Marvin, I generally lean toward a basket approach. LMG.a, LBRT, UCOMA, UPCOY, GILTF, OPTV, LDIG, IATV, ALA, GMST, WGAT, ATHM, T, CCUR, SFA, and reaching a ways, MSFT.
Yes, my favorites appear to be the 3 "Libers": Liberty Media, Liberty Digital and Liberate. Gilat is launching a digital satellite interactive TV format and Open TV and IATV are long-standing pure plays. Alcatel is far from pure . . . having their hands in many global communications areas, I-TV being just one of them. ATHM could benefit from A.T. & T.'s efforts. . . and has a presence in Europe. CCUR is relatively unknown. . . and we always like throwing in an unknown whenever possible.
It is looking like DISH won't be able to buy DirecTV from GM Hughes and that it will likely go to NWS.
Now that I have opened the door on Interactive TV, let me throw out a warning. Interactive TV will be HUGE in Europe long before it spreads across the United States. I doubt we will see it in significant numbers here for several more years. 2004 perhaps. And that is why it is important that any stocks we choose to get behind have an active presence in Europe. UPCOY and UCOMA are two European companies that are in the right place at the right time.
Liberate was just selected by Germany as the primary provider of software for their Interactive TV offering. They have quite a presence there. . . so I suspect that they will be quickly considered one of the leaders of the sector. And Liberty Media has been developing programming, as well as setting the standards for technical development. . . . not to mention their work on voice over internet. Malone is a wizard in creating companies with perceived shareholder value. His latest creation is with the largest provider European broadband and worlds largest provider of video, voice, data services and programming. . . UnitedGlobalCom. The new venture will be called "New United". And yes, Liberty Media will get 60 million shares.
The Interactive TV industry is in a constant state of flux. I suggest anyone who is interested in investing in this sector over the next few years, take your time now to do your homework and get to know "who's who".
Best wishes,
Rande Is |
