EchoStar's DISH Network Picks New President

EchoStar Communications hired John Reardon as President of the DISH Network, the company's DBS system delivered to more than 1 million subscribers.

He will reporting directly to Charlie Ergen, chairman and CEO, and will be responsible for distribution, marketing, programming and operations. He replaces Carl Vogel, who stepped down as DISH Network president in March of last year.

"We are starting the new year with a fresh outlook and new strength at DISH Network," Ergen said. "John's consummate skills and experience in the cable television and DTH industries will be invaluable to both the day-to-day and long term operations of DISH Network. With his proven history, he will be a strong and invaluable addition."

Reardon was president and CEO of TCI Music, a Tele-Communications Inc. subsidiary created to develop and acquire music companies. He has extensive experience in the cable television industry, having held senior executive sales and marketing positions with Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment and MTV Networks, where he was president of MTV: Music Television.

Reardon also was president and CEO of Zing Systems, an interactive television company.

DirecTV Gets More Satellite Capacity, Eyes Additional Spectrum With Ka-Band

DirecTV acquired additional Ku-Band transponder capacity from PanAmSat in an effort to further expand its programming lineup with niche and ethnic-oriented programming.

And a spokesman with the Hughes Electronics-backed service said Tuesday the company will still pursue Ka-Band capacity near its coveted 101-degree position.

DirecTV will deliver new programming using Ku-Band transponder capacity aboard the Galaxy III-R satellite, which can provide high-power transmission coverage throughout the continental United States. The satellite was launched in December 1995 into the 95-degree orbital position, and contains 24 C-Band and 24 Ku-Band transponders.

DirecTV will initially lease four 120-watt Ku-Band transponders. The service will have the choice to expand capacity on the bird to deliver more than 120 additional channels of special interest programming, additional niche programs and future business-to-business applications.

The Galaxy satellite will also offer expansion capabilities for the launch of high definition television later this year.

With the new capacity in place, DirecTV is looking for more spectrum. DirecTV's Bob Marsocci said Ka-Band license applications before the Federal Communications Commission continue to wait for approval. If given the OK, DirecTV could launch new satellites into orbital locations in and around its 101-degree position.

Under its proposal, DirecTV would launch six Ka-Band satellites. Two would be placed at 96.5 degrees, another two at 105.5 degrees while the remaining two would be parked somewhere inside the 101-degree location.

Hughes also has Ka-Band capacity at 99 degrees, and its Galaxy unit has a Ka-Band license for 101 degrees.

The Galaxy III-R satellite is used by Galaxy Latin America for its DirecTV service in South and Central America. GLA is expected to migrate to the recently launched Galaxy VIII-i bird in the near future.

Additionally, Hughes Network Systems developed a new DSS system for the niche service. Equipment includes an elliptical-shaped dish that is a little larger than present DSS systems, and a receiver that can take programming from Galaxy III-R as well as DirecTV's DBS satellite.

For the initial roll out, DirecTV will distribute six ethnic channels owned and operated by Ethnic American Broadcasting Company in Fort Lee, N.J.

New programming will include WMNB-TV (Russian); Network Asia, serving Asians from the Indian subcontinent; Ukrainian Broadcasting Network, or UBN; Ciao TV-The Italian Superchannel, backed by Berlusconi's Mediaset; and both the Egyptian Satellite Channel and Nile TV (Arabic). The agreement with DirecTV also provides EABC with capacity to distribute as many as 20 ethnic channels.

More BSkyB Woes: Regulators Target Interactive Service

Adding to more trouble for British Sky Broadcasting and its various fledgling ventures, the European Union's Competition Commissioner Karel Van Miert voiced concern over British Interactive Broadcasting, especially since two "dominant" companies were involved with the service.

Van Miert told a news conference he had received complaints from competitors about BIB, formed by the satellite TV operator, British Telecommunications and others. "It is being discussed mainly with British Telecom and BSkyB...Don't forget, both companies are dominant in their specific sectors," he said. Van Miert added he did not want to "prejudge" the final outcome of any European Commission's investigation into BIB.

BIB will offer services such as home banking, home shopping, online learning and travel services by satellite or telephone lines.

GE Americom Gets Satellite Contract From CNN

GE American Communications' GE-3 satellite will deliver CNN programming throughout North America after signing an agreement with Turner Broadcasting International.

The satellite will deliver financial news, sports, weather and breaking news to network television affiliates, independent stations and millions of viewers in the United States and Canada.

Turner Broadcasting will utilize three C-Band transponders to transmit programming for both CNNfn and CNN/SI. A fourth GE-3 transponder, a Ku-Band pipeline, will deliver programming for CNN Newsource, a syndicated news service with more than 500 network affiliates and independent television stations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.