Comcast is moving Jewelry Television (JTV) up the dial and into digital range, from channel 17 to 190, beginning October 15th. Jackson Citizen-Patriot (MI) Oct. 6, 2008
Comcast Moving JTV to New, Digital Channel in Southern Michigan
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV), DRTV Retailer
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Oct 062008
Sep 302008
Still Losing Subscribers, Dish Network has lost AT&T as a marketing partner, as the telecom giant has switched to Dish rival DirecTV. Although Dish still maintains a healthy subscriber base, DirecTV is surging. It performs well against the cable competitors. It boasts partnerships with the three largest U.S. phone companies, appeals to the higher end of the pay-TV market and its stock is trading at 18 times current year earnings estimates (compared to 8.7 for Dish). Observers think Dish must improve customer service and, perhaps, enter into partnerships with retailers that combine consumer electronics sales with first-year service contracts at the point of sale. Dow Jones Newswires Sept. 29, 2008
Liberty’s John Malone Sees Few Big Media Deals in Offing
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV)
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Sep 292008
Despite attractive potential purchase prices (courtesy of depressed stocks) Liberty Media Corp. Chairman John Malone sees few opportunities to make strategic purchases “in the communications and media space.” The credit crunch is one reason. But perhaps a bigger obstacle is that many of these companies are controlled by private equity groups and families, who are not obliged to sell even at a premium price. “Some of these things may prove cheap for an investor for taking a position, but not necessarily strategically are these assets available…” The renowned deal-maker suggested that the current down period in the business cycle is a good time to “mind your knitting.” Reuters Sept. 26, 2008
Whither DirecTV?
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV)
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Sep 252008
Rupert Murdoch has suggested that News Corp. may have erred in selling DirecTV to Liberty Media earlier this year, although he remains uncertain about the company’s long-term prospects in the competitive pay-TV market. Liberty Media may merge DirecTV with Liberty Entertainment, perhaps leveraging up to fund acquisitions (that is, if or when the credit markets again function). What is clear is that DirecTV is a cash cow — it produced $950 million in free cash last year — and takes in an average of $82 per month from customers, well ahead of the number two satellite provider, Dish Network. Still, the company faces competition from cable companies and telecoms and uncertainties about the impact of emerging technologies. Investor’s Business Daily Sept. 24, 2008
Digital Converters Will Block HSN and JTV Analog Signals in Tucson
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV)
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Sep 242008
According to the The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), only 21 of the 54 digital signal converters available at retailers will allow analog signals to pass through so that antenna viewers can watch stations broadcasting analog signals from Tucson’s ten low-power transmitters. Several Spanish language stations along with HSN and JTV will be affected. “Venture Technologies, the Los Angeles-based owner of Tucson’s Jewelry Television transmitter, plans to take its signal digital, but not in February, said Vice President Brian Holton.” Tucson Citizen Sept. 22, 2008
Comcast Drops ShopNBC from Basic Service in Richmond, VA
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV)
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Sep 182008
Comcast, the Richmond, Virginia-area cable and internet provider, has dropped ShopNBC and five other networks from its basic service line-up in order to meet customer requests for additional services. (Because one analog channel consumes the same amount of bandwidth as 10 digital channels or 3 HD channels, the lineup change will allow the company to free up bandwith for other uses.) More than 60 percent of Comcast customers in Indiana have digital cable and will not be affected by the switch. Those who are affected can take advantage of Comcast’s offer of a free digital box for a year so they can get digital programming. Thereafter, the cost of the box will be $1.99 per month. Palladium-Item (IN) Sept. 17, 2008
