MDUs. Looks like one Dish, and a lot of set tops..........
prnewswire.com
DIRECTV and World Satellite Network Sign Nationwide MDU Distribution Agreement
WSNet's Private Cable Operators Offer DIRECTV Access
to More Than 3,000 MDU Properties
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing initiative
to expand its DIRECTV satellite TV service in the multiple-family dwelling
unit (MDU) market, DIRECTV, Inc. announced at the summer Satellite
Broadcasting and Communications Association trade show an agreement with World
Satellite Network, Inc. (WSNet) (OTC Bulletin Board: WSNT) that enables WSNet
to offer DIRECTV programming to its private cable operator customer base.
WSNet, the largest distributor of satellite television to MDU private cable
clients, serves more than 3,000 MDU properties nationwide.
The DIRECTV entertainment service will be offered by WSNet's existing and
future private cable operator customers -- including Heifner Communications,
with which WSNet has a pending merger -- through a Satellite Master Antenna
Television (SMATV) system. The SMATV system will use DSS(R) receivers and a
rooftop mini-dish. MDU private cable operators typically deliver TV signals
through a C-Band satellite dish system.
Services available through the transport agreement, provided there are
programmer affiliation agreements, will include a wide variety of the most
popular channels offered in the DIRECTV Total Choice(R) programming package.
"Private cable operators can now more easily and economically meet the
needs of both MDU residents and property owners who want digital TV
technology," said John McKee, vice president, Special Markets and Distribution
for DIRECTV. "This agreement will increase the DIRECTV brand awareness and
further the demand for digital satellite services throughout the marketplace.
WSNet will complement the initiatives of our system operator network, which
represents the core of our MDU business."
"We're excited about our new business relationship with the nation's
leading satellite TV service," said Chris Tyson, president, World Satellite
Network. "This agreement will ensure our continued growth in this market.
WSNet-affiliated private cable operators will now be able to access the most
popular satellite TV channels via the DIRECTV state-of-the-art head end
platform, which we believe will further the demand for multi-channel digital
video services everywhere. This agreement marks a significant new
technological and economical milestone for private cable operators."
DIRECTV is the first direct broadcast satellite service to offer a
complete program of entertainment and informational programming packages to
the residential MDU market, which includes apartment buildings, co-ops,
homeowners associations, townhouses and condominiums.
To support its entry into the MDU market, DIRECTV is building a nationwide
network of qualified independent system operators that will sell, install and
maintain DSS systems in multi-unit buildings. To date, DIRECTV has signed
more than 150 system operators.
World Satellite Network is the largest distributor of satellite television
programming to the private cable and wireless television industry. WSNet is
an over-the-counter publicly held corporation and is traded under "WSNT."
DIRECTV, DSS and Total Choice are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of
Hughes Electronics Corporation. The earnings of Hughes Electronics are used
to calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol) common
stock. Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at directv.com.
SOURCE World Satellite Network
CONTACT: Jeff Torkelson, Director, Communications of DIRECTV,Inc., 310-535-5062, SBCA Booth #1356/1366, or Bob Ringstad, ChiefOperating Officer of WSNet, 800-367-3193 Ext. 130, SBCA Booth#984 |
