ITV

Tag: Dish Network

  • Dish Network and Raycom Media resolve retransmission dispute

    Dish Network and Raycom Media resolve retransmission dispute

    MUMBAI: The companies say that Raycom stations will be back on Dish Network “overnight,” and didn’t provide any details about the agreement.

    The broadcaster owns or controls 53 stations in 36 markets including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, and MyNetworkTV affiliates in cities including Cleveland, Toledo, Honolulu, Tucson, Baton Rouge, West Palm Beach, Louisville, and Memphis.

    The stations went dark on Dish on 1 August when the previous carriage contract expired. Dish accounts for about 15 per cent of Raycom’s viewers, according to data from SNL Kagan.

  • Apple’s TV service would pay networks to allow ad skipping

    Apple’s TV service would pay networks to allow ad skipping

    MUMBAI: Adding to rumors of Apple‘s supposed set-top cable box plans, a report on Monday claims the company is in the thick of talks with media executives over a “premium” level of the alleged service that would allow users to skip ads entirely.

    According to the report, Apple recently informed networks about the “premium” version of the as-yet-unannounced service, which would theoretically have users of the proposed service pay Apple for the ability to skip ads.

    While the system has yet to be detailed, similar offerings found heavy resistance from broadcasters. For example, Dish Network launched an ad-skipping technology in 2012, and was subsequently sued for its efforts.

    Apple is already seeing resistance from cable providers over its streaming services. When HBO launched the HBO Go app for Apple TV, some cable and satellite companies pushed back by refusing to authenticate the app for streaming.

    With the advent of the DVR, however, an increasing amount of America‘s television-watching public are fast-forwarding through commercials. This could give Apple some leverage in negotiations, though details regarding the talks are few and far between.

    Rumors of an Apple-branded set-top cable box have been floating around the web for nearly one year, with initial reports of the company‘s alleged plans coming in August 2012. Unlike DVRs, which store content on-site, Apple‘s rumored system would be cloud-based, meaning enhanced viewing flexibility and data handling.

    Fanning the flames of an Apple partnership with at least one cable company, currently thought to be Time Warner, both CEO Tim Cook and SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue attended this year‘s Sun Valley conference and met with a number of media firms. The event, hosted by New York-based investment bank Allen & Co, brings together moguls from the media and tech industries for four days of lectures, discussions, and networking.

  • MSM launches Sony Mix in US on Dish Network

    MSM launches Sony Mix in US on Dish Network

    MUMBAI: Sony Mix, Multi Screen Media‘s (MSM) Hindi music channel, has launched on leading US direct-broadcast satellite service provider, Dish Network.

    Moving into the gap created by erstwhile music channels rechristened as ‘youth channels‘ and other music channels dishing out non-music content as interstitial programming, the channel is confident that viewers shall enjoy Mix as a channel that remains true to the music genre.

    Mix also aims to maintain its focus on content by producing packaged shows offering right from user generated content to people profiles executed in the most unmistakably musical fashion.

    Says Sony Entertainment Television (SET) SVP International Business and Head of North America Jaideep Janakiram, “We are proud to announce the launch of our music channel – Mix on DISH Network for the discerning South Asian lovers of Hindi film music. We are confident that MIX will connect with every viewer with its variety of music and special programming. Mix is and shall stay true to music.”

    Dish Network Director of Programming Sruta Vootukuru states, “Sony Mix‘s unique theme-based music format helps Dish deliver a better experience to our customers. Adding the Sony MIX channel compliments Dish‘s robust international programming and enhances our South Asian offerings.”

    In a related development, SET has launched its flagship HIndi general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment on RCN, the all-Digital Cable, Internet & Phone provider in New York City effective 2 April.

    The channel is part of the brand-new RCN “Sona” tier, including other premium South Asian networks.

    “We‘re very excited to announce the launch of Sony Entertainment Television in New York City,” said RCN New York General Manager Bruce Abbott. “It falls perfectly in line with our goal to continually add more networks that provide maximum entertainment and value for our customers.”

    Adds Janakiram, “At Sony Entertainment Television, we continue to lead in ways to make our programming available to the widest possible audience. We are proud to announce the launch of SET Asia on RCN and are committed to bring our viewers the best family entertainment and Bollywood blockbusters.”

  • Court awards $4.6 mn to Dish in dispute with ESPN

    Court awards $4.6 mn to Dish in dispute with ESPN

    MUMBAI: A federal jury in Manhattan has awarded Dish Network $4.9 million in its disputes with ESPN for breach of
    contract.

    The 10-member jury unanimously decided that ESPN was liable for breaching a 2005 licensing agreement by allowing rivals to pay lower rates for its Spanish channel ESPN Deportes without extending the same offer to Dish.

    The award was, however, less than the $152 million that Dish had sought from ESPN.

    “We are gratified that the jury rejected all but one of Dish‘s claims and all but $4.8 million of the more than $153 million in damages they were seeking,” ESPN said in a statement.

    The Walt Disney affiliate also said that it had not yet decided whether or not it will appeal the case.

  • Space Systems/Loral wins contract to build satellites for Echostar & Intelsat

    Space Systems/Loral wins contract to build satellites for Echostar & Intelsat

    MUMBAI: Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space and Communications and provider of high-power commercial satellites, has announced that it has been awarded a contract to manufacture a new direct broadcast satellite (DBS) for EchoStar Orbital Corporation II, a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications Corporation. EchoStar XIV will provide expanded services and flexibility for Dish Network’s more than 13 million direct-to-home (DTH) television subscribers.

    “Our long-term relationship with EchoStar is an endorsement of the performance, reliability and service that our company provides,” said Space Systems/Loral president John Celli. “With an ever-increasing amount of programming options, it is an exciting time for the DTH industry and Space Systems/Loral is well positioned to help EchoStar meet its growing demand for advanced services.”

    There are currently three SS/L-built satellites on orbit in the EchoStar fleet.

    “As the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the nation and an innovator in advanced services such as HDTV, we need the power and capacity that a satellite from Space Systems/Loral can provide,” said EchoStar vice president of Space Programs Rohan Zaveri.

    In addition, the company has also recently announced that Intelsat Corporation has awarded SS/L a contract to manufacture Intelsat 14, a new, high-power C- and Ku-band fixed satellite service (FSS) satellite.

    “This contract underscores our long-standing relationship with Intelsat,” said Celli. “This new project provides SS/L the opportunity to demonstrate our success in combining heritage, space-proven satellite technology with new innovation. We are pleased to be awarded the contract for this important new member of Intelsat’s global fleet.”

    Intelsat 14, to be located at 45 degrees West longitude, will be the 44th Space Systems/Loral satellite built over the past four decades for Intelsat, the world’s largest fixed satellite services operator. The satellite will carry 40 C-band and 22 Ku-band transponders across four different beams, covering the Americas, Europe and Africa, informs an official release.

    Intelsat 14 will have a design life of 15 years and will replace the PAS-1R satellite when the new satellite is delivered in 2009. Intelsat 14 is the first satellite awarded to SS/L in 2007. The company received seven satellite awards in 2006 from a wide variety of customers, including FSS operators, direct-to-home and satellite radio service providers.

  • Aaj Tak, Headlines Today launch global feed

    Aaj Tak, Headlines Today launch global feed

    MUMBAI: The TV Today Network has launched the international feed of two of their channels – Aaj Tak and Headlines Today. This comes a year after the launch of both these channels in the US. Aaj Tak and Headlines Today are available on the Dish Network in the US.

    Speaking on the occasion, TV Today Network CEO G Krishnan said, “Having built a healthy subscriber base in the US, we felt that it was time to commit ourselves more deeply to the market and customize our product according to international needs.”

    TV Today managing director Aroon Purie said, “The launch of our channels in the US has been successful and this step will further our efforts to reach out to the Indian diaspora.”

    The launch would also mean that the channel can now look at customised advertising and programming.

     

  • ARY rolls out QTV and Musik on EchoStar’s Dish Network

    ARY rolls out QTV and Musik on EchoStar’s Dish Network

    MUMBAI: Pakistan’s ARY Digital Network has launched two more channels in the United States and North America .

    After the success of its flagship general entertainment channel, ARY Digital and its 24 hour news and current affairs channel ARY One World, the network now rolls out QTV – the 24 hour Islamic channel and a music channel Musik.

    Both these channels became available on the EchoStar’s Dish Network platform from 20 April.

    “One of our basic objectives is to help our music, entertainment, language, and basically our culture find a voice and reach the world over,” says ARY Digital Network president and CEO Salman Iqbal.

    “Our channels are trying to bridge the geographical divide that exists for that huge population of people that have migrated from their homelands.”

    The Network continues to expand its reach and distribution – with launch of Musik in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2006, adding to the existing ARY Digital, ARY One World and QTV packages.

    In June 2006, ARY Digital Network will also be launching ARY Digital, ARY One World and QTV in New Zealand and Australia.

    “We are proud to say that we are the largest South Asian Television network in the world with the most channels being distributed internationally, ” stated Iqbal. “It’s important for a network to be able to provide options to suit the taste buds of a wide cross section of viewers, be it in any region.”

    The Islamic channel QTV is also visible in India.