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MONDAY MAY 12, 2008

ECHOSTAR-NDS JURY SET TO RETURN TO WORK
DISH NETWORK SETS UP HD CHANNEL BOOST
CONDITION CALLS KEEP COMING FOR XM-SIRIUS
CALAMP ALMOST BACK TO WORK FOR DISH
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Cable has trouble keeping up with DirecTv HD ads...It will be interesting to see how Dish Network addesses its HD needs at its retailer event...Jury break another strange twist in EchoStar-NDS case.

FRIDAY MAY 9, 2008

NDS-ECHOSTAR TRIAL BECOMES WAITING GAME
DIRECTV TURNS IN ‘STRONG’ QUARTER
DIRECTV UPS DEBT FOR $3 BILLION BUYBACK
DISH OFFERS HELPING HAND IN DIGITAL TEST
REP. CLARIFIES XM-SIRIUS POSITION
CLEARWIRE LEAVES DBS QUESTIONS
NEWS & NOTES: Hughes Network Systems said it now has more than 400,000 subscribers to its HughesNet satellite-delivered, two-way Internet service…Dish Network is now offering local stations in high-definition in Hartford and New Haven, Conn., and Portland/Auburn, Maine.

WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2008

TRIAL NEARS END; PELED, KUDELSKI TAKE STAND
COURT SIDES WITH DISH AGAINST VOOM
XM-SIRIUS TALK KEEPS UP AT FCC
DISH NEWS CORP. CONDITIONS
TO REMAIN
NEWS & NOTES: The NFL Network said yesterday it filed a complaint with FCC accusing Comcast of “anti-consumer and anti-competitive” treatment compared to national sports channels Comcast owns...The DirecTv Group told retailers this week it plans to let them offer their existing customers the ability to participate in DirecTv’s “refer a friend” program.

MONDAY MAY 5, 2008

NDS-ECHOSTAR/NAGRA TRIAL NEARS END
XM-SIRIUS KEEPS DRAWING NAB OPPOSITION
NAB DEFENDS CALL FOR FULL SIGNAL CARRIAGE
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Placing conditions on XM-Sirius deal will not protect consumers...EchoStar/Nagra case against NDS comes down to which hacker the jury believes most, or disbelieves least.

FRIDAY MAY 2, 2008

DINGELL, MARKEY EYE XM-SIRIUS CONDITIONS
XM, SIRIUS AGREE TO KEEP WAITING FOR OK
SMALL CABLE OPS WEIGHS IN ON NEWS CORP.
NDS KEEPS QUIET ON ECHOSTAR LAWSUIT
DISH ADDS ANOTHER LOCAL HD MARKET
CABLE SEES UPS, DOWNS WITH BASIC SUBS

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 2008

XM, SIRIUS PUT OFF SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
DISH NETWORK OFFERS MDU FIBER SERVICE
JUDGE KEEPS ECHOSTAR-NDS TRIAL GOING
NAB KEEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST XM-SIRIUS DEAL
FINISAR SEEKS STAY IN XM CASE
COURT SETS UP ECHOSTAR-TIVO HEARING

MONDAY APRIL 28, 2008

STATE ATTORNEYS PUSH XM-SIRIUS CONDITIONS
DIRECTV WARNS ON COMPRESSION RULES
NCTA MAKES CASE FOR SMALL CABLE WAIVER
DISH NETWORK RESULTS TAKE TOLL ON GOALS

FRIDAY APRIL 25, 2008

LAWYERS PLAY HACKER VS. HACKER AT TRIAL
DISH NETWORK SLATES CARD SWAP
DISH ADS TAKE ON DIRECTV OVER PRICING
MARTIN: RADIO SILENCE ON XM-SIRIUS
MORE MARKETS GET DISH LOCAL HD
NEWS & NOTES: Dish Network and Alcatel-Lucent said they will test mobile video devices...Tony Petitti was named president of the MLB Network.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 23, 2008

DISH NETWORK DEALS WITH TIVO INJUNCTION
LAWYERS SLOG THROUGH ECHOSTAR-NDS TRIAL
AT&T ADDS UP VIDEO SUBSCRIBERS
HACKER ACTION CONTINUES IN CANADA
DORGAN LAYS INTO XM-SIRIUS MERGER
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar reached an agreement for Loral Space and Communications subsidiary Space Systems/Loral to build a new satellite for Dish Network. The EchoStar-15 satellite is slated to be launched in 2010, Loral said in a statement.

MONDAY APRIL 21, 2008

DIRECTV TURNS IN 180 CONNECT DEAL
COURT GIVES DIRECTV WIN OVER FINISAR
DISH NETWORK ADDS MORE NATIONAL HD
ACA SEES NEED FOR NEWS CORP. ACCESS RULES
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Wishing a speedy recovery to Dave Robison...Retailers have long-standing concerns about direct marekting have efforts...180 Connect deal shows DirecTv is serious about improving installs... Judge makes unusual statements in NDS-EchoStar trial.

FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2008

JUDGE FRETS OVER ECHOSTAR, NDS CASE
DISH NETWORK LOCAL HD COUNT GROWS
XM-SIRIUS DEAL DRAWS CONDITION CALLS
HBO PULLS ECHOSTAR LAWSUIT
NEWS & NOTES: The Smithsonian Channel contracted its advertising sales operations to Trifecta Entertainment and Media…Wireless high-speed Internet service Clearwire joined the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association...A Canadian judge found alleged hacker Jeremy Corkery in contempt of court for not complying with an order to turn over various items to EchoStar, Bell ExpressVu, and their conditional access supplier as part of a piracy investigation.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2008

DIRECTV EXECS SAY “REVOLUTION” CONTINUES
HBO FILES NEW ECHOSTAR LAWSUIT
SUPREME COURT DENIES KENTUCKY TAX REVIEW
NAB CHIEF BLASTS JUSTICE ON XM-SIRIUS
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar voluntarily disPROGRAMMERS BEMOAN MARTIN A LA CARTE IDEA
NEWS & NOTES: Dish Network started offering local stations from the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisc.; Richmond-Petersburg, Va.; and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, Fla., markets in high-definition.

MONDAY APRIL 14, 2008

ECHOSTAR VOWS TRIP TO SUPREMES WITH TIVO
SES WRITES OFF CHANCE OF AMC-14 REVIVAL
DIRECTV RETAILERS HEAD TO ORLANDO
OPPONENTS KEEP UP XM-SIRIUS COMPLAINTS
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit it filed in February in a federal court in Colorado seeking a ruling that ads it has started running featuring comedian Frank Caliendo impersonating celebrities does not violate any copyright laws. EchoStar declined comment.
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: EchoStar-NDS case could be damaging to both sides...DirecTv will get to gauage retailers' mood in Orlando

FRIDAY APRIL 11, 2008

ECHOSTAR, NDS LAWYERS COME OUT SWINGING
CEA BACKS XM-SIRIUS MERGER
CANADIAN DBS SERVICES GIVE WISH LIST
XM CANADA
UPS SUB NUMBERS
FCC REACHES DIGITAL TV SETTLEMENTS

MONDAY APRIL 7, 2008

ECHOSTAR CASE AGAINST NDS HEADS TO TRIAL
FCC SETS SCHEDULE FOR NEWS CORP. PETITION
SIDES KEEP UP XM-SIRIUS INPUT
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Above all, Liberty increasing its stake in DirecTv shows it believes in DBS...Reaction comes in on XM-Sirius analysis
NEWS & NOTES: FCC Chairman Kevin Martin (R) and Meredith Atwell Baker, the acting head of the NTIA, are slated to testify tomorrow at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the transition to digital-only off-air TV broadcasts.

FRIDAY APRIL 4, 2008

LIBERTY RINGS UP HIGHER DIRECTV STAKE
KERRY CHIMES IN WITH XM-SIRIUS ‘CONCERNS’
AT&T WIDENS DISH OFFERINGS
DIRECTV DETAILS BASEBALL EXTRAS
NEWS CORP. PUSHES AGAINST PROGRAM ACCESS
NEWS & NOTES: DirecTv said it plans to carry all IndyCar Series races in high-definition this season, starting with Sunday’s race…XM Satellite Radio started offering a 20 music/comedy channel package for Blackberry users…DirecTv reached an agreement to show new episodes of NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” on its DBS service prior to their showings on NBC next season.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2, 2008

DISTANT STATION APPEAL SET FOR NEXT WEEK
C-BAND UNIVERSE SHRINKS SLIGHTLY
ECHOSTAR FILES NEW PIRACY LAWSUITS
DISH NETWORK SHUFFLES INTERNATIONAL DECK
INVESTORS BUY GILAT FOR $475 MILLION
NEWS & NOTES: DirecTv is slated today to add ESPNews, The Disney Channel, and Toon Disney in high-definition. Dish Network, which is suing Disney/ABC over carriage of the HD feeds, declined comment.

MONDAY MARCH 31, 2008

XM, SIRIUS PRESS CASE FOR FCC OK
SKY ANGEL DBS EXIT ARRIVES
VIEWTECH SEEKS APPEAL TIME
NEWS & NOTES: The SBCA announced its new slate of board members
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Examining the Justice Department'swrong-headed decision on XM-Sirius merger.

FRIDAY MARCH 28, 2008

JUSTICE XM-SIRIUS OK RILES STATE ATTORNEYS
DISH, DIRECTV CHIME IN ON MUST-CARRY
DISH NETWORK UPS LOCAL HD COUNT
DIRECTV EXPANDS SPECIAL AT&T OFFER
COMMISSIONERS SEE WISDOM IN PHASE-IN
NEWS & NOTES: ESPN is slated to start offering ESPNews in high-definition Sunday.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 26, 2008

JUSTICE OUTLINES XM-SIRIUS APPROVAL
XM, SIRIUS TURN ATTENTION TO FCC
JUSTICE OK BRINGS MAINLY JEERS, FEW CHEERS
DIRECTV RECOVERS FROM CHANNEL GLITCH

MONDAY MARCH 24, 2008

HD RADIO FIRM KEEPS UP XM-SIRIUS PRESS
DIRECTV SEES MARCH MADNESS BOUNCE
XM, SIRIUS WANT REPEATER GROUND RULES
TIME WARNER BACKS PROGRAM ACCESS RULE REVERSAL
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group started offering local stations in standard-definition in the Odessa-Midland, Texas, market…DirecTv added the Gospel Music Channel to its programming packages.

FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2008

DBS SERVICES GET MUST-CARRY PHASE-IN
ECHOSTAR UNIT GRABS 700 MHZ LICENSES
DIRECTV-11 LAUNCH LIFTS DIRECTV HD HOPES
MARTIN: NO XM-SIRIUS DECISION THIS MONTH
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar reached an agreement to lease 16 transponders on Telesat Canada’s Nimiq-5 high-power DBS satellite from Bell ExpressVu, according to a filing Dish Network submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission...XM Canada, said yesterday it now has more than 400,000 subscribers, after adding a net total of about 50,000 during its fiscal second quarter.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 19, 2008

DISH KEEPS HD GOAL, DESPITE AMC-14 MISHAP
FCC SET TO GIVE DBS MUST-CARRY TIME
SEA LAUNCH CLEARS DIRECTV-11 FOR LIFT-OFF
ECHOSTAR SEEKS RESET IN TIVO APPEAL
NEWS & NOTES: The FCC’s auction of licenses to use the 700 MHz spectrum band closed yesterday, with bidders committing a total of $19.59 billion for 1090 licenses after 261 rounds of bidding.

MONDAY MARCH 17, 2008

AMC-14 OUT OF DISH’S REACH, FOR NOW
COUNTDOWN FOR DIRECTV-11 LAUNCH STOPPED
NRTC BACKS DBS HD MUST-CARRY SCHEDULE
DISH SLATES BIG TEN NETWORK MOVE
REP. STEARNS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TRANSITION
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: AMC-14 failure shows why FCC needs to think carefully about DBS digitial/HD must-carry...Government needs to make decision on XM-Sirius deal...Government could have save money on converter box coupons...Brotherly birthday/St. Patrick's Day wishes
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar asked a federal court in San Diego not to stay its case against free-to-air satellite receiver manufacturer Viewtech while Viewtech appeals the court’s decision to allow EchoStar’s case to go forward...Dish Network asked a federal court in San Diego to conduct a jury trial of the lawsuit Fox News filed against the DBS service over its placement of the Fox-owned channel.

FRIDAY MARCH 14, 2008

XM, SIRIUS IMPATIENT FOR REVIEW TO END
NAB, DISH SPAR OVER HD MUST-CARRY
BUSY LAUNCH SCHEDULE ON TRACK
DISH SLATES BIG TEN NETWORK MOVE
DIRECTV GOES MAD FOR NCAA TOURNEY HD
DISH, LIN REACH RETRANS DEAL

WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 2008

CAREY SEES RUNNING ROOM ON HD
DIRECTV TAKES ON NAB HD MUST-CARRY IDEAS
ERGEN REVIEWS NFL NET PACKAGE PLAY
TIVO SEES ‘WORKAROUND’ RUNNING AGROUND
MURDOCH PINS DIRECTV SALE ON DATA FEARS
NPS PUSHES DIGITAL SIGNAL QUALITY STANDARD

MONDAY MARCH 10, 2008

DISH DISPUTES NAB HD MUST-CARRY STANCE
PARTIES ASK TO KEEP PROGRAM ACCESS TWEAKS
DIRECTV STEERS RETAILERS TOWARD DATA DEAL
XM, SIRIUS GETS MORE STATIC
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: The FCC should worry about broadcasters providing high-quality off-air digital signals to all of their viewers before imposing a digital/HD must-carry rule on DBS.

FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2008

DISH, DIRECTV SATELLITE LAUNCHES SET
TIVO BLASTS DISH ‘WORKAROUND’
NFL, TIME WARNER SPAR AT HEARING
DISH NETWORK OPEN TO PBS HD TALKS
GROUPS SUPPORT HD DBS MUST-CARRY PHASE-IN
DIRECTV LATIN AMERICA PASSES 5 MILLION SUBS
NEWS & NOTES: There were a total of 53,041 C-band dish owners subscribing to programming at the end of last month, down from 53,814 at the end of January...Political pundits Laura Ingraham and Donna Brazile will address the Consumer Electronics Association’s annual Washington event early next month. What connection either has to the consumer electronics industry was not immediately clear…DirecTv reached a deal to continue distributing the Hallmark Channel, as well as carry the HD version of the channel.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 5, 2008

MARTIN STILL EYEING DBS MUST-CARRY PLAN
MARTIN: XM-SIRIUS NOT OVER FCC ‘HURDLE’
BEST BUYS LAUNCHES DIRECTV HD OFFER
LIBERTY SETS UP ENTERTAINMENT UNIT
LAWMAKERS PLAN LOOK AT SPORTS PROGRAMMING
NEWS & NOTES: Hughes Network Systems reported it finished the fourth quarter of last year with a total of 380,000 subscribers to its HughesNet satellite-delivered, two-way data service, a net increase of about 40,000 during the quarter.

MONDAY MARCH 3, 2008

DISH NETWORK SUES ESPN OVER HD
XM, SIRIUS EXTEND MERGER TIMELINE
NAB PUSHES HD DBS MUST-CARRY
DISH WARNS RETAILERS ABOUT CONVERSIONS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Bittersweet week with Murdoch leaving DBS but Malone stepping in...Hopefully the FCC listens to DBS capacity concerns.

FRIDAY FEB. 29, 2008

DIRECTV SETS PATH FOR 2008
DISH NETWORK SEES NET ADDITIONS DIP
CAR SALES DRIVE XM RESULTS
NEWS & NOTES: Charter Communications lost a net total of 66,400 basic cable subscribers...Cablevision added about 1,100 net new basic cable subscribers in the fourth quarter of last year.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 27, 2008

APPROVALS PUT DIRECTV DEAL NEAR DONE
DISH NETWORK SEES NET ADDITIONS DIP
REVIEW PROCESS FRUSTRATES SIRIUS
DISH FACES NFL NETWORK, VOOM LAWSUITS
FCC DETAILS DIRECTV DEAL CONDITIONS
SIRIUS TOUTS FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

NEWS ALERT!!!

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT GIVES OK TO DIRECTV DEAL

MONDAY FEB. 25, 2008

FEDS TO OK LIBERTY-NEWS CORP. DEAL TODAY
ECHOSTAR GETS TIME TO SEEK TIVO REVIEW
DIRECTV INKS MOUNTAIN WEST RSN DEAL
NAB URGES FCC TO PLAY TOUGH ON MUST-CARRY
CONSUMER GROUP PUSHES XM-SIRIUS TERMS
DIRECTV FACES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

FRIDAY FEB. 22, 2008

FCC OK OF DIRECTV DEAL EYED FOR TODAY
NFL NETWORK BEMOANS DISH NETWORK MOVE
NAB PRESSES LOCAL TV OBLIGATIONS
VIEWTECH FIGHTS JUDGE’S DECISION
ECHOSTAR
FACES PMC PATENT LAWSUIT
NEWS & NOTES: Contrary to some published reports, a source to EchoStar/Dish Network said yesterday the company had never employed lobbyist Vicki Iseman, or the firm she works for, both of which have been the subject of widespread media attention in connection with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumptive Republican presidential nominee…The DirecTv Group plans to offer a “mix channel” and three other channels of coverage of the Masters Golf Tournament, in addition CBS and ESPN’s coverage…Dish Network signed as a sponsor of Roush Fenway Racing for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series…SES Americom’s AMC-14 satellite is scheduled to be launched from Kazakhstan the night of March 14. Dish Network has contracted to use all of the payload…TerreStar named EchoStar President of Satellite Services Dean Olmstead, EchoStar Chief Administrative Officer David Rayner, and Pirinate Consulting Group Chairman Eugene Davis to its board of directors.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 20, 2008

DISH NETWORK THROWS FLAG AT NFL NETWORK
DIRECTV, DISH JOIN FORCES ON MUST-CARRY
GROUPS KEEP UP XM-SIRIUS OPPOSITION
LAWMAKERS CAUTION ON HD MUST-CARRY
PARTIES TAKE TELESAT PROPOSAL TO TASK
XM, SIRIUS PRESS REPEATER ISSUES
AT COMMISSION
NEWS & NOTES: SES’ AMC-14 satellite has arrived in Kazakhstan, where it is scheduled to be launched from at yet to be determined date next month...Dish Network asked a federal court in Colorado to issue a declaratory ruling stating impersonations of John Madden and Charles Barkley comedian Frank Caliendo performs in Dish Network commercials do not violate any federal or state trademark laws.

FRIDAY FEB. 15, 2008

DIRECTV BUILDS ON SUBSCRIBER NUMBERS
MARTIN PUSHES FOR LOW-POWER CARRIAGE
DIRECTV LOOKS FOR TIME ON HD MUST-CARRY
HOUSE COMMITTEE TACKLES STATE TAX ISSUE
CAREY PLAYS DOWN AT&T SWITCH
LAWMAKERS KEEP TALKING ABOUT DIGITAL TRANSITION
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group started offering local stations in high-definition format in Omaha, Neb., and local stations in standard-definition in Dothan, Ala…Patricia Sumler has resigned as the executive director of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association. She joined the SBCA in December 2005…Comcast said it lost a net total of 94,000 basic cable subscribers…PRODUCTION NOTICE: In observance of Presidents’ Day, the FaxUPDATE will not be distributed Monday.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 13, 2008

DIRECTV, DISH CAUTION ON HD MUST-CARRY
ECHOSTAR PLAYS UP CONVERTER BOX ROLLOUT
DBS SERVICES WEIGH IN ON PROGRAM ACCESS
NAB OFFERS REASONS TO BLOCK XM-SIRIUS
QWEST PICKS UP DIRECTV SUBSCRIBERS

MONDAY FEB. 11, 2008

FCC CLOSES IN ON LIBERTY-NEWS CORP. OK
ECHOSTAR INVESTS $150 MILLION IN TERRESTAR
MARTIN DETAILS DBS DIGITAL MUST-CARRY IDEA
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Comcast is better off without Specter's help...More must-carry for DBS is another bad idea from FCC Chairman Martin.

FRIDAY FEB. 8, 2008

MARTIN EYES HD MUST-CARRY FOR DBS
DBS SERVICES FIGHT TO KEEP MDU CONTRACTS
DIRECTV SETS EXTRA INNINGS PRICING
C-BAND HOLDS ABOVE 50,000
DIRECTV THINKS POORLY OF WEALTHTV IDEA
FCC AUCTION TOTAL SLOWLY ADDS UP
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group started offering local stations in high-definition in the Wichita, Kan.; Louisville, Kent.; Paducah, Kent.; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, markets.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 6, 2008

MURDOCH: DIRECTV DEAL NEARING CLOSURE
VOGEL SHIFTS ROLE AT DISH NETWORK
TOP DIRECTV RETAILERS GET NEW SALES TOOL
ION PUSHES DBS DUAL MUST-CARRY
PROGRAMMERS CHALLENGE DUAL MUST-CARRY
700 MHZ AUCTION BIDDING SLOWS

MONDAY FEB. 4, 2008

NFL NETWORK HOT TOPIC AT SUPER BOWL
SPECTER QUESTIONS NFL ANTITRUST EXEMPTION
DISH STOCKS GAIN AFTER FURTHER REVIEW
FCC AUCTION PUSHES TOWARD $20 BILLION
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group was very visible in Phoenix over Super Bowl weekend. The company sponsored several events, including a charity party, and got widespread media attention for its annual celebrity touch football game...XM Satellite Radio reached an agreement with Sony BMG to settle the lawsuit in which the music company alleged the recording capabilities of XM’s Inno unit violated its copyright.

FRIDAY FEB. 1, 2008

SPLIT DECISION IN DISH NETWORK-TIVO APPEAL
DIRECTV OULTINES LOCAL TV STRATEGY
FCC AUCTION PASSES $15 BILLION MARKET
GROUP OBJECTS TO XM-SIRIUS RECEIVER PLANS
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group reached an agreement with TNS Media Research to develop an audience measurement tool using 100,000 DirecTv subscribers who opt into the program…DirecTv has added Vesti, a Russian-language news channel, to its RussianDirect II programming package…Dish Network started carrying the History Channel in high-definition.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 30, 2008

NFL, ESPN IN TALKS OVER NFL NETWORK
DIRECTV SATELLITE MOVES CLOSER TO LAUNCH
VERIZON ADDS UP VIDEO SUBSCRIBERS
AUCTION TOTAL KEEPS
MOVING UP
NDS TOUTS SECURITY RECORD
OPPOSITION TO XM-SIRIUS COMBO KEEPS UP
NEWS & NOTES: Continental Airlines entered into an agreement to start offering 36 DirecTv channels at each passenger’s seat, starting next January…XM Satellite Radio plans to start carrying the ESPN Xtra channel Monday…Dish Network started offering information about each presidential candidate as part of its Dish Decision 2008 interactive application.

MONDAY JAN. 28, 2008

SKY ANGEL EYES MARCH DBS SWITCH-OFF
WILDBLUE UPS PRICES IN SOME AREAS
FCC GETS MORE INPUT AGAINST XM-SIRIUS DEAL
700 MHZ BIDDING PUSHES CLOSE TO $4 BILLION
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Is XStreamHD for real?...DirecTv makes some good improvements to the HR-20.

FRIDAY JAN. 25, 2008

AUCTION BIDDING STARTS WITH $2.8 BILLION
NCTA CHALLENGES FCC MDU ORDER
DIRECTV TRIES TO COUNTER AT&T WITH OFFER
AT&T PLAYS UP OWN VIDEO SERVICE
DIRECTV UPS LOCAL HD
OUTPUT
NEWS & NOTES: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said yesterday it has received applications from more than 2 million households to obtain more than 3.7 million coupons as part of the NTIA’s digital-to-analog off-air convertor box subsidy program. More than 15 federal agencies participated in a conference dealing with education efforts related to the planned Feb. 17. 2009, switch to digital-only TV signals.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 23, 2008

XM, SIRIUS KEEP DEFENDING MERGER PLANS
DIRECTV SETS STOCK BUYBACK
DIRECTV TAKES ON MORE BAR OWNERS
TIME WARNER VOWS APPEAL ON MASN RULING
FCC PREPS
FOR 700 MHZ AUCTION

FRIDAY JAN. 18, 2008

ECHOSTAR LAYS OUT PRICING, HD CHANGES
DIRECTV PLANS DISTANT HD MIGRATION
NPS, BROADCASTERS GET NEW COURT DATE
BROADCASTERS SEEK LIBERTY CONDITIONS
NEWS & NOTES: The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee plans to hold a hearing Feb. 13 regarding the status of the planned Feb. 17, 2009, transition to digital-only broadcast transmissions…Chieftain Capital Management sent a letter to Comcast urging the company to fire Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 16, 2008

ECHOSTAR MAKES 700 MHZ AUCTION CUT
FCC EYES XM-SIRIUS FINISH LINE
C-BAND HOLDS ABOVE 50,000
DIRECTV DETAILS PRICE INCREASE PLANS
SEA LAUNCH SUCCESS PUTS DIRECTV NEXT UP
CALAMP MAPS PROGRESS WITH DISH NETWORK
NEWS & NOTES: Shaw Communications’ Star Choice Canadian DBS service added 1,544 net new subscribers in its fiscal first quarter, the company said. The service finished the period with 881,129 customers.

MONDAY JAN. 14, 2008

DISH NETWORK TAKES ON CABLE RATE HIKES
XM, SIRIUS DEFEND MERGER ANALYSIS
DIRECTV TRIES TO SACK BARS STEALING SERVICE
APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS NORTH CAROLINA TAX
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: CES has almost outgrown its usefulness...Trends push CE companies in new directions...Hopefully the DOJ will not fall for XM-Sirius a la carte promises as easily as Kevin Martin.

FRIDAY JAN. 11, 2008

LIBERTY LOOKS FOR DIRECTV DEAL OK SOON
DIRECTV, LIBERTY PLAY UP PROSPECTS
TIVO HINTS AT MORE LITIGATION
DIGITAL TRANSITION BRINGS WORRIES
TO CE STORES
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Holdings named Dean Olmstead president of its satellite services unit. Most recently Olmstead advised Loral Space and Communications and, among other things, was president of SES Americom. The appointment rounds out the leadership for newly spun-off EchoStar Holdings’ three main units. Mark Jackson is president of EchoStar Technologies and Steve Schaver is president of EchoStar International.
WEDNESDAY JAN. 9, 2008
MARTIN HINTS AT XM-SIRIUS, LIBERTY TIMING
DISH NETWORK PUSHES HD AGENDA
DIRECTV DISPLAYS PC CONNECTION
COMCAST MAKES PLAY FOR HD ATTENTION AT CES
DIRECTV, FINISAR MAKE APPEALS COURT CASES
MARTIN SEES TRANSITION DATE STAYING IN PLACE
NEWS & NOTES: Ovation TV acquired Universal Music group’s International Music Feed channel. The channel‘s distribution will increase to about 25 million homes, mostly due to EchoStar’s carriage of the channel, which begins today...DirecTv Senior Vice President Jon Gieselman was on stage to help present the championship trophy after Monday night’s LSU-Ohio state game in New Orleans.

MONDAY JAN. 7, 2008

CE INDUSTRY TAKES BUSINESS TO VEGAS SHOW
COMPANIES STAKE OUT SIDES ON ACCESS, TYING
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Annual notebook awards

FRIDAY JAN. 4, 2008

ECHOSTAR SPIN-OFF STOCK TAKES OFF
NFL GETS HIGHLY RATED SEASON FINALE
SIRIUS TALLIES FOURTH QUARTER SUBS
DIRECTV GETS MARCH DATE
FOR NEXT LAUNCH
NEWS & NOTES: DirecTv started offering local stations in MPEG-4 high-definition in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa., and Albany, N.Y., markets...DirecTv added The Tennis Channel and College Sports Television in high-definition to its line-up…The National Cable and Telecommunications Association named James Assey Executive Vice President…The oral argument in DirecTv’s appeal of a jury verdict that said it violated a digital video recorder patent held by Finisar is scheduled to take place Monday in the federal appeals court in Washington…The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said more than 853,000 households have requested 1.6 million digital-to-analog converter box subsidy coupons since Tuesday...ReelzChannel named Terry O’Reilly executive vice president and general manager.

FRIDAY DEC. 28, 2007

ECHOSTAR PLANS PRICE FREEZE FOR SOME SUBS
NFL AGREES TO BROADCAST DEAL FOR BIG GAME
LIBERTY PROPOSES PUERTO RICO CONDITIONS
SATELLITE RADIO DEAL DRAWS MORE COMMENT
NEWS & NOTES: A “technical error” caused EchoStar DBS customers to briefly lose access to some high-definition channels last Saturday, the company confirmed…XM Satellite Radio settled the copyright lawsuit Warner Music Group filed against it...PRODUCTION NOTICE: In observance of the holiday, and barring any late-breaking major news, the next issue of the FaxUPDATE will be distributed next week at this time. Best wishes from everyone at Satellite Business News for a happy and safe New Year.

FRIDAY DEC. 21, 2007

DIRECTV, COMCAST WRAP UP HD SETTLEMENT
FCC CONFIRMS ECHOSTAR AUCTION FILING
NFL, CABLE BLITZ EACH OTHER WITH LETTERS
DIRECTV, PBS INK CARRIAGE AGREEMENT
NEWS & NOTES: Tomorrow will mark the anniversary of the News Corp.-Liberty Media announcement regarding Liberty buying a controlling stake in The DirecTv Group...EchoStar Communications yesterday started offering three new international channels, the Vietnamese-language Thuan Viet; Teluga-language channel Maa TV; and Greek-language radio station Net 105.8...PRODUCTION NOTICE: In observance of the holiday, and barring any late-breaking major news, the next issue of the FaxUPDATE will be distributed next week at this time. Best wishes from everyone at Satellite Business News for a happy and safe holiday.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 19, 2007

FOX NEWS SUES ECHOSTAR OVER PACKAGING
CALAMP, ECHOSTAR SETTLE DISH DIFFERENCES
FCC TAKES NEW STAB AT CABLE OWNERSHIP CAP
XM, UNIVERSAL SETTLE LAWSUIT
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications notified SEC of planned board changes...Archos released a software download that enables its 705 and 605 Wi-Fi capable portable video player models to download shows saved on EchoStar’s VIP722 high-definition/digital video recorders...The FCC said yesterday it adopted final terrestrial repeater rules for satellite radio services, as well as rules related to interference between satellite radio services and 2 gighertz services.

MONDAY DEC. 17, 2007

BROADCAST GROUP GIVES DIRECTV DEAL STATIC
CABLE MAKES CASE AGAINST CAP
ANOTHER FILES IN FAVOR OF XM-SIRIUS DEAL
NFL WILLING TO SIT DOWN FOR KERRY MEETING
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Thoughts and prayers for Carol and Carl Vogel's son...DirecTv made a smart move to acquire Replay...Approving a cable ownership cap and approving XM-Sirius deal would make no sense...Planned departure of analog HBO East C-band feed will mark end of an era...Courts should stay out of The NFL Network spat.

FRIDAY DEC. 14, 2007

COMCAST ESCALATES NFL NETWORK DISPUTE
DIRECTV MAKES MOVE FOR REPLAY
MARTIN GETS MORE HEAT IN SENATE
LAWMAKERS WEIGH IN ON XM-SIRIUS REVIEW
NEWS & NOTES: DirecTv reached a settlement with cable operator Cox to settle the lawsuit the DBS operator filed complaining Cox’s ads about the quality of its high-definition service compared to DirecTv’s were false and misleading...The appeals court hearing on broadcasters’ challenge to National Programming Service selling distant network stations to EchoStar system owners is being delayed because a judge on the panel recused himself for undisclosed reasons. Oral arguments had been scheduled for Feb. 11.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 12, 2007

AT&T MANUEVERS ON DBS FIRMS
MARTIN DEFENDS FCC PROCEDURES
NFL CHIEF CHASTISES COMCAST, TIME WARNER
FCC PLANS TERRESTRIAL REPEATER RULES
FCC DISPUTES GAO DIGITAL TRANSITION STUDY

MONDAY DEC. 10, 2007

DBS FIRMS DETAIL HD CONVERSION DIFFICULTIES
HDNET DROPS DIRECTV DEAL CONDITION CALL
GM BACKS XM-SIRIUS MERGER
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Cable could have chosen better than Comcast and Cablevision for challenging the program access rules...HDNet had a nice early impact but is still simply a nice, little niche service...Martin and his advisors keep digging a deeper hole.

FRIDAY DEC. 7, 2007

ECHOSTAR PLANS NAME CHANGE
DIRECTV EXTENSION IN CARDS FOR NDS
KERRY URGES CABLE, NFL NETWORK DEAL
OVERALL C-BAND NUMBERS HOLD STEADY
DIRECTV, HDNET SETTLE
DIFFERENCES
LAWMAKERS LAY INTO MARTIN AT HEARING
COMCAST SEES REASONS FOR SLOWDOWN

WEDNESDAY DEC. 5, 2007

LIBERTY ITCHING TO GET DIRECTV DEAL DONE
TIVO PREDICTS GOOD THINGS FROM PATENT CASE
SIRIUS STILL BANKING ON DEAL CLOSING SOON
BOARD SETS SATELLITE RADIO COPYRIGHT RATE
TIME WARNER DENIES HD DISADVANTAGE
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group joined cable companies Time Warner and Comcast in saying it will not participate in the FCC’s planned Jan. 24 auction of licenses for the 700 megahertz spectrum band. EchoStar declined comment but it also filed to participate. If the company does bid, it will likely be done by its planned technology spin-off. Google and AT&T have said they applied to participate by the Monday deadline. Verizon is also expected to bid…EchoStar closed its acquisition of Sling Media...President Bush announced his intention to nominate Jonathan Adelstein to serve another five-year term as an FCC commissioner.

MONDAY DEC. 3, 2007

XM-SIRIUS SEE SPECULATION RUN-UP
SIDES KEEP WEIGHING IN ON XM-SIRIUS DEAL
TEXAS BROADCASTERS BEMOAN DIRECTV DEAL
TELESAT SEEKS REVERSE BAND RULE CHANGES
SCHERMANS NOTEBOOK: Internet sites should be held accountable for false EchoStar-AT&T stories

FRIDAY NOV. 30, 2007

PATENT OFFICE UPHOLDS TIVO PATENT
DIRECTV SUBS KEEP LEAVING TIVO
ECHOSTAR SEES LIFT FROM NFL-CABLE DISPUTE
AT&T CHIEF PUMPS UP OWN VIDEO SERVICE
XM-SIRIUS DEAL ATTRACTS MORE SUPPORT

WEDNESDAY NOV. 28, 2007

MARTIN FORCED OUT OF CABLE AGENDA
NDS MOVES TO REDUCE ECHOSTAR CASE
CONSUMER GROUPS PAN XM-SIRIUS DEAL
FORD MOVES FORWARD WITH SIRIUS
NEWS & NOTES: The Senate Commerce Committee scheduled an FCC oversight hearing Dec. 13.
WEDNESDAY NOV. 21, 2007
LAWMAKERS CHIME IN AGAINST MARTIN PLANS
DISCOVERY DISPUTES HDNET CLAIMS
POLITICIANS LOBBY FOR NFL NETWORK
XM OFFERS PROMO FOR INACTIVE RECEIVERS
NEWS & NOTES: The Satellite Industry Association named Patricia Cooper president, effective immediately. She replaces David Cavossa, who recently left the association. Cooper has been senior satellite competition advisor for the FCC’s International Bureau…TenLab introduced a 2 terabyte external hard drive that can be connected to DirecTv HR-20 and HR-21 high-definition digital video recorders. The TenBox TB2000 retails for $1,999. Any eSATA hard drive can be connected to an HR-20 or HR-21, though doing so deactivates the existing internal hard drive.

WEDNESDAY NOV. 21, 2007

ECHOSTAR SHARES SETTLE DOWN AFTER RUN-UP
SIRIUS, XM HAND OVER INFO TO FCC
DIRECTV SWIPES BACK AT HDNET
NFL TALKS TOUGH ON CARRIAGE
FELLOW GOP HANDS DERIDE MARTIN’S CABLE PLANS
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar has started offering interactive services for ESPN and The Weather Channel to subscribers with enable receivers…In observance of Thanksgiving, the FaxUPDATE will not be distributed Friday. It will return Tuesday.

MONDAY NOV. 19, 2007

CUBAN CASTIGATES DIRECTV AT FCC
NFL NETWORK, PLAYERS SACK CABLE
DIRECTV PITCHES SPACE STATION HDTV
PARTIES BEG OUT OF BI-LINGUAL ALERTS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Martin migh be losig his grip...How can Martin approve XM-Sirius if he is trying to regulate cable again.

FRIDAY NOV. 16, 2007

XM, SIRIUS PUT IN TWO CENTS ON STUDIES
HDNET GETS ORDER AGAINST DIRECTV
NCTA CHIEF LAMBASTES MARTIN-LED FCC
DIRECTV UPS HD CHANNEL LINE-UP
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group said yesterday it plans to switch its stock exchange listing from the New York Stock Exchange to the NASDAQ Stock Market, effective Dec. 3...RFD-TV said it plans to simulcast controversial personality Don Imus’ new radio show, starting Dec. 3. DirecTv carries the service on channel 379, EchoStar on channel 231.

WEDNESDAY NOV. 14, 2007

XM, SIRIUS SHAREHOLDERS GREENLIGHT DEAL
"UNACCEPTABLE" CHURN HAMPERS ECHOSTAR
DIRECTV UPS ANTE ON FOURTH QUARTER OFFER
ERGEN MAKES CASE TO KEEP AT&T
ECHOSTAR WILLING TO TALK TO TIVO
NEWS & NOTES: Comcast runs ads claiming more HD than DirecTv...NCTA disputes 70/70 rule.

MONDAY NOV. 12, 2007

QUARTER BRINGS UPS, DOWNS FOR ECHOSTAR
ECHOSTAR PUSHES AHEAD WITH SPIN-OFF PLANS
LIBERTY SEES GOOD TIMES AHEAD FOR DIRECTV
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Big Ten, NFL Network disputes foreshadow more issues...DirecTv takes HD over data serice...NBC makes mistake letting Williams go on SNL
NEWS & NOTES: Big Ten and NFL Network disputes with cable operators raise larger issues...DirecTv focus on HD trumps need for data service...NBC makes some questionable calls with Brian Williams appearance on SNL and its green initiative.

FRIDAY NOV. 9, 2007

HD, RECORDERS DRIVE DIRECTV
TIME WARNER, CABLEVISION TAKE HIT ON SUBS
DIRECTV, NEWS CORP. LOOKING FOR CLOSURE
HDNET CRIES FOUL OVER DIRECTV MOVE
NEWS & NOTES: XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio asked the FCC to impose strict restrictions on any further data the companies provide the FCC about their proposed merger...Hughes Communications said it added 12,000 new subscribers to its HughesNet two-way, medium-power satellite-delivered data service in the third quarter, giving it a total of 365,000.

WEDNESDAY NOV. 7, 2007

FCC PEPPERS XM, SIRIUS WITH QUESTIONS
FOX PANS PROGRAM ACCESS CHANGES
XM, SIRIUS CITE NEW SUPPORT
COWBOYS OWNER ROOTS FOR DBS, TELCOS
FCC GETS INPUT ON REVERSE BAND
NEWS & NOTES: DirecTv named Steven Roberts senior vice president of new media and business development...Monsoon Multimedia plans today to introduce its HAVA Titanium HD unit, which enables multiple users to simultaneously access video programming remotely on computers or mobile phones. The unit also gives users the ability to pause, rewind, fast forward, and record programming on PCs using their devices.

MONDAY NOV. 5, 2007

DISTANT CASE GETS APPEALS COURT DATE
ECHOSTAR TAKES DIM VIEW OF VIEWTECH MOVES
C-BAND MARKS MODULE TALLIES
ECHOSTAR STARTS INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
ECHOSTAR ADDS TO PIRACY CASE DOCKET
DIGITAL TV TRANSITION CONCERNS COPPS

FRIDAY NOV. 2, 2007

FCC OPENS UP DOOR TO MDU COMPETITION
PBS BEMOANS LACK OF DBS CARRIAGE
JACKSON OBJECTS TO XM-SIRIUS MERGER
ECHOSTAR TALKS TOUGH ON HD, RECORDERS
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group started carrying NHL TV in high-definition and standard definition…Telesat Canada completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Loral Space and Communications’ Loral Skynet unit

WEDNESDAY OCT. 31, 2007

SIRIUS POSTS LOWER LOSSES ON MORE SUBS
VERIZON, QWEST ADD UP VIDEO SUBS
SIRIUS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MERGER PROSPECTS
N. DAKOTA BROADCASTERS TAKE ON DIRECTV
JACKSON TAKES ON MARTIN AGENDA
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications added NBA TV to its high-definition programming line-up…The House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Commerce Committee approved similar bills designed to eliminate the automatic removal of telephone numbers from the federal do-not-call list...The House passed a bill to extend the Internet tax moratorium for seven years, the same measure the Senate passed last week.

MONDAY OCT. 29, 2007

LAWMAKERS PRESS CASE FOR XM-SIRIUS DEAL
LIBERTY, DIRECTV KEEP HANDING OVER INFO
CEA SUPPORT SATELLITE EFFORT ON TAXES
ECHOSTAR STARTS CLEARWIRE SALES
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: DirecTv and EchoStar show cable the next fight will be for HD subs...Market shows cable having trouble with triple play.

FRIDAY OCT. 26, 2007

XM SEES AUTO SALES OFFSET RETAIL SAG
MALONE SEES SLIM CHANCE FOR DBS MERGER
XM, SIRIUS OPPOSE ATTEMPT TO DELAY REVIEW
COMCAST TAKES HIT FROM COMPETITION
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group has started promoting its new high-definition offerings using a blimp that took its maiden voyage over Fenway Park in Boston this week as part of Fox’s World Series coverage. Several references were made to the blimp. EchoStar and DirecTv both ran ads during the games promoting their respective high-definition offerings…The FCC is scheduled to vote Wednesday on an order that would prohibit cable operators from signing exclusive contracts to provide service in multiple-dwelling units.

WEDNESDAY OCT. 24, 2007

ECHOSTAR RAISES $800K FOR HILLARY CLINTON
AT&T EYES DBS DECISION
XM, SIRIUS HIGHLIGHT MORE SUPPORT
ECHOSTAR UNVEILS WHOLESALE IP VIDEO
CALIFORNIA FIRES SPARES SATELLITE, SO FAR
NEWS & NOTES: International Launch Services plans to launch the Ka-band/Ku-band Sirius-4 satellite for SES Astra’s Sirius European satellite TV service Nov. 18. That service is unrelated to Sirius Satellite Radio.

MONDAY OCT. 22, 2007

MURDOCH BALLYHOOS DIRECTV-LIBERTY DEAL
DIRECTV ADDS UP OBJECTIONS IN APPEAL
GROUP BACKS NAB PUSH TO BLOCK XM-SIRIUS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: The more lawmakers talk about digital TV transition the more likely it is to be delayed...Approving XM-Sirius would still be a mistake.
NEWS & NOTES: General Motors plans to make XM Satellite Radio units standard features on all of its Buick, Hummer, and Saab vehicles. All of the vehicles will come with three-month trial subscriptions to the service.

FRIDAY OCT. 19, 2007

DIRECTV SUES COX OVER HD ADS
DIRECTV: ALL SUBS ALREADY TRANSITIONED
LAWMAKERS STRESS OVER DIGITAL EDUCATION
ECHOSTAR, DIRECTV HAIL OHIO COURT RULING
SIDES DEBATE PROGRAM CARRIAGE RULES
MARTIN PUSHES MULTICAST MUST-CARRY
LIBERTY, DIRECTV KEEP ANSWERING FCC QUESTIONS
WEDNESDAY OCT. 17, 2007
VIEWTECH KEEPS SEEKING DISMISSAL
DIRECTV HITS 70 HD CHANNEL GOAL
HOUSE ACTS ON INTERNET TAX BILL
HOUSE, SENATE LOOK INTO DIGITAL TV
SIDES DEBATE PROGRAM CARRIAGE RULES
NEWS & NOTES: Comcast named Daivd Krone senior vice president for corporate affairs, effective Jan. 2…Cable overbuilder RCN reached an agreement to start carrying the NHL Center Ice package of out-of-market games…News Corp. expanded Executive Vice President for Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Gary Ginsberg’s role to also include oversight of the company’s global marketing. He was also appointed to the office of the chairman, Rupert Murdoch.

MONDAY OCT. 15, 2007

DIRECTV SET TO HIT NEXT HD CHANNEL GOAL
KARMAZIN DEFENDS MERGER, CHASTISES NAB
FRONTIER OFFERS ECHOSTAR DEAL
ECHOSTAR ISSUES RETAILER WARNING
MARTIN KEEPS PUSHING UNBUNDLED CHANNELS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: EchoStar-TiVo case could go either way, and have long-term implications...DirecTv HD effort will be a good gauge of how important HD is to consumers.

FRIDAY OCT. 12, 2007

ECHOSTAR FOUNDERS BACK CLINTON CAMPAIGN
DBS KEEPS LOOKING FOR TAX HELP
XM, SIRIUS BRISTLE AT NAB ACTION
CAL AMP KEEPS WORKING ON DISH ISSUES
DIRECTV KEEPS ADDING TO
HD SLATE

WEDNESDAY OCT. 10, 2007

NAB URGES DELAY IN XM-SIRIUS REVIEW
ECHOSTAR KEEPS UP FIGHT WITH VIEWTECH
ECHOSTAR FILES PIRACY LAWSUITS
DIRECTV EXECUTIVE SUITE SEES CHANGES
ECHOSTAR DROPS RETAILERS OVER LEAD ISSUES
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications added TBS-HD to its high-definition channel-line-up...The Intelsat-11 C-band/medium-power Ku-band satellite was successfully launched Friday by an Arianespace rocket from French Guiana…The FCC rescheduled the auction of licenses to use the 700 MHz spectrum band from June 16, 2008, to Jan. 24, 2008.

FRIDAY OCT. 5, 2007

ECHOSTAR, TIVO MAKE CASES TO APPEALS COURT
SIRIUS, XM SET SHAREHOLDER MERGER VOTES
JUDGE KEEPS FINISAR, XM-SIRIUS CASE GOING
DIRECTV AUGMENTS
HD SLATE
NEWS & NOTES: An Arianespace rocket is slated to launch the Intelsat-11 C-band/medium-power Ku-band and Optus-D2 satellites today from French Guiana…NOTICE: In observance of the Columbus Day holiday, the FaxUPDATE will not be distributed Monday.

WEDNESDAY OCT. 3, 2007

FCC CLEARS ECHOSTAR-DOMINION TRANSACTION
FCC REVERSES COURSE ON ORBITAL SPACING
LAWMAKERS LOOK FOR DIGITAL TV INFO
C-BAND NUMBERS HOLDING STEADY
GROUP BLASTS STUDY IN FAVOR OF XM-SIRIUS MERGER
MARTIN KEEPS BACKING MULTICAST MUST-CARRY

MONDAY OCT. 1, 2007

ECHOSTAR, TIVO PREP FOR APPEALS ARGUMENTS
NTIA CHIEFS DEFENDS DIGITAL TV EFFORT
JUDGE LAYS OUT XM-LABEL LAWSUIT TIMELINE
SIRIUS, XM EXECS PITCH MERGER AT FCC
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Ergen is not going to sell EchoStar anytime soon...EchoStar buying Sling is a good thing, but look for broadcasters to step up their efforts to shut it down.

FRIDAY SEPT. 28, 2007

SATELLITE APPLAUDS “FAIR” TAX BILL
NAB CHIEF SLAMS XM-SIRIUS MERGER
ECHOSTAR, DIRECTV TUSSLE OVER SPACING
DIRECTV BOLSTERS
HD LINE-UP
ECHOSTAR ADDS MORE REGIONAL SPORTS HD
NEWS & NOTES: DirecTv plans to start offering access to episodes of the soap opera “Passions” online for $19.95 per month...Sling Media started selling the $179.99 Slingbox Solo, which can process either standard-definition or high-definition programming. Sling Media also started offering a version of its SlingPlayer software for Nokia phones using the Symbian operating system.

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 26, 2007

DIRECTV SLATED TO START HD ADDITIONS TODAY
ECHOSTAR CONSIDERS TECH UNIT SPIN-OFF
JUSTICE STILL LOOKING AT XM-SIRIUS DEAL
NTIA EXAMINES DIGITAL TRANSITION EDUCATION EFFORTS
SENATORS URGE END TO MOUNTAIN WEST ANGST
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group President Chase Carey last night accepted the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America for on behalf of DirecTv…ReelzChannel named Doug McCormick vice chairman of its executive management board. He is non-executive chairman of LIN TV and a partner with Rho Ventures.

MONDAY SEPT. 24, 2007

DIRECTV SEES NEW SERVICES DRIVING GROWTH
SMITHSONIAN SEALS DIRETV DEAL; EYES MORE
MALONE PONDERS LIBERTY, DIRECTV PLANS
HOUSE, SENATE PLAN DIGITAL TV HEARINGS
SENATE COMMERCE PLANS TAX MARK-UP

FRIDAY SEPT. 21, 2007

APPEALS COURT NIXES DBS KENTUCKY TAX CASE
PARSONS: XM FOCUSED AS REVIEW CONTINUES
LAWSUIT TAKES ON PACKAGING PRACTICES
DIRECTV HINTS
AT TIMELINE FOR HD ROLLOUT
GAO, ADELSTEIN BEMOAN DIGITAL EDUCATION
CO-OPS START OFFERING IP VIDEO SERVICE
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications is working with Sharp to offer discounts on some Sharp Aquos LCD-high-definition televisions to new and existing EchoStar customers who agree to lease EchoStar equipment…The DirecTv Group and Barclays have started offering a DirecTv Rewards Visa Card, which enables users to accumulate points that can be redeemed for various items…Industry Canada approved Loral Space and Communications’ acquisition of Telesat Canada. The FCC still must approve the transaction before it can be completed…EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen was ranked No. 27 on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in the country... International Launch Services established a “failure review board” to examine the results of the investigation into the failure of an ILS Proton rocket.

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 19, 2007

CAREY PREDICTS BIG RESULTS FOR DIRECTV
ECHOSTAR CITES VICTORY IN FORGENT CASE
XM CHAIRMAN CHASTISES NAB
CABLE PLANS FIGHT FOR HD SUBS
DBS SERVICES EYE EDUCATIONAL LEEWAY
CO-OPS START OFFERING IP VIDEO SERVICE

MONDAY SEPT. 17, 2007

DIRECTV READIES HD; SEES SPOT-BEAM ISSUE
VIEWTECH SEEKS ECHOSTAR CASE DISMISSAL
NCTA HEAD PREACHES TRANSITION TEAMWORK
ECHOSTAR ADDS HD PAY-PER-VIEW CHANNELS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: FCC meeting make Martin look like a joke...FCC should reject cable pleas for satellite dual must-carry.

FRIDAY SEPT. 14, 2007

DIRECTV DOWNPLAYS HACKER RULING IMPACT
DIRECTV SEES HIGHER SUNDAY TICKET SALES
ECHOSTAR EYES LIBERTY-NEWS CORP. RULES
NFL, CABLE TUSSLE OVER CARRIAGE
DIRECTV SLATES TIER FOR
HD CHANNELS
ACCESS DECISION SITS WELL WITH DIRECTV

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 12, 2007

DIRECTV DOWNPLAYS HACKER RULING IMPACT
DIRECTV SEES HIGHER SUNDAY TICKET SALES
ECHOSTAR EYES LIBERTY-NEWS CORP. RULES
NFL, CABLE TUSSLE OVER CARRIAGE
DIRECTV SLATES TIER FOR
HD CHANNELS
ACCESS DECISION SITS WELL WITH DIRECTV

MONDAY SEPT. 10, 2007

SIDES MAKE LAST STANDS ON PROGRAM ACCESS
COURT PUSHES BACK DIRECTV, COMCAST AD CASE
DBS GETS UNLUCKY IN KETUCKY IN TAX CASE
ECHOSTAR STATES CASE AGAINST MUST-CARRY
NEWS & NOTES: Liberty Media plans to hold a special stockholders meeting Oct. 23.
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: FCC should vote 5-0 in favor of extending program access provisions...Commission should not expand must-carry ruless...DirecTv scores with latest football ad.

FRIDAY SEPT. 7, 2007

BIG TEN NETWORK LANDS DEAL WITH ECHOSTAR
BOUCHER BACKS XM-SIRIUS MERGER
ILS FAILURE CAUSES FUTURE FALLOUT
C-BAND CHARTS USERS
CABLE PUSHES AGAINST PROGRAM ACCESS
NCTA TOUTS DIGITAL TV AD CAMPAIGN

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 5, 2007

FCC SETS PROGRAM ACCESS EXTENSION VOTE
DBS SERVICES DETAIL TRANSITION DIFFICULTIES
ECHOSTAR PLAYS UP MUST-CARRY BURDENS
C-BAND CHARTS USERS

FRIDAY AUG. 29, 2007

BIG TEN NETWORK LAUNCHES SMALL
DIRECTV SUBS KEEP DEFECTING FROM TIVO
TAX MORATORIUM GETS MORE TALK FROM DBS
DIRECTV DETAILS REASONS FOR FINISAR APPEAL
COMCAST STATES CASE AGAINST CLOSING LOOPHOLE
DIRECTV ADDS NEW LOCAL HD MARKET

WEDNESDAY AUG. 27, 2007

XM-SIRIUS, NAB SPAR OVER RULES
DIRECTV STARTS WILDBLUE “DOUBLE PLAY”
DIRECTV DROPS PRICE ON PORTABLE SYSTEM
VERIZON SEEKS PROGRAM ACCESS EXTENSION
NEWS & NOTES: Next Generation Home Products has developed a switch that can connect four HDMI satellite TV or other receivers and allow the user to choose between the sources and feed them to two HDTV sets...XM Satellite Radio said it is building new studios in Nashville.

MONDAY AUG. 27, 2007

GROUP PUSHES PROGRAM ACCESS CHANGES
FCC MAKES TWO-DISH LOCAL BAN OFFICIAL
DBS PLEADS AGAINST DUAL MUST-CARRY
ECHOSTAR PLAYS UP BIG TEN GAME COVERAGE
DBS SERVICES BEG OUT OF RULES FOR
PLUG-AND-PLAY
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Martin painted into a corner on a la carte...iPhone hack is no surprise...A prediction FCC will pass program access extension 5-0.

FRIDAY AUG. 24, 2007

DIRECTV APPEALS HD AD INJUNCTION
WILDBLUE SEES CRUNCH IN SOME MARKETS
XM-SIRIUS MERGER DEBATE CONTINUES
HNS OFFERS FREE EQUIPMENT
ECHOSTAR EXTENDS FREE SERVICE OFFER
SEA LAUNCH MAKES PROGRESS ON REPAIRS
MARTIN DEFENDS A LA CARTE STANCE

WEDNESDAY AUG. 22, 2007

APPEALS COURT SETS ECHOSTAR-TIVO DATE
DIRECTV LOOKS FOR EARLY SCORE WITH BIG TEN
NAB DETAILS DIGITAL TV EDUCATION EFFORTS
N. DAKOTA BROADCASTERS CHIME IN ON DIRECTV
DIRECTV SERVES UP TENNIS INTERACTIVITY
FCC SETS DATE FOR 700 MHZ AUCTION

MONDAY AUG. 20, 2007

JUDGE GIVES DIRECTV STATIC OVER HD ADS
NEWS CORP. BITES BACK ON BIG TEN COMPLAINT
ECHOSTAR EYES RETAILER ACTION ON TAX ISSUE
XM-SIRIUS DEAL GETS OPPOSITION, SUPPORT

FRIDAY AUG. 17, 2007

COMMITTEE CONFAB FOCUSES ON TAX ISSUE
DIRECTV LEADS WAY IN SATISFACTION SURVEY
ECHOSTAR EYES FOOTBALL FANS WITH PROMO
SIRIUS, XM PREP NEW RADIO LAUNCHES
DIRECTV PLUGS INTO BROADBAND POWERLINE DEAL

WEDNESDAY AUG. 15, 2007

XM-SIRIUS, NAB SQUARE OFF AT FCC
SPACEWAY-3 SATELLITE REACHES SPACE
DIRECTV PUNCHES UP STADIUM TICKET OFFER
DIRECTV TOUTS INTERACTIVE EFFORTS TO FCC
DIRECTV DETAILS NEW CAREY PAY PACKAGE
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications informed retailers it is extending until Jan. 31 its offer in which qualifying existing customers to its Dish’n It Up equipment lease program can receive up to $100 in credits…Rod Perth resigned as president of ReelzChannel Television.

MONDAY AUG. 13, 2007

ECHOSTAR DEALS WITH COMPETITION
DIRECTV READIES ONLINE SUNDAY TICKET
JUDGE BACKS ECHOSTAR IN FORGENT CASE
TIME WARNER BEMOANS PROGRAM ACCESS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Congratulations to the Hubbards on their new addition...Contrary to some opinions, EchoStar and DirecTv reported good quarters...Keeping Chase Carey on was a good idea...Blockbuster makes misstep with Movielink deal.
NEWS AND NOTES: Hughes Network Systems said it added 30,000 customers to its HughesNet service.

FRIDAY AUG. 10, 2007

DIRECTV EXPECTS HD COSTS TO PAY OFF
ECHOSTAR SEES PROFITS RISE, NET SUBS DIP
DIRECTV, TIME WARNER END HD AD FIGHT
LIBERTY PLANS STOCK TO INCLUDE DIRECTV
DIRECTV KEEPS CAREY ON WITH NEW CONTRACT
ECHOSTAR, DIRECTV SEEK DBS TAX RELIEF
CABLEVISION SEES SLIGHT BASIC SUB DIP
XM-SIRIUS DEAL DRAWS MORE OPPOSITION

WEDNESDAY AUG. 8, 2007

NAB, XM-SIRIUS CLASH OVER A LA CARTE PLAN
MARTIN TAKES LOOK AT XM-SIRIUS PLAN
COMPANY BLAMES ECHOSTAR FOR BANKRUPTCY
NDS SOUNDS NO ALARM BELLS OVER LIBERTY
ECHOSTAR KEEPS UP PROGRAM ACCESS EXTENSION PUSH

MONDAY AUG. 6, 2007

XM, SIRIUS PITCH A LA CARTE PLAN TO FCC
ECHOSTAR PLANS SPECIAL OFFERS
ECHOSTAR EXTENDS SWAPOUT FOR VOOM SUBS
BROADCASTERS DEFEND SHOPPING MUST-CARRY
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Rupert Murdoch shaking up the Wall Street Journal might be a good thing...Sports leagues' could be hurt by troubled times...C-band's inevitable decline.
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications co-founders Charlie and Cantey Ergen hosted a fund-raiser in Washington last Thursday night for Rep. Mark Udall, a Democrat running for the Senate from EchoStar’s home state of Colorado.

FRIDAY AUG. 3, 2007

NAB KEEPS SLAMMING SIRIUS-XM
C-BAND AUTHORIZED MODULE ROLLS DROP
SEASONAL SUB LOSSES HIT CABLE
SIRIUS TAPS LORAL FOR NEW SATELLITE
QWEST LOGS CALLS FOR
DIRECTV SYSTEMS
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications appointed Jessica Heacock Insalaco to be its senior vice president and chief marketing officer…EchoStar started offering the Setanta Sports channel. EchoStar is running a free preview of the channel through Sept. 5, after which it will charge $14.99 per month.

WEDNESDAY AUG. 1, 2007

SIRIUS LOSSES DROP AS NET SUBS RISE
KARMAZIN SEES SIGNS POINTING TO APPROVAL
DIRECTV-ECHOSTAR GROUP GETS 700 MHZ WISH
DIRECTV SLATES TIVO UPGRADES
VERIZON COUNTS UP VIDEO SUBS
NEWS & NOTES: After nine years with the organization, Harry Thibedeau plans to leave the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, effective Friday...Federal authorities searched Senate Commerce Committee ranking Republican Ted Stevens’ (R-Alaska) home in Alaska Monday in connection with a political corruption investigation, according to numerous media reports.

MONDAY JULY 30, 2007

DIRECTV ADDS ON TO COMCAST HD LAWSUIT
DBS NOT IMPACTED BY CLEARWIRE-SPRINT DEAL
FCC READY TO SET UP 700 MHZ RULES
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: XM-Sirius a la carte plan is frought with problems...TiVo playing up to cable is hilarious.

FRIDAY JULY 27, 2007

XM POSTS IMPROVED FINANCIAL RESULTS
XM SEES MERGER DEBATE GOING ITS WAY
XM, SIRIUS DETAIL A LA CARTE PLANS
ECHOSTAR, BIG TEN NETWORK TRADE BARBS
NAB BLASTS XM-SIRIUS A LA CARTE PLAN
SIDES SHOW CONCERN FOR DIGITAL TV PLANS
NEWS & NOTES: Comcast said it lost a net total of about 90,000 basic cable subscribers in the second quarter, bringing its total subscriber base to about 24.1 million.

WEDNESDAY JULY 25, 2007

XM, SIRIUS WEIGH IN AGAINST DETRACTORS
KARMAZIN TAKES CASE TO WASHINGTON
XM, SIRIUS DETAIL A LA CARTE PLANS
ECHOSTAR WANTS FCC RULING ON
BIG TEN NETWORK
DIRECTV, COMCAST GET COURT DATE
FOR HD AD DISPUTE
NEWS & NOTES: TiVo has started taking orders for a new $299.99 standalone high-definition digital video recorder it plans to roll out early next month...AT&T said it added a combined net total of about 162,000 DirecTv and EchoStar DBS subscribers during the second quarter, along with 38,000 subscribers to its own fiber/digital subscriber line video service.

MONDAY JULY 23, 2007

COALITION EYES BROAD 700 MHZ LICENSES
COPYRIGHT OFFICE PREPS FOR HEARINGS
ECHOSTAR TAKES FLIGHT WITH VIRGIN AMERICA
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Congratulations to HBO and Showtime on Emmy nominations...Smithsonian Channel has ingreidents for great pictures...CTAM hits Washington.
NEWS & NOTES: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to hold an FCC oversight hearing tomorrow. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin (R) and the four other commissioners are scheduled to testify.

FRIDAY JULY 20, 2007

NAB WANTS INFO ON XM, SIRIUS ISSUES
SIRIUS WANTS LID SHUT ON LICENSES
CABLE, BROADCASTERS SHOP MUST-CARRY IDEAS
PHONE COMPANIES SPICE UP ECHOSTAR OFFERS
COMCAST KEEPS UP OPPOSITION AGAINST PROGRAM ACCESS

WEDNESDAY JULY 18, 2007

ECHOSTAR SUES OVER FREE-TO-AIR BOXES
MORE LAWMAKERS OBJECT TO XM-SIRIUS DEAL
BROADCASTERS, CABLE DUEL OVER MUST-CARRY
CABLE, BELLS RAIL AGAINST NET NEUTRALITY
DIRECTV ADDS DOMINICAN CHANNEL
NEWS & NOTES: Hughes Network Systems Spaceway-3 satellite has arrived in French Guiana, from where it is scheduled to be launched aboard a Proton rocket Aug. 14.

MONDAY JULY 16, 2007

XM DEFENDS AGAINST MUSIC ALLEGATIONS
FORGENT SEEKS RULING VALIDATING PATENT
XM, SIRIUS LOOK TO PUSH OFF FINISAR CASE
SES OBJECTS TO ECHOSTAR REQUESTS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Congratulations to Harry Thibedeau...Comments on XM-Sirius reveiw shed no new light...Kudos to DirecTv on "Alien" commercial...EchoStar shows signs of broadening scope.

FRIDAY JULY 13, 2007

FCC GETS MORE INFO ON LIBERTY-DIRECTV DEAL
ECHOSTAR SLATES FREE HD OFFER
ECHOSTAR PREPS FALL PROMOS
VIDEOCIPHER MODULE USERS KEEP DROPPING
CAL AMP CLARIFIES ECHOSTAR DISH ISSUE COSTS
NEWS & NOTES: The DirecTv Group said it has raised about $1 million for schools through its DirecTv4Schools. About 3,000 schools participate in the program in which DirecTv donates $100 for every parent, teacher, or friend that activates DirecTv service for one year, and $50 for any current customer that makes a new programming commitment for a year...The Senate Commerce Committee scheduled a hearing for Thursday to examine how well consumers are prepared for the transition to digital-only broadcast signals.

WEDNESDAY JULY 11, 2007

XM, SIRIUS CITE SUPPORT FOR MERGER
NAB NOT ALONE IN XM-SIRIUS OBJECTIONS
ECHOSTAR LINES UP MORE HD CHANNELS
DIRECTV AGREES TO REFUNDS
IN WEST VIRGINIA
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications started offering subscribers an interactive polling and voting application for Bravo’s “Top Chef 3 Miami.”

MONDAY JULY 9, 2007

ROCKET LIFTS DIRECTV TOWARD MORE HD
SIDES OFFER INPUT FOR COPYRIGHT REPORT
FORGENT PRESSES FOR NEW TRIAL
ECHOSTAR MAINTAINS STANCE IN TIVO APPEAL
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: New ESPN min-series about Yankees appears to be a home run...Apple whips up frenzy over iPhone.

FRIDAY JULY 6, 2007

DIRECTV-10 SET FOR LAUNCH
DBS SERVICES AIR COPYRIGHT VIEWS
DIRECTV SEEKS DATA PROTECTION FROM FCC
XM-SIRIUS DEAL SEES MORE OPPOSITION
DIRECTV PANS REVERSE BAND PROPOSALS

MONDAY JULY 2, 2007

DIRECTV PREPS NFL CONSUMER OFFER
NAB KEEPS POUNDING ON XM-SIRIUS MERGER
FCC SETTLES INTEGRATED SECURITY BAN ISSUES
DIRECTV SUES RESTAURANTS OVER ACCOUNTS

FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2007

FCC LOOKS INTO SATELLITE RADIO POLICY
DIRECTV PLANS NO HD PRICE HIKE
XM-SIRIUS COUNT MORE SUPPORT
DIRECTV PONDERS ECHOSTAR COOPERATION
DIRECTV, LIFETIME SETTLE
LEGAL SPAT
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications started offering the Taiwanese Mega Pak. EchoStar charges $34.99 per month for the 13-channel service...The Consumer Electronics Association predicted there will be about 16 million high-definition sets sold this year, which would bring the total to about 52.5 million.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 27, 2007

SIDES WEIGH IN AT TV VIOLENCE HEARING
DIRECTV CHIDES “TWEENER” SATELLITE PLANS
MORE MUSIC PUBLISHERS SUE XM
PROGRAMMERS PAN A LA CARTE
ECHOSTAR DROPS RETAILER
OVER CALLS
NEWS & NOTES: San Francisco CBS affiliate started using Sling Media’s Slingbox technology and 28 video cameras to produce live video feeds from around the city...Installation companies Aerosat USA, Interlink Communications, and Install Techs joined the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, the group said.

MONDAY JUNE 25, 2007

NPS CHIDES BROADCASTERS OVER DISTANT CASE
XM, SIRIUS HIGHLIGHT MERGER SUPPORTERS
CABLE KEEPS OPPOSING A LA CARTE
ECHOSTAR OFFERS HD TO HOTEL, MDU ACCOUNTS
NEWS & NOTES: TiVo Chief Financial Officer Steven Sordello resigned to become the chief financial officer of an unnamed Silicon Valley company…Volkswagen announced it plans to make Sirius Satellite Radio units standard equipment on its 2008 My Touareg2, New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, GTI, and GLI models. Sirius units are already available on Jetta, Passat, and EOS models…

FRIDAY JUNE 22, 2007

LAWMAKERS DROP LOCAL STATION BILL
HBO, TIME WARNER OPINE ON PROGRAM ACCESS
CABLEVISION FINALLY MAKES ROOM FOR VOOM
MORE SIDES WEIGH IN ON XM-SIRIUS DEAL
COALITION SEEKS BROAD 700 MHZ LICENSES
DIRECTV FILES
LAWSUIT OVER “ACCOUNT STACKING”
NEWS & NOTES: Sling Media introduced software designed to enable Windows Mobile 6-enabled cell phones and other mobile devices to view programming through their Slingboxes remotely...The DirecTv Group has started allowing customers who live in Los Angeles to buy the analog NBC-owned station in New York in addition to the L.A. NBC-owned station.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 20, 2007

FCC SEEKS MORE INFO ON DIRECTV SALE
LAWMAKERS LINE UP AGAINST XM-SIRIUS DEAL
INVESTMENT GROUP TOPS INTELSAT BIDS
AT&T COMPLAINS ABOUT CABLEVISION CHANNEL ACCESS
NEWS & NOTES: SES Americom started offering its Internet Protocol multichannel video service on a wholesale basis to telephone companies yesterday...Sling Media introduced a line of adapters that enable users to plug their Slingbox’s into home high-speed Internet connection using their home powerlines.

MONDAY JUNE 18, 2007

ECHOSTAR WEIGHS IN FOR PROGRAM ACCESS
DBS EXECS EYE 700 MHZ AUCTION RULES
CANADA HANDS OUT SATELLITE LICENSES
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: NAB shows true colors with complaints about Alaska/Hawaii...People should stop jumping to conclusions about DirecTv and EchoStar trying to merge again...Congratulations to Ross Lieberman joining the ACA.

FRIDAY JUNE 15, 2007

ECHOSTAR, DIRECTV SIGN ON WITH CLEARWIRE
XM, SIRIUS CITE SUPPORT FOR MERGER PLANS
FINISAR WANTS DIRECTV VERDICT TO STAND
SENATORS SOUND OFF ON 700 MHZ AUCTION
CABLE SLAMS A LA CARTE LEGISLATION
NEWS & NOTES: EchoStar Communications and Liberty Media declined comment on a published report which claimed they were planning to submit a joint bid to purchase satellite operator Intelsat. Intelsat also declined comment…Technical issues at one of its uplinks caused by inclement weather caused some EchoStar customers in several major markets in the Eastern half of the country to be unable to view their local stations for less than an hour Wednesday night...A U.S. District Court in Kentucky sentenced Michael Hill to five months in prison and ordered him to pay DirecTv restitution of $346,104, after he pleaded guilty to working with others to distribute 437 illegally modified conditional access cards that enabled users to steal DirecTv’s DBS service...EchoStar started offering the Hebrew-language Global One and the Israeli Movie Channel.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2007

ECHOSTAR PLANS VOOM MOVE TO MPEG-4
DIRECTV SET TO INCREASE HBO HD SLATE
ERGEN TRUMPETS ECHOSTAR HD OVER DIRECTV
SEA LAUNCH COMPLETES INQUIRY INTO FAILURE
BROADCASTERS CHASTISE DIRECTV
ON ALASKA-HAWAII
NEWS & NOTES: The American Cable Association named Ross Lieberman vice president of government affairs...EchoStar said it plans to offer a “mosaic” channel showing six screens of ESPN’s coverage of the U.S. Open golf tournament this weekend…XM Canada said it finished its fiscal third quarter, ended May 31, with 270,000 subscribers…“The Sopranos” finale Sunday night was the second most watched show ever of the series, attracting about 11.9 million viewers, HBO said.

MONDAY JUNE 11, 2007

FCC STARTS OFFICIAL XM-SIRIUS REVIEW
SKY ANGEL TO IPTV; ECHOSTAR WANTS SLOT
COMCAST, TIME WARNER TAKE ON TELCOS, DBS
SCHERMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Better for companies to work with Slingbox than against it...Martin's curse-filled statement on obscenity fine ruling...Sopranos goes with anti-climax climax.
NEWS & NOTES: Cable overbuilder RCN said it reached an agreement to start offering the Major League Baseball Extra Innings package of out-of-market games, beginning July 9...A report commissioned by the Satellite Industry Association showed satellite industry revenues of $106.1 billion in 2006, up from $88.8 billion in 2005.