**SATELLITE JOURNAL ITL VOL 2 NO 14
Gary Torrens
Volume 2 Number 14
July 7 1994
"...Anyone who enjoys the privilege of publishing and broadcasting
in open societies should demonstrate their unshakeable belief in the
universality of free speech should they ever seek to broadcast in
societies that are closed."
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GE AMERICOM TO PURCHASE GTE SPACENET
GE Capital and GTE Corp. announced a definitive agreement for the
purchase of the GTE Spacenet satellite communications business by GE
American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom), a GE Capital company.
The transaction is subject to the necessary government approvals.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The purchase includes all Spacenet satellites, foreign and
domestic operations, as well as real estate and facilities. GE
Americom will assume responsibility for Spacenet's existing
customers. GTE will continue to serve its federal government
customers where contracts have not been assumed by Americom.
"We are excited about the expanded service capabilities this
acquisition will enable us to offer customers, and look forward to
making an even greater contribution to our customers' success," said
Gary C. Wendt, president and chief executive officer of GE Capital.
"This combining of resources allows GE to enhance the high level
of customer service that both GE Americom and Spacenet have provided
over the years, and clearly demonstrates our commitment to the
telecommunications industry," said John F. Connelly, chairman and
chief executive officer, GE Americom.
"I am very pleased about GE Americom's commitment to Spacenet
customers, as it is these customers and our employees who have made
Spacenet the excellent company it is today," said Howard Svigals,
vice president and general manager, GTE Spacenet. GTE Spacenet has
approximately 600 active employees, 400 of whom are located at its
headquarters in McLean, VA.
"This purchase complements Americom's strategic objectives,"
Connelly said. "It will provide us with much needed capacity to
meet the near term requirements of existing and potential customers
and assist our long term efforts to launch new satellites that will
provide high-quality satellite communications services into the 21st
Century. Equally important, the purchase will establish Americom in
the fast growing VSAT business," he added.
"We believe VSAT technology will continue to be a significant
factor in private network communications. We also believe
satellites will have an important role to play in the developing
National Information Infrastructure, by providing more choices for
communications service users," he said.
GE Americom operates the GE SATCOM fleet, one hybrid, five C-band
and three Ku-band satellites. In early 1996, GE Americom plans to
launch its new hybrid satellite, GE-1, into the 103(degree) W.L.
orbital slot. GE-1 will be protected by a ground spare, GE-2, until
GE-1 is operational
CBS + QVC = ?
Laurence A. Tisch, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of CBS Inc., and Barry Diller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of QVC Inc. responded to press inquiries by saying that the two
companies are in discussions regarding a possible combination and
are close to reaching agreement.
In the business combination QVC would merge into CBS, and each
share of QVC common stock would be converted into a combination of
.0486 of a share of CBS Common Stock and .1931 of a share of a new
series of CBS non-voting Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock,
with the result that QVC stockholders would own approximately 46.4%
of CBS on a fully diluted basis. Each share of CBS Common Stock
would be converted into $175 in cash and .4009 of a share of CBS
Common Stock, such that CBS stockholders would own approximately
53.6% of CBS on a fully diluted basis.
The Preferred Stock would have a $100 face amount and would be
convertible into .3229 of a share of CBS Common Stock. The
Preferred Stock would have a coupon of 4%, would be non-callable for
10 years and would be exchangeable into subordinated debt after 5
years at the option of CBS. It is anticipated that CBS would
continue its current dividend. Laurence Tisch would remain Chairman
of CBS and Barry Diller would become its President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee. QVC would
designate five of the twelve members of the CBS Board of Directors,
including Barry Diller.
The transaction is subject to the approval of each company's Board
of Directors at meetings expected to be held in mid-July and the
signing of a merger agreement, and thereafter to the approval of the
shareholders of each company and other customary approvals and
conditions.
Laurence A. Tisch, Chairman, President and CEO of CBS said: "The
alliance of CBS and QVC combines two of the leading franchises in
television. CBS is America's most watched television network, with
leading program brands in daytime, primetime and latenight
television. QVC is the nation's largest retailing television
network, guiding the global revolution in the way consumer products
are marketed and sold. Together, the foundation of this enterprise
will remain devoted to the creation of first-rate original
programming to attract viewers and consumers, while providing
exciting new opportunities for advertisers, marketers, affiliated
stations and cable operators. CBS is extremely fortunate to have
Barry Diller become its Chief Executive Officer. Barry Diller's
experience and track record in the entertainment and communications
businesses have repeatedly proved him to be a brilliant and
imaginative manager of creative artists and innovative
technologies."
Barry Diller, Chairman and CEO of QVC said: "What you say to a group
that has just completed such a winning season in primetime, late
night, and daytime is 'Thank you, how can I support you and how can
I help to maintain CBS's pre-eminence.' And I would say to everyone
else that they should honour Larry Tisch because he never received
the praise he truly deserves for taking the leadership of a company
eight years ago that was deep with dissension and failure, and by
concentrating ferociously on its core business, brought it back to
the place of leadership it had historically enjoyed. "And as for
the future, I don't think there is a more interesting time to work
in telecommunications. To be able to help draw the architectural
lines for the future is great good luck."
BroadBand Technologies, Inc
BroadBand Technologies, Inc a leading provider of interactive
switched digital video solutions, announced that Alcatel Network
Systems, Inc., manufacturer of telecommunications transmission
equipment, will resell the BroadBand 4500 Video Codec
(compression/decompression circuit).
The 4500 Video Codec accepts a standard video signal and dual
audio signals, digitises these signals, and transmits the digitised
video and audio in a standard digital format. The decoder reverses
the process. This process allows interactive video to be
transmitted over telephone lines. The 4500 Video Codec uses the
differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) video compression standard
to achieve compression ratios of approximately 3:1.
This allows standard NTSC (National Television Standards Committee)
signals, which run at 140 Mbits/sec, to be transmitted at 45
Mbits/sec over DS3 lines widely available in public and private
telephone networks. This high precision algorithm for encoding and
compressing the video signal eliminates motion artifacts, and
recovery of the signal is enhanced by the system's low sensitivity
to bit errors.
PRIMESTAR
PRIMESTAR, announced the launch of a comprehensive advertising
campaign to acquaint the American public with company's service
offering. The $55 million campaign consists of a national element
budgeted by PRIMESTAR and a local element budgeted by PRIMESTAR's
partners. At a press conference executives from PRIMESTAR and its
advertising agency, Adler Boschetto Peebles (ABP), debuted the 30
second TV launch spot.
Elements of the integrated TV, radio, and print campaign include
the 30 second TV launch spot, which will be broadcast nation-wide,
and a series of follow up TV spots, which are already in
development. The spot was produced in partnership with Industrial
Light and Magic (ILM) of San Rafael, California.
Complementing the television campaign will be a national print
campaign featuring a four colour spread appearing in national
publications. Radio ads at the national and local levels, the third
component of the overall campaign, are slated to run through 1994
into the first quarter of 1995.
PRIMESTAR also announced that it has concluded an $80 million
multi-year agreement to utilise Tele-Communications, Inc.'s National
Digital Television Centre to transmit PRIMESTAR's
satellite-delivered programming.
John Cusick, PRIMESTAR President and Chief Executive Officer, said
that the agreement for digital compression, encryption and uplinking
is a natural extension of the services the centre has been providing
over the last several months as PRIMESTAR made its transition to
General Instrument Corp.'s DigiCipher(TM) digital technology.
Cusick explained that the transition, which involves a
free-to-the-subscriber exchange of analogue to digital reception
equipment, is scheduled to be completed in July. So far, 70,000 GI
DigiCipher consumer receivers have been delivered to PRIMESTAR
distributors nation-wide. This means that PRIMESTAR distributors
are now poised to begin installing thousands of new digital
subscribers on a daily basis.
"GI and The National Digital Television Centre played important
roles in the transformation of the PRIMESTAR service," Cusick
explained. "We appreciate the contribution they've made to making
PRIMESTAR the first digitally delivered multichannel DBS television
service."
Turning to the new arrangement with The National Digital
Television Centre, Cusick said that the agreement is a critical
component of a long-term infrastructure plan that already envisions
a free-to-the-subscriber upgrade of digital technology to DigiCipher
II equipment compatible with the MPEG-2 standards in 1995 and the
acquisition of replacement satellite capacity that will lead to
150-channel service in 1996.
"By establishing a long-term relationship with this
state-of-the-art facility, PRIMESTAR also has a solid foundation
from which to move into delivery of services to cable headends," he
pointed out. "This is a key step in the provision of advanced
digital television services to tens of millions of current cable
subscribers through TCI's recently announced 'headend in the sky'
program."
"The size and scope of this commitment makes PRIMESTAR one of the
centre's largest and most important clients to date," said David
Beddow, Vice President, TCI Technology Inc. "We are looking forward
to working with PRIMESTAR to deliver a full complement of digital
services to cable systems and individual cable and DBS consumers."
Located near Denver, the $100 million National Digital
Television Centre converts analogue television and sound to digital,
then compresses the digital signals and distributes them to cable
headends, and cable and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) homes
around the nation. It also manages the authorisation and control
procedures necessary to perform those functions.
PBS
A string of comet fragments will crash into Jupiter in July with an
estimated force of 100 million megatons of TNT.
THE GREAT COMET CRASH, a one-hour live U.S. public television
broadcast on Wednesday, July 20, at 10:30 p.m. EDT will allow the
viewers to view some of the first pictures of the impact. THE GREAT
COMET CRASH, produced by WHYY-TV/Philadelphia, will relay images
from the Hubble Space telescope while experts in the studio discuss
the results of this monumental collision.
The programme will explore the scientific information that can be
gleaned from the comet crash and will also look at how astronomical
events have been seen in poetry, mythology and the arts through the
ages. The program will also include a weather forecast for Jupiter
and instant feedback from scientists in other nations.
Co-hosts for programme are Derrick Pitts, director of the Fels
Planetarium at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute and WHYY's Terry
Gross, host of public radio's weekday interview program, FRESH AIR.
Guests will include the discoverers of the comet, Drs. Carolyn
and Eugene Shoemaker of Arizona's Lowell Observatory and amateur
astronomer David Levy, as well as science fiction writer Arthur C.
Clarke, who wrote about a comet hitting the Earth in his book,
"Hammer of God."
This broadcast of pictures from space will employ the latest
technology to gather information. Many of the images will be
transmitted from NASA via computer files on the Internet and
translated into television pictures at WHYY.
Astronomers around the world will also use the Internet to send
reports on their observations, which will be displayed on the TV
screen. The Shoemakers will appear via satellite from Washington,
D.C. and Clarke will call in from his home in Sri Lanka on a video
phone.
According to the American Astronomical Society, the comet impact
marks the first time in human history that people have discovered an
object in the sky and have been able to predict its impact on a
planet more than a few seconds in advance.
The 21 fragments that make up Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 are expected
to slam into Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, over a
five-day period beginning July 16. The fragments will penetrate
deep into the planet's upper atmosphere, where they will detonate
with an estimated force of 100 million megatons of TNT.
The impact will not be directly visible from Earth-bound
telescopes, although its effects may be measured through
photographs, infrared images, radio waves and other techniques. The
Hubble Space Telescope will be able to study Jupiter and relay
pictures soon after the impact. The Galileo spacecraft, due to
reach Jupiter in December 1995, will be in a position to record the
event for later analysis. The distant Voyager 2, now more than six
billion kilometres beyond Jupiter, may even be able to record the
impact. The programme will also employ computer simulations to help
viewers visualise the impact and its aftermath.
The ultimate effect on Jupiter is unknown, and scientists around
the world are eagerly waiting to study this rare phenomenon. Some
scientists have predicted that a rain of cometary debris plowing
into Jupiter could blow holes the size of Texas in the thick
atmosphere, send out titanic shock waves, kick up showers of dust
and radiate flashes of light out among the planet's moons.
Initially, the hot fireballs will be hidden from view, but will
become visible from space when they rise to the atmosphere a minute
after the impact.
Some astronomers are comparing the comet crash to the collision
of a large asteroid or comet with the Earth 65 million years ago, a
catastrophe that may have caused the mass extinction of the
dinosaurs and many other species of life.
The comet, actually a train of 21 or more pieces 30 million
kilometres long, is said to resemble a gigantic string of pearls.
The collision could produce more information about the makeup of
Jupiter, a swirling ball of gas with no solid surface. Astronomers
predict that the comet's impact could cause a series of fireballs,
glowing debris and a long-lasting storm. It may add another blemish
to the planet's surface, similar to Jupiter's famed Great Red Spot.
Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation and Rogers Communications, Inc. (RCI) announced
that they had entered into an agreement pursuant to which Comcast is
to purchase from RCI the U.S. cable television and alternative
access operations of Maclean Hunter Limited for approximately $1.27
billion in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments.
Maclean Hunter's U.S. cable operations include systems in New
Jersey, Michigan and Florida, and provide service to approximately
550,000 cable subscribers.
RCI acquired Maclean Hunter as part of a tender offer earlier
this year. The Maclean Hunter shares acquired by RCI are being held
in voting trust for the benefit of RCI, pending the receipt of
certain regulatory approvals.
The sale to Comcast is subject to certain governmental and other
approvals, as well as Canadian regulatory approval for the
acquisition of Maclean Hunter by RCI. Upon completion of the
transaction, Comcast will have over 3.5 million cable subscribers in
its consolidated and pro-rated affiliated cable operations, making
it the third largest cable operator in the United States.
Brian L. Roberts, President of Comcast, stated, "We are very
pleased to have the opportunity to expand our cable operations
through this significant transaction with RCI. For some time we
have considered Maclean Hunter's systems to be a logical strategic
extension of Comcast's cable business. These properties are a great
fit with our existing clusters in Northern New Jersey, Florida and
Michigan. The acquisition allows us to increase our presence in
three of the top fifteen television markets, which will open up
exciting growth opportunities for Comcast."
Ralph J. Roberts, Chairman of Comcast, added, "We believe very
strongly in the future of cable television, not only to deliver
quality entertainment to consumers, but also to supply the next
generation of communication and information services to residences
and businesses across the country. Throughout our thirty-year
history, Comcast has grown from an operator of one small community
antenna system in Mississippi to one of the largest cable operators
by prudently building, acquiring and operating high-quality cable
systems. Our planned acquisition of Maclean Hunter's U.S. cable
operations will allow us to continue to lead our industry in
providing advanced communications services."
Edward E. Rogers, the President and CEO of RCI, added, "This sale
is a continuation of a process begun by Maclean Hunter prior to our
acquisition. We are pleased that they will be operated by Comcast
with their emphasis on quality, innovation and responsiveness to
customer needs."
Wireless Aliance
Six leading companies in the wireless cable industry, including
Zenith Electronics Corporation and American Telecasting Inc
announced a new research and development alliance to develop digital
technologies for the over-the- air delivery of hundreds of channels
of digital video programming and other services.
The new "Wireless Cable Digital Alliance" is expected to make
wireless cable systems more competitive with traditional wired cable
and telephone systems launching digital video networks. Members of
the alliance are: American Telecasting Inc., Colorado Springs,
Colo.; Andrew Corporation, Orland Park, Ill.; California Amplifier,
Carmel, Calif.; EMCEE Broadcast Products, White Haven, Pa.;
Microwave Filter Company, Syracuse, N.Y.; and Zenith Electronics
Corporation, Glenview, Ill. The alliance may be expanded depending
on the needs of the group.
Speaking on behalf of the alliance here today at the annual
convention of the Wireless Cable Association, Jon Schumacher,
director of engineering and technology for American Telecasting, the
nation's largest wireless cable television company, said the six
companies in the alliance "each bring complementary perspectives and
expertise in the wireless field.
The alliance plans to develop wireless digital technologies
that will enable consumers to receive from 150 to 300 channels,
including near video-on-demand pay-per-view movie offerings.
Efforts will also be directed toward wireless telephone service and
interactive-based services.
Contributions of the partnering companies include:
-- American Telecasting, which has served as the facilitator of
the group to accelerate the process of developing future
strategies;
-- Andrew Corp., antennas and broadcast components;
-- California Amplifier, down-converters and return-path
transmitters;
-- EMCEE Broadcast Products, microwave transmitters;
-- Microwave Filter, combiners and filters; and
-- Zenith, digital set-top decoders, real-time two-way interactive
technology and digital transmission systems.
Jones Interactive
Jones Interactive Inc. presents 2,900 ways to define change along
the Information Superhighway through its new volume, the Jones Cable
Television and Information Infrastructure Dictionary, 4th ed.
A revision and expansion of the 1,600-term "Jones Dictionary of
Cable Television Terminology" published in 1988, this new version (6
x 9 hardbound, 216 pages), reflects the convergence of information
industries with entries drawn from cable television operations,
programming, marketing and engineering; satellite communications;
telephony/cellular technology; computers and multimedia.
Definitions ranging in length from one to several sentences are
written in layman's terms, and often place the word in the broader
context of related definitions or processes. The dictionary defines
350 acronyms among its 2,900 terms, and contains 750 cross
references.
Many of the dictionary's phrases have been co-opted into popular
culture, like "channel surfing" or "cyberspace." But from an "abort
timer," a device that stops dial-up data transmission if no data is
sent within a predetermined time period, to "zero compression," the
process that eliminates the storage of insignificant zeros to the
left of the most significant digit, the dictionary aims to make
everyone comfortable with the language of the Information Age.
Software and CD-ROM Versions
The dictionary is also available on 3.5 diskettes from Macintosh or
IBM Windows platforms, and on CD-ROM. Both formats feature 850 "Hot
Links," highlighted terms that guide the user to seek out related
entries, and easy-to-use navigation and search tools. Jones
Interactive Inc. is a subsidiary of Englewood-based Jones
International Ltd., parent company of Mind Extension
University(ME/U): The Education Network, the only 24-hour cable
channel dedicated to distance education and professional training,
and Jones Computer Network, now featured as a prime-time programming
block on ME/U, and schedule to launch full-time in September.
Title: Jones Cable Television and Information Infrastructure
Dictionary.
Author: Glenn R. Jones; founder, chairman of the board and
chief executive officer of Jones International Ltd.; Jones
Intercable Inc.; Mind Extension University(ME/U): The Education
Network; Jones Computer Network; and Jones Interactive Inc., among
other companies. He is the author of "Make All America a School."
Publisher: Jones Interactive Inc., P.O. Box 3309, Englewood,
CO, 80155-3309, or phone 800-833-3472. Price: $24.95 for the
book, diskette or CD-ROM; $39.95 for the book plus CD-ROM or
Diskette. $3.50 postage and handling; volume discounts
available.
ISBN: 1-885400-00-4
U.S. Robotics
U.S. Robotics, Inc. announced that PBS (Public Broadcasting
Service) has selected the Total Control Enterprise Network Hub as
the gateway to its new PBS ONLINE services. PBS has placed an
initial order for 200 Enterprise Network Hub chassis for
installation in each of its 200 affiliate stations.
The 200 chassis will be linked via a VSAT satellite network to
PBS headquarters in Alexandria, Va. Each chassis will provide a
local access point allowing public television viewers and
educational and other community institutions to dial in and access
PBS ONLINE, an electronic information and communications network.
PBS ONLINE will provide a variety of learning services and resources
nation-wide, including databases, Internet access, and programming
information. Member stations may also customise the service to
their communities.
"PBS is bringing the information superhighway to local
communities," said Jonathan Zakin, U.S. Robotics executive vice
president. "Our relationship with PBS ensures that this goal will
become a reality, giving users of the service a reliable method of
connections and providing an expandable platform from which PBS can
grow its services."
"Just as PBS was a pioneer in using television as an educational
tool, we're taking a lead role in using advanced data communications
technology to expand the types of services we provide," said Mark
Richer, PBS vice president of engineering and computer services.
In a recent on-line discussion, or "electronic town meeting,"
Vice President Al Gore commented that the information superhighway
would have the greatest impact in schools, classrooms and at-home
learning. These audiences are key targets for PBS ONLINE.
The first PBS ONLINE service available is Learning Link, which
provides access for more than 22,000 teachers nation-wide to lesson
plans and classroom activities that may be tied to public television
programming. Currently, educators can access Learning Link via a
local call in some areas, or by calling into the central PBS link.
A typical use of the system might be for a teacher to dial into
the local access point via modem from a Macintosh or IBM-compatible
computer. Using special PBS ONLINE software, the teacher could
access information on a particular subject, find information on PBS
programming to supplement the lesson, and correspond with other
teachers nation-wide.
TOTAL CONTROL SAVES TIME, PROVIDES ROOM FOR GROWTH
"Total Control provides several capabilities that will help
make the rollout of PBS ONLINE easier," said Dave Drucker, associate
director of computer services for PBS. "Total Control's SNMP
management capabilities will save us a lot of time. The local sites
will manage their modems via SNMP; we'll also be able to do
troubleshooting and management from our central site."
"Additionally, Total Control provides a compact, expandable
platform that will give us and our affiliates the ability to expand
our capabilities as demand for the service grows," added Drucker.
"For example, our member stations will have the ability to add T-1
services as user demand increases. T-1 is an elegant way to handle
large numbers of phone lines, and can also provide cost savings over
traditional analogue service, depending on the number of lines."
Each Total Control chassis ordered by PBS will initially include
two quad analogue/digital V.32 terbo modem cards (four modems per
card). Each chassis will also include an Ethernet gateway card and
an SNMP management card, providing both local and remote management
capabilities. In the local member stations, the Enterprise Network
Hub will be the first point of contact; users of PBS ONLINE will
dial directly into modems in the chassis. Modem traffic will then
be routed through the chassis' Ethernet gateway card to an Ethernet
LAN, which supports the local PBS Online network server. Also
connected to the LAN is a VSAT indoor unit, which provides the
satellite interface for transmissions to and from PBS headquarters.
The Total Control Enterprise Network Hub also serves PBS
corporate WAN needs; the product is used in the company's central
data centre for remote access, e-mail and telecommuting. "With
systems like Total Control, we've been able to consolidate
equipment, allowing us to provide more capabilities and functions in
less space," added Drucker.
AT&T
AT&T and Fox Broadcasting Co. announced an $81 million contract to
transmit Fox network programming, including NFL games and other
broadcasts, over AT&T's Telstar 4 family of satellites.
The multi-year agreement for AT&T SKYNET Satellite Services calls
for Fox to lease six full-time, fully protected satellite
transponders year-round and have use of additional transponders
during the football season. The additional transponders will be
used to regionalise the NFL broadcasts.
"We selected AT&T because of its advanced satellite technology
and high-level customer service, a unique combination that will
support the rapid expansion of our network and the special needs of
NFL broadcasting, " said Andrew Setos, senior vice president, Fox
Inc.
Among the services that AT&T will provide Fox are sun-transit
management, where AT&T will transfer service between satellites to
optimise transmissions and prevent sun interference, and high-level
safeguards against other types of transmission interruptions.
"This agreement reaffirms AT&T's position as a leading provider
of satellite transmission services," said Ted Corus, marketing
manager for AT&T SKYNET Satellite Services. "It significantly
strengthens our broadcast neighbourhood and solidifies our position
as the industry's satellite service provider of choice for
syndicated programming transmissions."
Fox will begin broadcasting over AT&T's Telstar 401 satellite in
July. Beginning in mid-1995, the Fox service will be split between
Telstar 401 and 402.
Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., a domestic and international
distributor of refurbished AT&T products and proprietary voice
processing systems, announced the signing of a contract with FOX
Television to co-ordinate telecommunications and provide AT&T
equipment for FOX's coverage of National Football League games
beginning with the upcoming football season.
Farmstead will provide FOX with AT&T telecommunications equipment
and co-ordinate on-site telephone service at each of FOX's remote
broadcast locations, beginning with the network's first pre-season
NFL game August 12 in San Francisco. As telecommunications
co-ordinator, Farmstead will act as key contact with local telephone
service providers, arrange for the proper number of lines needed by
FOX's remote crew, ensure the availability of proper circuitry,
provide AT&T telephone equipment to each game site and arrange for
its installation, and provide FOX personnel with stand-by service
and key contacts at each site.
Jerry Gepner, Vice President of Field Operations for FOX
Television, stated his network's reasons for selecting Farmstead
Telephone to assist in FOX's first sports broadcasting venture: "We
like Farmstead because they are responsive to unique problems. They
have the ability to come up with creative solutions and they are not
afraid to test innovative ideas."
Farmstead Telephone Group is in the business of acquiring,
refurbishing, and reselling previously owned AT&T telephone
equipment, plus designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art voice
mail and voice processing systems. One of only nine companies
authorised to distribute selected AT&T remanufactured telephone
equipment, Farmstead serves the telecommunications needs of
customers like Travelers Insurance, Smith Barney Shearson, Fleet
Bank, and Sony Music Entertainment.
ENCORE CELEBRATES THE EXPANSION OF SIX MULTIPLEX CHANNELS
BY HONOURING FILM GREATS
James Garner, Gene Hackman, Jack Lemmon and James Woods to be Guests
of Honour at July 7 Benefit
James Garner, Gene Hackman, Jack Lemmon and James Woods will be
honoured for their contributions to American film at a gala in Los
Angeles on Thursday, July 7, as part of the launch that day of
Encore's "Thematic Multiplex," six genre-specific movie channels.
To be held at Universal Studios in Hollywood, the event will benefit
The Permanent Charities Committee and the Westside Children's
Centre, which will receive a major contribution by Encore and a
coalition of film studios.
Each of the four actors will be honoured for their outstanding
achievements in one of the film genres featured in Encore's expanded
service: James Garner for Westerns - Encore 3, Gene Hackman for
Mystery - Encore 4, Jack Lemmon for Love Stories - Encore 2, and
James Woods for True Stories & Drama - Encore 6. The other two
Multiplexes are "WAM! America's Youth Network - Encore 7 and Action
- Encore 5.
"The brilliant and steadfast work of James Garner, Gene Hackman,
Jack Lemmon and James Woods stands as a testament to the best that
American cinema has to offer and epitomises the movies we exhibit on
Encore -- hit movies from the '60s, '70s and '80s. This era
produced some of the greatest actors and movies of all time,"
remarked John J. Sie, chairman and chief executive officer of Encore
Media Corp. "While the scope of their work transcends any one
category of film, we are celebrating the memorable performances each
has brought to one of our service's genres: 'Westerns,' 'Mystery,'
'Love Stories' and 'True Stories & Drama,'" he continued.
The event, which is expected to attract some of Hollywood's
biggest names, is set to coincide with the national expansion of
Encore's premium service which is launching six Thematic Multiplex
channels, an innovative new concept with each 24-hour channel
devoted to a specific theme. Now Encore has a seven-channel package
that satisfies different movie viewing moods. It's positioned as
"Mood on Demand." Owned by Liberty Media Corp. (an affiliate of
Tele-Communications Inc.) and JJS Communications, Encore has 5
million subscribers.
On Feb. 1, Encore also launched STARZ! - Encore 8, a premium
multiplex channel of Encore, that features exclusive first-run
theatrical films. STARZ! is initially available to 9 million cable
households.
"In honouring these four great actors, we are reaffirming our
commitment to offer subscribers the very best in American film," Sie
remarked. "Now, with 'Thematic Multiplex,' Encore is bringing to
viewers unprecedented dependability and viewing convenience," he
continued. "This demonstrates our ability to successfully merge
technology with entertainment to usher in the entertainment lane of
the information superhighway," Sie added.
The July 7 gala on Universal's backlot will incorporate thematic
movie sets from Hollywood's most famous films with musicians,
dancers and acrobats -- all in full regalia -- on three connecting
environments: Western, Mystery and Romance. Adding verite to the
cinematic experience will be cowboy stuntmen, a haunting performance
troupe and a trio of strolling violinists as well as line dancing
and a few surprises.
The Permanent Charities Committee of the Entertainment Industries
is the combined energy and generosity of the entertainment, motion
picture, television, radio, recording and advertising industries.
Founded by Samuel Goldwyn, PCC was created to serve as the
organisation to facilitate the many requests that charitable
organisations make of the entertainment industry.
PCC has donated over $96 million to more than 170 health, human
service and entertainment agencies throughout Southern California.
Scientific-Atlanta
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. has been selected to supply a full range
of advanced home communications terminals, fiber opto-electronics,
RF distribution electronics, interactive digital video network
components, and telephony equipment for BellSouth Corporation's
planned video services trial in the Atlanta area.
BellSouth currently has a request pending with the Federal
Communications Commission for authorisation to conduct a 12,000 home
trial in a demographically diverse community north of Atlanta in
1995.
Products expected to be included in the trial include the
Scientific- Atlanta's 8600X(TM) analogue and MPEG-based (Motion
Picture Experts Group) 8600XD digital home communications terminals;
analogue and digital headend equipment, including QAM (Quadrature
Amplitude Modulation); the recently introduced Broadband Integrated
Gateway (BIG) hardware and Connection Management Controller (CMC)
software for digital video networks; RF and fiber optics electronics
equipment, RF passive components; and the company's CoAxiom TM
system for integrating telephone service into a cable TV network
architecture.
British Aerospace
Brian Oke, Chairman of British Aerospace Space Systems Ltd. and
Charles Bigot, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, signed a launch
services contract for the Skynet 4E telecommunications satellite.
The signing ceremony, which took place in London, was attended by
officials from Britain's Ministry of Defence.
SKYNET 4E is the third spacecraft in the Skynet program for which
Arianespace has been selected as the launch partner. The first two
satellites, SKYNET 4B & 4C, were launched in December 1988 and
August 1990, respectively. Arianespace is scheduled to launch
SKYNET 4E from the European Spaceport in French Guiana during the
third quarter of 1998.
Arianespace chairman and CEO Charles Bigot underlined the
significance of this new contract, stating: "The British decision to
use Arianespace is very important. It reflects the ongoing
confidence of our customer in the quality of our service and in the
reliability of the Ariane system. This satellite will extend an
already operational military satellite system, and I trust this
decision shows the desire of the British government to support
Europe's goal of ensuring independent access to space."
Built by British Aerospace Space Systems Ltd., SKYNET 4E will have a
mass at lift-off of approximately 1,510 kg (3,329 lb). Designed to
provide secure telecommunications links, it will be used within the
Skynet system by various levels of the British armed forces. The
satellite, a three-axis stabilised, operates in the SHF and UHF
bandwidths.
Following the signature of this contract, Arianespace's order book
stands at 40 satellites to be launched, worth an estimated total of
FRF 18.3 billion (about $3.3 billion).
Around the World in Brief
....During the World Cup, Classic Hits 98FM in Dublin, Ireland has
been broadcasting its breakfast show live from Eamonn Doran Pub on
Second Avenue in New York. 98FM is using Global ISDN digital
transmission lines provided by MCI and Telecom Ireland.
MCI is providing the radio station with International 64 Global
ISDN service from New York to Dublin. In Dublin, MCI connects with
Telecom Ireland's ISDN service which then connects to the radio
station's telecommunications and broadcasting facilities.
....Packer's Sky Channel Pty announced it has won the rights to
transmit horse racing to Asia, the U.S. and Latin America.
Australian races will be sent via satellite to the U.S. by the end
of July and to Central and South America and Asia before the end of
the year. In the U.S.,18 Nevada casinos will be part of the betting
pool, enabling Americans to take part in Australian horse racing.
Other countries will include the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore,
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru.
....Star TV owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp Ltd recent
entanglement with Sri Lanka appears to be resolved. The government
has withdrawn restrictions on Star TV broadcasts in the island. The
restrictions were at the behest of three independent television
stations and the state-run Rupavahini station. The East-West Group
of Companies were terrestially re-broadcasting Star TV and the
independent television stations complained of copyright
infringement.
In a statement the information ministry said the withdrawal of the
copyright rule will allow "all television stations to settle the
issues relating to telecasting of programmes amicably, through
negotiations and discussions among themselves."
....APT Satellite Co. Ltd has received its Hughes HS 376 satellite,
APSTAR-1 (131 East), at the launch site in Xichang, western China,
and is on schedule for launch this month.
Other launches via the Long March rocket:
1994
APSTAR-2 and Optus B3
1995
AsiaSat-2
A Intelsat-7A series satellite
EchoStar-I (U.S. DBS satellite)
1996
EchoStar-II.
1996 and beyond
Iridium communications satellites (LEOs) for based Motorola Co.
.... The National Hockey League and Molson Breweries announced a
four-year agreement for the English and French national television
rights in Canada. The CBC will again be the national broadcaster of
Molson Hockey Night in Canada during the regular season and
playoffs. Beginning October 1, there will be double-header hockey
on CBC-TV for 26 consecutive Saturdays with one game from the East
(CBC East/Atlantic) and one game from the West (CBC Pacific). The
Sports Network (TSN) will also broadcast Monday night regular season
games and first round playoff matches.
.... A strike by 60,000 members of the Interstate Federation of
Telephone Companies of Brazil did not affect World Cup soccer
broadcasts. The union considered the broadcast of the games
"essential" and the games were broadcast despite the strike.
.... Tee-Comm Electronics Inc said reports of its joining the
Canadian satellite television alliance is premature, however,
Tee-Comm is talking to the other companies involved. The DTH
alliance includes Rogers Communications Inc, WIC Western
International Communications Ltd, Shaw Communications Inc, John
Labatt Ltd's broadcasting subsidiary and Canadian Satellite
Communications Inc. The group was formed to fight the entry into
Canada of DirecTv / U.S.S.B. and Primestar.
.... A draft agreement on pay-TV and digital television in Europe
between Canal Plus and Bertelsmann will be signed this month. The
agreement will help European broadcasters catch up with the U.S. in
cable and digital transmission. Germany and France are the primary
target countries for new services. Canal Plus and Bertelsmann also
each have 37.5 percent share of the German pay-TV channel Premiere.
.... BBC World Service Television has begun its new Arabic language
channel . Presently the broadcasts will be for two hours a day
increasing to four hours a day by July 20 and will be 24 hours by
year end. The service's footprint includes all of the Middle East
and is available via Orbit Communication's pay TV network.
Programming will consist of two 30-minute bulletins of international
news, followed by WSTV's current affairs, documentary and feature
programmes.
.... Atlantis Communications Inc has completed its acquisition of a
40.62 percent stake of YTV Canada Inc from minority shareholders
subject to approval by the CRTC.
.... Olivetti announced a joint venture with Hughes Network System
Corp to build a pan-European digital network. Both companies will
have an equal share in the new venture and Olivetti would take over
operations of Hughes's U.K. operations. Hughes Olivetti Telecom
will offer satellite services for voice, data and video
communications via VSAT terminals.
.... Nintendo and Satellite Digital Audio Broadcasting Co. Ltd
announced a joint digital data broadcasting service. SDA will offer
viewers previews of new video games, karaoke programmes and weather
forecasts. Launch date is February 1995 and Nintendo will sell the
hardware necessary. The cost for the service is 14,000 yen.
.... Pearson Plc has received 81 million sterling from the refinancing of
BSkyB.
.... Compaa de Telfonos de Chile SA has acquired for $55 million 80
percent of INVERCOM SA, the parent company of INTERCOM, a leading
cable television company in Chile.
.... First Pacific Networks Inc and Bosch Telecom's Dutch Broadband
Networks Division have signed a distribution agreement whereby First
Pacific's two-way cable communications technology will be used over
cable television networks in Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg.
.... Infinity Broadcasting Corp has completed the acquisition of
Washington D.C. radio stations WPGC-AM/FM.
.... Prime International, the American satellite and cable company
has signed for the exclusive overseas rights to the1995 Rugby League
World Cup competition. . The competition will be held in England
and Wales at the start of the 1995-96 season and Prime plans to
televise the games in South Africa and South America in addition to
traditional rugby league-playing nations. Prime is also negotiating
for rights to the Stones Bitter Championship.
.... Plessey Tellumat and Hulett Aluminium of South Africa said
they acquired designs rights to build satellite dishes in South
Africa from Lanson Heath, one of Europe's leading manufacturer of
satellite dishes.
Plessey Tellumat plans are to sell over 500,000 Ku-band dishes
over the next five years. The company will manufacture a range of
dishes and sizes size from 35 centimetre diameter to 1.2 meter
diameter and plan to offer the dishes for sale next year, to
coincide with the March launch of PAS-4. SABC and M-Net plan to use
PAS-4 when launched.
.... Comsat Investments, a subsidiary of Comsat Corp, has bought a
16.8 percent stake in Philcom for $42 million.
.... Asia Business News , a financial news television joint venture
between Dow Jones, TCI and others, said it did not expect to show a
profit for up to five years.
ABN is a free-to-air service broadcast on Palapa B2P satellite. A
recent distribution agreement with Television Broadcast Super
Channel of Taipei brings ABN's possible viewing audience to11
million households throughout Asia. In Hong Kong, ABN can be seen
via terrestrial TV station Television Broadcasts Ltd and hopefully
shortly on Wharf Cable. ABN is also looking into transponder space
on Apstar 2 and Asiasat 2.
.... It is rumoured that Paramount has signed 30 secondary
affiliation agreements, many of them Fox affiliates. Fox dropped 12
affiliates in June when it agreed to buy New World Communications.
Paramount is hoping to have everything in place for a spring launch
of the fifth network. Paramount's programming will include the
"Star Trek: Voyager" series and the programming will be at no cost
to the affiliates.
.... Saudi Arabia will start enforcing on July 28 the ban
previously reported in SJI. Present owners of satellite dishes will
have one month to get rid of the equipment, however, owners will be
allowed to export them outside the Kingdom via air, sea and
land...within a maximum period of one month. The fine for
non-compliance will range from US$26,000 to US$133,000. It appears
only Oman and the United Arab Emirates have no plans to restrict
satellite dishes in the region.
EuroWatch
By Martyn Williams
MURDOCH SAVES VOX,
CBS IN MERGER TALKS WITH QVC
Murdoch buys into VOX, rejects TelePiu
Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation announced Friday that it had
bought a 49.9% stake in ailing German TV network VOX. The buy has
saved the channel from an almost certain closure later this month.
The station went into bankruptcy in April after failing to attract
enough viewers in Germany's increasingly competitive market place.
The channel has estimated losses of some DM 600 million and is
currently running an emergency programme schedule. The sale to
Murdoch gives him his first stake in German television. Earlier in
the week the giant Luxembourg based media company CLT, parent of
RTL, announced that it had bought a 24.9 % share in Vox. The
remainder of the stock lies in the hands of the Bertelsmann group
who were original partners in VOX. Bertelsmann and CLT already
operate several other TV companies between them including RTL and
RTL 2.
The addition of Murdoch will almost certainly mean a change in
direction of the channel from up- market political discussion to
down market US TV sitcoms. VOX will join the already crowded German
entertainment market and compete head on with stations such as RTL
and SAT 1. To fulfil licence promises though, VOX must include
current affairs and will probably continue to air the documentaries
and current affairs programmes from German production unit DCTP.
The Murdoch deal was made possible by the pull out of News
Corporation in talks with Silvio Berlusconi's Italian pay TV network
TelePiu. Murdoch was bargaining for a 25% stake in the two channel
terrestrial network. As Murdoch announced the pull out of talks
with TelePiu and the purchase of almost half of VOX, Berlusconi
announced that the wealthy South African Rupert family has bought
the stake.
The Rupert family control Swiss media company Richemont, which
already owns a controlling share in FilmNet.
CBS, QVC merger close
In the United States the QVC network and CBS have announced that
they are holding merger talks and are close to an agreement. The
deal would merge QVC into CBS giving CBS an interest in cable
television which it doesn't have at present. In contrast the other
three broadcast networks, ABC, NBC and FOX all have associated cable
stations.
If the deal was finalised QVC shareholders would end up with nearly
half of CBS. In a CBS press release Lawrence A. Tisch, Chairman,
President and CEO of CBS said: "The alliance of CBS and QVC combines
two of the leading franchises in television. CBS is America's most
watched television network, with leading program brands in daytime,
primetime and latenight television. QVC is the nation's largest
retailing television network, guiding the global revolution in the
way consumer products are marketed and sold. Together, the
foundation of this enterprise will remain devoted to the creation of
first-rate original programming to attract viewers and consumers,
while providing exciting new opportunities for advertisers,
marketers, affiliated stations and cable operators. CBS is
extremely fortunate to have Barry Diller become its Chief Executive
Officer. Barry Diller's experience and track record in the
entertainment and communications businesses have repeatedly proved
him to be a brilliant and imaginative manager of creative artists
and innovative technologies."
The possible merger has an irony though, the main reason that CBS is
currently in a weak position is because Rupert Murdoch's FOX network
stole away the rights the NFL Football and recently bought 8 key CBS
affiliate stations. As readers will know QVC, the very station that
CBS is in merger talks with, it part of Murdoch's Sky package in the
UK .....
New channel ? - Sky launch barker channel
Sky has finally put transponder 47 on Astra to good use. The much
talked about barker channel made it's first appearance last Monday
night. The channel acts as a barker for the Sky TV channels by
continuously running Sky promos in the centre of the screen. Around
the outside there are twelve other smaller boxes showing what is
currently on other English language Astra channels.
Iraqi earth station to re-open
Readers in Asia can look out for a new earth station sign on soon.
The Iraqi telecommunications authority announced earlier this week
that it' s satellite facility at Djail will soon re-open for
business. The centre will carry telephone, telex and TV between
Iraq and nations across Asia from India to Japan.
The centre sustained heavy damage as part of the allied assault on
the country during the Gulf War. Telephone links to North America
and Europe have been offered for some time and the upcoming
resumption of service with Asia marks the full re-opening of this
station.
Arianespace win military contract
The UK's British Aerospace Space Systems has announced the awarding
of the contract to launch Skynet 4E to Ariane. The Skynet satellite
network, currently of four satellites, provides a secure
communications link for the British Armed Forces in the UHF and SHF
bands. Ariane has previously launched two of the other Skynet
birds.
Pirate update ...
Reports suggest that Sky used an ECM early this week to knock out
the first round of pirate cards that had been made after the 09 card
change. The ECM is thought to have knocked out all pirate cards and
forced the makers back to the drawing board. The new issue Sky card
is proving much harder to hack than the issue 07 card. The previous
card had the disadvantage that part of the cards secret algorithm
coding had been made public.
Most pirate Adult Channel cards were also knocked out by a code
change earlier this week. Even the famous German "Magic Touch"
cards were affected it seems.
RTL 5 scrambles ...
We all knew it had to happen sometime. CLT's second Dutch TV
station, RTL 5, has begun using the LuxCrypt scrambling system on
it's mainly English language output. The system used is the same as
sister station RTL 4 and brings to an end the free "English" TV
channel on Astra 1D.
Sky Radio expands !
Dutch soft pop station, Sky Radio, has announced further expansion
plans. Last week we reported on the upcoming new German channel.
It seems that this will now be a pan European channel whilst in the
Netherlands "The Golden Oldie Channel", Sky Radio Gold, will be
launched in direct competition with Radio 10 Gold. The Dutch
service was due to start Friday, 1st July, and planned to use a
digital circuit in the Dutch radio SCPC packet on Eutelsat 2F1. The
service will broadcast twelve hours a day with the night-time hours
being filled by Eurojazz. The Sky Radio Gold schedule is as follows
: 07.00 bis 09.00 Uhr Peter Teekamp 09.00 bis 11.00 Uhr Meta de
Vries 11.00 bis 14.00 Uhr Wil Luikinga 14.00 bis 15.00
Uhr Peter Teekamp 15.00 bis 17.00 Uhr Wim van Putten 17.00 bis
18.00 Uhr Nonstop-Musik 18.00 bis 19.00 Uhr Stan Haag 19.00 bis
07.00 Uhr Eurojazz
World Tamil TV settles on Eutelsat 2F3
"World Tamil Television will be available here shortly" reads the
caption over a testcard on Eutlesat 2F3. The new Berlin based
network will use the old PolSat channel of 11.678 GHz, horizontal,
to broadcast it's programme. The service will be Videocrypt encoded
eventually.
Arabic BBC WSTV via Eutelsat
The BBC's new Arabic language World Service Television is using
Eutelsat 1-F4 at 25.5E. The frequency in use is 11.660 GHz, H. The
channel was first spotted by TELE Satellit monitors in Germany at
2100CEST on 21 June.
Norwegian channel bouquet on Intelsat 702
Five of the eight available TV transponders on the new Intelsat 702
have already been leased to Norwegian channels hoping to establish a
bouquet of programming from the 1 West position. So far TV Norge
(clear PAL), TV 2 Norge (D2-Mac / Eurocrypt) and NRK (D-Mac) have
announced plans to locate here. Intelsat 702 should begin
broadcasts from the end of August.
VH-1 sets 30 September launch
The second channel from MTV, VH-1, has set a launch date of 30
September. The channel will use Astra 1B, transponder 22, currently
used by MTV Europe in parallel to the service on Astra 1A channel
15.
India rejects the easy route
Indian Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao has announced that satellite
TV will not be banned in the Asian country. The proliferation of
satellite and cable TV networks, often unregulated, has become a
problem in some sectors of the community with channel such as MTV
Asia and foreign movie channels being blamed for everything from
corrupting moral values to encouraging rape and murder.
Indians have been turning off state TV Doordarshan in their millions
and the authorities have been worried that unregulated foreign TV
could change the Indian culture. A simple solution would have been
satellite dishes, also killing a fast growing industry. The
government has actually decided that Indian TV can learn a lot from
the new channels.
La Chaine Info debuts
TF1's new all news TV station La Chaine Info, LCI, debuted to Europe
on Friday evening. The channel, set to take on CNN, Sky News and
Euronews, uses Telecom 2B at 5 degrees West. LCI broadcasts on
12.585 GHz, H.
Cable Plus jumps around the sky
Czech pay TV channel Cable Plus is currently broadcasting via
Gorizont 12 at 40 degrees east. The channel, previously carried on
another Gorizont satellite at 11 degrees west moved suddenly last
week to Eutelsat 2F4 for a few days before settling in it's current
position. The sudden move from 11 degrees west was followed by
Reuters moving their Moscow feed from the Gorizont at 14 degrees
west onto the old Cable Plus channel. The suddenness of the move
suggests that the Gorizont satellite at 14 degrees may have a fault.
Either the Ku-Band transponder is broken or the satellite may be out
of use. The bird has been in inclined orbit for some months now.
Cable Plus briefly appeared on one of the Eurovision channels for an
evening before moving on.
Multichoice to debut in Poland
From it's base in the Netherlands, Multichoice has announced the
setting up of a new company to bring the multichoice package to
Poland. Multichoice Poland is part owned by News Datacom Ltd and
Nethold, the parent company of Filmnet. The Polish package, which
will be available in the coming weeks will include FilmNet The
Complete Movie Channel, The Discovery Channel, The Children's
Channel, Country Music Television Europe, The Adult Channel and QVC.
As in the rest of Europe, the system in use will be Videocrypt 2.
Hughes wins $118m from US Government
Hughes Aircraft Co, one of the world's major satellite
manufacturers, has won a long running court case against the US
Government. A federal judge ordered the US Government to pay Hughes
$118m on June 17. The lawsuit involves part of the satellites
orbiting control system which enabled satellites to progress from
the low earth orbiting models that were used in the past to the
current geo-stationary orbiting birds that we all use today. The
control device was patented in 1960 and the lawsuit originally filed
in 1973. Three years after the invention Hughes built Syncom, the
first geo-stationary satellite, and the world-wide communications
industry, now worth $15bn, was born. Hughes filed the lawsuit in
respect of 81 satellites built by manufacturers other than Hughes,
including the 36 satellites currently used for the new GPS, Global
Positioning System. Of the 81 satellites, the majority have
military uses whilst around 20 are used for scientific purposes.
TV war in Turkey
The Turkish state TV channel, TRT, has struck out at Eurosport's
World Cup Soccer coverage leaving Turkish cable networks able to
broadcast only sound during the games. The blank screens are a
result of protests by TRT that it had exclusive rights to the
tournament.
Eutelsat 2F1 full
Eutelsat's 2F1 satellite at 13 degrees east is now full. The
remaining channels have all been reserved. The new BBC news channel
will take one, DSF's pay per view sports will take another leaving
the remaining two channels to be occupied by Sci Fi TV and a new
digital radio service called SaRa, both set to launch later this
year.
Classic FM tests for Sweden
Classic FM, the commercial Classical music station that currently
broadcasts in the UK and Netherlands, has begun sending the service
across the Tele X satellite in preparation for a new service in
Stockholm. The tests can be heard on Tele X TV channel, Femman -
12.475 GHz, LZ, subcarriers 8.46 / 8.64 MHz.. Classic FM use a
digital link to the Netherlands from their UK base so it is likely
that a similar method will be used shortly to reach Sweden.
Global TV moves to 2F3
After testing for a few days on the Croatian TV channel on Eutelsat
2F4, Global TV has moved to Eutelsat 2F3, 11.163 GHz, H. The channel
is a new Asian satellite service.
TV Rock via Intelsat 702 ?
Scandinavia may get it's own rock TV video channel when Intelsat 702
begins service early July. TV Rock says it will launch a
Scandinavian music channel from it's base in Norway. Languages used
will be Norwegian and Swedish.
TV News in brief ...
The RTL 2 telephone hotline has a new number - 0138/1212
Reports this week suggest Filmnet may lease a channel on the new
Eutelsat Hot Bird 1
u BBC World Service TV is to launch direct to home to Japan on July
1st, via JCSat 2
u The France-German culture channel Arte is reported to be looking
at a transponder on the new Eutelsat Hot Bird instead of a place on
Astra.
u MCM is now being offered to Belgian cable nets. The channel is
currently carried by French, British and German cable companies and
Belgium is the latest country the music channel is expanding into.
u SAT 1 has begun using stereo. The 1st July was the official
service start date.
u Berlin info kanal n-tv is no longer using Kopernikus. The channel
can now be found on Astra 1B only.
Radio News in brief ...
New on Hispasat - RNE Radio 1 via Canal Classico at 12.226 GHz, LZ
on 7.38 / 7.56 MHz.
DMX now say they will programme up to 150 channels via Astra when
they launch their digital pay radio service.
u The German language version of WRN will start in August. 10 hours
a day of German language programming are expected at first. The
station is expected to use the old English language channel of
7.74MHz on MTV Europe, Astra channel 22.
u Radio Asia are the latest radio station to suffer "technical
problems". The Radio Asia channel is currently quiet.
Teletext news in brief ....
u CNN Text now carries full listings for sister channels The Cartoon
Network and TNT, indexed on page 260.
u Travel has added a Nordic magazine. The main index is page 500.
Swedish subtitles are on page 860.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Satellite Journal
International
Volume 2 Issue 14
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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