Technology News: Cable & Satellite

NBC's Sale to Cable Co. Signals TV Sea Change
November 16, 2009

Eight decades after pioneering the concept of broadcasting, NBC is on the verge of a startling move that illustrates broadcast television's decline. Cable TV operator Comcast is expected to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal, perhaps as early as this week.

Free Flow of Internet Traffic Requires Sensible Road Rules
November 04, 2009

Free marketeers' primary argument against Net neutrality is that a government watchdog role in protecting neutrality is bound to be "political" -- and that any government agency will ultimately start a slippery slide to full-bore regulation of the Internet. This all-or-nothing approach is a false choice.

Rumored Deals Could Give New Meaning to 'Apple TV'
November 03, 2009

Apple reportedly is eyeing a new service to be launched as part of its iTunes ecosystem: a TV subscription service with a fee of $30 per month. While the site already has numerous TV series episodes and seasons for rent or purchase, this service would represent a different go-to-market strategy for Apple. The service would be similar to cable TV offers but delivered through iTunes.

How to Solve the Net Neutrality Issue
October 28, 2009

The FCC recently voted to move forward on a rule-making process that could lead to new government regulations for the Internet. It claims to be supporting only "neutrality," but even key players seem confused. The Open Internet Coalition says neutrality "is about keeping the hands of several powerful network operators -- AT&T, Verizon and Comcast -- off the Internet.

McCain Locks Horns With FCC on Net Neutrality
October 23, 2009

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has introduced the Internet Freedom Act of 2009, legislation that would negate many of the principles underlying the concept of Net neutrality, which aims to ensure that Internet users have equal and unfettered access to all services available on the Web. The McCain bill calls for continued unfettered competition for Internet activity.

FCC Votes to Begin Net Neutrality Rule-Making Process
October 22, 2009

Federal regulators took an important step Thursday toward prohibiting broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain kinds of Internet traffic. Despite the concerns of the agency's two Republicans and prominent telecommunications companies, the Federal Communications Commission voted to begin writing so-called "network neutrality" regulations.

The Hybridization of the Set-Top Box
October 13, 2009

The market for set-top boxes in Europe has received a major boost from the transition to digital services. Right now, terrestrial television is still a major source of video for viewers in some of the larger Western European markets, including France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom Almost 44 percent of the television viewers in these markets relies on terrestrial services.

Comcast's Bid for the Future of TV
October 03, 2009

Years ago, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was asked at a conference what kept him awake at night. His answer: A new technology that would severely hurt the cable TV business. His fears haven't come to fruition yet. However, the growing popularity of watching shows, movies and other content streamed over the Internet or over cellphone networks make the cable pipe less important for video than it ever has been.

ViaSat to Pocket Wild Blue for $568M
October 01, 2009

ViaSat is acquiring Wild Blue Communications, a provider of high-speed Internet access via satellite, for US$568 million in cash and stock, the companies said Thursday. Privately held Wild Blue, in which Liberty Media holds a 37 percent stake, will become an operating subsidiary of ViaSat, which makes satellite communications equipment for defense and consumer markets.

Court Nixes 30 Percent Cap on Cable Market Share - Again
August 31, 2009

An appeals court overturned a rule that said a cable TV company could not serve more than 30 percent of the nation's subscribers. The verdict Friday was a victory for the largest cable company, Comcast, which has 25 percent share and sued to block the rule. It was an embarrassing decision for the Federal Communications Commission, which had already seen the cap rejected and imposed it again.

Dish Network DVR Features Get Stay of Execution
July 02, 2009

The final day of reckoning in the four-year battle between TiVo and EchoStar has been pushed out a little further. Late Wednesday evening, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted EchoStar's request to stay a contempt order imposed by the U.S. District Court the day before, until its appeal can be heard.

Comcast, Time Warner Push 'TV Everywhere' - for a Price
June 24, 2009

The cable industry's new rallying cry may indeed be "TV Everywhere," as announced Wednesday by Comcast and Time Warner executives. However, TV arguably is already everywhere -- on the Web, on your smartphone, on your Xbox 360. Perhaps what Brian Roberts and Jeff Bewkes really meant to announce was "Pay TV Everywhere."

Time Warner's Test Expansion Heats Up Broadband Metering Debate
April 16, 2009

If video killed the radio star, than Internet video may signal the demise of flat-rate broadband pricing. At least that's the suspicion of public advocacy groups who are complaining about attempts by Time Warner Cable and other providers to experiment with metered high-speed Internet usage.

Escaping From the Cell Phone Contract Stranglehold
April 03, 2009

Job insecurity combined with financial fear-mongering has consumers slashing their budgets. Cell phone and premium TV services look like easy items to eliminate. Typically, however, those services tie users to contracts as well as three ugly words: early termination fees. Can customers break those contracts and avoid significant financial hits?

ISPs and the Power Bestowed Upon Them
March 10, 2009

"With great power comes great responsibility" is an oft-quoted line from the first "Spider-Man" film. Without torturing the "web" metaphor beyond its breaking point, it also applies to your friendly neighborhood Internet service provider. A maze of legislation, regulations and business practices dating back to the 1930s has given ISPs the power to monitor your use of their networks.

Dish Network, EchoStar Slide on Mixed Q4 Reports
March 02, 2009

Satellite television provider Dish Network and its former parent, EchoStar, reported Q4 financial results on Monday. Dish Network reported revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008, a 1 percent increase over the same period in 2007. Net income totaled $217 million, compared with $175 million during the same period last year.