Satellite TV News

CBS To Buy Tech-Focused CNET Website

admin — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:51:46 +0000

CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS), the largest radio and television networks in the United States has struck a deal to buy CNET Networks for $1.8 billion in cash. This acquisition would include Web properties CNET, ZDNet, gaming site GameSpot, TV.com, music destination MP3.com, UrbanBaby and CNET news.com. CBS said it would combine those assets with its existing Internet properties, which would make the company one of the top 10 U.S. Web firms with 54 million unique users per month and approximately 200 million users worldwide.

CNET, the largest remaining independent content properties has reported revenue of $405 million in 2007. CNET will join other CBS Broadcasting businesses that include CBSSports.com, MaxPreps, CBS.com, CBSNews.com, MobLogic.tv, Last.fm and Wallstrip. CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement said “CNET Networks will add a tremendous platform to extend our complementary entertainment, news, sports, music and information content to a whole new global audience.

GOL TV Upfront Presentation: “Announces Four New Original Programs”

admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:55:56 +0000

GOL TV, 24/7 television network dedicated fully to association soccer in the United States announced during its Upfront Advertiser Presentation in New York on May 14, 2008, the addition of four new original programs to its line-up. GOL TV to present exclusive 2010 World Cup soccer coverage, 2010 World Cup qualifying matches from European sides, user-generated video, audience interaction and documentary-style features, each of the new TV series are positioned to score big with North American soccer fans.
Rodrigo Lombello, COO of GolTV detailed about the new programming in the Upfront Advertiser Presentation. The Four new original programming to be added are :
2010 Report
Soccer Cam
Fantasy Goal and
Kings of Club
Gol TV’s 2010 Report, which will take the network’s World Cup coverage to a whole new level with coverage of qualifying matches include several of the world’s top teams from Italy and Germany. 2010 Report will provide previews, highlights and analysis of upcoming World Cup qualifying matches from around the globe. Gol TV’s 2010 Report will cover global soccer action all the way through the championship game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and feature in-depth coverage and exclusive athlete interviews.
Soccer Cam show features fans themselves up-load user-generated video to the GolTV.tv website. The videos uploaded will be selected by the editors. The GolTV audience can win exciting prices for the best video uploaded.
Fantasy Goal will enable GolTV viewers to select and manage their own sides from La Liga’s ranks, create the fantasy team of their dreams. Each week, GolTV online and on-camera experts will prepare fantasy coaches for the upcoming matches with in-depth league analysis. This is first of its kind in the sport Fantasy Goal show.
Kings of Club will be a 10-episode half-hour GolTV original series will examine top soccer clubs from around the world like Italy’s AC Milan, Spain’s Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, England’s Manchester United and Chelsea, Germany’s Bayern Munich, Argentina’s Boca Juniors, Egypt’s Al-Ahly, The Netherlands’ AX Amsterdam and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, including premiere teams from five different continents.
“We are pumping up the GolTV lineup with programming that should score great ratings with our audience,” said Rodrigo Lombello, COO of GolTV. “Soccer fans live, breathe and dream about soccer. It’s a way of life. That’s why GolTV has more than exclusive matches from the best teams in the world. We aim to cover the sport from every angle including the most personal to truly reflect the passion, history, news, and even showcase our youngest fan’s greatest moment in this sport.”

ESPN Deportes Upfront Presentation: “ESPN Deportes Reloaded”

admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:51:16 +0000

ESPN’s Spanish-language multimedia brand, ESPN Deportes during its Upfront ‘08 presentation held on Wednesday evening at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall revealed its multimedia platforms, old and new programming initiatives and innovative multiplatform programming across its television, radio, online, print and wireless properties. This is ESPN Deportes first-ever televised upfront presented and attended by star-studded guests and home viewers and had opportunity to experience the power of the Spanish-language ESPN Deportes brand.

The presentation themed “ESPN Deportes Reloaded,” emphasized that ESPN Deportes was the only player in the Spanish-language sports space and shared their approach, television network’s distribution growth and innovative programming initiatives that could deliver via TV online, the ESPN Deports Radio network, the ESPN Deportes La Revista magazine that is available through subscription and on the newsstand, ESPN Deportes Mobile and through grass root level initiatives.

ESPN Deportes which has 12.1 million U.S. Hispanic household viewers and ESPN Deportes Radio is expected to launch a station in Miami has a reach of 43% of the nation (US Hisponic viewers), ESPNDeportes.com has recorded a huge 80% growth last year with a 20 million views, a 150% increase comparing to previous year.

“Being rated by Nielsen has been our greatest accomplishment to date and we look forward to showing advertisers the audience that our network can deliver,” said Lino Garcia, General Manager of ESPN Deportes. “ESPN Deportes has reloaded and the brand is reaching more Hispanics than ever before through multiple strong platforms and with refreshed programming initiatives.”

Starz to Launch Fifth High-Definition Channel ‘Encore HD’ in July

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:19:26 +0000

Starz Entertainment, a premium movie service provider has announced that it will launch Encore HD this July, making it the company’s fifth High-Definition channel. Encore channel, a flagship of Starz Entertainment with more than 31 million subscribers with the launch of the high-definition version will provide popular uncut, commercial-free new and recent movie hits. Encore HD will be made available in an East Coast feed for its cable, satellite and Telco affiliates.

Encore HD will provide both exclusive newer release movies and recent hit films in HD in 2008, including: Cars, Click, The Guardian, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Contact, Dances With Wolves, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Independence Day, The Mummy, Backdraft, and Remember The Titans.

Ed Huguez, executive vice president, sales and affiliate marketing for Starz Entertainment said “Consumer demand for HD movies, rising HDTV sales and continuing growth in Encore’s 30+ million subscriber base make Encore HD an ideal choice for our next new high definition offering, Further, because Encore HD On Demand has proven to be one of the more popular offerings on the VOD platform in terms of usage, we expect strong interest from consumers and customers in this new channel. Encore HD will be a ‘must have’ for those who love movies in HD.”

Upon launch, Starz Entertainment will be providing its affiliates with up to six high definition movie channels;

Starz HD (East)

Starz HD (West)

Starz Comedy HD

Starz Edge HD

Starz Kids & Family HD and

Encore HD

Comcast to Launch Three New HD channels In Philadelphia Area

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:15:19 +0000

As the HD war is heating up, Dish Network, Time Warner and other operators are delivering new high-definition channels to their customers. Comcast is also delivering HD channels in many market areas. Now Comcast is planning to launch new high-definition channels in the Philadelphia market area. Comcast is expected to add following new channels :
ABC Family HD
Disney HD and
The Science Channel HD

Comcast has now reached almost 40 HD channels in this market area. Comcast also offers a new facility “AnyRoom On Demand” for the subscribers in Washington market areas, without any addition equipment. This feature will allow the Comcast subscribers to select ‘On Demand programs’ on a TV and can watch on any TV in other rooms.

Time Warner to launch Twelve New HD channels in Southern California

admin — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Time Warner Cable also wanted to stay in the HD competition as Dish Network, DirecTV and other operators are launching HD channels rapidly. Time Warner is planning to launch 12 new high-definition channels in Southern California area. The time of the launch is not disclosed, but the cable operator is getting ready for the launch. The new HD channels expected to be launched in Southern California area are :

A&E HD

ABC Family HD

CNN HD

Discovery HD

Disney HD

ESPNews HD

Food HD

HGTV HD

History HD

National Geographic HD

TLC HD and

Versus / Golf HD

Time Warner is planning to offer HD channels in more markets, the cable operator is planning to offer 100 HD channels in certain parts of New York before the year end.

DirecTV joins the Multimedia over Coax Alliance

admin — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:20:26 +0000

The leading satellite television provider in the country DirecTV has joined Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) group last week. MoCA is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation promoting networking of multiple streams of high-definition video and digital entertainment and information content using existing coaxial cable already in the home. DirecTV joined the group as a Contributor level member, which will allow the satcaster to become even more involved in the formation of the organization, to develop the next generation specification.

“DIRECTV’s membership is continued proof of our evolution as a truly global standard with appeal to all major broadband industry segments,” said MoCA president, Charles Cerino. “They are a welcome addition to our organization and we look forward to their vital input in shaping the alliance.”

ESPN Euro 2008 Schedule Announced

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:16:17 +0000

European Championships are broadcast live in the United States on ESPN and the network has announced the plans of Euro 2008 telecast. Few games are to be broadcasted on ESPN and ESPN Classic and many games are to be beamed on ESPN2 and ESPNDeportes. ABC will bring the Final and a random quarterfinal game.

Following are the Groupings of the Euro 2008.

Group A -

• Switzerland / Czech Republic / Portugal / Turkey

Group B -

• Austria / Croatia / Germany / Poland

Group C -

• Netherlands / Italy / Romania / France

Group D -

• Greece / Sweden / Spain / Russia

Round Robin Phase :

Saturday 06-07-2008

11:50 a.m.- Switzerland vs. Czech Republic A (ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Portugal vs. Turkey A (ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes)

Sunday 06-08-2008

11:50 a.m.- Austria vs. Croatia B (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Germany vs. Poland B (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Monday 06-09-2008

11:50 a.m.- Romania vs. France C (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Netherlands vs. Italy C (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Tuesday 06-10-2008

11:50 a.m.- Spain vs. Russia D (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Greece vs. Sweden D (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Wednesday 06-11-2008

11:50 a.m.- Czech Republic vs. Portugal A (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Switzerland vs. Turkey A (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Thursday 06-12-2008

11:50 a.m.- Croatia vs. Germany B (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Austria vs. Poland B (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Friday 06-13-2008

11:50 a.m.- Italy vs. Romania C (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Netherlands vs. France C (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Saturday 06-14-2008

11:50 a.m.- Sweden vs. Spain D (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Greece vs. Russia D (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Sunday 06-15-2008

2:30 p.m.- Switzerland vs. Portugal A (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Turkey vs. Czech Republic A (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

5 p.m.- Turkey vs. Czech Republic (ESPN Deportes)

Monday 06-16-2008

2:30 p.m.- Poland vs. Croatia B (ESPN Classic)

2:30 p.m.- Austria vs. Germany B (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

5 p.m.- Poland vs. Croatia (ESPN Deportes)

Tuesday 06-17-2008

2:30 p.m.- Netherlands vs. Romania C (ESPN Classic)

2:30 p.m.- France vs. Italy C (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

5 p.m.- Netherlands vs. Romania (ESPN Deportes)

Wednesday 06-18-2008

2:30 p.m.- Greece vs. Spain D (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

2:30 p.m.- Russia vs. Sweden D (ESPN2)

7 p.m.- Russia vs. Sweden (ESPN Deportes)

Quarterfinals Stage:

Thursday 06-19-2008 2:30 p.m.- 1st Group A vs. 2nd Group B (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

Friday 06-20-2008 2:30 p.m.- 1st Group B vs. 2nd Group A (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

Saturday 06-21-2008 2:30 p.m.- 1st Group C vs. 2nd Group D (ABC)

Sunday 06-22-2008 2:55 p.m.- 1st Group D vs. 2nd Group C (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

Semifinals Stage:

Wednesday 06-25-2008 2:30 p.m.- Winners (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

Thursday 06-26-2008 2:30 p.m.- Winners (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Finals:

Sunday 06-29-2008 2:30 p.m. - Euro 2008 Title Match from Vienna (ABC)

CBS College Sports Network Available in HD

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:16:03 +0000

CBS College Sports Network, formerly CSTV, is now available in high definition to all cable, satellite and video distributors. The network is offering an MPEG4 simulcast feed that allows viewers to watch many sports in high definition like SEC football games and the 2008 NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship. Bob Rose, Executive Vice President, Distribution, CBS College Sports Network said “Fans now demand their sports in high definition and we’re thrilled to bring the HD experience to viewers nationwide, CBS College Sports Network continues to grow across all platforms, and the conversion to HD further demonstrates our commitment to providing fans and distributors with relevant and compelling content on the screens they want to watch it.”

Cablevision Systems Corporation is to acquire the Sundance Channel

admin — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:25:50 +0000

Cablevision Systems Corporation is to acquire the Sundance Channel from NBC, CBS and Robert Redford for $496 million in cash and stock deal. Sundance Channel will join AMC, WE, Independent Film Channel, Voom HD Networks, MSG Network, MSG Plus, News 12 and Rainbow Media Holdings LLC in the Cablevision family. The programming of the Sundance Channel is a mix of original series such as Iconoclasts and Live From Abbey Road and indie films.