- - - DBS Companies Refute Itasca Cable Numbers - - -

DBS providers spoke out Thursday against claims made earlier this week by AT&T Broadband and Internet Services that asserted residents of Itasca, Ill., "had a taste of competition between cable TV and newer satellite services ... but appear to be sticking with cable."

Itasca officials voted last month to offer residents a $100 rebate if they switched to satellite TV. The rebate was abandoned after AT&T raised concerns about the use of public funds, so the town decided to hold a television fair last weekend where residents could select between multichannel providers. AT&T staff showed up at the fair in a sales RV. The only other exhibitors - EchoStar and DirecTV - set up booths.

This week's statement from the cable company said in the two weeks ending Sept. 20, 1,100 Itasca residents became new cable customers or renewed their commitment to cable by purchasing premium channels or other enhanced services.

EchoStar spokesman Marc Lumpkin questioned that number. Buried in the AT&T release, he said, is this statement: "Even at the 2-day fair, 86 residents who were not current cable customers chose AT&T Cable after making head-to-head comparisons with satellite services."

Lumpkin said EchoStar sales staff reported AT&T gave away - not sold - premium movie packages. "No one was entering their van," he said.

EchoStar's promotional package for Itasca residents who switched from cable included a free DISH Network system, free installation and a programming rebate. "We sold over twice as many subscriptions as what the cable company said they sold," Lumpkin said, adding that DISH Network sales staff also reported more traffic at their both than at the DirecTV booth.

A spokesperson for DirecTV said Thursday the company "just wasn't going to play that numbers game." DirecTV's Itasca promotion included a $100 rebate, free installation and three free months of Total Choice Platinum when new customers subscribed to NFL Sunday Ticket. "We are extremely pleased with the sales activity generated on the 18th," said DirecTV.

- - - Next DBS Bird To Set Sail For South Pacific - - -

Now that EchoStar has launched its satellite, competitor DirecTV is eyeing the mid-October lift-off of its next bird, DirecTV 1R.

According to officials with Sea Launch, the Ocean-based launch contractor backed by Boeing and others, departure of the program's assembly and command ship and launch platform from its port in Long Beach, Calif., is imminent. The satellite's launch date, as reported by SkyREPORT.COM on Thursday, is targeted for Oct. 10.

Transit of Sea Launch vessels, from the Long Beach Home Port to the equator in the South Pacific, is expected to take approximately 10-11 days. The flight of DirecTV 1R will be the first commercial satellite launch from the floating platform at sea.

"There's no question that this launch is significant for Sea Launch and for the entire launch services industry," said Sea Launch President Allen B. Ashby. "Collectively, we shared in the tremendous success of our March 27 demonstration launch, but this is what we've been working toward; being in a position to offer our customers a cost-effective and reliable ride to orbit, while beginning to show a return on investment for the Sea Launch partnership."

- - - DirecTV Unveils Spanish-Language Packages - - -

DirecTV will debut its "DirecTV Para Todos" Spanish-language programming service on Oct. 15, unveiling the offering first in Miami, Houston and the San Francisco area before taking it national.

The nationwide roll out will take place over a six month period.

The package will offer more than 30 Spanish-language national and international channels, focused on everything from news and educational programming to sports and movies. Networks included in the offering are Univision, Discovery en Espanol, Fox Sports World Espanol, MTV S, TV Chile, and CNN en Espanol.

The service will offer two bilingual packages. The first option, providing 14 Spanish-language channels and 24 English-language channels, will sell for $19.99 a month. A second offering with 21 Spanish-language channels and 77 English-language channels will sell for $31.99 a month.

DirecTV will use satellites at 119 degrees and 101 degrees for the Spanish-language offerings. A slightly larger oval dish and equipment will bring down signals from both orbital locations.

- - - TSAT Is Back-Makes Move Into Internet - - -

TCI Satellite Entertainment, the entity that was once at the center of PrimeStar before it was purchased by DirecTV, surfaced again this week, this time making an investment in a Denver-based Internet company.

TSAT said it purchased 714,286 Series C Preferred Shares of JATO Communications. The $5 million investment was made using cash and a short term secured promissory note.

"TSAT is moving beyond PrimeStar. Today's emerging technologies offer interesting new future considerations," said TSAT's President Christopher Sophinos. "We are excited to be able to participate in an opportunity like JATO."

Founded in early 1998, Jato Communications is a high-speed Internet access and applications company offering affordable digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet service that brings business and residential customers Web-based "broadband" applications, such as video e-mail, pay-per-use software and multimedia services.

One former TSAT executive has made the move to Jato. William Myers, the company's chief financial officer, served as vice president and treasurer of TSAT before joining the Internet entity.

- - - Channel Master Aligns With Dow Electronics - - -

North Carolina-based satellite equipment manufacturer Channel Master has forged an alliance with Dow Electronics in Tampa, Fla.

The deal stipulates that Dow provide a stocking warehouse for Channel Master's satellite equipment, including IFD products and installation supplies. Richard Derrenbacher, vice president of sales and marketing for Channel Master, said the deal will benefit customers by expanding the company's supply network.

Dow has 11 distribution centers throughout the southeast United States. In addition to satellite equipment, Dow also offers terrestrial broadcast products, signal distribution equipment and related services.

- - - PROGRAMMING: - - -

• Good News For Football Fans Living Abroad -
  The NFL announced Thursday that league games will now be available online. The new service will become available Sunday to cable modem users in Amsterdam and Vienna, along with ADSL users in Singapore. The NFL said it is testing video streaming as a means of reaching millions of ex-patriot football fans. Currently there are no plans to make NFL games available online in North or South America.

• NBA Creates New Channel -
  The National Basketball Association said it will launch a 24-hour channel that will be included with distribution of "NBA League Pass." The service, NBA.com TV, will combine real-time statistics, scores and news from the NBA Internet site with studio programming, live coverage of games featured on NBA League Pass, vintage games and basketball-themed movies. The service will be provided at no additional charge to Viewer.s Choice customers and to DirecTV Total Choice, Platinum or Total Choice Gold package subscribers.

• ESPN To Launch Hockey Season in Edmonton -
  ESPN will begin its 1999-2000 NHL schedule Friday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. with live, national coverage of the Wayne Gretsky tribute and jersey retirement in Edmonton. The network will then provide exclusive coverage of the banner raising in Dallas when the Stanley Cup Champion Stars host Hart Trophy winner Jaromir Jagr and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

• Boxing Fans Get Weekend Tripleheader -
  Showtime Championship Boxing returns to the nation's capital for a tripleheader tomorrow. The main event will feature WBA Middleweight Champion William Joppy against former champion Julio Cesar Green; WBA Middleweight hampion Keith Holmes against an undetermined opponent; and WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Sharmba Mitchell against No. 3 contender Elio Ortiz. The fights begin at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

• Travel Channel Adopts New Concept -
  This weekend the Travel Channel will launch its fall season with a new hosting strategy in which a TV personality will give viewers travel news and tips throughout the day. The network recently signed Ken Taylor (NBC, E!) and Tracy Gallagher ("Travel Daily," KRON-TV) for the job. The hosting concept is designed to give the Travel Channel "a fresh, compelling and contemporary look and feel."

• Things To Look For on Showtime -
  Showtime has released a list of new projects currently in the works. They include an untitled film starring Holly Hunter, Stellan Skarsgard and Ted Levine set during the Harlan County coal strike in the 1970s; "Jerry and Tom," a movie about an older mob hit-man turned used car salesman, starring Joe Mantegna and Ted Danson; and a trilogy called "Common Ground" about gay life in small-town America over the past half century.