Satellite

Dish Bolsters Senior Leadership

Satellite Giant Moves Aimed at Better Customer Experience
By: Mike Farrell Mar 7 2013 - 2:01pm
Satellite Giant Moves Aimed at Better Customer Experience

Dish Network said Thursday it made two key executive changes as part of its overall efforts to enhance the customer experience.

Dish has expanded the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer Bernie Han, who now will oversee all direct and indirect sales and distribution, in addition to his current responsibilities managing operations, information technologies, customer service, customer retention and corporate initiatives.

Dish Lights Up Propane Vans

Satellite Operator to Deploy 200 Clean-Burning Vehicles in Five Cities
By: Todd Spangler Mar 6 2013 - 3:43pm
Satellite Operator to Deploy 200 Clean-Burning Vehicles in Five Cities

Dish Network plans to introduce 200 new propane-fueled Ford E-250 cargo vans into its service fleet in 2013, which the satellite operator estimates will cut fuel costs by 55% -- saving $2,500 over the life of each vehicle -- and reduce carbon emissions.

The satellite operator currently has more than 4,000 vans in its fleet and the 200 new propane vehicles “will replace aging vehicles in the fleet as they are added in,” Dish spokesman Aaron Johnson said.

Clearwire Taps $80M Sprint Financing

But Deal Could Nix Dish Proposal
By: Mike Farrell Mar 1 2013 - 2:04pm
But Deal Could Nix Dish Proposal

Clearwire said Feb. 27 that it has agreed to sell about $80 million in notes to Sprint Nextel, part of an earlier arrangement between the companies that could put a snag in Dish Network’s attempts to acquire the WiMax pioneer.

DirecTV Avoids Sinclair Blackout

Parties Near Final Agreement, Extend Talks to Hammer Out Details
By: Mike Farrell Feb 28 2013 - 11:36pm
Parties Near Final Agreement, Extend Talks to Hammer Out Details

 

DirecTV avoided a midnight blackout of about 87 Sinclair Broadcast Group stations in 47 markets across the country, receiving an extension from the broadcaster as retransmission consent negotiations continue.

The Sinclair stations, affiliates of all four major broadcasters, are located in markets like Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Baltimore and were set to go dark at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28 if a deal could not be reached. Earlier today, DirecTV said it had been granted the extension and negotiations continue.

DirecTV, Sinclair Continue Retrans Talks

Feb. 28 Deadline Still Looms
By: Mike Farrell Feb 27 2013 - 12:30pm
Feb. 28 Deadline Still Looms

DirecTV and Sinclair Broadcast Group are continuing to talk concerning retransmission consent agreements for stations in 47 markets across the country, but while both sides are hopeful a deal can be reached, there is a slight disconnect on how close they could be to an agreement.

Comcast HITS Upgrades Satellite Platform for Smaller Ops

Company Will Convert Several SD Transponders to DVB-S2, Freeing Up Space for More HD
By: Todd Spangler Feb 25 2013 - 4:59pm
Company Will Convert Several SD Transponders to DVB-S2, Freeing Up Space for More HD

Comcast’s HITS, which provides satellite video distribution to independent operators, announced an upgrade to its HITS Quantum technology platform that will enable it to add more MPEG-2 HD services later in 2013.

The upgrade project, known as “Q2,” includes converting several HITS standard-definition transponders to DVB-S2 technology. That will increase the number of HD services offered in MPEG 2, and deliver the entire programming lineup via a single satellite.

Mixed Q4 For Dish

Net New Subs Miss Targets, Revenue In Line
By: Mike Farrell Feb 20 2013 - 11:57am
Net New Subs Miss Targets, Revenue In Line

Dish Network added fewer than expected net new customers in the fourth quarter, but the satellite TV giant was closer to analysts’ estimates for financial metrics and disclosed for the first time its broadband customer numbers.

DirecTV, Sinclair Retrans Battle Smolders

Stations in 47 Markets Face Blackouts on Feb. 28
By: Mike Farrell Feb 19 2013 - 5:39pm
Stations in 47 Markets Face Blackouts on Feb. 28

Sinclair Broadcast Group and DirecTV are girding for a retransmission consent battle in 47 markets across the country, with the station group informing its viewers that they could lose access to their favorite shows if a deal is not reached by the end of the month.

DirecTV to Expand 'TV Everywhere' Push in 2013

Satellite Operator Cites Higher Capex This Year in Part Related to Multiscreen-Video Initiative
By: Todd Spangler Feb 19 2013 - 4:27pm
Satellite Operator Cites Higher Capex This Year in Part Related to Multiscreen-Video Initiative

DirecTV plans to build out its “TV Everywhere” services this year as it looks to compete with multiscreen-video offerings from cable competitors, according to president and CEO Mike White.

Asked on DirecTV’s Feb. 14 earnings call about Comcast and Time Warner Cable’s marketing of their TV Everywhere services, White said, “We've got our own TV Everywhere app, which we are aggressively expanding, and you'll see more on that this year.”

DirecTV To Expand RSN Surcharge in Spring

White: $3 Charge “Doesn’t Come Close” to Offsetting Costs
By: Mike Farrell Feb 14 2013 - 4:35pm
White: $3 Charge “Doesn’t Come Close” to Offsetting Costs

DirecTV will expand its regional sports network surcharge in the spring to include existing customers chairman and CEO Mike White told analysts Thursday.

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