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.

Strategies & Market Trends : Graham and Doddsville -- Value Investing In The New Era -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: porcupine --''''> who wrote (1062)	12/22/1998 6:02:00 PM
From: porcupine --''''>	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1722

GENERAL MOTORS said it would raise its stake in Isuzu Motors Ltd to 49% by buying new shares to be issued by the Japanese automaker in March 1999. (Reuters 02:44 AM ET 12/18/98)

To: porcupine --''''> who wrote (1062)	12/22/1998 6:29:00 PM
From: porcupine --''''>	Respond to of 1722

Satellite TV gaining market share from cable - FCC WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Direct broadcast satellite television services added subscribers at a faster rate than monopoly cable companies in the 12 month period ended in July, the Federal Communications Commission said on Thursday. Direct broadcast providers like Echostar Communications Corp. and Hughes Electronic's DirecTV had 7.2 million subscribers in July, 1998, up from five million a year earlier, according to the FCC in its annual competition report. Basic cable had 65.4 million subscribers, up from 64.2 million a year earlier, the agency said. Consumer groups said the FCC report showed that local cable companies still faced "virtually no competition," noting that despite the gains of satellite television services, cable prices were still rising at four times the rate of inflation. "Snails move faster than competition in the cable industry," said Gene Kimmelman, co-director of Consumers Union's Washington office. Kimmelman said Congress should revoke a provision in the 1996 Telecommunications Act that will deregulate most cable rates at the end of March, 1999. The cable industry read the same facts in the FCC report and reached the opposite conclusion, saying cable faced "vigorous competition." "Consumers get better value and have more choices," said Decker Anstrom, president of the National Cable Television Association. "That's why the government should stick with policies that promote competition." FCC officials viewed the results as mixed. Although satellites provided competition for cable systems, "some barriers to competition remain," said Deborah Lathen, head of the FCC's cable services bureau. The biggest barrier for satellite services remains a law greatly limiting their ability to give customers programming from local television stations, she said. FCC chairman William Kennard urged Congress to change the law and allow more local programming on satellite services. Lawmakers considered legislation to change the law but ran out of time to find a compromise approach earlier this year. The matter is expected to be a top priority in Congress next year. ((Aaron Pressman, Washington newsroom, 202-898-8312))