The second Tempo spacecraft acquired by DirecTV from PrimeStar and its former partner TCI Satellite is slated to go into orbit in late summer. Several online launch schedules have the bird, built by Space Systems Loral, going up in August. Tempo will travel aboard an Atlas 2AS, built by Lockheed Martin. The launch will take place at Cape Canaveral, Fla. DirecTV wouldn't confirm a launch date for the satellite, sticking to the late summer time-table for the flight. As with any launch, schedules and dates are subject to change. It's also unclear what orbital location would get the Tempo spacecraft. DirecTV has full-CONUS satellite slots at 101 degrees, 110 degrees and 119 degrees. The first Tempo satellite is in the 119-degree location, an orbital location DirecTV shares with EchoStar. In addition to the Tempo launch, DirecTV is eyeing the launch of a high-power spot beam satellite, being built by Hughes Space & Communications, in the fourth quarter of 2001. The satellite, DirecTV-4S, will be stationed with other DirecTV satellites at 101 degrees.

---

FCC Adopts Retransmission Complaint Rules

The Federal Communications Commission released an order concerning enforcement procedures for retransmission consent complaints, as mandated by the recently-enacted Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SVHIA). The expedited procedures are designed to be responsive to complaints and require a final decision by the FCC within 45 days of the filing of a complaint. SHVIA provides the procedures by which the FCC processes complaints by television broadcast stations alleging that a satellite carrier has retransmitted local TV signals without the station's consent, thereby violating the law. The FCC order tracks the statutory requirements under SHVIA. The enforcement procedural rules take effect on May 29, when the six-month grace period expires for negotiating retransmission consent deals between DBS providers and networks. As directed in the law, these enforcement procedures will sunset after Dec. 31, 2001, when full must-carry is scheduled to go into effect. Under the rules, satellite carriers will have five days to respond to a particular complaint. The FCC also said the burden of proof would be on the TV broadcasting station for establishing that a DTH provider had delivered the station's signal to at least one person on the day it's alleged to be in violation of the law.

---

BSkyB Shares Rocket To New High

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) for British Sky Broadcasting skyrocketed Monday, climbing an unprecedented $25 to a new 52-week high of $143. The new high for U.S.-traded shares of BSkyB follows an upgrade for News Corp., which has a 40-percent stake in the U.K. satellite provider. Merrill Lynch raised its 12-month target on News Corp.'s ADRs to $65, with a 12-month to 18-month price target of $75 to $80. News Corp. closed up more than a $1 in trading Monday, ending at $47.94. In a research note, Merrill Lynch said Rupert Murdoch's media machine could hold an initial public offering for several of its assets during the next year. Satellite-based operations that include News Corp.'s participation were highlighted as potential IPOs. They are Asia's Star TV, Japan Sky Broadcasting and Sky Latin America. News Corp.'s Australian cable venture, Foxtel, also was part of that talk. Back In Europe, French conglomerate Vivendi denied reports that it plans to sell the 24.6-percent stake it holds in BSkyB. Vivendi's interest has caused some friction among BSkyB's ownership.

---

XM Raises $228 Million In Offering

XM Satellite Radio said it raised $228 million through offerings of 4 million shares of Class A common stock for $128 million and 2 million shares of Series B preferred stock for $100 million. To date, XM Satellite Radio has raised approximately $670 million. The money is being used for the continued development and build-out of the XM Radio system. Meanwhile, Bear, Stearns analyst Vijay Jayant released research Monday that rated the XM stock as a buy. He said XM's value represents a buying opportunity since it trades at more than a 30 percent discount to Sirius, its competitor in the DARS business. While Jayant said a modest discount may be justified given Sirius' lower funding risk, "we believe that XM's stock - which has strong sponsorship from General Motors, Clear Channel, DirecTV and Liberty Media - could be trading at similar values as it reduces funding risk and both companies approach commercial launch in early 2001." Jayant placed a year-end target price for XM at $48 per share.

---

TECHNOLOGY: SBCA Plans Retailer Workshop