Big Quarter for DirecTV
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, November 4, 2011 · 
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DirecTV is reporting its largest third-quarter subscriber increase in the last five years. From July to September, Direct TV added 327,000 subscribers. This increase is likely the result of the NFL Sunday Ticket promotion DirecTV launched earlier this year.
DirecTV also is reporting a larger average revenue per U.S. user, up 3.6% from a year ago. The company’s stock is trading at a higher price, reflecting a 6.2% increase.
In related news, AT&T announced that it had renewed its agreement to re-sell DirecTV, agreeing to a three-year extension.
Echostar TV Everywhere
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, June 6, 2011 · ·
In a move engineered to provide on-demand content to small and independent video service distributors, Echostar announced that it will be demonstrating the “Aria” system at the National Cable Show this month in Chicago.
Mark Jackson, president of the company’s EchoStar Technologies business unit said, “Innovative products are being introduced every day, but the technology to use them is designed for the nation’s largest providers. Aria is engineered to perform on existing networks without a painful integration period.”
The Aria system provides on-demand content to a set-top-box via the cloud. The system allows for video viewing in the home and to wireless mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Read more
LIN and Dish Reach Agreement
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, March 14, 2011 · ·
After an eight-day blackout period in which 27 stations were dropped from Dish Network, the subscribers in 17 DMAs learned on Sunday that the stations were coming back.
LIN Media and Dish Network announced on March 13 that they had come to terms and would be restoring the missing channels to the Dish Network line-up. In a statement from LIN Media, LIN president and CEO Vincent Sadusky said, ”We are pleased that our negotiations with Dish Network resulted in a fair resolution and a new retransmission consent agreement.”
LIN Media Stations Go Dark on Dish Network
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, March 7, 2011 · ·
Advocates for retransmission consent reform are calling the latest blackout of local stations on Dish Network just one more instance in an increasingly long horror story. The loss of the 17 markets and 27 LIN Media stations directly affects 1.1 million Dish Network subscribers.
According to David Shull, senior vice president of programming for Dish Network, LIN is asking for a 175% rate increase in the first year. “LIN Media is simply being greedy, insisting on a rate increase so immense that Dish Network and its subscribers couldn’t possibly absorb it.”
New Option for Dish Network?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, February 28, 2011 · ·
Could Dish Network be working on a product that will allow it to stream programming over the Internet in the same way it delivers content via satellite? Dish Network CEO Charles Ergen told reporters last week that the company is in talks to expand its rights to do just that.
Without announcing a new development plan for an Internet product, Ergen did describe current discussions and a study that may result in a product aimed at viewers that must use the Web to access entertainment. Ergen acknowledged that some programmers run the risk of damaging their conventional distribution products.
DishOnline.com Launches in Support of TV Everywhere
Posted by Steve Fravel on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 · ·
After several months of beta testing with a few thousand users, DishOnline.com, the online portal for Dish Network’s TV Everywhere platform, launched on August 24. Subscribers may access up to 150,000 video clips, full-length episodes and films through the website.
Subscribers also may remotely access their DVR receivers via the site to manage recordings, set timers or search through the program listings. Those who have a ViP 922 Sling-enabled receiver, or who have a Slingbox may watch live or recorded content from wherever they may be.
DIRECTV Adds 3D Channel
Posted by Steve Fravel on Thursday, July 1, 2010 · ·
The addition of n3D gives DIRECTV three 3D channels. n3D sponsored by Panasonic will provide a variety of content including documentary/adventure, concerts and special events.
n3D is available to HD customers at no additional cost. Customers must have a 3D monitor to experience the effect.
During July customers will have the opportunity to experience special sporting events. The MLB All-Star Game in 3D from Fox Sports and the NASCAR Coke 0 400 will be available.
DIRECTV has also added ESPN 3D, where viewers will be able to see 2010 FIFA World Cup action along with other exciting sports. DIRECTV Cinema will program various movie titles in 3D.