***Satellite Journal Itl Vol2 No 16***
Gary Torrens
Volume 2 Number 16
4 August 1994
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Apstar -1
It appears China will place its newly launched Apstar satellite into
the 131 East slot despite the objections of the Japanese and Rimsat.
Rimsat 1 is at 130 degrees East and NTT-CS is at 132 degrees East.
ITU convention dictates a two degree spacing between satellites.
The Japanese are concerned that Apstar 1 will interfere with the
telephony traffic on NTT-CS. Rimsat is willing to allow testing at
that location, however, they feel that Apstar 1 can not remain at
that location.
Tokyo protested Apstar-1's July 21 launch and threatened
countermeasures if the satellite interferes with the Japanese
satellite, which carries phone calls for Nippon Telegraph and
Telephone.
Apstar-1 is the first of two GM Hughes 601 satellites that U.S. and
other Western media groups hope it will break open Asia's vast
television market, which has suffered from a lack of transponder
space. Customers include CNN, ESPN Asia, Viacom International, HBO
Asia, Discovery Communications, Hong Kong's TVB International and
Reuters Television.
World Service Television
The BBC has launched its World Service Television, in Japan. Most
programming will be broadcast in English but during "prime-time" it
will be dubbed into Japanese.
Ariane
Ariane announced the delay of their next flight (Flight 66) due an
anomaly while testing the third stage of the Ariane 4 launcher.
Originally scheduled for launch on July 31th, the launch will now be
delayed for a few days. The payload for this flight is BrazilSat B1
and Turksat 1B.
WIDE-SCREEN TELEVISION DEBUTS IN THREE MORE MEMBER STATES
Wide-screen broadcasting in the 16:9 format will begin in UK,
Belgium and Greece later this year, raising the number of Member
States with wide- screen services to eight.
Broadcasters informed the Commission of their intentions in the
context of the European Union's Action Plan for the introduction of
advanced television services in Europe. Last year, 11 broadcasters
from five Member States had already applied successfully for
Community financial support under the first stage of the Action Plan
(see IP/94/21 of 14.01.1994). This year, they have been joined by
another 11 broadcasters, including Channel 4, Granada, RTBF and
Doriforiki Television.
"The enthusiastic response to the Action Plan demonstrates the
operators' commitment to offer the new format to their viewers," Mr
BANGEMANN and Mr PINHEIRO stated. "The participation of regional
broadcasters and independent producers is particularly striking this
time."
The Action Plan which the Council adopted last Summer (IP/93/495
of 16.09.1993) promotes the switch from the old 4:3 format to the
ergonomic 16:9 wide-screen format which is the common basis of
future television systems, irrespective of the transmission
standards used. The Plan offers 228 MECU over four years as a
Community contribution in order to leverage an equivalent amount of
private funding from the market actors themselves. The objective of
the Plan is to have an impact on the market for advanced television
services, synchronising the efforts of broadcasters and programme
producers and thus encouraging consumers to invest in TV-sets in the
new format.
Funding for the broadcasting of programmes
The second tranche of the Action Plan covers the period from
July 1994 to 31 December 1995. The 22 broadcasters will share
around 28 MECU of Community funding, equivalent to some 21,000 hours
of broadcasting. In their proposals, broadcasters had submitted
over 100,000 hours over the remaining three years of the Action
Plan, about five times the available budget.
The Action Plan leaves the choice of the transmission system to
the broadcaster. The services offered until now use the two
analogue systems currently available: D2-MAC (France, Netherlands)
and PAL Plus (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Spain and UK).
PAL Plus is a compatible enhancement to the existing PAL system,
which permits wide-screen transmission to be received simultaneously
on the new 16:9 and on existing 4:3 sets. It is interesting to note
that manufacturers of PAL Plus sets have considerably accelerated
their production schedule. The first sets are now expected on the
market as of the autumn of this year and not, as originally planned,
in the Summer of 1995.
Funding for the production of programmes
In 1994, the Commission published two calls for proposals.
While the second call is still under way (closing date 15 September
1994), the first call already produced striking results. Proposals
for over 8,000 hours of programme production were submitted, of
which 4,300 hours were found eligible and will benefit from funding
for a total of 22 MECU. In comparison to the 1993 call of
proposals, the number of hours submitted has increased by 60%.
The Commission has modified the flat rates - on the basis of
which funding is calculated - for "long shelf life" programmes such
as dramas and documentaries which have the potential to be
transmitted several times over several years. "We wanted to
stimulate this type of programmes because they are future-proof and
permit the creation of European programme catalogues, one of the
priority areas identified in the Commission's recent Green Paper on
Audio-visual Policy," Mr PINHEIRO explained. "These programmes
account now for about 30% of the total of funded programmes. They
are in particular produced by independent producers which will
benefit from some 37% of the allocated funding."
With regard to the programme genres submitted, the coverage of
cultural events, in particular Jazz and Classical music programmes,
feature highly this year. Moreover, several broadcasters have
chosen to produce and transmit "magazine" type programmes in the
wide-screen format, a programme type which generally achieves high
audience ratings.
COMMISSION OPENS IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION IN THE CASE MSG MEDIA SERVICE
The Commission has decided to carry out an in-depth
investigation into the proposed creation of the Media Service GmbH
(MSG) in a second phase of proceedings. On 6 June 1994, the
operation was notified to the Commission under the EC Merger
Regulation. It concerns the creation of a joint venture between
Bertelsmann, Deutsche Bunderpost Telekom and the Kirch-group which
will be active in technical and administrative services for Pay-TV
and other TV communication services.
The operation constitutes a concentration within the meaning of
the Merger Regulation since MSG will perform all the functions of
an autonomous entity and will be active itself on the market for
technical and administrative services for Pay-TV. It is considered
that this market will evolve, in particular, following the
introduction of digital TV broadcasting. In Germany, this
development is favoured by the extraordinarily high number of
households which are able, already today, to receive TV by cable or
satellite. The proposed concentration raises the question whether
MSG could obtain, on a permanent basis, a dominant position on the
German market for technical and administrative services for Pay-TV.
Telekom is by far the leading German cable network operator.
Moreover, it recently acquired a substantial stake in the European
satellite operator SES-ASTRA. Bertelsmann and Kirch have
widespread activities in the field of audio-visual media and,
together with Canal plus Premiere, operate the only Pay-TV channel
in Germany to date. It is, therefore, particularly important to
examine the effects which may result from the combination of
companies which probably would have a leading position in Pay-TV
and cable networks in the future. In this context, the Commission
also has to examine the extent to which the proposed concentration
could have a negative impact on the development of the German
Pay-TV market, in particular in relation to access for other
programme suppliers.
The Bundeskartellamt requested referral of the case to the
German cartel authority since, in its view, the proposed
concentration threatened to create or strengthen a dominant position
on the affected market in Germany. The Commission has decided not
to refer the case to the Bundeskartellamt. After a preliminary
investigation it cannot be excluded that the proposed concentration
may also affect the access of Pay-TV suppliers from other Member
States of the Community to the German market. Furthermore, the
future competitive structure of the market for technical and
administrative services in Germany could also have an impact on the
development of the conditions of competition throughout the
Community, given the importance of the German market. The
Commission, therefore, will decide itself on the case after an
in-depth investigation
NTN Canada
NTN Canada Inc. and Labatt Communications Inc. jointly
announced the execution and exchange of a non-binding letter of
intent for LCI to acquire a 35% fully-diluted equity interest in
NTNC. Proceeds from the transaction are to be retained within NTNC
to further its core activities of marketing and developing NTN
Interactive Television programming and technology throughout Canada.
Following the closing of this transaction, it is LCI's intention to
actively support the continuing development of NTNC's efforts in
bringing Interactive Television programmes and solutions to Canadian
corporate and consumer markets. Special emphasis is intended to be
placed on developing Interactive programmes to complement the
efforts of The Sports Network (TSN), Le Reseau des sports (RDS), and
the Discovery Channel Canada, all owned by LCI. An extensive Due
Diligence process and negotiation of substantive terms and
conditions are to be completed. The closing date for this
transaction is planned to be no later than Sept. 30 , 1994.
Satellite Technology Management
Satellite Technology Management, Inc. (Nasdaq: STMI) announced
the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The
National Radio and Electronics Co. Ltd. of Bombay, India (NELCO).
The MOU initiates a relationship between the two companies for the
creation of TATANET, a private VSAT network linking the
manufacturing plants and offices of the TATA Group companies engaged
in such diverse activities as hotels, steel, power generation and
automobile industries. NELCO is a member of the TATA Group, India's
largest conglomerate with annual sales of $5 billion.
NELCO is a major manufacturer and supplier of telecommunications
equipment and systems employed in automated banking, oil pipeline
monitoring, rural telephony and DoT communications systems. NELCO
has various branches throughout India providing sales, service and
warehousing.
STM designs, manufactures and internationally markets satellite-
based and wireless data, voice, fax and video networks employed by
business, government agencies and telephone companies world-wide.
Through their existing branches and associated offices in India,
NELCO will provide installation and after-sales support to end
users. The MOU also tasks STM and NELCO to examine the potential of
manufacturing STM products in India as the market develops.
Commenting on the MOU, STM's president and CEO, Emil
Youssefzadeh stated, "This agreement is a significant step forward
for STM in responding to the tremendous market need for
satellite-based telecommunications infrastructure development in
India. Aligning with a notable and distinguished firm such as NELCO
and the TATA group is only the first step in our determined response
to this market opportunity. We are gratified that STM has been
selected to join NELCO in what promises to be a most exciting
endeavour."
IDB Communications Group
IDB Communications Group Inc. announced that IDB WORLDCOM, the
company's international private line and long distance telephone
services unit, has signed an Operating Agreement with the
International Telecommunications Administration (ITA) of the
Republic of China, to provide direct long distance telephone service
between the United States and Taiwan. Service will be available
this month.
Steve Carroll, president of IDB WORLDCOM, said, "As one of the
United States' leading overseas trading partners, we see
Taiwan's growth and the country's existing digital
infrastructure as a means for IDB to provide improved telecom
services at a lower cost to the end user." Operating a diverse
global network of fiber optic submarine cable and satellite
transmission services, IDB WORLDCOM provides numerous routing
options to virtually every region in the world.
Cable Television Laboratories
Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs) has issued a
request for proposal (RFP) which could result in cable companies
buying more than $2 billion worth of telephone hardware and
software. This equipment would enable cable operators to provide
telephone service to residential and business customers over cable
television hybrid fiber/coax networks.
The companies actively participating with CableLabs in this RFP
are Comcast Corp., Continental Cablevision, Inc.; Cox Cable
Communications, Inc.; Tele-Communications Inc., Time Warner
Holdings, Inc.; and Viacom International, Inc.
The deadline for responses to the RFP is Sept. 23. CableLabs
plans to hold a news conference Aug. 9, at which top executives of
participating cable companies will be available to discuss the
strategic and business aspects of the RFP. A bidders' conference is
scheduled to be held in Denver on Aug. 19.
Of critical importance to CableLabs is that the RFP respondents
provide for interoperability for the switching, transport and
network termination elements of the cable hybrid fiber/coax (HFC)
broadband architecture.
CableLabs will not purchase equipment under the RFP. CableLabs
intends to evaluate the RFP responses for objective compliance with
the RFP in conjunction with participating members. CableLabs will
conduct objective testing of the equipment, and will test and
evaluate the interoperability of this equipment with the established
telecommunications environment. The results of those tests will be
made available to all of CableLabs' members.
StarSight
StarSight Telecast's patented on-screen interactive television
program guide with one-button VCR recording is now in the final
testing stages in preparation for introduction of StarSight to the
satellite community.
StarSight Telecast and Uniden America Corp. have placed
StarSight-equipped Super Quantum (SQ) models with 100 Uniden dealers
throughout the United States to participate in the final product
hardware and software testing process.
StarSight will be made available through Uniden America's SQ560 and
SQ590 model IRDs to consumers this summer.
Uniden America previously announced in December 1993, that it
would be the first satellite IRD manufacturer to incorporate
StarSight's unique consumer-friendly features into its products.
"Reactions from earlier Uniden tests with SQ dealers have been
overwhelmingly positive," commented Russman. "We sneak-previewed
the Uniden SQ590 at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago
last month, where it also received outstanding acceptance," Russman
added.
Some of the unique features of Uniden's SQ IRD series with
StarSight include seven days of continuously updated on-screen
program information, one-button VCR recording with the ability to
record up to 25 programs a day, tuning by title and customised
channel line-up capability.
Uniden's SQ series with StarSight will automatically reposition
the customer's satellite dish when programmed for unattended VCR
recording requests.
"The SQ Series with StarSight will offer the retailer a true
advantage in displaying features and benefits," said Hide Kanakubo,
executive vice president of Uniden America's Satellite division.
Scripps and NBC
The E.W. Scripps Company announced that it has reached a long-term
agreement to affiliate its Kansas City television station, KSHB,
with the NBC Television Network.
Scripps and NBC also extended their existing affiliation
agreements covering the Scripps stations in West Palm Beach and
Tulsa.
"We're thrilled to be able to expand on one of our oldest and
most successful network relationships," said Lawrence A. Leser,
president and chief executive officer of The E.W. Scripps Company.
"NBC's powerful network programming and our expertise in local news
and information programming will be a winning combination in Kansas
City."
Robert C. Wright, president and chief executive officer of NBC,
said, "E.W. Scripps and NBC have had a long and successful working
relationship, which will be extended and expanded by today's
agreement. NBC is pleased that the Scripps affiliates in Kansas
City, Tulsa and West Palm have agreed to be long-term partners with
NBC."
KSHB currently is affiliated with the FOX network, but has been
notified of FOX's plans to move its programming to another station
in the Kansas City market.
Two other Scripps-owned FOX affiliates, WFTS in Tampa and KNXV in
Phoenix, recently announced 10-year agreements to affiliate with ABC
after their FOX programming terminates.
Following the completion of this affiliation realignment, the
Scripps station group will include:
-- NBC affiliates: KSHB, Kansas City; WPTV, West Palm Beach;
KJRH, Tulsa.
-- ABC affiliates: WXYZ, Detroit: WEWS, Cleveland; KNXV, Phoenix;
WFTS, Tampa; WMAR, Baltimore.
-- CBS affiliate: WCPO, Cincinnati.
Cellular Communications
Cellular Communications International, Inc. announced that
based upon oral reports of a ruling handed down by India's Supreme
Court, the decision of India's Department of Telecommunications to
award one of two GSM cellular licenses for the city of Delhi to
CCII's Indian joint venture, Sterling Cellular Ltd., has been
upheld. Sterling Cellular Ltd. is a joint venture between CCII and
Sterling Computers Ltd. of Madras, India. CCII has a 50% interest
in Sterling Cellular Ltd. "GSM" refers to the pan-European digital
cellular radio technology standard which has been adopted by the
Government of India. CCII noted that it had not yet received the
full text of the Supreme Court's judgement.
DOT had provisionally awarded Sterling Cellular Ltd. one of the
two Delhi cellular licenses in August of 1993. At the same time,
two provisional license awards were made for each of the cities of
Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras. Final awards of the licenses were
delayed, however, pending the outcome of court challenges brought
on by several of the applicants. Yesterday's Supreme Court ruling
now appears to have cleared the way for the DOT to grant the final
cellular operating licenses for each of the four cities. In the
ruling, the Court has asked DOT to reconsider one of the awards
made for the city of Bombay.
DirectSat
DBS Industries Inc. announced the sale of its approximately 12
percent ownership of the common stock in DirectSat Corp. to SSE
Telecom Inc., withdrawing its opposition to the merger of the direct
broadcast satellite licenses owned by EchoStar Communications Corp.,
Englewood, Colo., and DirectSat Corp. of McLean, Va.
SSE Telecom, which owns approximately 80 percent of DirectSat,
paid in excess of $1 million in cash for the shares owned by DBS
Network (DBSN), a wholly owned subsidiary of DBS Industries.
DBS Industries plans to focus its corporate resources on its
ownership in Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corp. (DBSC) in
Washington, D.C., which owns one of nine DBS licenses approved by
the Federal Communications Commission for the U.S market. DBSN
currently is the largest share owner of DBSC.
"The direct broadcasting satellite field is clearly on the move,"
said Fred Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer of DBS
Industries. "Hughes Communications (DirecTV) will launch its second
DBS satellite next week. Other DBS satellites are scheduled for
launch by PrimeStar and PanAmSat, and Japan will put up its third
DBS satellite later this year. The innovation and marketing of the
small, easily installed dish to the retail consumer has greatly
accelerated the demand for satellite services. DBSI will
concentrate its significant resources capitalising on the future of
satellite communications."
StarSight
StarSight Telecast Inc., in a move that will expand its
potential access to U.S.-marketed colour TVs and VCRs, has signed a
multi-product line agreement with Thomson Consumer Electronics,
North America's largest marketer of consumer electronics products.
The announcement was made by John B. Burns III, StarSight Telecast
executive vice president - sales and marketing, and James E. Meyer,
Thomson senior vice president, product management.
Under the terms of the agreement, Thomson will integrate
StarSight Telecast's patented technology for on-screen interactive
television program guide into RCA and ProScan brands of colour TVs
and VCRs. The StarSight system provides a complete on-screen
program listing, including a brief plot description plus the length
of the program.
StarSight also has licensed its patented technology to Thomson
for inclusion in Thomson's RCA DSS digital satellite receiving
system plus the option to offer the fully featured program guide in
future RCA DSS products.
"StarSight Telecast's agreement with Thomson is a significant
milestone in our long-term objective of having StarSight technology
integrated into virtually every new colour TV and VCR," commented
Burns. "It is also a significant endorsement of our patented
breakthrough technology by the recognised industry leader."
Consumers using StarSight-equipped Thomson products will be able
to take advantage of convenience features such as instant program
selection at the touch of a button; seven days of updated program
schedule information; a simple guide for direct tuning by title or
theme, and easy one-button VCR recording of selected programs.
"As North America's largest manufacturer of home entertainment
products, Thomson has built a positive reputation and consumer
loyalty by adopting the most advanced, user-friendly features in our
product lines," said Meyer. "We carefully evaluate new technologies
to insure that they will appeal to purchasers of our products. We
are confident the StarSight system will meet our customers' exacting
standards."
Telco Systems
Telco Systems' Fiber Optics Division and NUKO Information
Systems announced an advanced video codec delivery system. The
Highlander -- a cost-effective, high-performance delivery system --
is optimised to provide the industry's highest-quality full-motion
video for distance learning, cable television and videoconferencing
applications.
Through joint product development, Telco Systems and NUKO
designed the Highlander to implement a preliminary version of the
MPEG 2 format for video signal compression which is compatible with
telephone company DS-2 interface requirements. The result is high-
quality images at the receiving end of the transmission that are
optimal for interactive viewing and provide viewers with
broadcast-quality video which meets medium-haul National Television
Standards Committee (NTSC) (TVI) specifications.
The system is optimised for use in high-speed transmission
offerings for the cable systems industry, multimedia production,
distance learning and videoconferencing applications.
The Highlander video codec combines Telco Systems' fiber optic
extension (FOX) technology with NUKO's Highlander MPEG (Moving
Pictures Expert Group) 2 real-time video codec
(compression/decompression circuit). By delivering MPEG-2 over a
fiber optic DS-2 transmission system, network operators can cost-
effectively implement video delivery.
"Now our customers can quickly cost-justify delivering video on a
wide-scale basis and be ready to add video-based service offerings
as they come on the market," said Bruce Young, general manager,
Telco Systems' Fiber Optics Division.
The Highlander video codec has the capacity to simultaneously
encode and decode one CCIR601 broadcast quality video and audio
stream to MPEG 2 format. Standard video and dual audio signals are
digitised, compressed to a six-megabit bandwidth for transmission
where the video streams then are carried on a DS-2 channel through
the telephone or cable network. At the receiving end the signals
are converted back to analogue for viewing.
"NUKO's Highlander MPEG 2 real-time video codec has the
capability to simultaneously encode and decode up to seven CCIR601
broadcast quality video and audio streams to MPEG 2 format," said
Bob Kesav Kondamoori, President, NUKO Information Systems, Inc.
"The video streams can then be multiplexed on a single DS3 or ATM
channel. This format is ideally suited for distance learning, cable
television and video conferencing applications."
The Highlander video codec was demonstrated by NUKO in
conjunction with Pacific Bell and Stanford University's
Instructional Television Network (SITN) in Las Vegas at the NetWorld
+ Interop '94 convention.
Eurowatch
What's making news across Europe's skies
c Martyn Williams 1994
RTL announce scrambling
The long awaited switch to scrambled transmissions on RTL's French
TV network has been announced. The channel has chosen to use a
system call SmartCrypt. SmartCrypt has been developed by French
company Schlumberger. No date has been set for the change over but
it will definitely take place by the end of the year according to
the RTL communique de presse. Distribution of decoders in France
will be handled by Teleciel. RTL TV has been distributed by
satellite since 1st December 1993 on Telecom 2B. Broadcasts from
the terrestrial transmitter in Luxembourg on channel 21 will remain
in the clear. The switch to scrambled transmissions has been made
necessary due to the pirating of the RTL signal on cable networks in
Switzerland mainly.
RTL Club
Latest news from TS Germany is that the planned new RTL sender, RTL
Super will now be called RTL Club. This is the fourth name given to
the station. The first two were RTL 3 and RTL Classic. The channel
is expected to start broadcasting via Eutelsat Hot Bird when it
launches later this year.
LCI to remain direct to home
In an interview in Le Monde on 19th July Etienne Mougeotte from LCI
said that the new French all news channel would be offered for
direct to home reception from September 15th. The channel will be
encrypted using an as yet un chosen system. Previously the channel
had said the LCI would be available to cable only from that date.
APSTAR 1 successfully launched
China successfully launched the new Apstar 1 satellite last
Thursday, July 21st, from the Xichang space centre in south-western
China by a Long March 3 rocket. The launch took place at 1831 local
time (1031 UTC) and was carried live on Chinese Central TV. Apstar
1 is owned by the APT Satellite Company of Hong Kong and was built
by Hughes. The new satellite will provide telecommunications
between the countries of the south east Asia region including China,
Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. Among the video
services set to be carried are a host of US broadcasters anxious to
reach the region including CNN, Discovery Channel, HBO, ESPN and
Hong Kong's number one broadcaster, TVB.
NHK stays with Hi-Vision
After deciding to move towards a new digital TV standard in Japan,
the national broadcaster, NHK, reported in it's Friday evening "News
7" broadcast, seen here on JSTV, that the Hi-Vision programming
offered by DBS will be extended to 10 hours a day to boost set
sales. NHK attracted complaints from Japanese electronics companies
after announcing that the standard would be replaced by digital
broadcasts around the turn of the century.
"Der Wilde Suden" on Astra
Southern German youth radio station SDR 3 is currently broadcasting
via Astra. The station can be found on the 7.38 and 7.56 MHz
subcarriers of ZDF TV. The relay is in preparation for the
station's presentation of the Euro Megachart hit parade 1000 XL.
The feed will remain until late August.
SaRa tests on Eutelsat
Eutelsat will begin tests of digital radio next week on August 4th.
The SaRa system will provide up to 100 channels via the soon to be
launched Hot Bird satellite. Tests begin next week with programming
from Deutschlandradio, Deutsche Welle and WDR radio. The SaRa
package is expected to become the first pan-European digital radio
service.
Sky launches direct to pubs service
Sky confirmed this week that they are to begin broadcasting
programming direct to pubs and clubs. The broadcasts will be seen
over Astra's channel 47 and will be only available in participating
establishments. The first event to be shown on the new sports
service will be the Ibrox International Soccer Tournament. Pubs and
clubs must pay Sky extra subscription fees to show any programming
to the public and those that are will get their smartcards updated
over the air, enabling them to tune into the channel.
TV 69 launch - again
TV 69 have once again announced an imminent launch. This time they
say they will start on the 5th August via Eutelsat 2 F3.
Conflicting reports suggest that the service will begin with
un-encrypted soft porn for between one week and two months, later
scrambling. The scrambling system is not yet known although
VideoCrypt 2, Eurocrypt and Syster have all been suggested.
Iranian ban on dishes possible
The Iranian parliament is et to debate whether to ban satellite
dishes. A bill drawn up calls for the banning and dismantling of
all dishes across the country. Users would have a month to take the
dishes down or face jail and seizure of the equipment. The action
on dish owners comes after an Iranian Ayatollah issued a religious
decree against the use of dishes two months ago. Many people in the
country, including the government, are opposed to the types of
programming and messages that are carried on foreign TV channels.
ZDF starts PAL Plus broadcasts
Second German Television, ZDF, has now begun broadcasting selected
films and special events in the new PAL Plus wide screen TV
standard. ZDF joins sister station ARD as Astra broadcasters of the
new format. Pal Plus programming is indicated on the teletext TV
guide.
Switzerland on euroNEWS
On 1st August -Swiss National day - Euronews will be broadcasting a
special programme dedicated to the Swiss Confederation. The
European news and information channel, in co-operation with SSR, has
produced a series of reports on uniquely Swiss activities the
history of Swiss priechers musical instrument, "Alpine Pipes", which
once impressed Brahms, and the famous Hornuss, the "Farmers Rugby"
game. ln this special schedule there will be an interview with
Mario Botta - architect a magazine on tourism in Switzerland and an
analysis of the relationship between Switzerland and the European
Union. The highlight will be a live transmission of the information
and musical evening having for topic Swiss emigration throughout the
world Switzerland, today an immigration country, was once an
emigration country. This will be produced by Swiss television and
broadcast throughout Europe in English, French, German, Spanish and
Italian by Euronews, as well as in "Schwitzerdeutsch", of German
speaking Swiss. During the Film Festival of Locarno, from August 4
until August 14, in co-operation with TSl, Euronews will be
broadcasting special reports in its magazine ClNEMA.
In brief ...
Kabelkanal is reported to be launching a Swiss cable service, Kabel
2. The new service will premiere in the Autumn via Astra.
Canal Plus Poland has a broadcasting licence thus setting in motion
a pay TV war between two of Europe's biggest channels. FilmNet
recently announced the start of a new Polish service. The new Canal
Plus channel will only be available terrestrially.
RTL will establish a joint news division to serve RTL, RTL 2 and the
upcoming RTL Club. The news service will be based in Cologne.
JSTV switched over to the new issue 3 cards last week.
Special thanks to Joel Wirsztel in Paris and 3615 SATPHONE for help
with the LCI and RTL France stories.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Satellite Journal
International
Volume 2 Issue 16
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------The DTP version is mailed via air or First Class and has
product information, reviews and other items not in the electronic
version.
U.S.A. $45.00 U.S. Dollars
Canada $55.00 Canadian Dollars
(Discount for OMEGA listeners)
U.K. 55.00 Sterling
Other rates are in U.S. funds
Europe $75.00
Rest of World $85.00
------For information or to subscribe please contact Satellite
Journal International at:
71165...@Compuserve.com or
P.O. Box 2065
Burleson Texas
76097-2065 U.S.A.
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If you wish to receive Satellite Journal Itl. (this version)
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mail allowance (standard plan). Issues would be in your mailbox
every other Monday morning. Each issue will be sent zipped using
PKZIP v2 and in ASCII format or write format.
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Satellite Journal International is a fortnightly (every two weeks)
news journal for satellite enthusiasts and is produced in Burleson,
Texas. _Comments_ or_ news_ items_ may be sent via Internet to
00063...@MCIMAIL.COM or 71165...@Compuserve.com, through
Compuserve directly, 71165,2032 or to P.O. Box 2065 Burleson Texas
76097- 2065 U.S.A. The deadline for inclusion of news items is 5
days before the issue date.
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Satellite Journal (electronic version) may be found on:
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EURFORUM
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Internet: Homesat news group
Internet users with access to a World-Wide Web
client such as Mosaic or Lynx can retrieve back
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http://itre.uncecs.edu/misc/sj/sj.html
To retrieve back issues of SJI via ftp, ftp to
itre.uncecs.edu and look in the directory
/pub/satellite/sj
Minitel (France) 3615 SURPIN
(French/English versions)
Genie: Satellite RoundTable
Fidonet: TVRO Echo
CIX Skyguide/Journal
Transworld BBS Bristol U.K.
GWN TVRO BBS Marquette MI (bird)
Direct-Line
Online System London U.K.