| Consumer Satellite Industry News |
DIRECTV will pitch its ads in its own upfront event
DIRECTV will participate in the upfront market for the first time next month, joining content providers and others in the annual rush to sell national advertising inventory for the coming season. CEO Mike White has often talked about pursuing ad revenues as a major growth opportunity, David Goetzl writes, and the company will pitch interactive ads by touting its ability to target 11 million homes across 46 networks. "There was a lot of engineering that went into this. It was as close to rocket science as we'll get in advertising," said ad-sales chief Keith Kazerman, referring to DIRECTV's addressable-ad capabilities. MediaPost Communications/TVBlog
(3/26)
Strong demand for DISH's Hopper fuels Ohio hiring spree
DISH Network said it would hire 90 full-time employees to man an Ohio customer call center because of the strong demand for DISH's new Hopper with Sling DVR service that was launched in March. "Typically, these companies keep on playing with innovations and, when they hit, it's like Las Vegas slot machines — there's a big rush and they have to gear up," said analyst Jeff Kagan. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)
(3/29)
Appeals court rules in favor of streaming service Aereo
A New York-based federal appeals court on Monday upheld startup Aereo's legal right to provide broadcast antenna service by streaming the signals in local markets. Judges decided that the broadcasters' claims that Aereo's service infringes their copyrights "are not likely to prevail on the merits." Aereo is also reported to have held talks with DISH Network and AT&T -- among other Internet service providers and pay-TV distributors -- to enter a partnership to help the company expand beyond its current New York base. Aereo's legal problems were thought to be an obstacle in the discussions. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(4/1), The Verge
(4/1), The Wall Street Journal
(3/31)
DIRECTV starts small tests of Wi-Fi-enabled HD DVR
DIRECTV confirmed that it has begun placing its new wireless HD DVR receiver in a limited number of homes after introducing the product at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. "It is a pilot launch in limited markets," said spokesman Robert Mercer. The device could improve the popularity of DIRECTV's on-demand video service, because only 15% of subscribers have hooked their set-top boxes to a broadband connection -- a link that would no longer be necessary with Wi-Fi built into the hardware. TVPredictions.com
(3/26), FierceCable
(3/26)
Other News
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| Technology, Manufacturing & Trends |
Exec: Cord cutters still face uphill battle for TV access
So-called "cord cutters" and "cord nevers" eventually may gain equal access to programming as those with subscriptions, but in the short term they are likely to pay more for less content, according to Darren Feher, CEO of Conviva, which provides over-the-top technology to HBO. Inevitably, Feher said, "consumers will tell content creators what they want and the content guys will have to respond." GigaOm
(3/28)
3DTV market is growing, NPD DisplaySearch reports
Almost 30% of LCD television panels shipped this year will be 3D-capable, NPD DisplaySearch estimates. Patterned retarder films are finally catching up to the dominant shutter-glass technology for 3DTVs, according to the market research firm. "3D PR film reportedly minimizes eye fatigue, and demand for 3D PR is growing at a much faster pace. It is forecast to account for 48% of total 3DTV panel shipments in 2013, up from 39% in 2011," NPD's Yoonsung Chung said. Rapid TV News (U.K.)
(4/1)
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| Business News You Can Use |
How to maintain a healthy cash flow while growing your business
Growth is generally a good thing for your company, but it can also create cash-flow problems as you attempt to produce more inventory, Dave Lavinsky writes. Develop financial projections and look for funding sooner instead of later, he writes. "If you are too desperate for funding, you are at a terrible negotiating disadvantage," he notes. Small Business Trends
(3/28)
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| State and Local News Watch |
Satellite companies fight Tenn. attempt to change tax
Satellite groups have mounted a challenge to legislation in Tennessee that could result in more localities adopting a tax on satellite services. The law is already on the books but is not uniformly adopted throughout the state -- the measure would convert the county tax in to a state tax. Opponents are waging an aggressive "Stop the TV Tax!" campaign that has results in hundreds of e-mails reaching legislators' offices. The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
(3/30)
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SBCA 2012 Annual Report
SBCA has doubled its membership in less than four years, expanded its education and membership offerings, and has established a track record of major successes on tax issues and other legislative efforts. SBCA has become an effective advocate for the consumer satellite television and broadband industry. Our focus moving forward is to fight hard to protect our industry from illegal and burdensome restrictions on satellite dish placement, and unfair taxation of satellite delivered video and broadband. Read the full 2012 Annual Report.
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If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses."
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer, artist and politician
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The news summaries appearing in SBCA SmartBrief are based on original information from news organizations and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The SBCA or SBCA Membership is not responsible for the content of the sites that are external to SBCA. Linking to a website does not constitute an endorsement by SBCA. Some links in SBCA SmartBrief are time-sensitive, and may move or expire over time. Questions should be directed to SmartBrief at sbca@smartbrief.com.
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