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<TITLE>Satellite Journal International Volume 2 Number 11</TITLE> <PRE> Satellite Journal International Volume 2 Number 11 May 26 1994 "...Anyone who enjoys the privilege of publishing and broadcasting in open societies should demonstrate their unshakeable belief in the universality of free speech should they ever seek to broadcast in societies that are closed." SJI is distributed in 3 versions ------------------------------ Newsletter Printed Version-Subscription ASCII Edited Version (English)-Free [This Version] Windows Write Version (English)-Free[CIS Only] ================================= ENGLISH ELECTRONIC VERSION ASCII VERSION ===================================== WITH CORESPONDENTS IN: DALLAS-LONDON-PARIS-RIYADH-TOKYO-SYDNEY PLEASE DO NOT RELEASE BEFORE MAY 29 1994 MIDNIGHT GMT In Vol. 2 No 11 Desk Top Published Version: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ----Satellite Journal TV Transponder Listings (North America or Europe) ----Satellite Journal Audio Listings (North America or Europe) ----ShuffleBird (The latest changes in the Clarke Belt) (See end of file for subscription information) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NOTICE: The information contained in Satellite Journal International may not be republished or redistributed without the prior written authority of Satellite Journal International.(see end of file for contact information) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HOUSEKEEPING NOTES: SJI now has a forum on Compuserve that we call "home" (GO CIS:UKFORUM Sec 17).If you need to download previous issues all our files will be in that sections' library. We also welcome anyone wishing to discuss satellite topics to post messages to that section. NOTICE TO READERS WITH AN INTERNET MAIL BOX: Satellite Journal is available without delay to any Internet mailbox by subscribing to the printed version. An UUENCODED,ZIPPED,full ASCII version will be sent the same day as the printed version is mailed. For rates please contact 0006373898@mcimail.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ------The DTP version is mailed via air or First Class and has product information, reviews and other items not in the electronic version. U.S.A. $45.00 U.S. Dollars Canada $55.00 Canadian Dollars (Discount for FNL/OMEGA listeners) U.K. 55.00 Sterling Other rates are in U.S. funds Europe $75.00 Rest of World $85.00 ------For information or to subscribe please contact Satellite Journal International at: 0006373898@MCIMAIL.COM or 71165.2032@Compuserve.com or P.O. Box 2065 Burleson Texas 76097-2065 U.S.A. ------------------------------------------------------------------ ***** (New service for Compuserve readers only) ***** If you wish to receive Satellite Journal Itl. (this version) via Compuserve Mail, send a message to 71165,2032. We will send each issue _collect_. The average monthly cost would be $1 of your mail allowance (standard plan). Issues would be in your mailbox every other Monday morning. Each issue will be sent zipped using PKZIP v2 and in ASCII format. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Journal International is a fortnightly (every two weeks) news journal for satellite enthusiasts and is produced in Burleson, Texas. _Comments_ or_ news_ items_ may be sent via Internet to 0006373898@MCIMAIL.COM or 71165.2032@Compuserve.com, through Compuserve directly, 71165,2032 or to P.O. Box 2065 Burleson Texas 76097- 2065 U.S.A. The deadline for inclusion of news items is 5 days before the issue date. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Journal (electronic version) may be found on: Compuserve: CEFORUM Lib 8 Satellites UKFORUM Lib 17 Entertainment TELCOFORUM Lib 12 Satellites BPFORUM Lib 1 Uploads EURFORUM Lib 4 Communications 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. -------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 Satellite Journal International </PRE>