I just read a great comparison of the SEAC system to the CCUR system over on Yahoo thread by mm914. I am surprised to see some real info out on that thread, but I guess it has improved over the past few months. I am very sure that SEAC WILL GET BUSINESS FROM TIME WARNER AND OTHERS! I am more confident that CCUR will get not only the initial business, but orders for the commercial roll out that will follow.
Some have mentioned Ms. Gordon's connections to Time Warner from her Full Service Network days before joining SEAC. I am not dumb enough to think that her connections will not get them a place at the table. After all, they did pioneer an area that has been hugely useful and technically difficult (digital ad insertion). Their system was not only unique, but it was an egineering feat on their part to integrate the server into the other head end systems.
SEAC did it and TWX and others are assuming they can deliver on Vod as well. VOD at face value from the cable engineer's perspective, is not a difficult application. What is difficult is the integration into the head end and having a server that is reliable, scalable and economical. Guess who has all three? CCUR! What CCUR may lack in integration skills and the understanding of how the cable head end system, digital network and billing and management software fit together with their server, they have a little help. SFA DESIGNED THE DAMN SYSTEM AND THEY ARE MARKETING AND INTEGRATING THE CCUR SERVER! This point is for those on yahoo who might happen to read this thread. The other alliance CCUR is with Prasara, a group that represented the programming, management systems and engineering talent of TWX Full Service Network. Is anyone wondering if these guys understand Time Warners system?
I have been shocked by the stock trading at $2 and will remain shocked until it is above $4. That would value CCUR's VOD business at one half of Diva's current cash reserve from their investors. Seems like a fair value considering CCUR has a signed marketing and development deal with SFA and Diva has a signed deal with nobody. They have business model that looks less attractive by the day both on cost structure, technology and time to market. I read part of their S-4 today. What were these investors thinking when they bought these bonds? They must have been blinded by the warrents. Diva will have to do something radical with their model and technology, or they should just call in their bonds and give back the $197 million they still have in cash before it gets flushed. |
