Satellite Journal International Vol 2 No 4
Gary Torrens
International
A Fortnightly News Journal
February 17 1994
Volume 2 Issue 4
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In Vol. 2 No 4 Desk Top Published Version:
----Satellite Journal TV Transponder Listings (North America or
Europe)
----Satellite Journal Audio Listings (North America or Europe)
----Intelsat News
----Sanyo 3D television
----ShuffleBird (The latest changes in the Clarke Belt (See end of
file for subscription information)
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TOP STORY
JAPAN - H2 LAUNCHES, FINALLY !
Japan proudly entered the space business on Friday 5 January
when it successfully launched the new H2 rocket in front of an
audience of around 4,000 spectators at the launch site and thousands
watching live TV coverage at homes and offices across Japan.
The rocket made what one scientist described as "a perfect
launch" at 0720 JST from the NASDA Tagekashima Space Centre on the
island of Kyushu in south western Japan. The launch was originally
slated for Tuesday but bad weather delayed that. The weather also
caused an air duct cable to blow loose Thursday postponing the
launch further.
The 50 metre high launch vehicle carried two satellites. The
first satellite, called Ryusei or meteor, was an experimental craft
designed to help development of an unmanned space shuttle. This
landed, as predicted, in the sea off Christmas Island at around 0930
JST. The second craft , named Myojyo or morning star, monitored the
functions of H2 throughout all stages. This was expected to remain
in orbit for around four days sending back launch data.
The successful launch means a lot to workers at the National Space
Development Agency (NASDA). The development of the rocket has been
plagued with problems including two engine explosions, one of which
killed an engineer at a Mitsubishi plant in August 1991. The
success of other nations such as the USA, Europe, Russia and China
have strengthened Japan's will to succeed in the project and this is
finally paying off.
The rocket is still too costly to be commercially viable. An H2
launch costs around Y19bn which weighs in at around twice that of a
European Ariane launch. As with the space shuttle, technology spin
offs are to make some money for the 70 company consortium led by
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The launch schedule calls for six more launches by 1997 including
satellites to monitor tropical rain data and to evaluate the use of
satellites for car phones.
CHINESE LAUNCH NEW LONG MARCH
China launched a research satellite on Tuesday 9th February using
their new Long March 3A vehicle. This was the first launch of a 3A
and took place at the main space centre in Xichang, south western
Shichuan province. The satellite is named Shijian 4 and will carry
out space research according to the Xian satellite monitoring
centre.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TF1 announced plans to launch a home shopping cable channel in
France next June. TF1 has been broadcasting home shopping
programmes on its terrestrial channel for some time.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IDB Communications Group Inc. announced that it had signed an
Operating Agreement with Belgacom of Belgium which enables IDB
WORLDCOM to provide international long distance telephone service
directly to Belgium.
"Our agreement with Belgacom demonstrates IDB WORLDCOM's
responsiveness to our customers' needs in Belgium," said Michael
Sauer, vice president of international relations for IDB WORLDCOM.
"Our new partnership with Belgacom also enables us to provide
enhanced telephone services to these customers."
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.
IDB Communications Group Inc. is a global telecommunications
company that operates a domestic and international communications
network providing its customers with international private line and
long distance telephone services, radio and television transmission
services, facsimile and data connections, mobile satellite
communications capabilities and the design and integration of
satellite networks worldwide.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Potentially thousands of Northern California and Chicago
Interactive Network members are being treated to 75 hours of
interactive play during the 15 days of the 1994 Winter Games.
From the Interactive Network production studio in Mountain View,
Calif., IN Data Jockeys are broadcasting information to IN members
simulcast with the Winter Games broadcast from CBS. IN members
don't just watch the Games, they'll play them, in real time, with
five different ways to make interactive calls:
- Simple predictions - who will win the following event;
Multiple Choice predictions - like simple predictions but offers a
wider selection of up to eight possible answers; Pick Top Three
predictions - pick the top three athletes to finish event from a
field of 20; Time/Distance/Judgment predictions - forecast time in
minutes/seconds, distance in feet/inches (metric where appropriate)
and what the judges score will be; Trivia - augment your score with
points gained from knowing Olympic trivia stumpers.
Five different types of contests are running throughout the
duration of the Games with Interactive Network members competing
against one another for prizes ranging from a Lillehammer 1994
Olympic Emblem commemorative pin to a U.S. Olympic Training Center
Letter Jacket. Competitions include Instant Wins, Week-end
contests, winners of the day, and for the hardy, tournaments based
on cumulative scores throughout the Games.
"Our members don't just play along, they also learn," said Peter
Sealey, president and COO of IN. "Their involvement with the Games
is more intense, their interest in non-traditional sporting events
piqued and, in general, their viewing experience becomes richer and
fuller with the play along aspect."
As events overlap during the televised coverage, IN keeps track
of previous predictions while players enjoy and forecast current
competition, keeping scores on hold until the results are announced
on television. As events are judged, players get immediate results
and overall score updates. Running scores are available in a
"previous result" screen.
Interactive Network sends its data via a broadcast signal
simulcast with the television signal (in the vertical blanking
interval) arriving at members' homes. With an easy-to-use,
hand-held, wireless control unit, IN members are able to play along,
in real time, with televised college and professional sports, game
shows, drama/primetime shows, educational, news and talk programs
and special events like the Winter Games.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DirectTv announced it monthly pricing for its DSS service. The
basic service, Personal Choice, will sell for $21.95 and include 23
cable channels (PrimeTime 24 will be an extra $3.95 a month). This
will also include one IPPV movie credit per month. The second
package will not be available until DBS-2 is in orbit later this
year. Total Choice will include all of the services in Personal
Choice, Disney E&W, the 30 channel DMX digital audio service, and
two movie PPV credits a month.
DirecTV will also have between 50 and 60 IPPV movie channels,
showing a new movie every 30 minutes at a cost of $1.95 to $3.95 a
movie. Access to the IPPV movies is either from the on-screen menu
or from a preview channel showing trailers of the films and via the
remote control.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Satellite Technology Management Inc. announced that it has
signed a memorandum of understanding with Telefonica Sistemas de
Satelites (TSS), a subsidiary of Spain's telephone company,
Telefonica de Espana, S.A., establishing a cooperative undertaking
by the two companies to supply worldwide satellite-based
telecommunications services employing STM VSATs.
The terms of the pact involve establishing a telecommunications
network, using STM's VSAT products, that provides access by
customers in practically all countries. The network will be
implemented in several phases. During the first phase, a gateway
hub, which will b owned and operated by Telefonica, will be
installed in Madrid, Spain, at an existing Intelsat Standard A earth
station.
Using a global beam transponder serving the Atlantic Ocean
region, this facility will provide customers having a requirement
for multinational networking connections with voice and data
transmission services. The facility will be put into operation in
the second quarter of 1994.
The network's first customer is EFE, the Spanish news agency
which has more than 80 offices around the world employing
state-of-the-art information technology. EFE will use the network
for news contributions from these offices through X.25 data
interchange. Corporate voice communications and image transmissions
will also be provided.
The terms of the cooperation between the two companies also call
for the exploration of joint development of VSAT product
applications to meet future growth potentials. Emil Youssefzadeh,
STM's president and chief executive officer, characterized the
relationship as "a strategic alliance which should significantly
enhance STM's market position through the supply of interactive VSAT
network services."
Satellite Technology Management, with headquarters in Costa
Mesa, is a leading manufacturer of satellite and radio
communications products, including VSATs, transceivers, modems, and
other networking equipment. STM products are designed to support
data, fax, voice and video networks requiring cost-effective
connections between geographically dispersed locations.
The company's proprietary equipment and software are installed
in North America, Latin America, Europe and the Far East.
Telefonica, which operates more than 15 satellite networks as an
international common carrier and has interest in several telephone
companies outside Spain, recently founded TSS in order to
consolidate its satellite services offerings, and rapidly expand its
operations through the supply of international satellite services.
In addition to being Spain's signatory to Intelsat, Eutelsat and
Inmarsat, Telefonica is also one of the founding shareholders of the
Intelsat-K satellite, as well as the Hispasat 1A and 1B satellites
that are now in operation.
Francesco Cecilia, president of TSS, said, "Our goal is to
leverage our years of operational collaborative experience with
other Intelsat signatories to provide one-stop shopping for small-
to large-sized users who wish to benefit from the improved economies
of VSAT technologies in satisfying their international
telecommunications (data, voice and video) requirements.
"The first phase of our network will be targeted towards
corporations having offices in North and South America, Europe and
Africa, and we expect to expand coverage rapidly to satisfy our
clients' global telecommunications needs in other regions.
"Also, TSS developed a wealth and depth of expertise when we ran
and distributed more than 50 simultaneous TV channels during the
1992 Barcelona Olympics, and we intend to make this experience
available to broadcasters for managing international TV
transmissions."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A second later and Galaxy 1RR would have been destroyed.
McDonnell Douglas was counting down for a 00:55 GMT launch, when at
one second to liftoff the main engine on the Delta rocket failed to
ignite. Originally scheduled for lift off at 00:20 GMT, the
countdown was aborted twice at the four minute mark. The first
anomaly was caused by a computer error and the second by a false
report of the lack of water on the launch pad.
Since engine failure is a serious failure, it will take some time
for engineers to identify and resolve the problem. The cost of this
launch ($150 million) came from the insurance payment of the botched
launch of Galaxy 1R last year.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aucnet USA Inc announced it has signed a contract with Hughes
for a transponder on Galaxy VII. Aucnet will conduct live auctions
for automotive dealers in the United States.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Space Systems/Loral, has secured financing from the Export-Import
Bank of Japan. The $46 million loan to the company is for the
delivery, in orbit, of two satellites for Nippon Telegraph &
Telephone.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Space Systems/Loral has signed a contract with General Dynamics
Commercial Launch Services to launch one of two Tempo DBS
satellites. Tempo 1 is scheduled for launch in September 1996 on a
Atlas IIAS rocket.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In a strong endorsement of Zenith Electronics Corp.'s digital
transmission technology, ADC Telecommunications Inc., announced that
it plans to incorporate Zenith's 16-VSB technology into the ADC
Homeworx loop access platform to provide an integrated solution for
delivering video dial-tone and other digital services.
As a leading developer of hybrid fiber/coax transport and access
systems, ADC Telecommunications has been evaluating digital
modulation technologies that would complement the flexible broadband
capabilities of its systems. ADC plans to use 16-VSB technology to
modulate digital signals for linear broadband transport between
video servers and Zenith's digital set-top demodulator. ADC and
Zenith are currently in discussions about possible joint marketing
and product development activities that would result in an
economical high-capacity end-to-end network solution for service
providers.
"The unique 16-VSB modulation technology is a winner, because it
provides cost-effective delivery of huge amounts of digital data on
a 6 MHz channel," said Jack Reily, vice president and general
manager of ADC's access platform systems business unit. The ability
to transmit MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group) packets and other
digital data at high data rates makes the 16-VSB technology "very
attractive for a wide range of digital communications applications,"
Reily said.
Dean A. DeBiase, Zenith's corporate marketing vice president,
said ADC's access platform is "an excellent fit" with 16-VSB
technology. "Establishing partnerships with ADC and others
represents a key component of our strategy to capitalize on our
technology with the Bell operating companies and other carriers
launching video dial-tone an other digital services."
Zenith's 16-VSB (16-level vestigial sideband) system
significantly increases the amount of digital data that can be
transmitted on a single cable channel without additional video
compression - doubling the capacity of digital cable systems to
1,000 channels or more. Depending on the amount of digital video
compression used, the system will be able to receive as many as 23
movies or nine live video programs in each 6 MHz channel. The
16-VSB technology, developed as part of Zenith's high-definition
television (HDTV) research, also will send two digital HDTV signals
on a single 6 MHz analog cable channel.
Extensive laboratory and field tests of the 16-VSB system,
conducted last year by Cable Television Laboratories Inc. and
Videoway Communications Inc., showed that the system can transmit
and receive 43 megabits-per-second of digital data in a single 6 MHz
channel - 3 percent more than proposed 64-QAM (quadrature amplitude
modulation) approaches at a lower cost, and twice the data as the
proposed 32-QAM technology. VSB technology also is being tested by
the Digital HDTV "Grand Alliance" as a part of its process to select
the modulation technology for the U.S. HDTV system.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The U.S. FCC has decided to continue the freeze on U.S. cable
television rates for another three months. The freeze expired on
February 15 but will be extended until May 15 to give regulators
more time to consider possible rule changes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pioneer Electronic Corp will supply equipment for Time Warner
the U.S.cable television company. The Pioneer CATV system will be
installed in 100,000 households in Akron, Ohio. The terminals are
capable of providing video-on-demand and pay-per-view services.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES) said investments will
rise to $1.39 billion in 1996 to fund expansion. SES plans are to
have three more satellites in orbit by 1996.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CD Radio Inc is developing a satellite-to-automobile broadcast
system for delivery of 30 channels of commercial-free, digital
compact-disc quality music throughout the U.S. It also is planning
20 other channels in formats such as all-news, all-sports and
all-talk programming.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Westwood One Inc. and Infinity Broadcasting Corp. announced
that Westwood One has acquired the radio network business of Unistar
Radio Networks Inc. for approximately $101.3 million. In a related
transaction, an Infinity subsidiary acquired (i) five million newly
issued shares of common stock of Westwood One for $3.00 per share,
and (ii) a warrant to purchase an additional three million shares of
Westwood One common stock also at $3.00 per share, subject to
certain vesting requirements . As previously announced, Infinity
will manage Westwood One pursuant to a management agreement.
Infinity/Unistar chief executive officer, Mel Karmazin, has become
the chief executive officer of Westwood One and Farid Suleman has
become the chief financial officer. Norman Pattiz will remain
chairman of the board of Westwood One.
Karmazin, president and chief executive officer of Westwood One
Inc., commented that the merger of Westwood One and Unistar will
position the combined company as a very significant entity in the
network radio industry. Karmazin added that he is very enthusiastic
about the growth prospects of the network radio business and
Westwood One's strategic position in that industry.
Westwood One is the nation's largest producer and distributor of
News, Talk, Sports and Entertainment radio programming and the
parent company of the Mutual Broadcasting System, the NBC Radio
Networks, Talknet, The Source and Westwood One Radio Networks.
Unistar Radio Networks provides Long Form Music Programming,
Traditional News Networks, CNN Radio and CNN Headline News, 24 Hour
Satellite-Delivered formats, as well as CNBC Business Radio.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Associated Press has plans to move into international satellite
news gathering (APTV) starting Nov. 1. Testing should begin
sometime this summer. Headquartered in London U.K., AP will provide
news from 92 bureaus in 6 countries, to television companies
worldwide.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration
has designated 200 megahertz of broadcast frequencies for transfer
from exclusively federal use to the private sector.
The tentative schedule for transfer of frequencies, their
current use and potential new uses:
Immediate:
-- 4660-4685 megahertz: military airborne data transmissions
and communications; potential for fixed and mobile radio and
satellite uses.
-- 2390-2400 and 2402-2417 MHz: military radar testing systems
and enemy radar simulators; potential for radiolocation use and
fixed and mobile communications.
January 1996:
-- 2300-2310 MHz: military radar testing systems and enemy
radar simulators; potential for radiolocation use and fixed and
mobile communications.
January 1997:
-- 4635-4660 MHz: military airborne data transmissions and
communications; potential for fixed and mobile radio and
satellite uses.
January 1999:
-- 1390-1400 MHz: long-range air defense radars, military data
transmissions, tactical radio relays and radio astronomy;
potential for fixed and mobile communications and
radiolocation.
-- 1427-1432 MHz: military tactical communications and test
range data transmissions; potential for use in mobile
communications.
-- 1670-1675 MHz: meteorological services; potential for use in
fixed and mobile communications.
-- 3650-3700 MHz: Navy air traffic control radars on aircraft
carriers; potential for fixed and mobile non-satellite
communications.
January 2004:
-- 1710-1755 MHz: microwave communications and military
tactical relays; potential for fixed and mobile communications
service.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bloomberg Financial Markets announced an all-business television
news network to compete with CNBC. The business channel will be
part of the DirecTv Personal Choice package. No word at this time,
if the channel will be available on a conventional satellite
transponder.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Eurowatch ... Martyn Williams 1994
SKY PROFITS JUMP 300%, SUBSCRIBERS 40%
BSkyB profits have jumped 300% from a GBP17.2m operating profit to
GBP84.8m. They also revealed their latest subscriber figures which
now show that 3.25m UK homes pay for at least some Sky channels.
This represents a 40% increase in subscribers in the last six
months. This is mainly due to the launch of the Sky multi channel
packet last September. The multi channel package introduced many
new channels and also scrambled previously free channels. Weekly
operating profits, which passed GBP2m in September, broke the GBP3m
mark in December. BSkyB owe their banks GBP1.5bn and insiders
suggest that they are looking to refinance around GBP500m of debt to
repay shareholders. The large increase in BSkyB profits helped
parent News International's pre tax profits rise from GBP86.94m to
GBP126.75m. BSkyB contributed GBP30.94m compared to GBP7.51m in the
six months to 31 December 1993.
TRAVEL LAUNCHES
"Welcome to Travel, the UK's brand new channel bringing you the
world". Those words launched the Europe's newest TV channel at
12:00 UK on February 1st. The channel slogan is "TV that takes you
there" and it plans to take viewers around the world, from the most
popular beaches of the Mediterranean to the most remote corner of
Asia. The channel broadcasts for twelve hours a day from 1200 to
0000 UK seven days a week. A travel based teletext service also
accompanies the TV with a programme guide, features and travel
company advertisement.
Travel is owned by American company Landmark Communications Inc.
The Landmark US operation includes The Weather Channel, Travel
Channel, two CBS affiliates and seven daily newspapers. This is the
first European programme for Landmark and they are confident of
success. Travel programming on the UK networks such as "Wish you
were here" regularly attract audiences of over 14 million people and
Landmark hope that cable viewers will enjoy the new service.
The channel launched on Intelsat 601 at 27.5W which used to be
the second home of English language programming in Europe but after
CNN, Discovery and Bravo moved to Astra many UK viewers stopped
watching this satellite. The channel has signed a ten year deal
with Telewest and General Cable giving it access to around 150,000
subscribers or about 30% of UK cable homes. The Intelsat channel
will give good reception across the Benelux and Scandinavian
countries for which the network plans to launch subtitles soon.
The channel is also looking at space on Europe's hugely popular
Astra satellite system. A spokesman for the channel could not
confirm whether this would be on the new Astra 1D, due for launch
late in 1994, or for free space on a current transponder. The
channel had been widely rumoured to be taking space on channel 24
which carries Japanese JSTV in the evenings but is free from 0600 -
1900 UK.
UK GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP AFFECTS U.S. NETWORKS
When Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams visited the US recently the UK's
censorship laws gave the American networks a headache. Sinn Fein is
the political wing of the IRA, the main terrorist organization in
Northern Ireland. TV stations licensed in the UK are banned from
broadcasting the voice of any person representing the organization.
Organizations from all sides of the media, including television and
radio stations, have protested but the law has remained under the
Broadcasting Act 1990. The ITC, who issue licenses for the UK,
include the law in their ITC programme code :
"The Direction issued by the Home Secretary under section 10 of
the Broadcasting Act 1990 requires all ITC license holders to
refrain from broadcasting words spoken by representatives of certain
specified organizations, or words spoken in support of such an
organization."
"The Direction applies only to direct statements and not
reported speech. Thus the Direction permits the showing of a film
or still picture of the initiator speaking the words together with a
voice over account of them whether in para-phrase or verbatim."
The law covers all broadcasters that hold ITC licenses. In
Europe this includes all of the domestic broadcasters and programmes
such as NBC Super Channel and CNN International. When Gerry Adams
appeared on CNN's Larry King Live the show was replaced in its live
broadcast to Europe at 0300 CET.
The show was also blacked out across Africa because the
satellite that feeds the Astra service is also used to feed Africa
DTH reception on C band. The interview was shown during the Larry
King repeat slot during the afternoon with a CNN staffer providing
voice over. NBC Super Channel had to stand ready during the live US
news broadcasts as Adams voice was included in the domestic reports.
The channel cut the sound and captioned the report "Due to legal
restrictions we are unable to provide sound during this report." CNN
International was able to broadcast the interview and any other news
reports via its Asian and South American services as they are not
part of CNN International Sales Ltd, which holds the ITC license.
Lyon based Euronews, a French license holder, was able to
broadcast Adams words and many UK cable companies carried the feed
uncut. The ITC confirmed to SJI that cable companies are not
responsible for the material that they carry, as long as it is legal
under the terms of the broadcasters license.
BIRTHDAY WISHES ...
The beginning of January saw the tenth birthday of Germany's RTL
Television. The station, originally called RTL Plus and broadcast
from Luxembourg, is now one of the top TV stations in Germany. This
month sees the fifth birthday of Sky Television, in it's present
form, on the Astra satellite and also the tenth birthday of French
language broadcaster TV 5 Europe. SDR 3 radio in Germany, "Das
Radio fur den Wilden Suden", celebrates five years on air.
BBC LAUNCHES NEW RADIO RELAYS, STATION
The BBC finally began relaying their Radio Three programme via
satellite on February 7th. The same day also saw the move of Radio
One from a mono channel to a stereo pair. The old Radio One channel
will soon carry Radio Two. At the end of March the BBC will launch
their replacement for Radio Five. The station will be based on the
rolling news format and also carry sports. The name will be Radio
Five Live. The final BBC line up on Astra is :
UK Living channel 34,
7.38 / 7.56 BBC Radio One
7.74 / 7.92 BBC Radio Three
UK Gold channel 23
7.38 BBC World Service
7.56 BBC Radio Four
7.74 BBC Radio Two
7.92 BBC Radio Five (BBC Radio Five Live from March 28)
CZECH REPUBLIC GETS COMMERCIAL TV
The first private, commercial TV service in the Czech republic has
gone on the air. Nova TV will broadcast western entertainment and
Czech public affairs to the nation via a terrestrial network. The
station is backed by American investors and the Central European
Development Corporation. Audience research shows that 92% of the
population tuned in for at least 15 minutes on their first day.
State TV was watched by 62% of the population.
EUROSPORT COVERS THE OLYMPICS AGAIN
Eurosport is bringing all of the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics to
European viewers again. The network has extended their programme to
24 hours a day providing non stop Olympics events from the opening
ceremony to the closing ceremony. During this period all other
sports and regular programmes have been shelved to allow non stop,
often live, sports.
Eurosport premiered this type of coverage at the 1992 Summer and
Winter Olympics and it proved a great success with European sports
fans. Eurosport is a member of the European Broadcasting Union
(EBU), which holds TV rights for all of Europe. Other EBU members
are the national broadcasters of each country. Dish owners can find
Olympic coverage on ARD, ZDF, RAI Uno and Due, BBC World Service TV
and TVE Internacional. The Eurovision feeds are also very busy
during the games.
News in brief ......
+ There are calls in Germany for the Kirch Gruppe to reduce their
share in SAT 1 and Pro 7. Also, Bertelsman has been asked to reduce
their stake in RTL and Vox.
+ Danish based hard-core porn sender, Red Hot TV, has disappeared
from the airwaves. This story is currently developing. Full
details in the next SJI.
+ ARD and ZDF television in Germany will begin their joint morning
programme half an hour earlier, at 0530 CET soon.
+ Sudwest 3 will switch its Astra feed to the Rheinland Pfalz /
Baden Wurtenburg regional news service from 1st April.
+ Three hundred staff are to go at Deutsche Welle in Berlin due to
budget cuts. The staff will be cut in an early retirement
programme.
+ MDR Television is now on channel E5 of Berlin's Telekom cable system.
+ ORB's Antenne Brandenburg Radio is the market leader in the Berlin
/ Brandenburg area. From 0600 to 1800 the station attracts 250,000
listeners.
+ Canale France Internationale is switching to MCM Euromusique to
fill its overnight hours
+ Satellite station Holland FM, which recently won a Dutch
terrestrial license may place its medium wave transmitter on a ship
just off the Dutch coast. Holland and the UK have a long history of
pirate radio broadcast from ships in the North Sea.
+ Classic FM, much rumoured to be taking over QEFM's Astra channel
has not yet decided on which system to use for it's link to the new
Dutch FM network it has. The service could use cheaper ComStream
digital links.
+ TV Forum / TV Oslo has been broadcasting on TV Norge overnight
with a teletext service.
+ German language religious broadcaster ERF may relay via Country
Music Radio. The station was relayed via CMR's ex-sister station
QEFM until its closure two weeks ago.
+ Iran has said it will launch new international services soon.
These include new radio services and an international TV service.
+ Former satellite and cable service Radio 10 Gold has begun its new
national terrestrial service in the Netherlands. The frequency,
which can be heard across North West Europe is 675 kHz.
+ Typhoons hitting Madagascar have disrupted communications on the
island including satellite dishes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Satellite Journal
International
Volume 2 Issue 4
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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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:
Compuserve: CEFORUM Lib 8 Satellites
UKFORUM Lib 17 Entertainment
Nifty-Serve: TVFORUM Lib 2 Satellite TV
Internet: Homesat news group
Internet users with access to a World-Wide Web client such as Mosaic
or Lynx can retrieve back issues of SJI using the following URL:
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.
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-----If you wish to post Satellite Journal International (EV) to any
other electronic medium please do, however, please advise me of
where you are posting Satellite Journal International.
-----Satellite Journal may be distributed freely as long as the file
remains whole.
-----Minitel [French and English] versions are edited versions of
the DTP version.