Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : C-Cube -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stoctrash who wrote (47172)	11/1/1999 11:23:00 AM
From: Black-Scholes	Respond to of 50808

"WORD UP". There's going to be a bidding war breaking out for Divicom.

To: Stoctrash who wrote (47172)	11/1/1999 11:23:00 AM
From: BillyG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Congress poised to let satellite companies beam local stations Change could increase competition with cable From Correspondent Wolf Blitzer October 30, 1999 Web posted at: 11:58 p.m. EDT (0358 GMT) cnn.com:80/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/10/31/satellite.change/index.html WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congressional negotiators are close to an agreement clearing the way for direct satellite television companies to beam local broadcast stations to customers, CNN has learned. Until now, consumers who chose satellite television service had to receive their local stations from either an over-the-air antenna or through basic cable service, giving cable companies an advantage over satellite companies in attracting customers. Supporters of the change argue that it will make satellite service more attractive and benefit consumers by increasing competition for cable companies. A congressional source tells CNN that House and Senate negotiators have "reached a tentative agreement on all the major points" of the bill. The legislation is expected to clear both houses of Congress before they recess in November. Satellite companies should be able to start offering local stations in major markets next year, with service in small markets phased in over coming years, sources say. Both the top Republican and Democrat on the House telecommunications subcommittee handling the bill -- Reps. Billy Tauzin (R-Louisiana) and Edward Markey (D- Massachusetts) -- support the measure, as does the White House. ================== These ANALysts are something -- Merril Lynch downgraded Echostar (DISH) Friday and it is up about 10% today. DISH reports earning tomorrow. biz.yahoo.com

To: Stoctrash who wrote (47172)	11/1/1999 12:03:00 PM
From: DiViT	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Philips 17 Gb DishPlayer Due 09/20/1999 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS (c) Copyright 1999 Warren Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Philips will ship new Digital Sky Highway (DISH) IRD/WebTV product by 4th quarter featuring both 17 Gb hard drive and digital recording capability, said EchoStar Senior Satellite Services Vp Mark Jackson. New DishPlayer will succeed current model that has 8.6 Gb storage with larger drive that boosts memory for both digital recording and data services, he said. Pricing hasn't been set, although current model, which EchoStar sold under own and JVC brand at start, retailed at $499. JVC isn't expected to offer 17 Gb model and 8.6 Gb inventory is projected to be sold through by year-end, Jackson said. IRD/WebTV player is likely to have ability to download music from Internet by mid-2000 as well as new games to expand current offerings of Doom, Solitaire and You Don't Know Jack, Jackson said. Music download feature won't necessarily be tied to MP3 and could be designed around Microsoft's Windows Media 4.0, he said. Device will continue to use Seagate Technologies hard drive. JVC is "working through some [product] transition issues" with EchoStar and hasn't made final decision on marketing 17 Gb model, Consumer Video Gen. Mgr. Jerry Barbera said. "If we think the technology is viable we will probably carry it." Philips officials weren't available for comment. As it readies new combo product, EchoStar has pushed back to first quarter 2000 delivery of new IRDs ($249-$299) that were to be packaged with dual-feed horn to enable system to receive programming from both 110 degreesW and 119 degreesW. Both receivers were to be delivered this month. Also postponed to first quarter is debut of OpenTV interactive service that was to be delivered this fall via 3700 and 4700 DISH IRDs ($199-$299). Data testing with "several thousand" subscribers will begin Oct.-Nov., with full rollout in first quarter, OpenTV CEO Jan Steenkamp said. Although there were no precise figures on how many EchoStar subscribers will be able to receive service, Jackson put total at "several hundred thousand." "We decided we didn't want to introduce the service during the busy 4th quarter season," Jackson said. OpenTV will start with 3 services, expanding to 6 in first 12 months, he said. Among first services will be electronic program guide, customer support and weather, with music store to follow by first half, Steenkamp said. In creating music store, OpenTV is likely to forge alliance with online supplier such as CDNow or Sky Mall, he said. In seeking revenues, OpenTV will sell banner ads, sponsorships for special events and feature interactive ads that allow for direct selling, which will be available by mid-2000, Steenkamp said. OpenTV showed sample Campbell's Soup and Clorox spots earlier this year (TVD April 26 p21). Company has marketed interactive ads with Renault via TV Par Satellite (TPS) service in France. Subscribers also will be charged for specific services such as weather in particular region of U.S., Jackson said. Additional fees are likely to start at $1 per month with goal of boosting EchoStar's per-subscriber monthly revenue from current $42. OpenTV, whose software is installed in 3.5 million set-top boxes worldwide including one million each for TPS and British Sky Bcstg. (BSkyB), also is developing platform based on Sun Microsystems' Java programming language. EchoStar hasn't decided whether to offer Java-based product, but OpenTV version won't be available in U.S. until 2001, Steenkamp said. OpenTV is owned jointly by Myriad International Holding (MIH) (81%) and Sun (19%). In addition to interactive programming, EchoStar will continue to develop high-definition (HD) lineup, although rest of half-dozen channels isn't expected before early 2000. EchoStar has been delivering demonstrations from HBO to dealer showrooms via satellite at 61.5 degreesW, but eventually will switch to bird at 110 degreesW. It's delivering HD demodulator ($300) late this month that attaches to high-speed data port of EchoStar 5000 IRD, then links to set-top for decoding. EchoStar's plans for satellite slots at 110 degreesW, which it purchased from News Corp. and MCIWorldcomm for $1.1 billion, were slowed last week when launch of rocket that was to carry first of 2 birds into orbit was scrubbed for technical reasons. Launch, originally scheduled for Cape Canaveral Sept. 10 and later pushed to Sept. 13, is expected by month's end, Jackson said. Satellite, which has thirty-two 220-w transponders, will be operational 45-60 days after launch, he said.