- - - Spanish Services Target Growing Audience - - -

DirecTV launched its new Spanish-language programming service Friday called DirecTV Para Todos.

The DirecTV Para Todos System was introduced first in Miami, Houston and the San Francisco-San Jose, but will be distributed nationwide over the next six months. The service offers more than 30 Spanish-language sports, movies, news, music and educational channels and requires special receiving equipment.

DirecTV Para Todos service comes on the heels of the July launch of Dish Latino by EchoStar's Dish Network. Entertainment industry watchers have seen moves like this by satellite and cable television companies as an effort to woo one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population. Recent statements by the Senior Director of DirecTV Para Todos Yolanda Macias support that theory.

"There is a great opportunity to serve an untapped market," she said. "The Hispanic consumer is searching for more entertainment options."

Eight million Hispanic households represent a potential market of 30 million viewers, she added. Hispanic people are expected to make up a quarter of the U.S. population in 50 years, according to the Associated Press.

The DirecTV Para Todos package features two options for subscribers. One, for $19.99 a month, features 14 Spanish channels. The other, for $31.99, offers 21 Spanish channels.

- - - Magazine Honors Satellite Analysts - - -

Three industry watchers received high marks in Institutional Investor magazine's annual survey of financial analysts.

"When this category was created last year, many brokerage firms had yet to establish dedicated coverage of it," Institutional Investor surveyors wrote about the satellite communications sector. "Now satellite analysts outnumber the stocks they cover, and their challenge is explaining the group to skeptical investors."

The magazine's top ranking went to Robert Kaimowitz of ING Baring Furman Selz. "It's a difficult sector to understand, and he's the best at sorting through everything and communicating ideas," the magazine said. It specifically referenced Kaimowitz's analysis of the troubled satellite telephone company Iridium World Communications. "He has recommended clients avoid (Iridium) since its IPO two years ago. Even after Iridium stock initially skyrocketed from the IPO price of $20, the 37-year-old analyst recalls, 'We stuck to our guns.'"

Second place honors went to Merrill Lynch's Thomas Watts, who captured the top spot last year. "Fans cite the level of detail in Watts' written reports as a key to his success. One backer points to two reports on Orbital Sciences Corp. since last fall that correctly predicted the stock would remain within a $20 to $40 trading range," the magazine said.

And Marc Nabi with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter took the third place spot. Nabi was praised for his effective one-on-one communication skills and his analysis of EchoStar Communications.

- - - CD Radio Closes $65 Million Investment - - -

Affiliates of Apollo Management recently completed their purchase of $65 million of newly issued convertible preferred stock to CD Radio, the developing satellite-to-car radio broadcaster.

This brought the total Apollo investment in CD Radio to $200 million. As with other financing deals announced in recent months by CD Radio, the proceeds from the Apollo investment will be used for the continued build-out of the company's radio service, and for general corporate purposes.

CD Radio is schedule to launch its $9.95 a month subscription service during the fourth quarter of next year. It will feature up to 100 music, entertainment and news channels.

- - - Skybox: Consumers Be Damned - - -

Will there be a satellite bill this year?

Absolutely.

Will it have anything in it for consumers?

Not much. At least, not at last check.

Fact is, the rich and the powerful (a.k.a. broadcasters with their prevailing myth of localism and cablers with their pious must-carry masks) have managed to refocus the satellite debate to fit their own interests. While the Congressional Conference Committee has yet to complete its work, current sightings of the proposed legislation suggest rules that could seriously hamper the small dishes' odds against the monopolists. Onerous must-carry requirements and a free reign for broadcaster retransmission blackmail are just two of the anti-competitive bullets now under serious consideration.

One piece of good news from this onslaught by monopoly: Charlie and Eddy finally got together on the same stage, singing the same tune. It was a well done effort which might, just might, get some lawmakers to place consumers at least on a par with campaign contributions.

- - - PEOPLE: - - -

• Lawson To Oversee Financing Plan -
  The satellite- based network communications company DBS Industries has appointed Stanton Lawson as its chief financial officer. The Mill Valley, Calif.-based company is currently working with an international investment bank to assess its financing options in obtaining the $120 million needed to construct and launch its worldwide communication system.

• Seven Producers Join Oxygen -
  Oxygen Media, the burgeoning women's Internet and cable network, has named seven executive producers for its original television line-up. They are: Roni Selig, Scott Carter, Virginia Kuppek, Mark Farrell, Katie Puckrik, Linda Corradina and Lydia Stephans.

• Mishol Promoted at ESPN -
  Mike Mishol has been promoted to director, affiliate operations, at ESPN. He will be responsible for overseeing network authorizations, alternate feeds and contract administration, as well as financial and accounting functions for affiliate sales and marketing.

• Customer Care Company Gets New VP -
  Jones Cyber Solutions, a customer management company that serves the telecommunications industry, has selected Laura Reed as vice president of marketing. Reed was chosen because of her experience with cable TV and telephone customer care and billing systems.