The National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), a coalition of more than 200 women’s groups collectively representing 11 million-plus American women, came out in favor of the proposed merger between Sirius and XM. The national coalition last week issued a statement urging the Federal Communications Commission to approve the merger to create “a more affordable satellite radio market.”

Said Susan Scanlan, NCWO chair, “Satellite radio is a mere 3.4 percent of the overall radio market - a market dominated by men. A more affordable and more diverse satellite radio market would be valuable not only to our members, but also to women across the United States.”

One reason behind the group’s support for the merger is that the NCWO sees satellite radio as a home to a number of influential women. With figures like Judith Warner, Candace Bushnell, Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey, satellite radio offers women a unique perspective absent on terrestrial radio and previously only accessible on TV, the group said.

“Expanding the audience and diversity of satellite radio programming would give women a better opportunity to access new sources of entertainment and enlightenment,” Scanlan said. “Diversity in programming is a critical component of this merger, and should not be overlooked by members of the FCC as they begin their review process.”

One of the knocks on the proposed satellite radio merger is that a combined Sirius/XM would resemble a combined EchoStar/DIRECTV - an entity that kept regulators from approving the DBS merger in 2002. Now, a new study shows that there are clear differences between the two scenarios, and the failed attempts of DBS to merge should not be used as a barometer to judge against satellite radio’s attempts now.

According to the League of Rural Voters, a group that recently went public with its support of the merger, there are clear differences between the DBS market in 2002 when EchoStar and DIRECTV tried to merge and the expanding audio entertainment market today. In the EchoStar/DIRECTV case, the FCC determined that there were only two DBS providers, but “the commission’s review of the proposed merger in 2002 provides no guidance to the analysis applicable here.” Further, the League said, “this is because the product markets at issue in the two transactions are fundamentally different.”

The paper cites the 2002 FCC analysis of the EchoStar/DirecTV market, which narrowly defined each local market as the two DBS providers and the local cable provider. This is in contrast to the “broad and competitive audio entertainment market in which satellite radio competes,” a market that today includes terrestrial radio, internet radio, iPods and other MP3 players, CD players and mobile phones. The FCC also found there were significant barriers to entry in the DBS merger. “This concern is moot in the satellite radio market, given the multitude of other competitors that have already entered the field and the anticipated release of future competitors such as HD radio and the Apple iPhone,” the study said.

As far as the impact on rural consumers goes, the study said the narrow finding on the DBS product market gave rise to a number of concerns, including the reduction of viewpoint diversity and the creation of a monopoly in areas where there was no cable. “The FCC found that DBS operators contribute to viewpoint diversity by playing a ‘gatekeeper role’ that ‘clearly affects’ which entertainment and news programming is available,” the paper says. “The audio entertainment market does not present the same concern, since it includes many different providers/editors.”

Additionally, the league’s analysis said that the FCC’s concerns in the DBS case do not apply to satellite radio because of its small saturation in a rapidly growing market, noting “the proposed merger between XM and Sirius comes at a time of strong and growing competition… In fact, even a merged satellite radio provider would possess a slight market share and be constrained by the multiplicity of other media.”

RETAIL — For 21 consecutive months, Sirius has maintained an edge over rival XM with regards to retail sales, says a new study by NPD Group. The firm says Sirius held 55 percent of the satellite radio retail share during May, while XM netted 45 percent. The study said Sirius sales were down 22 percent year-over-year, while XM’s numbers sagged by 26 percent. Overall, the entire retail satellite radio sector is down 24 percent from last year, NPD Group said.

RADIO — A coalition of internet radio sites will participate in a “National Day of Silence” tomorrow as a way to mobilize supporters to urge Congress to pass the Internet Radio Equality Act. The legislation looks to correct an earlier ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board that will increase rates for internet radio so much that most would be forced to shut down. Yahoo!, MTV Online, Live365, Rhapsody and Accuradio are among the thousands of sites scheduled to go silent.

REGULATORY — The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau terminated its investigation into Telenor Satellite and whether the company violated certain sections of the Communications Act of 1934. The agency found there were no substantial problems with the matter and that the public interest would best be served by terminating the investigation.

RESEARCH — A new report from The NPD Group says Boston, New York, and Orlando are the top markets for GPS devices during the first quarter of 2007. According to the study, retailers in those cities sold more mobile navigation unites on a per store basis than those in any other of the country’s leading DMAs

Its not an uncommon problem to have your satellite receiver freeze up on you. Especially with the VS file. To fix this problem begin by factory defaulting your system 3 times. Then reload factory file 2067. Also then reload the satellite file and load your Royalls sat file. The following steps found here will get you on your way.

SkyFILES: An Uneasy Milestone
by Michael Hopkins

FiOS TV from Verizon is nearing the half-million mark.

That was the message this week from the telco about its fiber-supported video product. In addition, the high-speed internet portion of the FiOS offering now reaches 1 million customers.

While cable is ready to address the threat with technology, and DBS is putting together competitive plans of its own with items like HDTV, there are those who never gave competitive telco video services a second thought. But take a look back a decade ago and one can find the cavalier attitude of some MSOs about satellite TV. In its infancy, cable executives mocked DBS with the phrase “don’t be stupid.”

And now, multiplatform competitors are being forced to pay attention to telco video. Just like the time when cable couldn’t ignore satellite TV any more, the wired incumbent (as well as dish-based services) are watching their backs.

How could this all work out? That’s anyone’s guess. But some thoughts:

* Verizon and AT&T have stated that they are happy with their respective DBS relationships. Satellite TV completes the triple play in areas where the telcos cannot offer video. But don’t expect this to last. Why share a video customer when a phone company can own the customer outright?

* Some cable executives should be shaking in their boots when it comes to FiOS TV’s successes to date. One MSO to watch is Cablevision, which already has the competing Verizon product passing nearly a quarter of its households. And FiOS TV is in some of the most affluent neighborhoods served by the New York area cable operator.

Half a million subscribers for FiOS TV is a significant milestone, one the company achieved in a year-and-a-half of service. And one has to wonder where those customers are coming from.

CABLE — Cablevision said it will add 15 new high-def channels from VOOM HD Networks, beginning June 26. The additions will bring Cablevision’s iO digital cable customers a total of 40 HD programming services - a number the cable company says is the most HD available anywhere in the nation, from any provider. The company also announced that by the end of this year it will have the capability to carry more than 500 channels of HD programming on its advanced fiber optic network.

In other cable HD news, Cox Communications, which now carries less than 20 HD channels, said it is aiming to expand its high-def capacity to 50 channels by year’s end. Cox president Pat Esser told attendees at an industry conference this week that the company hopes to have capacity for 100 HDTV channels by the end of 2009.

TECHNOLOGY — Sling Media said its SlingPlayer Mobile software client is now compatible with Microsoft’s new Windows Mobile 6 operating system. SlingPlayer Mobile gives Slingbox owners the ability to watch and control their home TV from a network-enabled Windows Mobile powered device. With the announcement, SlingPlayer Mobile is now compatible with devices that run Windows Mobile 6 Standard and Professional editions, Windows Mobile 5.0 and Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition

AT&T has announced that AT&T Homezone(SM) customers can now access one of the nation’s most robust collections of High Definition (HD) content available: With more than 30 national HD channels — and additional local HD channels for each market — Homezone service offers customers access to more HD channels than its local cable competitors while providing thousands of video-on-demand titles, access to the system via wireless phones and more — all through a single receiver.

AT&T Homezone service integrates AT&T | DISH Network and features of AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet. It allows customers to enjoy satellite TV programming, net-based on-demand content, and music and photos via their TV screens and stereos. It also features digital videorecording technology and remote access to the system through Web-enabled PCs or WAP-2.0 compatible wireless phones.

The service is available across AT&T’s traditional 13-state broadband footprint to new and existing AT&T | DISH Network residential customers who either have or plan to order AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet and the AT&T Wireless Gateway.*

The current HD channel lineup is provided by AT&T | DISH Network and includes a wide variety of programs, including news, sports, movies and more. The HD content delivered to Homezone customers produces images that are four times as detailed as standard definition (SD) TV and provides rich, realistic video and multichannel, movie-theater-quality sound.

Homezone service’s HD content, combined with the offerings of AT&T | DISH Network standard definition (SD) programming, and the wide variety of on-demand content available via strategic relationships with Movielink and Akimbo, further expands AT&T’s video portfolio — and offers end users more variety and choice than ever before.

“Our goal is to deliver a video solution that provides greater value, flexibility and simplicity than our competitors deliver,” said Rick Welday, chief marketing officer-AT&T Consumer. “Compelling features such as one of the largest lineups of HD programming offer our customers another reason why AT&T can be the only communications and entertainment company they will ever want.”

Customers can add the AT&T | DISH HD package to their entertainment experience. Through June 2007, new AT&T | DISH customers will be able to enjoy free HD channels for a year when they order qualifying SD and HD programming and packages. After the free year, AT&T | DISH Network HD programming will be $20 a month. The monthly $9.99 fee for Homezone service and $5.98 for digital videorecorder (DVR) functionality will remain the same.

The new HD programming complements other unique Homezone features, including:

– Remote access to the DVR, which allow customers to schedule recordings
with their compatible wireless phones and devices or by using their
AT&T Yahoo! Internet accounts.
– Up to 140 hours of TV recording capacity.
– A 30-second DVR skip feature, enabling customers to skip commercials
with the press of a button.
– Access to a library of more than 7,000 total on-demand titles -
including more than 1,000 full-length movies available on demand,
surpassing the on-demand movie libraries offered from cable.

AT&T Homezone service also complements AT&T U-verse(SM) TV, the company’s cutting-edge Internet Protocol (IP)-based television service. AT&T U-verse services are currently available in 21 markets, and the company plans to continue expanding the availability of these services on an ongoing basis. Although AT&T U-verse services will be the company’s primary video offer in available markets, both products underscore the company’s strategy to expand its video services portfolio, which also includes AT&T | DISH Network service.

With Homezone service, which launched in fall 2006, AT&T became the first national telecommunications provider to offer seamlessly integrated video content and TV entertainment to the “digital living room” through both broadband and traditional satellite networks. Awarded the 2007 North American Product of the Year by Frost & Sullivan, AT&T Homezone service integrates AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet, AT&T | DISH Network satellite television and AT&T home networking services via a single set-top device.

Amino releases the Personal Video Recorder enabled AmiNET530, at NXTcomm 2007 in Chicago. At booth #2023, Amino will showcase the AmiNET530 as a fundamental component of a service provider’s multiplay strategy, by offering cutting edge, high quality on-demand, IPTV, PVR, gaming and HD services to end-user consumers using MPEG-2/4 codecs.

The AmiNET530 is a next-generation IPTV Set-Top Box that provides the ability to decode low bit-rate MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) video streams and is capable of supporting HD video and graphics. With PVR functionality, the AmiNET530 can act as a hub for all the services and applications used for playing, recording and streaming video – it also includes Amino’s reliable, cross-platform IntActTM client software that ensures compatibility with an extensive range of middleware and conditional access systems.

The AmiNET530’s video on demand feature gives consumers the ability to select and view video content in an interactive, real-time setting. This feature, combined with the product’s PVR capabilities, meets the ultimate demand from consumers today—freedom to make their own choices.

“NXTcomm is the perfect place for us to unveil our most advanced product yet. Surrounded by leaders from around the world seeking the best in the converged communications industry, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to excellence with the development of technology that connects the consumer to the expanding universe of IPTV services and devices,” said Rick Sailor, VP Sales Americas at Amino. “We also understand that service providers face the challenge of reducing customer churn, increasing ARPU and offering its customers access to content anytime and anywhere. The AmiNET530 not only meets this demand, but also gives providers the peace of mind knowing they have a competitive advantage – IPTV HD MPEG-4 PVR support from the most experienced and innovative company in the market.”

The most notable features of the AmiNET530 are the following:

PVR functionality – The flexibility of features such as pause and play of live TV, instant record and instant replay are key buying requirements for consumers and a significant factor for service providers seeking to reduce churn. The AmiNET530 also offers the ability to schedule recording of multiple HDTV streams simultaneously, unlike traditional cable or satellite PVRs which are restricted by the number of tuners they include.

High definition - The support of HD video offers an exciting and dramatic viewing experience, with greater realism and detail especially in large display formats. In addition to HD video the AmiNET530 also supports HD graphics, which offers the service operator the ability to display more information on the screen. The AmiNET530 provides the opportunity to add value to the consumer and create new revenue streams with personalised services such as weather forecasts, stock quotes, or targeted advertising.

More channels to more people - The support of low-bit rate advanced video codecs provides operators with the opportunity to grow revenue generating services while maximising the efficient use of network bandwidth, creating the ability to reach a greater number of subscribers, increase the number of available interactive and multicast channels, and enhance the viewing experience with HD channels.

Low cost deployment – The AmiNET530 uses high performance single chip technology for economical deployment of leading edge services.

Proven reliable platform – The AmiNET530 leverages the established and proven wide range of integrations with industry leading partners, on Amino’s proven IntAct IPTV client software platform. Amino will use its established partnerships with leading technology providers to accelerate the growth and profitability of evolving IPTV services.

Flexible platform – The AmiNET530 plays a pivotal role in home entertainment system. Its flexibility will ensure it meets consumers’ future requirements.

Amino’s customer base has grown steeply - its STBs have been deployed and trialed in over 80 countries worldwide. In April 2007, ABI Research declared Amino the world’s leading seller of IPTV STBs for the second consecutive year. This accolade recognises Amino’s expanding footprint in emerging markets, as well as within the growing US market

While satellite companies here in the States continue their battle to convince viewers that their high-def product is superior to cable, worldwide trends seem to confirm just that. With the global market for HDTV projected to explode during the next few years, a new study suggests satellite will be leading the way.

According to IMS Research, the high-def market is forecast to grow to nearly 148 million HDTV households by 2011, with nearly 41 percent of those receiving HD programming via satellite.

The firm’s latest study, “The Future of High-Definition TV - 2007 Edition,” said the growth in satellite HDTV households during the next four years will be largely driven by the US and Western Europe. IMS said in Europe specifically, the slow advancement of digital cable has helped position satellite as the most common method of receiving pay-HDTV.

The study said the findings are in direct contrast to the cable-centric U.S. market where digital cable and heavily-promoted triple-play bundles are expected to keep cable the dominant HD delivery system through 2011. While the U.S. is expected to drive the majority of worldwide cable HDTV growth, satellite is still seen as making substantial gains thanks to focused marketing efforts by DIRECTV and DISH, the firm said.

“Europe is expected to surpass the Asia Pacific region by the end of 2011 to become the second-largest HDTV market in the world behind the Americas,” said Paul Erickson, market analyst at IMS Research. “Much of this growth will be fueled by reduced MPEG-4 AVC set-top box costs for both operators and consumers, higher availability of local HD content, more competitive pricing for HD services, the growing popularity of flat-screen TVs, and sports-driven demand for HDTV.”
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Putting a whole new spin on the distant network debate, DIRECTV will be offering subscribers in Los Angeles the chance to watch NBC some three hours ahead of time. How? The satcaster is launching a new service called “NBC in N.Y . - Only in L.A.” that will air the east-coast feed simultaneously in sunny SoCal.

As first reported on TVPredictions.com, DIRECTV is offering eligible subs in Los Angeles to add WNBC - the NBC-owned station in New York City - to their local satellite channel lineup for an additional $5.99 per month. As a prerequisite for WNBC, a west-coast DIRECTV customer must not be able to receive an NBC station signal other than KNBC, the L.A. area NBC-owned affiliate.

Residents in Los Angeles will be able to watch NBC programming three hours before other TV viewers in the city by tuning in to New York’s WNBC. According to the site, DIRECTV’s new service only includes WNBC’s standard definition feed.

“Both WNBC and KNBC are owned and operated by NBC, which presumably explains why the Los Angeles NBC station signed off on permitting another local station to be viewed in its territory,” wrote TVPredictions’ Phillip Swann. “Federal law does not permit a TV provider to offer an ‘out-of-market’ network signal unless the local affiliate grants a waiver.”

A DIRECTV spokesman told the site that the company has no plans to offer a similar out-of-market network feed in any other city.