Focus: Broadcasting

[Satellite News 12-18-08] Some satellite TV providers are approaching the Feb. 17 transition to digital television in the United States as an opportunity to expand their customer base, while others disagree and see little value in the switchover.     Dish Network has developed an aggressive DTV transition campaign, said spokeswoman Francie Bauer. “We’re mostly on...

[Satellite Today 12-18-08] Ofcom, the U.K. communications regulator, appointed Colette Bowe to be its new chairman, the organization announced Dec. 17.  Bowe will replace chairman David Currie.     Separately, Ofcom released the latest figures concerning digital TV penetration in the United Kingdom, showing the country with 88 percent penetration of digital TV services.     According...

[Satellite Today 12-18-08] Sky Perfect JSAT won Japanese broadcasting rights for the 2010 soccer World Cup, the company announced Dec. 18.     The operator will provide high-definition live coverage of all 64 matches played at the tournament, which will take place in South Africa.     Sky Perfect JSAT has reported around 4 million DTH subscribers...

[Satellite Today 12-17-08] In a new tax plan made public Dec. 16 at the New York State government Web site, New York Gov. David Paterson outlined provisions that would impose a sales tax on satellite TV.     Under a proposed digital download tax, television and radio services provided by cable and satellite as well as...

[Satellite Today 12-17-08] Tata Sky has more than 3 million DTH subscribers in India, the company announced Dec. 16.     Tata Sky reached the milestone in 27 months, adding the latest 1 million subscribers in the last seven months.      Separately, Bharti Airtel has selected integrated satellite set-top box system-on-a-chip solutions from Broadcom to power...

[Satellite Today 12-17-08] Envivio Inc. has begun shipping its mobile TV configuration of its 4Caster C4 three screens — TV, PC and mobile device — encoder as the product officially enters commercial service, the company announced Dec. 17.     The 4Caster C4 simultaneously delivers four channels of video to up to 32 different mobile TV...

[Satellite Today 12-16-08] JUS Punjabi has selected SES Americom to distribute the first U.S. Punjabi-language network serving the Indo-Punjabi, Sikh and South Asian communities throughout the United  States, SES announced Dec. 16.     The JUS Punjabi channel will be offered in the United States over SES Americom’s AMC-1 satellite, providing a lineup of Indian-Punjabi programming....

[Satellite Today 12-15-08] Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corp. (B-SAT) and Sky Perfect JSAT Corp. to build a next-generation broadcasting and telecommunications satellite, Lockheed Martin announced Dec. 15.     Designated as BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, the satellite will be launched in the second quarter of 2011 by Arianespace.     BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R’s two...

[Satellite Today 12-15-08] Level 3 Communications has expanded its Vyvx satellite services platform to include broadcast video distribution in Europe due to a reported 15 percent annual increase in Vyvx traffic through 2008, Level 3 announced Dec. 15.     Vyvx services transport high-definition and standard-definition video over the Level 3 network either between customer facilities...

[Satellite Today 12-12-08] Measat Senior Vice President of Space Systems Development, Ali Ebadi has been elected to be the chairman of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Radio Regulations Board (RRB), Measat announced Dec. 12.     The RRB is an international panel of experts under the ITU who convene to oversee the application of the world’s...