking the U.S. mainstream.
Not the cable TV establishment - which questions the technology and the demand for so much interactivity - but rather three Bell telephone companies are taking IPTV off the drawing board in the United States, much as telecom players in Asia and Europe have led the way abroad.
The extent of the Bells' plans vary considerably, but perhaps a dozen markets will see some form of IPTV starting later this year, and millions of homes may have the option by the end of 2006. "
Link To Complete Article:
USATODAY.com - Interactive TV poised for a rollout
Sunday
Cablevision Chair Buys Rest Of Satellite Ops His Board Sold To EchoStar
I guess you don't make the Forbes 400 if you don't have any guts and Charles Dolan (Chairman Of Cablevision) is definitely putting his money where his mouth is. If it were his decision, I don't think he would've sold any of the Voom assets. But in today's corporate environment, risk is something to be avoided.
Here is an excerpt:
"Back in orbit: Cablevision Systems (nyse: CVC - news - people ) Chairman Charles Dolan is not quitting the satellite TV business after all. Dolan, who was forced by his board last month to sell the only satellite of Cablevision's fledgling Voom service to EchoStar Communications (nasdaq: DISH - news - people ) for $200 million, now plans to buy the remainder of Voom's assets."
Link To Complete Article
Forbes.com: Dolan: Cablevision Chair Buys Rest Of Satellite Ops His Board Sold To EchoStar:
Here is an excerpt:
"Back in orbit: Cablevision Systems (nyse: CVC - news - people ) Chairman Charles Dolan is not quitting the satellite TV business after all. Dolan, who was forced by his board last month to sell the only satellite of Cablevision's fledgling Voom service to EchoStar Communications (nasdaq: DISH - news - people ) for $200 million, now plans to buy the remainder of Voom's assets."
Link To Complete Article
Forbes.com: Dolan: Cablevision Chair Buys Rest Of Satellite Ops His Board Sold To EchoStar:
Wednesday
OpenTV Builds First Interactive Television Shopping Application for Dish Network
OpenTV Corp., one of the world's leading interactive television companies, helped EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network and The Sharper Image make retail history by developing an iTV commerce application that brings the nation's first interactive television shopping channel to DISH Network's interactive TV line-up in February.
Viewers will control the shopping experience by using their remote control to purchase merchandise from The Sharper Image on-screen catalog, access the status of their accounts, order history, and much more.
OpenTV Builds First Interactive Television Shopping Application for Dish Network and Sharper Image
Viewers will control the shopping experience by using their remote control to purchase merchandise from The Sharper Image on-screen catalog, access the status of their accounts, order history, and much more.
OpenTV Builds First Interactive Television Shopping Application for Dish Network and Sharper Image
DISH Network Satellite TV Offers Pentagon Channel
"ALEXANDRIA, Va. (NNS) -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) and its DISH Network satellite TV service announced in February it is now offering the Pentagon Channel, the Defense Department's news and information network for and about the military.
The Pentagon Channel, which was launched stateside on May 14, 2004, will now be distributed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to DISH Network satellite TV customers. The channel is provided to customers at no additional cost as part of DISH Network's public interest channels. A second satellite dish may be required."
DISH Network Satellite TV Offers Pentagon Channel
The Pentagon Channel, which was launched stateside on May 14, 2004, will now be distributed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to DISH Network satellite TV customers. The channel is provided to customers at no additional cost as part of DISH Network's public interest channels. A second satellite dish may be required."
DISH Network Satellite TV Offers Pentagon Channel
Satellite TV Continues To Draw People From Cable
Despite the bundling of cable services with phone and broadband, satellite tv continues to have an edge. Better pricing and more DVR features have been fueling growth the past couple years. Here is more evidence of this trend......
"Satellite continues to mount its assault on cable by both whittling away cable's total subscriber base and attracting more net new digital subscribers,' says Greg Ireland, senior analyst in IDC's Consumer Markets program. 'Cable is responding with new digital video recorder services, enlarged video on demand libraries, and high-definition programming, yet satellite holds the momentum heading into 2005."
Research and Markets: U.S. Digital Cable and Satellite TV Subscriber 2004-2008
"Satellite continues to mount its assault on cable by both whittling away cable's total subscriber base and attracting more net new digital subscribers,' says Greg Ireland, senior analyst in IDC's Consumer Markets program. 'Cable is responding with new digital video recorder services, enlarged video on demand libraries, and high-definition programming, yet satellite holds the momentum heading into 2005."
Research and Markets: U.S. Digital Cable and Satellite TV Subscriber 2004-2008
Friday
Satellite Dish - Line Of Sight Issues
When I sold satellite dish systems for a living the first question I always asked a prospective customer was if they had clear skies to the south ( for DirecTV ) or southwest ( for Dish Network ). Actually, southwest for Dish Network applies if you are east of the Rocky Mountains and changes to southeast as you move west of the Rockies.
There are usually two culprits when it comes to line of site issues, trees and apartment or condominium units with balconies facing north. If you live in an apartment building that has a balconey facing North, it is highly unlikely you can obtain a satellite signal. The only way to do it is to mount the satellite dish on a pole and try to shoot over the roofline ( ocassionally works if you are on the top floor ). Just make sure you mount the pole very securely so the satellite dish doesn't turn in a strong wind.
Trees are another matter. If you live in an older neighborhood with large, heavy trees overhead it can be very difficult to obtain a satellite signal. DirecTV comes down at a steeper angle than Dish Network (their satellites have a higher orbit) so it is the best choice if you have heavy trees to the southwest ( southeast if you are west of the Rockies).
Sometimes you can go to the very peak of your house to clear the trees, but this is considered a non-standard installation by most installers and you may be charged extra. Some installers will not do a non-standard install so it's best to ask prior to completing the purchase order. Most retailers will try to accomodate you if you make it an issue at the time of the sales negotiation.
There are usually two culprits when it comes to line of site issues, trees and apartment or condominium units with balconies facing north. If you live in an apartment building that has a balconey facing North, it is highly unlikely you can obtain a satellite signal. The only way to do it is to mount the satellite dish on a pole and try to shoot over the roofline ( ocassionally works if you are on the top floor ). Just make sure you mount the pole very securely so the satellite dish doesn't turn in a strong wind.
Trees are another matter. If you live in an older neighborhood with large, heavy trees overhead it can be very difficult to obtain a satellite signal. DirecTV comes down at a steeper angle than Dish Network (their satellites have a higher orbit) so it is the best choice if you have heavy trees to the southwest ( southeast if you are west of the Rockies).
Sometimes you can go to the very peak of your house to clear the trees, but this is considered a non-standard installation by most installers and you may be charged extra. Some installers will not do a non-standard install so it's best to ask prior to completing the purchase order. Most retailers will try to accomodate you if you make it an issue at the time of the sales negotiation.
EchoStar to buy Voom TV satellite
Just as we predicted in our December 20th article, it appears that Dish Network will be purchasing the satellite assets of the Cablevision venture known as Voom. The price tag is $200 million and for that Dish Network ( Parent Company Echostar ) will gain access to a cutting edge satellite providing much needed bandwidth for either HDTV and Broadband Internet initiatives.
Since the News Corp purchased DirecTV, Charlie Eagan has to be feeling the pressure to expand satellite capacity as rapidly as possible. With Rupert Murdoch's track record, you know it's just a matter of time before DirecTV rolls out a whole array of new services.
Here is the Rocky Mountain News Article:
"EchoStar Communications Corp. said Thursday it will buy a satellite and related assets from Cablevision Systems Corp.'s struggling Voom TV service for $200 million. The move could mean the end of Voom, a heavily hyped high-definition satellite-TV venture that has struggled since its launch more than 14 months ago. "
Rocky Mountain News: Business:
Since the News Corp purchased DirecTV, Charlie Eagan has to be feeling the pressure to expand satellite capacity as rapidly as possible. With Rupert Murdoch's track record, you know it's just a matter of time before DirecTV rolls out a whole array of new services.
Here is the Rocky Mountain News Article:
"EchoStar Communications Corp. said Thursday it will buy a satellite and related assets from Cablevision Systems Corp.'s struggling Voom TV service for $200 million. The move could mean the end of Voom, a heavily hyped high-definition satellite-TV venture that has struggled since its launch more than 14 months ago. "
Rocky Mountain News: Business:
Wednesday
Cable Commission disputes Satellite TV Numbers
The constant rise in cable tv rates is beginning to create tensions between local government officials and cable executives. Considering that most cable tv outlets operate without direct competition ( other than satellite tv ) local officials are beginning to closely scrutinize rate increase requests. I found this to be an interesting article as the mayor is questioning Adelphia's assertion that there are enough satellite dish systems in place within their community to qualify as a significant competitor.
Cynthiana Democrat: Harrison County's Online News Source
Cynthiana Democrat: Harrison County's Online News Source
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)