SkyREPORT.COM News Headlines
News Update For 12/17/99
DirecTV Gets Another Ethnic Program Partner
Kelly Broadcasting will supply up to 16 non-Hispanic foreign-language channels to DirecTV under a multi-year agreement announced Thursday. While Kelly represents a new niche programmer for DirecTV, the satellite powerhouse won't abandon services from foreign-language program provider SkyView Media, spokesman Bob Marsocci said. Certain assets for SkyView, which is under bankruptcy proceedings, are slated to be bought by DirecTV competitor EchoStar. Through the Kelly deal, DirecTV will get programming from Russia, Lebanon, Egypt and a selection of Arab/Indian/Asian channels. DirecTV and Kelly also plan to offer Chinese, Italian and Korean-language programming in the future. Services will be sold on an a la carte basis and in bundled packages based on ethnic market interests. They will be delivered via the DirecTV Plus platform from satellites at 110 degrees and 119 degrees. The system also integrates core programming from DirecTV's 101-degree position. Kelly will provide installation services and in-language customer support. It also will sell DirecTV Plus systems via outbound direct marketing and sales. Because the Kelly services will be placed among DirecTV's high-power satellites, SkyView's future within the DirecTV ethnic platform is uncertain. SkyView uses a PanAmSat satellite for its DirecTV offering. The service isn't included among DirecTV's high-power birds. EchoStar agreed to purchase SkyView for $23 million on Wednesday. Under the court's initial decision, EchoStar won't have access to the company's subscribers, Marsocci said. A court order on the subscriber question could be issued next week. SkyView filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization during the summer. EchoStar spokesman Marc Lumpkin said specific details surrounding SkyView will be revealed once the transaction is completed.
National Geographic Scores DBS-Cable Deals
The National Geographic Channel inked carriage agreements with AT&T Broadband and Internet Services and DirecTV, separate deals that will give the network much-needed presence on the nation's largest cable system and the biggest U.S. satellite platform. National Geographic Channel will become part of DirecTV's Total Choice programming packages. The network will roll out to a majority of AT&T BIS cable subscribers during the next five years. With the support of DirecTV and AT&T, National Geographic Channel plans to launch with at least 7.5 million subscribers in the second half of 2000. The network is a joint venture between National Geographic Television, Fox and NBC. The channel has been available to international viewers since its initial launch in Europe and Australia in September 1997. The deal was announced at the Western Cable Show. In other news from the event, Wink Communications formed a strategic alliance with PowerTV to offer impulse electronic commerce and enhanced programming and advertising on digital cable. Encore Media Group also announced plans to combine the Encore and STARZ! networks under one unified brand, STARZ! Encore Media Group.
FCC Seeks Comment On DTV Obligations
The Federal Communications Commission is soliciting comment on potential public interest obligations for TV broadcasters as they transition to digital. The commission said it wants to create a forum on how broadcasters can best serve the public interest during and after their digital transition. The commission stressed it's not proposing new rules or policies, but wants ideas and public comment to determine what, if any, further steps should be taken as far as DTV public interest obligations. The move follows an FCC order created in April 1997 in which the Commission indicated it would seek feedback on the public interest obligations of digital TV broadcasters. The FCC also is seeking comment on recommendations from the President's Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Broadcasters.
Encore-STARZ! Boost NRTC/DirecTV Numbers
Movie offerings from Encore and STARZ! - and associated promotional campaigns tied to the premium channels - helped the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative grow its DirecTV business during 1999. The organization released figures Thursday that showed the NRTC/DirecTV business increased penetration of STARZ! and Encore Theme Channels by 32 percent. "NRTC is thrilled with the results of the 1999 Encore subscriber acquisition campaigns," said Stan Kozlowski, NRTC senior vice president of sales and marketing. "The 12 Encore Media Group channels represent the best value in premium television today - and we are proud to team up with them to offer the services to rural consumers." As of Nov. 30, NRTC had 1,366,135 DirecTV customers. That represents a net increase of nearly 375,000 subscribers since NRTC signed up its 1 millionth subscriber on Jan. 6, 1999.
PROGRAMMING: More Locals For DirecTV
- More Locals For DirecTV - DirecTV will commence local broadcast network channels in Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas and Houston. DirecTV also said it will add FOX affiliate WSVN to its local channel service in Miami. DirecTV customers can subscribe to their local channel package for $5.99 a month. In addition to local broadcast network channels, a national PBS feed is included in each local channel package.
- EchoStar Expands Business Training - EchoStar and the private business television network BizTV are launching Excel Communications programming on DISH Network's Business Television service. Excel Communications, a leading long distance provider in the United States, will broadcast training and sales presentations to independent representatives who subscribe to DISH Network.
- DirecTV Airs Don King Boxing - DirecTV will offer an exclusive live broadcast of IBF Bantamweight Champion Tim Austin as he defends his title against Bernardo Mendoza Saturday, Dec. 18. The fight is the first of four Don King-promoted events that will be carried on DirecTV.
- PanAmSat, NPR Extend Relationship - PanAmSat announced Thursday that National Public Radio (NPR), which operates the Public Radio Satellite System, has extended its multi-transponder service at 99 degrees for another decade. The PRSS, which currently employs two transponders on the Galaxy VI satellite, will now use three transponders on the high-power Galaxy IVR satellite.
- Networks Display Interactive Content - This week at the Western Cable Show in Los Angeles, representatives from TV Guide's horse racing network demonstrated new technologies for in-home wagering, and Sony's Game Show Network debuted interactive programming it is releasing this year with help from interactive television companies WebTV, OpenTV, ICTV and Liberate Technologies.