Satnews 090
Robert A Dickel
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incorporating TV Briefly
:----------------------Electronic Edition-----------------------:
: :
: Issue: 090 :-------:Published Biweekly:------: Date: 06/09/92 :
: :
:--------------(C) Copyright 1991,92 Darren Ingram--------------:
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: SATNEWS is published biweekly by Darren : HOW TO CONTACT US :
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: Editor/Publisher: Darren Ingram : Contact Satnews :
: Contributors : Dave Plumb : for details on a :
: : Dr. Helmut Vahlbruch : special Internet/ :
: : Robert Smathers : CIX access deal :
: : And others : that saves money! :
:---------------------------------------------------------------:
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
* BSKYB DITCHES AND SWITCHES CHANNEL
* NO SWITCH FOR ITALIAN CHANNEL
* TURN EAST FOR VSAT GROWTH
* LIFESTYLE BID BY BARON?
* TURKISH LAUNCH
* MTV INVADES MORE COUNTRIES
* UK CABLE INSTALLATIONS RISE
* COMSTREAM SUPPLIES USA TODAY
* SCUD STUD FIRED
* SATELLITE TV CORRUPTS SAUDI ARABIA
* INTELSAT-K CRANKS UP
* ASTRA SATELLITE FILE
* BBC HOLDS TALKS WITH SKY FOR 24-HOUR NEWS STATION
* NEWS IN BRIEF
* EUROPEAN SIGHTINGS
* NORTH AMERICAN SIGHTINGS
* SATNEWS EXPANSION
BSKYB DITCHES AND SWITCHES CHANNEL
British Sky Broadcasting is to close down The Comedy Channel and
replace it with a third movie channel called Sky Movies Gold.
The switchover will take place on 1 October.
Dwindling audience figures (reportedly 8000) and poor
programming led to the death of The Comedy Channel, and Sky will
use its new movie channel to show older films, maximising licence
arrangements existing between Sky and film distributors.
Publicity material released by Sky classed the new channel
as "a unique opportunity to see some of the greatest movies and
box office blockbusters ever made."
Sam Chisholm, chief executive of BskyB, added: "The Movie
Channel and Sky Movies Plus provides a comprehensive and
contemporary schedule of outstanding, first run titles from the
major studios. Sky Movies Gold is a natural evolution of our
commitment to offer customers the best films, sports, news and
entertainment."
The channel will initially be offered free of charge to the
1.15 million movie channel subscribers, but it is understood that
BSkyB executives are considering levying a subscription fee in
the future.
Highlights of the films for the first few days of Sky Movies
Gold include Rocky II (1979), Young Billy Young (1969), Klute
(1971) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).
The BBC/Thames Television UK Gold venture will carry
programming that attracted viewers to The Comedy Channel. BSkyB
has reportedly held talks with the BBC, Thames and other
satellite companies, and a joint venture may be announced
shortly.
NO SWITCH FOR ITALIAN CHANNELS
Hundreds of Italian broadcasters refused to cease transmissions
recently, despite a government-ordered closedown at the end of
August.
The move follows a law passed in 1990, aimed at
rationalising the overcrowded broadcast spectrum in the country.
After the introduction and legalisation of commercial television
services in 1980, hundreds of small and medium-powered stations
commenced operations. Many of the smaller stations are
reportedly fronts for organised crime syndicates.
Amid allegations of 'unfair dealing' many of the new
licences have been awarded to the large, public commercial
broadcasting companies. Nearly 800 commercial stations were
ordered off the air.
Police have already closed down one station, and station-
owners are anxiously awaiting the official 'knock on the door.'
TURN EAST FOR VSAT GROWTH
A multi-client report by CIT Research says that revenues from the
provision of satellite business services in Europe are set to
increase by 400% from ECU271 million in 1991 to ECU1066 million
in 2001.
CIT's Satellite Communications in Western Europe 1992 report
says that most growth in service revenues will come from the
facilities management of two-way VSAT networks. Over half of
the two-way VSAT market is generated in Germany, with Deutsche
Bundespost accounting for 35% of Europe-wide revenues.
At the end of 1991, the survey estimated that there were
around 4.6 million satellite dishes installed throughout Europe,
with Germany and the UK accounting for around 83% of the share.
Amstrad was credited with being the largest DTH equipment
supplier in Europe with 70% of sales, followed by Pace with 20%.
Satellite radio is a growing market, notes the report,
saying that there are currently 103 satellite radio stations in
Europe, compared to 78 the previous year. 70% of these are
commercial operations, providing trunk feeds to local radio
stations, cable networks and closed user groups.
LIFESTYLE BID BY BARON?
Francis Baron, the former chief executive of European Television
Networks (ETN) -- the company behind the Screensport and
Lifestyle channels -- has offered ETN 14 million for the
channel, its studios and assets.
Baron is reportedly holding negotiations with another
satellite operator to lease transponder capacity on Astra.
Rick Spinner, Baron's successor, was unavailable for
comment. It is believed that the majority of shareholders will
approve the plans at a forthcoming meeting, as the company
appears to be keen to concentrate on the provision of sports
programmes.
TURKISH LAUNCH
A new television channel broadcasting Turkish light entertainment
programming has commenced operations. The signals are being
beamed throughout Europe by BT Visual and Broadcasting Services.
Broadcasting legislation in Turkey forbids private satellite
channels from being transmitted within the country. Programming
for HBB Television will be flown into London for outward
broadcast about a Eutelsat II-F3 transponder.
HBB Television is set to encrypt its signals at a later
stage, although the company has no immediate plans. BT is
looking at other business opportunities in the region, says Tony
Rybacki, BT group business manager, broadcast & satellite.
MTV INVADES MORE COUNTRIES
MTV Europe has made a move into its twenty-ninth territory with
the introduction of services to the Lebanon, and the introduction
of MTV Europe onto cable television networks in Romania.
According to figures released by the company, its network
coverage is now over 39 million households across Europe.
In a statement, Bill Roedy, managing director, MTV Europe
said: "The new launches in Lebanon and Romania mark yet another
chapter in network development for MTV, where we continue to
bridge the gaps between East and Western Europe."
UK CABLE INSTALLATION RISE
The number of UK homes connected to broadband cable systems rose
on 1 July to 330,630, according to figures released from the
Independent Television Commission as part of its quarterly cable
television statistics.
The ITC's pay/basic ratio -- a measure of the number of
subscriptions to the film channels as a percentage of total
subscribers -- shows that Haringey (London) has the highest ratio
with 213%, compared to Northampton, which is the lowest ratio
with 23%.
COMSTREAM SUPPLIES USA TODAY
ComStream Corporation is to provide satellite receivers, uplink
equipment and system integration services for USA Today Sky Radio
- -- the first in-flight, live news and information audio service.
USA Today's service will utilise ComStream's existing
integrated digital audio network. The service will provide
around-the-clock news, sports and weather reports on selected US
domestic flights, including those operated by Delta Airlines and
United Airlines.
Previously, ComStream Corp. has concentrated on providing
equipment and services for fixed networks.
"This is our first entre into the mobile satellite arena,
and we're extremely pleased to play a key role in getting Sky
Radio off the ground," says Stephen Blake, vice-president of
marketing at ComStream. "We've built a successful business by
emphasising innovation, and it's a pleasure to work with like-
minded customers such as Sky Radio."
* Sky Radio has signed an agreement with CNN Inc. and MBS
for the provision of audio programming to its listeners.
SCUD STUD FIRED
NBC News has fired Arthur Kent, its correspondent who refused to
cover an assignment in war-torn Yugoslavia.
Kent, dubbed the "Scud Stud" because of his acclaimed
coverage of the Gulf War, says that he turned down the assignment
while NBC settled a larger contract dispute. NBC says that Kent
turned down the assignment for safety reasons.
NBC adds that is regretted being forced to fire Kent.
Previously Kent had handed out notes to people passing past NBC's
New York offices. The notes attacked NBC management for its
"brute stupidity and unworthiness to command."
Kent's producer, Jose Alicatro -- who was suspended at the
same time as Kent -- has been reinstated.
SATELLITE TV CORRUPTS SAUDI ARABIANS
Satellite television is submitting Muslims to corrupting foreign
influences, according to Sheik Abdel-Aziz bin Baz, Saudi Arabia's
chief Islamic scholar.
Bin Baz called for the sale, purchase and manufacture of
satellite TV equipment to be banned, saying: "Receiving foreign
television transmissions will corrupt our society by propagating
alien and subversive influences."
Under Saudi Arabia's strict culture, women must be veiled
in public, and alcohol is banned.
Since the Gulf War, satellite television has been installed
by many houseowners, originally for up-to-date news reports, but
more recently for entertainment.
INTELSAT-K CRANKS UP
Intelsat's Intelsat-K satellite has officially entered commercial
service.
The satellite, located at 21.5 degrees east longitude,
offers 16 54MHz transponders that can be used to relay 32
television channels. SNG and occasional use will be large
users of this cross-Atlantic satellite.
ASTRA SATELLITE FILE
Astra has compiled a comprehensive "satellite file" for
independent dealers and installers in a bid to keep them up-to-
date on the fast changing satellite television market.
Alison Black, marketing manager for Astra, said: "This is
part of our continuing policy of keeping dealers up-to-date on
the latest Astra developments. As the satellite industry
continues to grow, the Astra satellite file will keep dealers in
touch with everything they need to know to help customers."
The file will be updated on a regular basis by Astra.
Dealers may obtain copies of the file through Astra Marketing
(tel +44 442 235540).
BBC HOLDS TALKS WITH SKY FOR 24-HOUR NEWS STATION
The BBC has confirmed that it is involved in talks with BSkyB
over the possible creation of a 24-hour news service for the
corporation.
Sir Michael Checkland, director-general of the BBC, said on
BBC Television that the corporation was looking for a partner to
become involved in marketing and finance while retaining
editorial control.
"In terms of television we believe there should be a 24-hour
news under the editorial control of the BBC. Now, the only way
for that to done is by satellite. So we have to find partners who
will be involved in marketing and finance, leaving the editorial
directions to ourselves, and that is something we are in
discussion with Sky," said Checkland.
The BBC is not permitted to hold a satellite broadcasting
licence, and would need to partner a company which would be able
to hold one.
NEWS IN BRIEF
British Sky Broadcasting's Sky Sports channel has appointed Gary
Schofield, captain of the British Lions rugby team, as a
presenter for the current series of rugby league matches. In a
separate move, Stones Bitter has extended its planned sponsorship
of the rugby league for a further year.
Filmnet has launched a new children's television network on
its main satellite service. K-TV -- The Kid's own TV channel --
will broadcast weekdays from 0700-0830 and 1700-1830 (0700-
0900/1700-1900 weekends).
Technisat in the UK has abandoned the traditional satellite
distribution route and is now to deal direct with dealers through
its Midlands office, according to a letter received by British
dealers this week.
News Corp. has made a return into profitability with year-
end profits of US$315 million, compared to a US$278.9 million
loss the previous year. Further profits are forecast.
Philips Semiconductors have launched a TDA8000 card coupler
IC which provides a complete card reader interface to ISO7816
recommendations.
British Telecom's business television team has won the 'Best
Educational Program' category at the 1992 International
Teleconferencing Association (ITCA) awards.
Nigeria has set up a satellite organisation to oversee all
space administrative matters in the country, according to a
report in the Nigerian Daily Times.
Northern Telecom Radio & Microwave has received an order
from Rauff & Sorensen AS in Denmark for NT's global positioning
system (GPS) simulator.
Chaparral Communications has appointed Sinokrot
Communications, based in Amman, Jordan, as the master distributor
for its products in the Middle East.
The recent 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona helped increase
the sales of 16:9 format and large-screen TV sets in France, but
sales of video recorders dropped by 5.5%.
Shipments of satellite systems in the US rose 21.7% to
28,000 units in May, compared to 23,000 units the previous year,
according to a feature in This Week in Consumer Electronics.
The European Space Agency's EURECA (European Retrievable
Carrier) is now fully operational and conducting experiments at
508km above the earth.
Windsor Cable Communications, a division of the Cable
Corporation, has decided to halt direct sales to residential
customers following customer complaints reports TV Week.
Services are being restored at Alpha Lyracom's Homestead
uplink centre after it was damaged by Hurricane Andrew's massive
winds.
Satcom C-3 is to be launched by Arianespace from Kourou,
French Guiana on 10 September. Satcom C-3 will be used to relay
cable television channels, located at 131 degrees west longitude.
Figures released by MTV Europe show that the channel
broadcasts nearly 90% of European-originated programming.
Cathay Pacific has begun offering in-flight news programming
from BBC World Service Television.
WTN has purchased a 16-channel SoundSation II digital audio
production system for its London facilities studio.
Filmnet has ceased transmitting its European programming in
PAL, and now uses D2-MAC with Eurocrypt encryption.
BBC World Service Television is to use Eurocrypt to encrypt
its signals when it switches onto D2-MAC later this year.
Paul Kossler, managing director of Sportkanal, has left
European Television Networks by "mutual agreement."
MTV Europe will broadcast the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards
live on 10 September at 0300 CET.
Maxat has moved from its Plough Place offices in London to
the new ITN building at 200 Grays Inn Road.
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, in the last issue of
Satnews it was inadvertently stated that Turner Broadcasting
Systems was planning to launch The Airport Channel and The
Checkout Channel, the launch of which has previously been
reported in Satnews.
EUROPEAN SIGHTINGS
By Dr Helmut Valhbruch
Intelsat 602, 63E:
TG 4 on 11.010 GHz horizontal has much improved in signal
strength recently.
Intelsat 604, 60E:
InterSTAR is now on 11.590 GHz vertical, negative video polarity,
with the same audio subcarriers as its former Eutelsat I-F4, 07E
transponder.
DFS-2 Kopernikus, 28.5E:
Feeds for ZDF on 11.475 GHz horizontal from Rostock and 11.525
GHz horizontal from Schwerin were observed on 24 August at 1705
UTC.
Eutelsat I-F5, 21.5E:
Feeds for InterSTAR on 11.508 GHz horizontal, sound in sync were
observed on 19 August at 1656 UTC.
Astra 1B, 19.2E:
A new testcard on 11.685 GHz vertical was noted.
Eutelsat II-F3, 16E:
HBB on 11.594 GHz vertical has started regular programming. The
audio subcarriers 7.74 and 7.92 Mhz carry "Number One FM" Radio.
TVE-2 from Spain was to be seen on 4 September on 10.990 GHz
horizontal with its regular program.
Eutelsat II-F1, 13E:
"Kabelkanal" ceased PAL transmissions on 11.095 GHz horizontal
on 18 August. This channel may be used from September on for the
new German "RTL-2." EBU Beirut feeds can be found on 12.584 GHz
vertical.
The English Premier League football can be seen on 11.617
GHz vertical on Sundays.
Eutelsat II-F2, 10E:
Show Radio on "Show TV" 11.573 GHz vertical has appeared on many
audio subcarriers between 7.02 and 8.20 Mhz.
Telecom 1C, 03E:
This satellite was reactivated on this new position on 25 August
1992. Testcards "Telecom 1 Mulhouse" on 12.564, 12.606, 12.648
and 12.689 GHz vertical were observed.
Telecom 2B, 05W:
On the horizontal polarisation plane five transponders are
active, namely: 12.543, 12.585, 12.627 and 12.670 GHz from
Mulhouse, with 12.710 GHz from Sainte Assise.
Gorizont 12, 11W:
An audio channel is frequently active with Russian speakers on
11.512 GHz left hand circular along with a black picture.
Intelsat 515, 18.5W:
The D2-MAC transmissions from TV2 Norge on 11.543 GHz horizontal
are set to start on 5 September from Bergen / Norway. Teletext
is part of the service.
Intelsat K, 21.5W:
Four transponders are observed on 3 September. Brightstar
testcards on 11.465 GHz vertical, 11.500 GHz vertical and 11.565
GHz vertical in B-MAC. On 11.530 GHz tennis from the US Open was
carried with German commentary.
NORTH AMERICAN SIGHTINGS
By Robert Smathers
Galaxy 1R launch update: On 22 August a General Dynamics Atlas
Centaur rocket launched Galaxy 1R from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
On board was Hughes Communications Galaxy 1R satellite.
The launch went fine for the first few minutes. The first
stage ended its firing and was released. Some of the rockets
on the second stage didn't fire, causing the Atlas Centaur
launch vehicle to pinwheel and go out of control. Launch
engineers had to send a destroy signal to destroy the launch
vehicle and satellite before anyone got hurt.
Galaxy 1R was fully insured and Hughes Communications is
already working on a replacement satellite.
Satcom C4 update: GE Americom's Satcom C4 satellite was
successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on 31 August aboard a
McDonnell-Douglas Delta launch vehicle. Satcom C4, to be
located at 135 degrees west longitude, is a major cable relay
satellite and should become operational in the next several
months.
MOR Music TV has appeared recently on a satellite
transponder. MOR (middle-of-the-road music format) is a unique
television service. MOR Music TV is the first service I am aware
of that offers CD or cassettes from the artist that is currently
performing on the screen. A music video is shown on the screen,
while a strip down the side of the screen displays the item
number, and the prices. A toll-free telephone number appears at
the bottom of the screen for anyone to call who wishes to order
a CD or cassette.
The unfortunate part of the service is having the music
video not in stereo sound, but rather in mono sound on the 6.8
Mhz audio channel. The 6.2 MHz channel is an "introduction" to
the service, more commonly known as a barker.
The CNN Airport and Checkout Channels have moved again. The
Airport Channel moved from GSTAR-4 to Spacenet 2(Ku)/24. The
Checkout Channel has moved from GSTAR-4 to Spacenet 1(Ku)/24.
North America One, a popular audio service to home dish
owners, has disappeared from Spacenet 3/5 on the 6.8Mhz audio
channel. North America One almost exclusively rebroadcasts Sun
Radio Network programming. For home dish owners who miss the
Sun Radio Network, the network can be heard on FM Squared on
S3/17.
SATELLITE TV EVENT OF THE WEEK: The major news even this
week, without question, was Hurricane Andrew's visit to Florida
and Southern Louisiana. The first Atlantic hurricane of the
season has been called the greatest natural disaster (dollar-
wise) to occur in the United States. Hurricane Andrew first
struck the North American continent by battering the
Miami/Homestead, Florida area around 23/24 August. I was glued
to my television set watching special reports from WSVN, Miami.
WSVN uplinked their live special report telecasts to Telstar
301/5 and later Telstar 301/17.
Andrew caused massive destruction across the southern
Florida peninsula and then re-formed in the warm waters of the
Gulf of Mexico. Andrew finally did its last damage by striking
Southern Louisiana. I didn't find very many local television
newscasts on satellite from Southern Louisiana, but I did see
many newsfeeds from Miami and Southern Louisiana on T1, T2, T3,
SBS6, SBS5, GSTAR-1, GSTAR-2, Spacenet 4, G6, and S3.
Other reports say that there were newsfeeds also on G2 and
S2. Many reporters on those news feeds described the damage as
"living in a war torn area."
SATNEWS EXPANSION
A number of potential enhancements are being examined currently,
which may be of interest to Satnews readers, writes Darren
Ingram, publisher and editor of Satnews.
It is planned to offer a free direct to electronic mailbox
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Satnews will continue to be distributed along its current
distribution channels.
A printed version of Satnews, with a more conventional
layout and graphics, is also being considered. Subscription rates
will be in excess of 50 per year, dependent on your geographical
locality. Additional information and other contributed articles
will be included in the printed version of Satnews.
If you are potentially interested in subscribing to the
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Expressing interest to either the directly-delivered or
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Additional news correspondents are always welcome.
Your general views and thoughts on Satnews are also welcome.
These may be mailed to sat...@dims.demon.co.uk -- it may not be
possible to acknowledge every message, but they will be
considered carefully.
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