Satellite Journal International
Volume 2 Number 11
May 26 1994
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StarSight Telecast launches cable industry's ...
-------------------------------------------------
StarSight, the on-screen, interactive television program guide with
one-button VCR record feature, officially introduced its service to
the first US cable household during the National Cable Television
Association annual meeting in New Orleans.
During the ceremony, StarSight Telecast's co-founder, chairman
and chief executive officer Michael Faber introduced the first
StarSight family via a live satellite feed from Viacom Cable's
television system in Castro Valley, Calif.
StarSight Telecast's cable service introduction partners, Viacom
Cable and General Instrument Corp., were also represented at the
ceremony by John Goddard, president, Viacom Cable, and Hal
Krisbergh, president of General Instrument Communications Division.
This commemorative event marks the availability of StarSight via
specially equipped Jerrold 2900 cable converters within the Viacom
Cable Castro Valley system. StarSight's interactive on-screen
guide, including one-button VCR record feature service, has been in
use in selected cable homes in Castro Valley during April and May on
a test market basis.
Following positive results and enthusiastic response from test
market users, Viacom Cable is initiating a full introduction of the
StarSight service to its 13,000 subscriber households.
It is the first on-screen interactive guide with one-button VCR
record feature now actively being used in cable households on a
regular (non-test market) basis.
"StarSight Telecast is extremely pleased to be the first
on-screen guide company to provide the cable industry with an
easy-to-use interactive consumer-friendly guide which also includes
one-button VCR recording," said Faber.
"For the past three years, StarSight Telecast has conducted
rigorous market research to determine what consumers really needed
to get more enjoyment from their TV sets and cable television
service. Based on what they told us, StarSight was created
especially to simplify the television viewing process," Faber
continued.
"We're delighted to be the first cable system in the United
States to offer the ease and convenience of StarSight's program
guide and VCR function," commented Goddard. "This will truly
enhance the television viewing experience."
BE Aerospace wins interactive in-seat video order ...
-------------------------------------------------------
BE Aerospace Inc. announced that the company had been selected by
British Airways to supply interactive in-seat video systems for all
three classes of BA's long-haul widebody aircraft fleet, subject to
approval by BA's Board of Directors. Depending on the feature
options chosen by British Airways, the total order could generate as
much as $120 million in revenues for BEA during fiscal years 1996
and 1997.
Specifically, BEA's premier video system, the B/E 4000 Multimedia
Digital Distribution System (MDDS), has been selected by British
Airways for their full fleet of Boeing 747 and 767 widebody
aircraft. The first aircraft installation is scheduled for early
1995. The company also announced that it has recently received
previously unannounced in-seat video orders totalling in excess of
$11 million. These orders, received from Air Canada, USAir, EVA,
Pakistan Air International and Philippines Airlines, are generally
for deliveries scheduled during 1994 and are also expected to
generate substantial additional follow-on orders. The B/E MDDS
in-seat video system provides up to 24 video channels, as well as a
variety of interactive features such as video games, pay-per-view,
shopping, information menus and in-cabin phone distribution, as well
as regular video programming such as movies.
"Video-on-Demand," will allow each passenger to start and stop the
video program of their choice whenever they want. In addition, the
basic architecture of the MDDS allows a variety of interactive
platforms, such as i486 (personal computer-based), Nintendo and
Sega, to be accessed by the passenger for various interactive
functions. The passenger may, for example, decide to play a video
game for a while, then switch to a i486 platform to play chess
against another passenger, then switch to video-on-demand to watch a
movie -- all without leaving their seat. BEA Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Amin J. Khoury stated, "Many other airlines have
been waiting for British Airways to make its decision. Their
selection process has spanned a period of almost two years and has
been the most rigorous in the industry. We believe BEA's selection
by British Airways is an acknowledgement of our new B/E 4000 MDDS as
the industry's state-of-the-art individual passenger video system.
This order will substantially strengthen our market leadership
position and, in addition, we expect other carriers to follow suit
and to place significant additional orders for the B/E 4000 MDDS.
The British Air order should contribute strongly to our financial
results in fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997."
Continental Cablevision announces joint venture ...
----------------------------------------------------
Continental Cablevision Inc. and the Australian telecommunications
company Optus Communications announced plans to explore the
provision of a wide range of advanced broadband communications and
interactive entertainment and information services to Australian
consumers.
The services that could be provided include local telephone
service, intelligent network services (like call waiting and call
forwarding), cable television services and video on demand.
In announcing the initiative, William T. Schleyer, executive vice
president of Continental Cablevision, and Bob Mansfield, Optus chief
executive officer, said that both companies shared a common vision
of meeting the communications and entertainment needs of customers
and are dedicated to delivering the best quality services at
competitive prices.
"Continental's strength as a customer-focused provider of
entertainment services in the United States means the company is
well-placed to be a major force in cable television services in
Australia," Schleyer said. "Continental's 30 years' experience as a
cable TV operator gives us, together with Optus, the ability to
offer Australians a unique package of entertainment and
communications services."
"Australians have enthusiastically embraced Optus long distance
and mobile services, and the time is now right to look at how we
might give our customers the choice of an even greater range of
services -- especially local calls and a variety of other valued
informational, educational and entertainment services," Mansfield
said. "Together with Continental, I look forward to exploring this
exciting new joint venture opportunity."
Optus and Continental will examine a range of advanced broadband
technology solutions to provide these services, as well as
opportunities for strategic partnerships with a number of program
suppliers, service providers and equipment vendors.
CNN International
-----------------
Turner Broadcasting System Inc. will launch its US version of CNN
International on Jan. 1. 1995. The US version, like its
counterpart, will draw on Cable News Network's 20 international
bureaus, nine domestic bureaus and more than 500 affiliated
broadcasters around the world. Programming will originate from
Atlanta and will be available to DTH viewers.
Television New Zealand
----------------------
Television New Zealand Ltd said it plans to set up a new regional
television service.
TVNZ said the new service will be broadcast on UHF frequencies
and be on the air early 1995. The service will draw from BBC World
Service Television News and BBC documentaries and current affairs
programmes extensively.
A subsidiary Horizon Pacific TV Holdings Ltd is to be formed to
co-ordinate logistics for the regional services.
CBS AFFILIATES DEFECT
---------------------
CBS sold off its music, publishing and has no presence in the
cable business and now major affiliates are defecting to FOX in
order to carry NFL football Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's Fox
network announced it has invested $500 million in New World
Communications, whose 12 stations will convert to Fox from other
networks over the next 18 months.
Fox, however, will have to go beyond this acquisition of eight CBS
affiliates, if it is to become a true fourth network. In order to
be considered a true network FOX needs to set up a news division and
create network programs for early morning and daytime.
All five of New World's currently owned and operated VHF stations
are switching to Fox affiliations: WJBK-TV Detroit, WJW-TV
Cleveland, WAGA- TV Atlanta, WTVT-TV Tampa, and WITI-TV Milwaukee.
New World previously announced an agreement to acquire four
stations from Great American Communications Corporation, pending FCC
approval. All four of those stations are intended to become Fox
affiliates as well.
After the transactions and affiliation switches are completed, FOX
will sell off its stations in Dallas and Atlanta.
CBS does plan to replace the defectors, but replacements maybe hard
to find and on UHF frequencies
Missing Link Communications
----------------------------
Missing Link Communications Missing Link Communications and
Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. announced a joint effort to produce four
weekly half-hour shows for Missing Link's Technology Information
Network(TM) (Tech TV(TM)). Tech TV is a combination of programming,
advertising and merchandising designed to give viewers the
information needed to use and buy computer products. It will
premiere in August 1994 on weekend afternoons as paid programming on
CNBC.
In addition, Tech TV will be broadcast on local independent
stations in at least ten out of the top 50 markets for 100 million
cumulative household impressions.
PRIMESTAR
---------
PRIMESTAR, the nation's first direct broadcast satellite (DBS)
service, and Liberty Satellite Sports, the nation's leading
distributor of satellite sports programming, announced their
intention to provide a package of 14 regional sports channels
distributed on PRIMESTAR's DBS service.
This DBS programming service is set to launch during the summer of
1994. PRIMESTAR's worry-free service and Liberty Satellite Sport's
extensive programming service enables businesses located in limited
spaces to compete with restaurants, bars and clubs currently
offering a wide variety of sporting events on existing 10' dishes.
"Since the launch of our small dish DBS service in 1991, our
residential and commercial customers have expressed an overwhelming
interest in receiving sports programming, particularly that of their
home town teams," said Don Herr, PRIMESTAR's senior vice president
of marketing and distributor services. The installation and service
of the equipment will be handled through PRIMESTAR's nation-wide
distributor network.
The programming package, which will also be offered as part of
PRIMESTAR's basic line-up to its residential customers, will consist
of 14 regional sports networks from the SSN package currently
available on C-band home satellite.
These networks will provide national college sports from all major
conferences and regional coverage of MLB, NBA and NHL games.
Territorial restrictions will apply to major professional sports
leagues. In addition to this wide variety of regional home team
coverage, the Liberty Satellite Sports package also offers
professional golf, tennis, auto racing and other sports from boxing
to water skiing.
"The estimated 3,500 bars and clubs that currently have limited
sources of sports programming now have an attractive and affordable
alternative to the larger 10' dish," said Glenn Gurgiolo, vice
president/general manager of Liberty Satellite Sports. "Now they
can have all the sports they need to attract more patrons from the
combination of PRIMESTAR's dish that is realistically sized and
Liberty's extensive sports programming."
Gilat
-----
Gilat recently received a 10% down payment from HCL-HP of India,
with which Gilat has signed an agreement for 750 Two Way(TM) VSATs.
The VSATs are to be provided as part of GTE Spacenet's Skystar
Advantage(TM) product. Approximately 250 sites are scheduled to be
installed by the end of 1994, while the Bombay hub, which is to be
provided by GTE Spacenet under a separate agreement, is scheduled to
be operational this autumn.
The extended C-band VSATs to be acquired by HCL-HP are intended
to provide satellite communications between the National Stock
Exchange of India (NSE) in Bombay, and its brokers' network
throughout that country. The stock exchange is fully electronic and
on-line, which means that transactions are conducted by computer at
the offices of the trading members, which may be located hundreds of
miles away.
NSE chose VSATs, as opposed to other communications networks, due
to their extensive geographical coverage, as well as their ease of
installation and relocation at remote sites. Applications include
dissemination of real-time financial information, inquiry/response
and trading in any volume.
IMAGEWALL 1544 PREMIERES AT THE SMITHSONIAN
-------------------------------------------
A revolutionary large screen video conferencing communications
technology, the ImageWall 1544, was previewed in the United States
and England during video conferences at the Smithsonian Institution
linking Washington, D.C., to Louisville, Ky., Redbank, N.J., and
London, England.
The ImageWall 1544, offered exclusively through ImageTel
International, features a large (4' x 7') HDTV formatted screen and
rear projection system. With its perfect audio/video
synchronisation, life-sized imagery, free flowing motion and ease of
use, the ImageWall creates a life-like environment and face to face
contact with individuals or groups thousands of miles away.
The International Centre of the Smithsonian Institution hosted
ImageTel International for four video conferences in the S. Dillon
Ripley International Centre in Washington, D.C. The video
conferences were set up to demonstrate to the management and staff
of the Smithsonian, embassies and other not-for-profit and
governmental organisations the applications of the ImageWall 1544
video conferencing system as a tool for distance learning and global
conferencing. Bob Nahory, Director of Educational Network Research
at Bellcore, and eighth grade students from the Global Community
School in Fairfax, Va., were linked, via the recently installed
ImageWall at the Smithsonian, to Jim Harbison, a scientist and a
member of the technical staff at Bellcore, and fifth grade students
from The Riley School in South Plainfield, N.J. Harbison and the
South Plainfield students participated at a second ImageWall
location within Bellcore headquarters in Redbank, N.J.
During three additional video conferences, the management and
staff of the Smithsonian, embassies and other not-for-profit and
governmental organisations in Washington, D.C., conferenced with
Louisville, Ky., museum directors, Peter Morrin, of the J.B. Speed
Art Museum, and Gail Becker, of the Louisville Science Centre, at
ImageTel International headquarters in Louisville, Ky., and with
business executives at the British Telecom Angel Centre in London,
England.
"The ImageWall video conferencing system, has provided the staff
at the Smithsonian with a glimpse into the future of all
communications," said Francine Berkowitz, Director of the Office of
International Relations, at the Smithsonian. "It was exciting to
host the first demonstration of this 'cutting-edge' technology in
the United States."
Barry Sawayer, President of ImageTel International, said, "We
have eliminated the jerky motion, small screen and the lack of audio
and video synchronisation seen in other systems currently available,
and have created 'comfortable video conferencing' with the ImageWall
1544."
HOME SHOPPING SIGNS CABLE AFFILIATION CONTRACTS
-----------------------------------------------
Home Shopping Network, Inc. announced it has recently signed
agreements with 11 of the nation's leading cable multiple system
operators (MSO), four of which are among the top 10 in the country.
The agreements mean HSN's Home Shopping Club (HSC) has contracted
for existing or new carriage of more than 13 million cable TV
households.
By year end 1994, another 7 million cable TV households will be
added over the term of the agreements.
Baton Broadcasting
------------------
American Entertainment Group, Inc. (AEG) and Baton Broadcasting
Incorporated (Baton) are pleased to announce the signing of an
agreement for the joint commercial development and marketing of
about 5,000 movie and television classics. The films and television
programs, forming part of one of the largest public domain film
libraries in North America, will be marketed and sold
internationally. In Canada, they will be broadcast on BBS and
syndicated on other stations.
"We are excited about this opportunity to offer these
time-honoured films to our Canadian viewers. We anticipate a
long-term successful alliance," said Baton Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer Joseph Garwood.
The extensive AEG classic film library includes many of
Hollywood's greatest films and is filled with a "who's who" of
Hollywood stars and legends.
"Our future is steeped in Hollywood's rich past," said AEG
President Joel Wagman. "Classic movies never go out of style. And
with our state- of-the-art marketing, we will re-introduce these
films to a whole new generation of movie lovers."
AEG and Baton will share their resources and expertise on a
variety of projects including the commercial development of newly
copyrighted material derived from the film titles, and the
promotion, distribution, merchandising, marketing and sale of the
film library inventory through infomercials, direct response
commercials, general retailing and mass marketing. The parties have
committed to the production of a minimum of 26 new television
programs.
WTCI CHOOSES GE SATCOM SATELLITES FOR PROGRAMMING
-------------------------------------------------
GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) has announced a
long-term, multi-transponder agreement with Western
Tele-Communications, Inc. (WTCI) for service via the GE SATCOM
satellite fleet.
WTCI will take transmission service on a minimum of 13 SATCOM
transponders on SATCOM C-1, the U.S. satellite industry's fifth
"cable bird," and SATCOM 2R. Terms of the agreement were not
disclosed.
SATCOM C-1 carries a cable programming neighbourhood that reaches
more than 28 million U.S. households. Services available to cable
systems and backyard dish users include Prime Sports, NewSport,
SportsChannel Chicago, SportsChannel Pacific, Fox Net and the
popular Netlink services, which deliver broadcast television
programming from major network affiliates.
"WTCI is very pleased to have concluded this agreement on SATCOM
C-1 to provide analogue or digital satellite services to new
customers from our national digital television centre in suburban
Denver," said Don Whiteman, vice president, Network Video Services,
WTCI.
"This agreement underscores our long-standing close relationship
with WTCI," said John F. Connelly, chairman and chief executive
officer of GE Americom. "It secures SATCOM C-1 as the U.S.
satellite industry's fifth established cable neighbourhood," he
said.
COMSAT DEDICATES CHARYK CONFERENCE CENTRE TO HONOUR
---------------------------------------------------
COMSAT Corporation dedicated the conference centre at its corporate
headquarters to honour Dr. Joseph V. Charyk, founding president and
an incorporator of the nation's first satellite communications
company.
"We wanted to commemorate and thank Joe for his many
contributions to the company and our industry," said Melvin R.
Laird, chairman of the Board of Directors, during dedication
ceremonies on the eve of the company's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
"Joe Charyk has always believed strongly in the potential of
communications technology to transform our lives," said Bruce L.
Crockett, president and CEO. "It is this spirit which we celebrate
today."
In addition to serving as COMSAT's first president more than 30
years ago, Charyk played a pivotal role in many industry milestones
-- such as the decision to place satellites into geosynchronous
orbit, the launching of Early Bird, the formation of INTELSAT, the
establishment of COMSAT Laboratories, the launching of the Marisat
satellites and the creation of the Inmarsat satellite system.
Charyk, a native of Canmors, Canada, served as COMSAT president
from 1963 to 1979, president and CEO from 1979 to 1983, and chairman
and CEO from 1983 to 1985. In all, he served as a director for 30
years until stepping down at last year's annual meeting.
When Charyk retired as chairman and CEO in 1985, former President
Ronald Reagan, in a letter of appreciation, wrote: "Your vision and
drive created a global satellite system which has become a tool for
the benefit of all mankind and has given birth to our modern
communications satellite industry."
Japan Business Television
-------------------------
Japan Business Television (JBTV) is using ComStream video modulators
and demodulators to transmit compressed satellite video service to
private television networks in Japan and the United States.
Over 3,500 VDM200 demodulators are expected to be delivered by
the end of 1994. The total value of the video equipment, including
the demodulators, is approximately U.S. $2.5 million. JBTV is the
largest commercial satellite network provider in Japan.
AUCNET and AUCNET USA, video networks operated by JBTV, televise
wholesale automobile auctions, so dealers don't have to travel to
auction sites to see the cars they might purchase. AUCNET was
started to serve the wholesale auto industry, but the company plans
to expand into other markets that use auctions as a means to sell
product.
The initial sale of ComStream products to JBTV in Japan was in
1993. AUCNET purchased 500 ComStream VDM200s and three CM701 video
modulators for its satellite networks. JBTV has since purchased
additional product for the United States network, including 1,000
VDM200s and four modulators delivered in the first two months of
1994.
JBTV is scheduled to receive another 2,000 demodulators by the
end of the year. JBTV is building the demodulators into proprietary
digital compression video receivers used by various customers around
the world.
CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE
--------------------
CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE announced that its Microwave Radio Corporation
(MRC) subsidiary has received a multi-million dollar order from
Northern Telecom-Europe, Radio Infrastructure, Paignton, Devon,
England to supply digital radio systems to British
Telecommunications plc.
MRC's MR-18DR 18 GHz digital microwave radio will be used for
transmitting voice over point-to-point links between customers'
premises in the United Kingdom. The 18 GHz installations follow
thousands of 38 GHz and 23 GHz terminals that MRC has delivered
since mid 1992 for cellular and personal communications systems
installations in the United Kingdom.
MRC is an international supplier of microwave and millimetre wave
radio transmission systems. Applications of MRC's products include
cellular and personal communications systems, private networks,
broadcasting, cable and government communications. In April 1992,
MRC became a wholly owned subsidiary of California Microwave.
Co-Media Inc
------------
Co-Media Inc. announced the launching of the first national cable
network featuring gay and lesbian programming.
Programming will consist of news, talk shows, live shows, movies,
sitcoms and game shows. Triangle Network will be broadcasting via
satellite 24 hours each day...12 hours of new programming each day,
which will then be repeated. Triangle Network has been in planning
for three years.
A pre-scrambled signal will be sent to cable systems nation-wide for
local distribution.
Triangle Network will adhere to the highest broadcasting standards.
Triangle Network will be having a Sneak Preview on June 25, 1994.
Official launch date is mid-September 1994. -
DBS Industries Inc
------------------
DBS Industries Inc. announced that it intends to file its formal
objections to the merger of the direct broadcast satellite licenses
owned by EchoStar Communications Corp., Englewood, Colo., and
DirectSat Corp. of McLean, Va.
DBS Industries' wholly-owned subsidiary, DBS Network Inc., owns
approximately 12% of the common stock in DirectSat Corp. EchoStar,
together with the majority owner in DirectSat, SSE Telecom Inc.
entered into a merger agreement March 14 which is subject to
shareholder approval.
DBS Industries considers the transaction to be substantially
under-valued, and the agreement may contain certain provisions that
DBS Industries finds highly objectionable. Therefore, DBS
Industries is exercising its dissenter rights as provided under
Delaware law.
RIMSAT SATELLITE FULL ON LAUNCH
-------------------------------
A two-year old international consortium led by Rimsat, Ltd., Fort
Wayne, Indiana, successfully launched a Russian-built communications
satellite from the Baikonour Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Considered a
maverick with little chance of survival when it was formed two years
ago, Rimsat became the world's sixth largest supplier of satellite
services with this launch.
According to Rimsat Chief Operating Officer Michael Sternberg,
"Customers already are waiting to fully occupy this satellite when
testing is completed within the next 30 days." The company announced
in April that the Gorizont (i.e., "Horizon") satellite launched in
mid-November 1993 was fully leased, primarily to TV broadcast
interests in India.
The satellite launched at 8:01 a.m. by a Russian Proton SL-12
rocket is stationed in a geosynchronous orbit at 142.5 degrees East,
over Papua New Guinea. It is the last of three Gorizonts leased by
Rimsat in 1992.
A series of four larger and more versatile Express satellites to be
placed in orbit starting this fall also are covered under the (U.S.)
$130 million contract between Rimsat and A/O Informcosmos. An
association of five space industry enterprises, Informcosmos was
reorganised in 1993 to develop commercial support and upgrade
Russia's communications infrastructure. The Rimsat/Informcosmos
agreement signed in April 1992 led to last November's launch, the
first from Baikonour by a non-Russian company.
The Indiana company places the satellites it leases from Russia into
orbital positions belonging to the Kingdom of Tonga. In addition to
the three geosychronous positions already licensed to Rimsat, the
Kingdom's satellite authority, TongaSat, recently announced that it
had licensed Rimsat to operate in two other positions it holds at 70
degrees and 170.5 degrees East. Rimsat's service area now covers
Europe to the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The lift-off
from Baikonour was witnessed by Crown Prince Tupouto'a and Sione
Kite, ambassador of Tonga.
Shamsuddin Mohd Rasom and Normah Ali Affandi, part of a Malaysian
group that invested (U.S.) $38 million during the early stage of the
company's development also were on hand to witness the launch.
The 2200 Kg Gorizont is a well-proven work horse satellite that
carries six C- and one Ku-band transponders. In use since December
1967, Gorizonts typically operate more than twice their guaranteed
service life and they have lost only one transponder in the
satellites' entire history.
The Express will carry ten C- and two Ku-band transponders, aimable
antennas and have a five to seven year guaranteed operational life.
Because the Gorizont and Express -- as well as the Proton launch
vehicle -- use well established Russian technology, they can be
marketed at prices significantly below the cost of other
communication satellites, according to James Simon, Rimsat's
managing director.
The Express and Gorizont are manufactured by NPO PM, which has
produced more than 1,000 satellites for military and domestic use by
Russia for the past 30 years.
ALDEN INTRODUCES SATPHONE
-------------------------
Alden Electronics, Inc., is introducing the Alden Satphone
Inmarsat-M satellite telephone. The Satphone is designed to provide
mariners with convenient, affordable high quality digital telephone,
fax and data connection services virtually anywhere in the world.
These are available for immediate delivery.
The Alden Satphone, Model SP1600M (Marine) allows a vessel to make
or receive a call over the public switched telephone network while
at sea. The calls are placed by simply dialling the desired phone
number. Digital technology provides sound quality which rivals that
found on land-based phone links. A fax machine or PC can be easily
plugged into the satphone to transmit and receive data at 2400 baud.
The model SP1600M Satphone tracking antenna is compact (22" wide by
27" high) and lightweight (33 lbs.) making the satphone an ideal
communications tool for any vessel over 35 feet. The antenna
automatically tracks any of the four Inmarsat satellites covering
the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. A lightweight,
briefcase model with a versatile AC/DC battery power supply is
available for mobile land use.
Inmarsat is an internationally-owned co-operative of 73 member
countries founded in 1979 to provide global maritime satellite
communications. Some of these countries have Coast Earth Stations
that are used to connect various maritime communication requirements
with the public switched telephone network.
General Instrument
------------------
In connection with the announcement by Bell Atlantic naming General
Instrument Corporation as a selected supplier for the major
components of the full service network, BAnet, GI announced
increases in production capacity designed to meet the expanding
needs of its world-wide cable, satellite and telco customers.
General Instrument's chairman and chief executive officer, Daniel F.
Akerson, noted GI's success in ramping up capacity to meet current
demand, and outlined plans to meet future demand for both analogue
and digital products. "We have established a two-stage program to
increase production. We are refining our efficiencies in our
present facilities, as well as looking for opportunities through a
variety of measures -- leased spaces and other in-time arrangements
-- to expand capacity," Mr. Akerson said.
By June of this year GI will have added 60% to its cable converter
terminal capacity over 1993 year-end levels, and anticipates
entering 1995 with annual capacity for over 6 million converters.
GI expects to have the capacity to produce over 2 million
DigiCable(TM) digital converter terminals by the end of 1995 to meet
demand. This capacity will be available through a combination of
new plant expansion and conversion of existing analogue to new
digital equipment production.
GI previously announced an increase in production capacity for
DigiCipher(R) digital satellite terminals to meet the needs of
PRIMESTAR and other customers in the direct broadcast satellite
(DBS) market. Capacity for both VideoCipher(R) and DigiCipher
satellite terminals is expected to exceed 750,000 units annually by
the end of 1994.
General Instrument (CommScope Division) is expanding coaxial cable
capacity during 1994, and is expected to exit 1994 with a 30%
increase in annual capacity over 1993 year-end levels. GI is
pursuing other alternatives to expand capacity in 1995 to meet the
growing market demands.
General Instrument will provide a full line of cable television
equipment to Bell Atlantic, including end-to-end DigiCipher access
control, encryption and digital compression technologies. GI will
also provide coaxial cable, broadband telecommunications
distribution line equipment and next-generation analogue and digital
addressable set-top terminals incorporating the LinX(TM) module for
interactive multimedia capabilities.
As part of the announcement, GI has reinforced its commitment to
license DigiCipher technology and to provide a full open platform
for a vast array of interactive video, voice and data services.
"We are excited about what this contract means to General
Instrument," said Mr. Akerson. "Bell Atlantic is making a
commitment to GI's leading edge and evolving technology that
positions them as a market leader. As a pioneer in the development
of these enabling technologies, GI is helping to build Bell
Atlantic's digital network, connecting eight million consumers to
this high-capacity data system," Mr. Akerson added.
Satellite Channel Dedicated to Satellite Tv
-------------------------------------------
Germany based satellite trade magazine "TELE-satellite" has now
prepared its third program dedicated solely to the satellite scene.
The "TS-TV #3" called program will be aired at 21.00 hours CEST
(19.00 hours UTC) on Friday, 27th May, with a repeat on Sunday, 29th
May, via EUTELSAT II-F1, 13o East, 11.596 GHz H, audio 6.50 MHz, in
plain PAL.
This third edition of "TS-TV" shows a INMARSAT satellite telephone
equipment, a new television set with built-in satellite tuner, a
tiny satellite dish for mobile ASTRA reception and a video of a
German satellite enthusiasts reception site. Apart of this, Dr.
Dish, an Alias for Christian Mass, technical editor of
TELE-satellite-magazine, and Petra Huether, editor-in-chief of
TELE-satellite, offer their usual FAQ on satellite themes.
A videocassette of this program is also available (VHS - PAL) by
contacting TELE- satellite's customer service (c/o Susanne Pillich,
Silheimer Str. 6a, D-89278 Nersingen- Strass, Germany, Fax
+49-7308-41442). Cost of the video tapes is $ 20 US-Dollar each for
TS-TV#1, #2 or #3.
Next transmission (TS-TV #4) of this 90 minutes long program will be
on June 24th (repeat on 26th). TS-TV is aired always at the last
Friday of a month with a repeat on the following Sunday. The
program is produced at TELE-satellite's headquarters in Munich in
German language by the editors of TELE-satellit magazine and
uplinked by Deutsche Telekom's SNG facilities. TELE-satellit is
Europe's "oldest" satellite trade magazine (established in 1981) and
is published each month with 164 pages full colour full of satellite
information.
Globe Net announces new president
---------------------------------
Globe Net K.K., a full-service broadcast news and
information production company based in Tokyo, announced that
veteran journalist Steven L. Herman has been appointed as president
and executive producer, succeeding Bruce Mac Donell.
Mac Donell, former NBC bureau chief for Asia, will become an
executive producer for the new Warner Bros. TV program,
Entertainment Television News, based in Los Angeles. He formed
Globe Net in 1986, building it into the premier Western independent
broadcast news production company in Asia.
Herman, with nearly 20 years experience in the field,
returned to Asia in 1990 as an on-air producer for the PBS weekly
program, "Asia Now." He is also the resident reporter in Japan for
CBS Radio. He has previously worked as a producer and assignment
reporter for TV stations in Nevada, California and Japan and won a
national AP award as news director of all-news KNUU, Las Vegas.
Herman also worked for the Associated Press in West Virginia and at
the AP Broadcast News Centre in Washington, D.C.
Globe Net's past and present clients include The
MacNeil/Lehrer Report (PBS), BBC News, CBC News, City TV (Canada),
The Channel 9 Stations (Australia), Channel 4 (U.K.), Entertainment
Tonight (Paramount), Fox Television, NHK (Japan) and NTV (Japan).
Globe Net is located at NTV and can arrange satellite
uplinks and downlinks in Japan for its clients.
For further information: ph. 81-3-3221-1551, fax 81-3-3221-6143,
Eurowatch
What's making news across Europe's skies
By Martyn Williams in London
NEWS FROM EUROPE :
-----------------
BBC, Pearson announce new Euro TV channels
-------------------------------------------
The BBC and Pearson have announced a joint venture set to bring
Europe two new television channels. The two planned for channels
are a pay entertainment network, along the lines of the current BBC
World Service Europe channel on Intelsat 601 and a commercially
supported news and information service similar to BBC World Service
Asia.
Pearson is a growing UK media company that owns The Financial Times,
Thames Television and the publishers, Penguin. Pearson bought
Thames Television last year after the channel lost it's London ITV
franchise. It already owns a sizeable 17.5% stake in BSkyB and the
news channel will certainly take on Sky News in Europe. The two
companies are currently involved in TV ventures together such as UK
Gold and UK Living, both of which draw on the vast programming
libraries of the BBC and Thames TV. Pearson also produces the FTTV
business news programmes that appear on TV stations around the
world.
The two new channels will be available continent wide except the UK
and Ireland. Quite how an advertising supported channel will be
unavailable to UK and Irish viewers is unclear, unless it is only
available free as part of a subscription to the entertainment
channel.
Sky delivers fatal blow to pirates
----------------------------------
With a flick of a switch at Sky Centre the television service
blacked out the screens of thousands watching with pirate smart
cards. Sky finally switched to the new issue 09 smart card on June
18 rendering pirate issue 07 cards useless. The race is now on
amongst pirates to come up with fixes for the new code. The speed
of new cards appearing on the market will indicate exactly how
flawed the Videocrypt system is.
JSTV will switch off defaulting viewers later in June when the move
to the period 03 card.
Russians continue launching ...
-------------------------------
The Russian space authorities have continued to launch satellites
this month with their Proton K rocket. On May 20 a Gorizont
satellite was put into orbit from the Baikonur cosmodrone on behalf
of the Rimsat company, an American operator. The success of the
Russian space agency lies in two areas. The Proton launches are
cheaper than rival US and European launches and the success rate of
the Russian agency is high, as many as 96% of all launches are
successful. These launches are notable not only for the Russian
launch but also the Russian satellite that was bought by Rimsat.
The failure rate of these is even better than that of the Proton
rocket. The first such fully commercial satellite launch for a
foreign company took place late last year, also for Rimsat.
The Rimsat launched will provide communications from geo-stationary
orbit over Papua New Guinea at 142.5 degrees east, a once disputed
Tongoan slot. It's first customer, from the Philippines, has
already signed for space.
The Gorizont satellites are the workhorse of Russia's vast
continental telecommunications network and slowly, newer, Express
satellites will take over. They typically carry one Ku-Band
transponder at 11.525 GHz and six C-band channels.
Strikes disrupt BBC News
-------------------------
The major unions at the BBC staged the first of a planned series of
24 hour strikes on Tuesday 24 May against new working practices and
performance related pay. The plan calls for two strikes a week of
varying length from 24 hours to just 10 minutes. The union covers
the majority of journalists at the BBC and their fellow technicians.
The last time BBC journalists went on strike the management ended
reading the TV and radio news and bulletins were severely curtailed.
On Tuesday the Breakfast News programme on BBC 1 was replaced with a
B-movie and many other TV and radio news programmes were cancelled.
The planned coverage of events such as Wimbledon tennis and The
World Cup are likely to be unaffected as the BBC can use coverage
from other broadcasters.
Iran bans satellite dishes
--------------------------
An ageing Iranian Ayatollah has issued a fatwa, or religious
declaration, against satellite TV. The 99 year old declared
"Installing satellite antennae (which open the Islamic society to
inroads of decadent foreign culture and the spread of ruinous
Western diseases to Moslems) is harem". The declaration has caused
concern in some Middle Eastern countries where satellite TV is a
booming business. Most nations, including Iran, put their national
TV services on satellite.
ET-1 switches to PAL on Eutelsat
--------------------------------
Greek national television channel ET-1 has switched to a PAL relay
of their service on Eutelsat 2 F4. The broadcast had previously
been in SECAM, the system used in Greece, resulting in black and
white pictures for viewers without dual standard television sets.
News from Asia :
----------------
Japan re-announces end to Hi-Vision TV
--------------------------------------
Japan has once again announced an end to their development and use
of analogue based high definition television but this time they've
not backtracked the following day. Several weeks ago a Japanese
minister caused the government great embarrassment by saying that
Hi-Vision, the Japanese HDTV system, had it's day. The government
quickly moved to quell the flood of complaining voices, ranging from
Japanese electronics companies to consumers who had bought the sets,
by announcing the next day that the system was safe and these were
just the ministers personal views.
This time it seems to be for real. The announcement detailed a plan
that would start to move communications satellites to all digital
followed by DBS television satellites. Currently the national
broadcaster of Japan, NHK, broadcasts two television channels via a
DBS satellite which both carry some HDTV material. The government
plan calls for a long transitional period between the start of
digital and the ending of the Hi Vision broadcasts. NHK is
enthusiastic to move to digital but the electronics companies are
putting up resistance.
Despite Japan's hi tech society satellite TV has been slow to take
off. With three satellites beaming down programming the dish
penetration is less than impressive. The only pay movies service,
Wow Wow, is having trouble making ends meet.
Deutsche Welle TV signs with Asiasat
------------------------------------
German international TV broadcaster, Deutsche Welle TV, has signed
for space on the yet to be launched Asiasat 2. DW-TV say the won't
be producing a special service for the region, as many other
international channels have done. The version available in Asia
will be exactly the same as that available in Europe and the
Americas.
Miss Universe censored in Pakistan
-----------------------------------
Millions of TV viewers in Pakistan who tuned in to see the Miss
Universe beauty pageant were denied the sight of contestants after
Pakistani TV bowed to pressure and censored the broadcast. To save
viewers the danger of seeing such corrupt Western values the areas
of the picture which featured glamour were blacked out. Pakistan
regularly edits foreign TV. Viewers with satellite dishes were
unaffected by the ban.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Satellite Journal
International
Volume 2 Issue 11
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Copyright 1994 Satellite Journal International