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To: Black-Scholes who wrote (43234)	7/20/1999 1:33:00 PM
From: Stoctrash	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Ergen added that trade organizations like the SBCA and the NAB should be the ones negotiating a legislative framework. Members of the EchoStar team also demonstrated the company's new products during the press conference including its OpenTV interactive service, which combines e-commerce, programming information and customer care with current DISH Network services, as well as the new Model 3800 receiver, which is OpenTV compatible. skyreport.com more'' DirecTV Defends Broadcast Deal LAS VEGAS - The broadcast/local-into-local debate took a heated center stage at the first full day of the '99 satellite TV expo Monday, with DirecTV drawing criticism for its broadcast legislative deal. DirecTV President Eddy Hartenstein, in remarks before attendees at the annual show organized by the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, defended the legislative outline his company developed along with the National Association of Broadcasters earlier this summer. The DirecTV/NAB deal, which covers everything from satellite delivery of local channels to distant network feeds, isn't perfect, Hartenstein said. But it would remove "a substantial amount of risk" in the legislative process. "It's only a proposal," he said. "These are recommendations. They can be modified and improved." Hartenstein admitted there are those in the broadcast and satellite industries who are not happy with the DirecTV/NAB framework. He said the aim of the deal was to get bills moving on Capitol Hill and to improve multichannel marketplace competition. "I believe every day satellite TV is unable to deliver local channels is another day satellite TV is not competitive with cable," Hartenstein said. Not everyone shared Hartenstein's feelings. During an EchoStar press conference, CEO Charlie Ergen said DirecTV's NAB deal was good for DirecTV but bad for the entire industry. Hartenstein's remarks also drew audience opposition. At one point, an unidentified man walked onto stage and interrupted Hartenstein's speech. He gave Hartenstein a DirecTV lapel pin, and told the senior executive that he couldn't support the company's endeavors with broadcasters. The action drew applause from the audience. But Hartenstein kept his cool. He said "passion" in the satellite TV business, no matter how diverse, was "going to make a difference" when it came to industry-wide goals. "Everyone has a choice," Hartenstein said. Meanwhile, SBCA President Chuck Hewitt said it's unlikely House and Senate conferees hammering out a new Satellite Home Viewer Act will get their job done this summer. He also called on the NAB and broadcasters to delay shut-offs involving DTH subscribers getting distant network signals to delay their cancellations until legislation is signed into law. back to today's headlines -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EchoStar Debuts Products, Ergen Slams DirecTV LAS VEGAS - EchoStar President and CEO Charlie Ergen said Monday that the DirecTV agreement with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) regarding new satellite legislation will hurt the legislative process and that Eddie Hartenstein, DirecTV's President and CEO, was "disingenuous" in his representation of the deal. Ergen spoke during an EchoStar press conference at the SBCA '99 Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. His comments were in response to Hartenstein's keynote speech Monday morning. "I think DirecTV has delayed the legislation now and did something that was very disingenuous to the industry," Ergen said. "(The deal) did more harm than good." Ergen added that trade organizations like the SBCA and the NAB should be the ones negotiating a legislative framework. Members of the EchoStar team also demonstrated the company's new products during the press conference including its OpenTV interactive service, which combines e-commerce, programming information and customer care with current DISH Network services, as well as the new Model 3800 receiver, which is OpenTV compatible. And EchoStar introduced its new 20-channel Spanish package, which will debut on Aug. 3. Michael Schwimmer, EchoStar's vice president of programming said, "DISH Network has made it a point to bring the entire U.S. Spanish-speaking audience the most diverse television programming." The company also unveiled its new DISH 500, the first single small dish that can receive 500 channels. DISH Network is set to carry that many channels after the launch of EchoStar 5 and EchoStar 6. "Cable companies have been promising 500 channels for years but never delivered," said Ergen. "DISH Network is proud to be the company that will fulfill this promise." back to today's headlines DirecTV To Launch HBO HDTV LAS VEGAS - DirecTV will offer its first high-definition consumer offering on a national basis beginning Aug. 1 with Home Box Office's high-definition channel. The channel, the first continuous high-definition broadcast available to consumers on a national basis, features blockbuster Hollywood films and original movies from HBO in high- definition format. It will air on DirecTV 24 hours daily. The announcement was made at the 1999 Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association National Convention. The HBO HDTV channels kicks off on Channel 509. Movies airing in high definition in August include "Lethal Weapon 4," "Men in Black" and the HBO premiere of "How Stella Got Her Groove Back." In addition to the HDTV news, DirecTV announced that its parent company, Hughes Electronics, has made an equity investment in Wink Communications, the interactive TV company. DirecTV also unveiled plans for the first pay-per-view series, "The Lost World" from Action Adventure Network. back to today's headlines --------------------------------------------------------------------------------