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Satellite TV updates
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There's good news and bad news in the world of satellite TV. The upside is that both Thomson and Pioneer will be offering free satellite receivers with the purchase of a big-screen TV set this fall. Thomson's deal is a dual-feed DSS receiver that comes free when you buy any of its new line of 32-inch to 61-inch RCA and Proscan brand TVs selling for $999 and up. These new sets also stand apart by including Gemstar's free TV Guide Plus on-screen program guide.
While not officially announced, Pioneer and Echostar are reportedly cooking up a similar package that would throw in a low-end Digital Sky Highway (DiSH) satellite system with the purchase of a 51- to 60-inch Pioneer projection set selling for $3,499 and up.
On the downside, satellite TV program suppliers are grumbling over a huge rate increase they may be forced to pay for superstation and distant network signals. The Library of Congress Copyright Office has just recommended that the satellite carriers should now pay 27 cents per month per subscriber for these channels, although cable operators pay just 10 cents for superstations and less than three cents for distant network feeds.
At month's end, Philadelphia area satellite viewers will also be suffering from the loss of SportsChannel Philadelphia, which was outbid by Comcast Spectacor for the rights to TV distribution of Flyers, 76ers and Phillies games. Comcast's new replacement service, SportsNet, has had ``discussions with a couple of the satellite providers,'' said company executive Jack Williams, but so far has not entered into serious negotiations with any of them.
Satellite Broadcast News magazine suggests that Comcast is shutting out the likes of DirecTV, Primestar and Echostar because it views the sat services as a rival to cable TV. Fox Sports general manager Glenn Gurgiolo argues that the satellite world may have brought this on themselves, with the DSS and C-Band exclusive holds on the NFL Sunday Ticket package.
``Satellite is not an enemy of mine,'' Williams said. ``I'm a program supplier. What I'm looking for is how do I maximize the service and get it into the most homes. I'm still weighing the options, and expect to make a decision before our Oct. 1 launch.''
Philadelphia Online -- Philadelphia Daily News -- Features
Copyright Thursday, September 4, 1997 |
