Cable TV and Satellite TV News Archives

Cox Communication's President, Pat Esser, set a goal for the multisystem operator to offer its customers a minimum of 50 HD channels across all channels by the end of 2007, with planned expansion to 100 by the end of 2009.

To accomplish this high-definition programming roll-out, Cox is utilizing BigBand Networks and Switched Digital Video (SDV) technology in the Northern Virginia market, expecting to eventually expand this technology to additional systems in 2007.

SDV is unique in its capabilities. It allows cable operators to deliver more channels to its subscribers using the same amount of bandwidth, but instead of operating the same as other digital video technologies, SDV sends a specific channel to those who choose to view at that given time. This allows cable programmers such as Cox to offer numerous, additional channels on its customers' TVs without them knowing it. This system works primarily on the theory that not every single channel in an operator's subgroups will be watched simultaneously.

The SDV system should be available in the next 30 days, though Cox is remaining flexible on the type of top-box technology it plans to use to deliver SDV to its customers.

Time Warner Cable will begin offering Look Back in the fall of 2007, a new feature that allows its customers to watch, record, rewind and fast forward their favorite shows at no cost.

Unlike DVR services, Look Back and its sister feature Start Over do not allow consumers to fast forward through commercials, and do not provide a library to store viewed content. But without the hassle of equipment set up, and the convenience and ease of recording a plethora of shows without the viewer having to set reminders, both of these features deliver unique interactive experiences. With Look Back, a Time Warner customer can view certain TV shows later in the day that they air, anytime prior to midnight.

"Many customers do fast-forward through commercials when given the choice, and that is an obvious and undeniable benefit of a digital video recorder," said Peter Stern, executive vice president for new product development at Time Warner Cable. "But the digital video recorder is principally about enabling customers to watch what they want, when they want. It returns control to customers over the television schedule."

Start Over delivers a similar user-friendly, free service to Time Warner customers, and began its test launch in South Carolina in 2005. Operating with more than 100 channels, Start Over automatically creates temporary recordings. If a customer switches to one of these stations in the middle of a show, he or she is able to view it from the beginning. A half-hour show, for instance, can be viewed anytime within 30 minutes of when it started.

Both features function as a basic DVR, but unlike Tivo and other similar technologies, Time Warner is offering both Look Back and Start Over without any monthly obligation or fee. In addition to South Carolina, Start Over is currently available in San Antonio, TX; Greensboro, NC and Rochester, NY, with plans for continued expansion in 2007 and 2008.

Comcast recently celebrated the official grand opening of the company's second call center in Connecticut. By the end of the year, the new 77,000 square foot facility will employ more than 200 customer care representatives, who Comcast says will help meet the growing customer demand for Comcast's cable television, high-speed Internet and phone products.

"We are thrilled that Comcast made the business decision to invest in our state and create over 200 jobs in the process. This new facility underscores the fact that Connecticut is open to business and has the talented workforce to fuel business growth," said Governor M. Jodi Rell, who attended the grand opening ceremony with other state and local officials. "Comcast is a valued member of Connecticut's business community, and their expanded presence in our state will have a positive impact on the local and state economies."

Doug Guthrie, Vice President for Comcast's Connecticut-Western Massachusetts Region, thanked Governor Rell, the Town of Enfield and other state and local officials for their support. Guthrie noted that between the two call centers and 14 service centers located throughout the state, Comcast employs more than 1,100 individuals in Connecticut. He said that the new facility gives Comcast the capacity to add up to approximately 350 positions in the next few years as it continues to grow its business. In addition to the two Connecticut call centers, Comcast operates six other call centers in New England.

"Governor Rell and the Department of Economic and Community Development have been instrumental in Comcast's efforts to expand our operations in the state of Connecticut as we strive to meet the strong customer demand for our innovative products and services," said Guthrie. "Comcast's recipe for success starts with delivering a top-notch customer experience, and that includes locating our call centers in and around communities where our customers live and work."

Prior to the transition to Comcast, Adelphia/Tele-Media customer calls were entirely outsourced to other parts of the country, a trend that Comcast says it has reversed to ensure better service.

Guthrie added that the opening of the new call center coincides with the completed launch of Comcast Digital Voice, the company's residential phone service, which is offered in every Connecticut community in which Comcast provides service, including those previously served by Adelphia/Tele-Media. With phone service offered throughout the state, Comcast says the company's Triple Play bundle of digital cable with ON DEMAND, Comcast high-speed Internet and Comcast Digital Voice will also be available to customers throughout the company's footprint.

For more information on the call center, check out the Comcast press release.

Houston just got a little more Comcastic! Customers throughout Greater Houston will now have a new service provider as Time Warner Cable officially became Comcast today. The transition, affecting more than 750,000 Houston-area cable TV, high-speed Internet and digital phone customers, follows the dissolution of a joint venture between the companies earlier this year.

To mark the switch, Comcast says it will enhance the channel lineup in the City of Houston and the 62 surrounding communities it now serves by launching nearly 20 new channels, including the NFL Network and five High-Definition (HD) networks. Houstonians have already started to notice the branded Comcast trucks, signs and employee uniforms that have been popping up in the service area, which stretches from Galveston to the Woodlands and from Baytown to Katy.

The transition sets the stage for the rollout of Comcast's broadband video, high-speed Internet and phone products, thanks to an investment of more than $200 million in the area this year.

"The transition from Time Warner Cable to Comcast is more than just a change in name on a technician's uniform, on a truck or on a building," said Tony Speller, senior vice president of the Houston region. "It represents a true commitment to innovative products, a focus on improving our customers' experience and an ongoing dedication to the communities where our customers and our 2,700 employees live and work. We will work hard each day to earn the trust and satisfaction of our newest customers."

For more information on the transition, check out the Comcast press release.

Comcast Corporation recently announced that Comcast will purchase from Cablevision's programming subsidiary, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, its 60 percent interest in FSN Bay Area and its 50 percent interest in FSN New England for $570 million in cash.

Upon completion of the FSN transactions, Comcast will own 100 percent of FSN New England and 60 percent of FSN Bay Area, with the remaining 40 percent still owned by an affiliate of News Corporation. Comcast will operate both networks and completion of these two transactions is subject to certain closing conditions.

For Comcast, the transactions add to its growing regional sports programming operations. The sale of FSN Bay Area and FSN New England allows a divestiture by Cablevision of its only remaining regional sports programming assets located outside of the New York market.

"FSN Bay Area and New England are excellent operating businesses and fit strategically into Comcast's portfolio of sports networks. By growing RSNs in markets where Comcast has existing operations, we have a unique opportunity to reinforce our brand image and capitalize on our local presence," said Jeff Shell, President of Comcast Programming Group.

"We have been honored to have operated FSN New England and FSN Bay Area since their inception and are confident that Comcast will only build on our record of excellence for sports viewers in these two important markets," said Josh Sapan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Media Holdings.

For more information, check out the Comcast press release.

As part of its continued growth in the Washington, D.C. area, RCN recently added another sponsorship to its roster. In addition to the company's agreement with the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, RCN recently announced that it has signed a two-year partnership with Kettler Capitals Iceplex, official training center of the Washington Capitals, has signed a two-year partnership to provide cable services for the team's new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. RCN is one of the first official sponsors of the recently opened $43.7 million Iceplex.

Home of the Washington Capitals' front offices, team practice rink and training facilities, Kettler Capitals Iceplex is an indoor ice-skating complex that features two NHL regulation-sized rinks with seating for 1,200 and building occupancy of 2,100. Combined, the two rinks offer the public 12,000 hours of ice time annually. In addition to the Capitals, other user groups include Washington Jr. Capitals, Washington Jr. Nationals, Washington Little Capitals and Georgetown University, as well as local adult, college, high school and youth hockey teams.

"Kettler Capitals Iceplex is a state-of-the-art facility that deserves only the best in technology," said Washington Capitals Chairman and Majority Owner Ted Leonsis. "RCN adds cable services and a level of sponsorship that will add to the quality of the building for the community, players, coaches, fans and staff. We are excited to have RCN onboard as a new partner and look forward to the services and technology that they add to our facility."

As part of the deal, RCN will become the exclusive Official Cable Provider to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, which includes a range of on-site branding opportunities including Web site, TVs, dasherboards, ice-resurfacing machine and in-ice recognition.

"We are proud to have been the first to offer the triple play of video, high-speed data and voice, so we are very excited to now bring a viable, competitive choice to businesses in Arlington County," said RCN President and CEO Peter Aquino. "The Kettler Capitals Iceplex is a very remarkable facility, and we look forward to meeting its cable needs and to the marketing opportunities that this deal provides for us."

According to RCN Senior Vice President, Strategic & External Affairs Richard Ramlall, the company's growing affiliation with local sports teams reflects its determination to have a positive presence in the community.

"Our company was formerly known as Starpower in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With this new partnership, RCN's star power continues to grow," Ramlall said. "In addition to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, our partnerships allow us to showcase RCN at D.C. United soccer games, Georgetown basketball games and at more than 140 Patriot Center concerts, community events and George Mason basketball games."

Under the terms of the agreement, RCN will provide cable video services for the Kettler Capitals Iceplex. This contract is the first since RCN created a new business unit to focus solely on serving small to medium-sized businesses.

"Our focus is on taking the time to understand the communications needs of each small business we serve. We do that with knowledgeable sales people and experienced customer care teams who are armed with service selections that make sense," said RCN Small Business Vice President John Baker. "In addition to a variety of phone rate plans for example, we offer data speeds up to 20Mbps, while DSL taps out at only 7Mbps and Comcast at 8Mbps."

Baker explained that RCN's focus is good news for small and medium-sized businesses looking for vendor choice. "We realize that choosing the right provider for phone, high-speed Internet and cable TV is critical for small business and we take pride in delivering the services and support our customers can rely on."

For more information, check out the RCN press release.

Cox Television announced recently that it has selected Harris Corporation's OSi-Traffic™ application to manage the traffic, sales, accounting and reporting components of its business. Cox Television owns and operates 15 television stations and one cable news channel, and is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, one of the nation's leading media companies.

A longstanding Harris customer, Cox TV will be able to use OSi Traffic™ to seamlessly integrate other Harris products across multiple business lines. For example, Cox can integrate its Harris® ADC™ Playout Automation solution with OSi-Traffic applications. The tight integration between traffic and automation allows Cox to increase revenue by controlling inventory utilization selling, and optimizing available spots closer to airtime.

The relationship between OSi-Traffic™ and Harris applications like Medialine and Repline also creates integrated local and national sales tools for Cox Television. As one of the top national television advertising sales firms, this integration helps Cox Television develop efficient conduits between stations and agencies—increasing efficiency and decreasing errors.

"The team at Cox feels with OSi-Traffic, we're moving to a provider who understands the demands of the television business today and into the future with an emphasis on greater speed and access to information," said Bruce Baker, executive vice president, Cox Television. "The synergy of Harris systems with our stations is unique and gives us confidence that we'll not only operate better, but also more efficiently—all with a focus on better serving our viewing and advertising customers."

Harris also provides Cox with an organized migration path from its previous Harris® BMS traffic system, giving the company an uninterrupted view of historical data. Cox Television will enjoy a smooth and integrated transition process to an economical and efficient centralized traffic system. The centralized architecture also enables Cox to track broadcast revenue streams from disparate locations.

AT&T recently announced that Frost & Sullivan selected AT&T Homezone(SM) service as the 2007 North American Consumer Communication Services Product of the Year.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Product of the Year recognizes the company that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within its industry. In selecting AT&T for this award, Frost & Sullivan noted, "AT&T has incorporated a coherent product strategy to retain its competitive position in the consumer services space and to provide customers with an integrated home-entertainment experience."

"AT&T's Homezone services builds on the company's reputation as a reliable network provider and a consumer services innovator," said Jeff Weber, vice president, AT&T Product and Strategy. "This award from Frost & Sullivan recognizes the original thinking and careful planning that went into bringing this service to market and that our mission to connect with customers via the three screens they value most—the TV, the PC and the wireless phone—is working."

With AT&T Homezone services, the company became the first national telecommunications provider to offer seamlessly integrated video content and TV entertainment to the "digital living room," through both broadband and traditional satellite networks via a single set-top device.

AT&T Homezone integrates AT&T Yahoo!(R) High-Speed Internet, AT&T | DISH Network satellite television and AT&T Home Networking services. It features digital videorecording, movies on demand, photo and music sharing, storage for both, and remote Web-based access to the system. It will soon also include remote access to the system through wireless devices. The service is available across most of the company's traditional broadband footprint.

"With its Homezone service, AT&T has demonstrated a commitment to delivering consistent growth in the future as it has in the past," said Piyush Arora, Frost & Sullivan analyst. "This service builds on AT&T's existing infrastructure and video delivery strategy to combine satellite TV programming with new levels of integration and on-demand content via broadband. It's a real homerun for consumers and AT&T."

For more information, check out the AT&T press release.

AT&T Inc. and A&E Television Networks today announced a comprehensive multiyear distribution agreement to deliver AETN linear, High Definition (HD) and on-demand programming as part of the AT&T U-verse^SM TV channel lineup.

Under the agreement, AT&T will deliver the following AETN brands to AT&T U-verse customers: A&E Network, The History Channel, The History Channel En Español, The Biography Channel, History International, Crime & Investigation Network and The Military History Channel. AT&T U-verse will also carry A&E Network in HD. The AT&T U-verse video-on-demand (VOD) library will also feature several hours of AETN VOD popular programming each month, including "Dog The Bounty Hunter" and "Intervention" from A&E and "Digging for the Truth" and "Dogfights" from The History Channel.

"AT&T is thrilled to bring AETN's exceptional entertainment and educational programming to our U-verse channel lineup," said Dan York, head of programming, AT&T Operations, Inc. "Customers will experience history and connect with the some of the world's most fascinating people through AETN's compelling programming."

"AETN is pleased to deliver its entire portfolio of high-quality programming over AT&T's advanced video platform," said David Zagin, executive vice president, distribution, AETN. "By adding our innovative and widely viewed networks, including HD and VOD, AT&T is giving its U-verse customers access to some of today's most desirable content."

You can read more in this AT&T press release.

Start-up airline Virgin America recently announced that EchoStar Communications Corporation will be the airline's primary live in-flight satellite entertainment partner. Pending government approval, the airline hopes to introduce domestic U.S. service in Spring 2007.

The agreement will provide Virgin America's guests with an variety of EchoStar's DISH Network satellite TV programming. In addition to live DISH Network satellite TV, the airline will offer customers 'pay-per-view' movies, audio music entertainment that includes the ability to compile individual audio playlists, a selection of popular electronic games, and even meals on-demand.

"Once the Department of Transportation says we can fly, we'll be ready to offer our guests an incredible entertainment experience and DISH Network is a major component of that," said Charles Ogilvie, Virgin America's Director of Inflight Entertainment & Partnerships. "Our interactive entertainment system is more than just a channel line-up in which our guests will immerse themselves. We believe they'll find it to be an exciting, customer-friendly experience overall."

"We are delighted to be part of this innovative airborne entertainment offering," said Charlie Ergen, Chairman and CEO of EchoStar's DISH Network. "DISH Network is focused on securing and delivering exciting, timely and appealing content to Virgin America guests as well as our 13 million-plus subscribers throughout the United States."

For more information on the new partnership, check out the press release Virgin America to Offer EchoStar's DISH Network at Every Seat on Every Flight.

Contemplating life without my TiVo is a scary prospect but the Yankee Group says that might just happen in the near future. The technology research and consulting firm recently announced that their research shows that the standalone DVR product category will cease to exist by 2010, and its dissolution will result in the end of TiVo as we know it.

According to the Yankee Group Report, Technology on Fast Forward: 2006 to 2011 US DVR Forecast, even as DVR growth accelerates, TiVo will struggle to remain relevant in the market. They conclude that TiVo will begin to shed subscribers during the forecast period while service providers will continue to capitalize on the emerging technology and no entry cost hardware to incrementally up-sell subscribers to new services.

"The five year outlook for the DVR in the home is one of unmitigated growth and opportunity. As new technology emerges, it is important that advertisers, service providers and broadcasters remember that taking away [consumer's] ability to skip commercials is not an option," said Joshua Martin, Yankee Group, Consumer analyst. "The answer lies in innovation and evolution to reach the mass and niche markets moving forward because the era of the 30-second spot is fading away for all age groups and demographics."

During the forecast period, DVRs will become commoditized, resulting in the end of TiVo. However, according to Martin, "TiVo has incredible brand value that resonates with customers and it will be an asset to any service provider, increasing the likelihood of an acquisition."

For more information, check out the press release.

According to a new Nickelodeon research study titled "The Digital Family," families today rely on modern technology to function more than ever before, rendering former household staples such as road maps and dictionaries obsolete, as well as reducing the importance of spelling skills. Key findings of the study also indicated that kids and parents place a higher premium on "downtime," and that TV has become their medium of choice to relax. And, contrary to popular belief, parents are embracing technologies just as much as kids, and view cell phones as essential part of managing their lives, while also providing kids more freedom.

"The Digital Family" research incorporates findings from Nickelodeon's "Living in a Digital World" research project (2006), which explores technologies including: the Internet, television, cell phones, mp3 players and more. "The Digital Family" offers insights from kids 8-14 and parents of kids 0-14, and references several findings from Nickelodeon commissioned studies (Multicultural Kids Study 2006 and Nickelodeon Wireless Study 2006).

"In today's modern family, parents and kids identify technology as a homework helper, virtual babysitter, time-keeper and a center piece of a lot of family time," said Cyma Zarghami, President of Nickelodeon and the MTVN Kids and Family Group. "We found that technology has brought the need for new skills while seemingly lessening the need for others. What is very apparent is the critical role technology is playing in helping modern families functions."

The survey found that tech devices like computers and the Internet have become essential tools in daily living, making kids and parents much more productive and self sufficient. In some instances, the Internet has almost become part of the family. More than half of parents (59 percent) strongly agree that it helps them get things done and 68 percent surveyed believe it makes them more efficient and self sufficient.  As one parent from the study said, "I just didn't realize how much the internet was part of my family."

The majority of kids said the Internet helps them do better in school (85 percent) and helped them learn things (93 percent). Kids also said they believed it helps them to be more creative and makes them feel like they've accomplished something.

Verizon announced earlier this month that it will launch local television channels in selected markets in 2007, starting with the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in the first quarter.

Michelle Webb, a former ABC News producer, will produce and manage the project. The announcements were made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Verizon will offer the local channels, to be called FiOS1, on its Verizon FiOS TV service.

FiOS1 will include round-the-clock traffic and weather, local news and community sports. Verizon will partner with professional news organizations to deliver some of the content. It will also televise original features shot and produced by citizen journalists using high-definition camcorders and provide a platform for local user-generated content. Verizon says it plans to announce more details as the launch date approaches.

Webb joined Verizon last spring as executive producer and general manager, FiOS1 local channels. Prior to her current position, she served for four years as a producer of the ABC News program "Primetime Live," where she did preproduction planning, research and storyline development for features and segments presented on the network's television-magazine shows.

Cox Communications recently announced that it has added ESPN2 HD to its high-definition cable lineup. This high-definition simulcast of the ESPN2 will be now be available on all Cox systems. As part of the new programming agreement, more than 1 million Cox customers will also now have access to ESPNU, a 24-hour sports network that features programming focused on college sports, including approximately 300 live events each year.

In most markets, Cox also carries HBO HD, Showtime HD, Discovery HD Theater, INHD, MHD, ESPN HD, Universal HD and local channels in high definition. ESPN 2 HD has been available for more than a year on other satellite and cable services.

For more information, check out the article Cox Boosts Availability of ESPN2 HD, ESPNU.

SCI FI Channel recently announced that it has partnered with DIRECTV for a comprehensive sponsorship package that will give DIRECTV a presence everywhere Battlestar Galactica is available. The first deal of its kind for the Channel, this "360-degree" cross-platform partnership will put DIRECTV alongside SCI FI's most critically-acclaimed series on-air, online and in print.

DIRECTV will sponsor every episode of SCI FI's hit original series Battlestar Galactica including yesterday's mid-season premiere with on-air ads and through a customized promo highlighting the satellite provider as well as online throughout the SCIFI.COM site. In addition to being represented in the Battlestar Galactica iTunes page, Ronald D. Moore's podcasts, David Eick's blogs and in the Webisodes page, they will be a sponsor of Battlestar's weekly episodic recaps on SCI FI's 'Pulse' broadband channel via DIRECTV. SCIFI.COM will also house a sweepstakes for a chance to win a flat screen television and a year's subscription to the satellite service. In print, there will be a customized DIRECTV ad prominently featured in SCI FI Magazine. DIRECTV will also sponsor the SMS mobile alerts sent by the Channel to Battlestar viewers with updates on upcoming episodes and have a presence in Battlestar Galactica's upcoming third season home video release.

Mark Miller, Senior Vice President of Sales for the SCI FI Channel notes, "The partnership between Battlestar Galactica and DIRECTV is an exciting opportunity for both brands. With one of the most active and engaged audiences in television, SCI FI viewers are constantly looking for new ways to connect with the brand, and DIRECTV is taking advantage of the power of the SCI FI audience."

"We are constantly on the lookout for media partners that are forward looking and willing to integrate our messaging across all their platforms," added Jon Gieselman, DIRECTV Senior Vice President of Advertising and Public Relations. "There is nothing better than enjoying Battlestar Galactica with the best picture on TV, except later this year when we rule the airwaves with 100 channels in HD."

Last week, CBS Research revealed new data showing that as the public at large becomes more connected to digital media, the more engaged they become in primetime television programming. Additionally, as more TV viewers become aware of the 2009 deadline for broadcasters to switch to full digital transmissions, the likelihood of them investing in new digital TV sets increases by 40 percent.

Those are just two of the major findings revealed today by a comprehensive study CBS Research has conducted examining consumers' attitudes towards digital media, and the role television will play in the near future. The project was led by David F. Poltrack, Chief Research Officer, CBS Corporation, President of CBS Vision.

Researchers found that 56 percent of those surveyed were aware that you could watch network television programs by streaming them over the Internet. Of those aware of this streaming option, 46 percent have already streamed at least one program. Of those not aware of this streaming option, when told which programs were available for streaming, 62 percent selected at least one of the 33 available programs that they probably would watch via streaming over the in the future. Analysts say it is clear that the potential for network program distribution over the Internet is just beginning to be tapped.

In addition, the research shows that people are gradually moving up to higher levels of connectivity. The segment of the population with both a broadband and a digital television connection at home has grown from 22 percent in the fall of 2005 to more than 30 percent in the fall of 2006. The same segment is most likely to watch the top broadcast network programs. In addition, this segment visits network television web sites and is increasingly likely to stream clips and full episodes of network television programs on the  Internet. Members of this upscale, better-educated "fully connected" segment are today the most engaged with the popular network programs.

"This data clearly show a correlation between connectivity and primetime television viewing," said Poltrack. "Consumers who embrace the new media are the heaviest viewers of the top network primetime programs, and this sector of the audience is growing. By offering them new ways to connect to their favorite shows- whether it's Web sites, podcasts, ringtones or other mobile features- we've been able to deepen the bond these fully connected viewers have with our programming. The research also illustrates that as viewers learn about the 2009 deadline for digital transmissions their attitudes towards investing in technology, like advanced home entertainment centers, to watch their favorite shows, changes radically. These findings really demonstrate the potential the broadcast networks have to further engage the public with our content as new technology expands our distribution options."

To read more about this new research, check out the CBS press release.

Knology announced recently that it will pay $255 million to buy PrairieWave Communications, a voice, video and high-speed Internet broadband services provider in South Dakota.

Operating in South Dakota and in portions of Minnesota and Iowa, PrairieWave has more than 56,000 residential and 7,100 business customers, with most in areas around Sioux Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota.

"PrairieWave is a highly successful, customer-focused business that will expand Knology's footprint by adding meaningful scale to our existing operations," said Rodger L. Johnson, president and CEO of Knology. "PrairieWave has achieved excellent bundled penetration and attractive EBITDA and free cash flow margins, and we believe this acquisition will complement our continued focus on organic growth in the existing Knology markets."

For more information, check out the Black Hills Pioneer article PrairieWave Communications announces merger with Knology Inc..

In recent years, cable companies have managed to switch more than eight million homes away from the nation's phone companies by offering cable-based local phone service. Now they're going after business clients in an attempt to accelerate their market share growth. According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal, there are billions of dollars of business waiting for cable providers in the business world, particularly in the small business segment. In 2005, industry analysts estimate that businesses with fewer than 500 employees spent more than $5.5 billion on cable phone services. By 2010, that number is expected to more than double. Part of the appeal for businesses is the ability to bundle both local phone and high-speed Internet. While most can do that now with their telco providers, they're often limited to the lower bandwidth of DSL connections, while the cable companies routinely offer download speeds of five or six megabytes per second.

One way the phone companies are fighting back is with fiber optic service, which both Verizon and AT&T have rolled out this year in selected markets. Eventually, fiber optic TV and Internet service will be available to about half the telco footprints bringing with them download speeds as high as 30 Mbps.

That should be plenty fast for businesses who need to handle heavy duty phone and Internet tasks, as well as watch reruns of The Office during breaks.

DISH Network's parent company EchoStar Communications recently introduced the MobileDISH in-car satellite service, a programming package by DISH Network combined with antenna technology from RaySat. The company says that MobileDISH technology allows DISH Network customers to watch live satellite television from their vehicles, even while in motion.

"We're excited to partner with RaySat because we know people today are always on the move and have a need for TV even while on the road," said Mark Jackson, President of EchoStar Technologies. "The MobileDISH technology is just another example of how we're providing our extensive line of cutting-edge technology and exceptional programming packages to reach our 13 million subscribers everywhere."

The mobile satellite antenna, designed by RaySat, mounts to a vehicle's roof rack and provides hundreds of channels of all-digital DISH Network satellite TV. The company says that the MobileDISH technology is perfect for occupying the kids, monitoring weather and road conditions, keeping up on breaking news and watching movies on long road trips.

The MobileDISH technology is compatible with existing vehicles including most cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and trucks and performs well at highway speeds. More information about the MobileDISH technology, including package information and price details, is expected to be released in Spring 2007.

For more information, see the DISH Network press release.

You may have noticed that some of the posts these last two weeks have mentioned the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). No, I didn't convince my bosses to send me to Las Vegas but I have been keeping up with all the great news coming out of the show.

If you aren't familiar with CES, here's a little background. It is the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology and America's largest annual tradeshow of any kind. The first CES took place in New York City in June of 1967 with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since then, CES has grown tremendously. Nearly 2,700 exhibitors, filling 1.6 million net square feet of exhibit space, showcased their latest products and services to more than 140,000 attendees at the 2006 International CES.

Attendees and exhibitors come from the United States, Canada, Mexico and more than 130 other countries, including manufacturers, retailers, content providers and creators, broadband developers, wireless carriers, cable and satellite TV providers, installers, engineers, corporate buyers, government leaders, financial analysts and the media from around the world.

It's also the place where the most exciting consumer electronics get debuted every year. Some of the past product debuts include:

• Videocassette Recorder (VCR), 1970
• Compact Disc Player, 1981
• Digital Satellite System, 1994
• High Definition Television (HDTV), 1998
• Microsoft Xbox, 2001
• IP TV, 2005

As you can see, this show is pretty important when it comes to the technology we use daily. Trying to keep up with all the new products introduced this year has been a challenge but it's also very exciting. Who knows what will be the next big thing that will become something we all can't live without!

To read more about the show, check out the official site at cesweb.org. And don't forget to check back here for more CES news.

Comcast and TiVo have teamed up and recently demonstrated a new TiVo service for Comcast DVRs at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The companies began trialing the TiVo service for Comcast DVRs in late 2006.

This is great news for consumers who, like me, would love to only have one set-top box that can handle both cable and the great service TiVo provides. The collaboration between the two companies will allow subscribers to use a single digital cable set-top box to enjoy TiVo DVR features along with Comcast's video-on-demand (VOD) service and the most high-definition (HD) television viewing choices for the first time. Together with Comcast, TiVo has developed a software application that will enable Comcast to deploy the service for a monthly fee to existing set-top boxes without an additional in-home visit by a technician.

"Collaborating with Comcast to make the state-of-the-art TiVo service available on their existing hardware platform is an important accomplishment for both companies," said Jeff Klugman, Senior Vice President for TiVo's Service Provider Division. "We're thrilled that the benefits of TiVo will soon be available to Comcast's millions of subscribers. Consumers know that it is not TiVo, unless it is a TiVo, and the TiVo service will enhance the cable television experience."

"The combination of our signature Comcast ON DEMAND and HD services with the TiVo interface will provide customers with the only integrated access to all of these outstanding services from one set-top box," said Mark Hess, Senior Vice President of Video Product Development for Comcast. "TiVo has been a great partner in developing this service, and we're proud of the work that our teams have done to deliver our customers a product that's simple, easy to use and is a great value."

For more details on the collaboration, check out the press release Comcast and TiVo Demonstrate Integrated DVR at CES.

CNET News recently posted an interesting article about the future of bundled services. Most cable providers currently offer phone, high-speed Internet and cable service packages, commonly referred to as triple-play bundles. However, many companies are bringing wireless in as part of these packages as well.

"If 2006 was the year of the triple play," the article states, "2007 may very well be the year of the quadruple bundle as cable operators and phone companies start to integrate mobile wireless services into their service packages."

According to CNET, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox and Advance/Newhouse Communications will all be launching and expanding their integrated mobile phone services in 2007, a direct result of the their joint venture with Sprint Nextel.

The article also goes on to say that adding wireless to their bundles means more to cable providers than just providing customers with a one bill and savings on buying more than one service. These companies see mobility as a way to add more convenience and value to services their customers already have. However, CNET cautions that companies admit that they are still in the early stages of developing these services, so you may have to wait for the perfect quadruple bundle to be available in your area.

To read more, check out the full CNET article.

Electronics retailer Best Buy has partnered with WhiteFence, the nation's number one site for movers looking to connect their utilities and home services online, to offer their Geek Squad and Magnolia services. Geek Squad offers PC and home network set up and connection services, while Magnolia is Best Buy's home theater set up solution. Making it easier for movers to get their home systems up and running is the aim of this strategic partnership.

The increasingly sophisticated and interconnected media options in our homes today dwarf the installations most of us grew up with. With big screen TV sales up 60 percent in 2006, most households are now connecting televisions, cable or satellite boxes, audio systems, gaming systems and TiVo digital recorders into home networks that connect to their PCs, LANs and even printers. Add to that the complexity of surround sound wiring and all-in-one remote controls that are programmed through a PC, very, very few of us can install a home entertainment and PC system by ourselves anymore.

Partly because of the services the offer, Best Buy's sales surged to record highs in 2006. The Best Buy services will be available on WhiteFence powered Web sites in early February.

D-Link, a networking solutions provider, recently announced it is shipping its latest MediaLounge Wireless Media Player "DSM-510" a compact media player capable of delivering video, digital photos, music and more to televisions and home entertainment centers from computers and storage devices over a home network via a wired or 802.11g/b wireless connection. The new media player also aids in the streaming of high-definition (HD) video through a wired network connection.

Building on the new product availability, D-Link also announced that its DSM-510 received Intel Viiv technology verification, which tests the compatibility of networked media devices with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs. Using the Intel Viiv technology verified DSM-510, consumers will get maximum enjoyment out of their digital home entertainment network, including access to the Intel?? Viiv??? Zone, which offers a growing selection of on-demand, Internet-delivered premium content, including movies, music videos, TV shows, and information services.

While performance is optimized for users with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs, the DSM-510 is compatible with computers running Windows XP or 2000.

"The DSM-510 is an extremely powerful, full-featured media player with an intuitive user interface that bridges together computers, storage devices and the Internet with the home entertainment center for a heightened multimedia experience," said Brian Larsen, associate vice president of product development for D-Link Systems Inc. "Passing Intel Viiv technology verification underscores our commitment to bring next-generation connectivity solutions to market for consumers for enjoying seamless sharing and instant access to digital media and entertainment from anywhere inside their home."

"Intel Viiv technology, based on the new Core 2 Duo processor, is the superior technology for today's media PCs. When used with verified devices like the new D-Link MediaLounge player, consumers will enjoy new levels of digital home entertainment' said Gerald Holzhammer, Vice President, Digital Home Group and General Manager of Intel's Consumer PC Platform Group. 'We are pleased that D-Link has completed the verification process for the MediaLounge DSM-510 which will carry the 'Enjoy with Intel Viiv technology' logo."

For best results, Larsen added, the D-Link MediaLounge DSM-510 Media Player would be connected to an existing home network via wired Ethernet, or through an 802.11g wireless standard-compliant router such as the Intel Viiv technology verified D-Link RangeBooster G Wireless Router (WBR-2310) or AirPremier AG Dual-Band Wireless Router (DI-784). Another alternative for Ethernet-wired performance is the D-Link PowerLine Network Kit (DHP-301) that enables consumers to tap into their existing electrical wiring to extend their home network.

The retail price for D-Link MediaLounge DSM-510 is around $240. The device is now available from most computer retail outlets and at www.dlinkshop.com. For more information, check out the D-Link press release.

The National Federation of the Blind has partnered with Tribune Media Services to add television listings to NFB-NEWSLINE, the nation's largest on-demand news service for the blind.  This new service will allow blind and visually impaired Americans to have independent access to their local TV listings.

By entering the zip code, source of TV reception, and time zone, blind users will have access to their local TV listings through Zap2it television. The listings are interactive, as the user can navigate and choose between date, time, and/or channel listings.

"The sheer volume of information that blind persons will now have access to is astonishing," said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "Finally, blind television viewers can find out what's on any channel, at any time, and within seconds."

Over 50,000 NFB-NEWSLINE subscribers already use the free electronic newspaper service which carries 242 newspapers and magazines to 41 states and the District of Columbia.  The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and AARP The Magazine are among the many national and local newspapers offered.  Subscribers have access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, through a local or toll-free telephone number.

Individuals who are unable to read print due to a physical disability are eligible for this free service.  You can register or request more information by calling the National Federation of the Blind at (866) 504-7300, or visit them online at www.nfbnewsline.org.

In this age of instant feedback online from consumers, smart companies are taking advantage of the situation by allowing their products to be reviewed by bloggers. While some companies have tried to outwit the public by creating fake personalities to tout the virtues of their products, the smarter ones are allowing bloggers to find their products at their own pace and to rate and review their offerings as they choose. One such provider is AT&T.

Alan Weinkrantz, a PR tech blogger, has taken it upon himself to chronicle his trial of the AT&T's new U-verse service. Because he lives in San Antonio, Alan was an early trial user of the AT&T U-verse service. Owner of his own PR firm and frequent blogger, he started documenting his experiences and observations on the service in May of this year. Things really heated up when he began to make daily posts at his blog, www.3screens.net, to document his experience of having AT&T's HD (High Definition) broadcast television service installed and deployed at his home.

Alan has not only writes about his experience as an AT&T trial user, but also makes suggestions and commentary about the company's strategy. He even spoke at the TelcoTV Conference in Dallas where he addressed his experiences and observations about being a U-verse customer.

"I can't recommend blogging and social media to clients unless I've done it and have been successful," he said in an interview with MidwestBusiness.com. "This is a fortuitous set of events because I'm in San Antonio and became a trial U-verse." Alan went on to say that "there are enough analysts and technical experts in the world. I don't think the world needs more "experts."

His commentary about the service is open and honest. No service is perfect and Alan isn't shy about noting drawbacks, including small things like no clock on the set-top box or overload of certain types of channels.

In addition, he makes it clear that he's only paying such close attention to one provider because he lives in the firm's service area. "If I lived in an area served by Verizon, I would be doing the same thing about them," he assured MidwestBusiness.com. "AT&T is really just my plumbing supplier."

Read more about Alan's experience with AT&T U-verse service at www.3screens.net. You can also check out his interview with MidwestBusiness.com.

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission voted to make it easier for phone companies to get approval of local authorities to offer video in local markets by mandating a 90-day deadline for state and city authorities to review applications. This comes after pressure by the phone companies to get a federal ruling so they no longer have to lobby state by state.

AT&T is currently offering U-verse in selected test markets, a video-over-fiber optic service, and Verizon offers a competing service called FiOS. Prices are compatible with or slightly lower than cable or satellite and the channel selections are similar. Both also offer HDTV programming. Coverage areas are currently limited and that's why the telcos pushed so hard for this ruling.

Naturally, cable companies are fighting back to protect their turf and it's likely the ruling will be challenged but we support increased competition in the marketplace, since it offers more choice for consumers.

Are you football fan upset over not receiving the NFL Network? The American Cable Association wants to  help you get your voice to be heard. They have created a new Web site to encourage cable subscribers to demand "Sports Choice Now" from the NFL Network.

The site isn't shy about it's opinion, either:

Cable companies want to carry the NFL Network on their cable systems and be fair to all of their customers—those who are football fans and those who are not. Therefore, the price must be fair for the value of the NFL Network.

Cable companies would like to include the NFL Network in a sports package or sports tier—this would allow all cable customers to get the NFL Network if they wanted to without requiring all customers to pay for this expensive programming. We think that is fair for sports fans and for those who are not.

The site includes a link for consumers to tell Congress that they would like to receive the NFL Network on a tier or if they are not a sports fan and do not want to be required to pay extra for the channel. You will also find video, a myths vs. facts information page and current press clips that detail criticism of the network.

If you are interested in learning more about The American Cable Association's opinion on the matter or you would like Congress to know how you feel, visit out www.sportschoicenow.org. If you want to hear the other side of the story, check out I Want NFL Network, a site run by, you guessed it, the NFL Network. And finally, if you can't wait for your cable provider to make the channel available, consider switching to DIRECTV or DISH Network satellite TV service. Both providers include the NFL Network as part of the standard programming packages.

According to a recent article in The New York Times, Comcast is testing a service in Pittsburgh and Denver that will allow customers to download a movie via the company's On Demand service on the same day it becomes available for purchase on DVD.

Consumers usually have to wait 30 to 45 days from when a movie is released on DVD for it to be available On Demand. "This is a sampling mechanism for the title," Andrew Mellett, vice president for the video-on-demand division of Warner Digital Distribution, told the Times. "I don't expect it to cannibalize sales on DVD. What we are really interested in seeing is whether this increases the buy rates."

The Times reports that Comcast has declined to comment on the project, although it has been advertising films' availability in local newspapers. According to the paper, Comcast has been the industry leader in offering free and paid video on demand, compiling a library of 8,000 movies and television episodes in an attempt to lure subscribers and distinguish itself from satellite TV.

Also quoted in the article is a representative from Blockbuster, which could be hurt by the success of simultaneous release. The company said that the sales and rentals of DVDs represent the largest revenue stream for the studios and "we believe that they will be very cautious in introducing any new less profitable service that could be cannibalistic to the rental and retail channel."

For more details, check out the full New York Times article On Demand and on DVD at the Same Time.

For the last few months, I've been closely following the Time Warner Cable/NFL Network dispute. Judging from the latest news, it appears that the two companies have put aside their differences for the college football bowl season.

Earlier this week, NFL Network accepted an offer from Time Warner Cable to provide a "freeview" of the National Football League's cable service on its digital-basic tier in the New York region Dec. 24-30.

According to the Washington Post, Time Warner Cable said last week it would either carry the Texas Bowl on basic cable or the entire free preview on its digital basic. The NFL Network initially balked but changed its mind. Time Warner Cable is currently largest multiple system operator that doesn't carry the channel.

In a prepared statement about the offer, NFL Network communications director Seth Palansky said, "In light of the fact that 75 percent of Time Warner's New York-area customers subscribe to the digital-basic tier, we have concluded that its offer represented the quickest and best way to bring Rutgers' appearance in the Texas Bowl to Time Warner subscribers and to make the freeview a reality."

The Texas Bowl football game between Rutgers and Kansas State is scheduled for Dec. 28. Without the agreement, fans in the area with Time Warner Cable service would not be able to see the Scarlet Knights' first bowl game appearance in the school's history.

"In addition, we have let Time Warner know that if they are interested, we would extend this same freeview to subscribers of Time Warner in affected regions in Kansas and Texas (both states in which state universities are participating in bowl games that NFL Network will telecast) on similar penetration terms," he continued. "However, the New York resolution is not tied to the additional freeview offer in Texas and Kansas."

While this may be a small step toward healing the rift between the NFL and the cable giant, the situation is far from being resolved. The NFL Network is still requiring that the channel be available on the most widely distributed package but Time Warner Cable is holding strong to offer it on a premium sports tier to avoid passing the cost of the network on to its customers.

For more on this development, check out the WP article NFL Network in N.Y. freebie carriage deal.

Unfortunately, just because you pay for HD service doesn't mean you will always be able to watch your favorite teams in HD. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Why You Can't See the Game in HDTV, many nationally televised sporting events are not broadcast in high definition. To prove the point, the author of the WSJ article wrote that only 18 of the St. Louis Cardinal's games were broadcast in HD - out of their 110-game season. While this might not be true with all teams, it is definitely something to keep in mind when you are thinking about investing in HD.

So, if you are a sports fan about to make the HDTV plunge, you should first check to ensure that your team's games are broadcast in HD. To read more about his story, check out the WSJ.

Formed in 1997, Millennium Digital Media is a privately held company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Millennium Digital Media is organized into three geographic regions: Mid-Atlantic (Maryland), Central (Michigan), and Northwest (Washington and Oregon). Now you can get their cable TV and Internet service in all these areas through WhiteFence.

Time Warner and Time Warner Cable recently announced they will host "Home to the Future," a three-week interactive home installation at Time Warner Center, Jan. 17 through Feb 6, 2007, curated by renown museum exhibit designer Edwin Schlossberg of ESI Design.

The exhibit will include two rooms on both the first floor and second floors of the Time Warner Center, each featuring innovative digital technologies from across the Time Warner Cable portfolio including, digital phone, vdeo On demand, DVR (digital video recorder), high-definition programming and RoadRunner High-Speed Online.

"Home to the Future" will also present videos on new Time Warner Cable digital entertainment functions Quick Clips and StartOver, as well as a sampling of other digital initiatives from across the Time Warner family of businesses—from Warner Bros. and New Line to Time Inc., Home Box Office, AOL and Turner Broadcasting. The exhibit will include a series of themed ancillary events—in cooperation with Time Warner partners in film, television and music.

Fore more information about the Home to the Future and associated events, check out www.hometothefuture.com.

DIRECTV recently announced that its international programming platform WorldDirect™ will now include new Polish-language programming packages PolishDirect™ and PolishDirect™ II.

These new packages will offer a lineup of Polish-language video and radio programming. PolishDirect will include TV Polonia, TVP3 and Polskie Radio 1 and 3. DIRECTV customers can also subscribe to PolishDirect II which will include TV Polonia, TVP3, Tele5 and Polskie Radio 1 and 3.

"We understand the important role that traditional Polish culture plays in the lives of the more than 650,000 Polish-speaking Americans living in the United States," said Aaron McNally, vice president, International, DIRECTV Inc. "We believe our new Polish-language programming packages will offer a unique and compelling lineup that will help customers maintain their Polish heritage and strengthen ties between family members of all ages. We look forward to bringing this valuable programming to our Polish-speaking customers across the country."

To learn more, check out the DIRECTV press release.

The National Football League and Verizon Communications have agreed to deliver live NFL Network sports and entertainment programming via Verizon's consumer broadband services, beginning Dec. 7 with the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. Verizon already offers the NFL Network television channel to subscribers of its FiOS TV Service and is the only Internet service provider to deliver selected NFL Network programming over broadband.

The deal includes live, online broadcasts of NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday regular season games, certain college football bowl games telecast by the NFL Network, plus other programming for Verizon consumer broadband subscribers who also receive the NFL Network.

Additionally, all Verizon consumer broadband customers - including customers of both Verizon's FiOS Internet Service and Verizon Online's DSL service -- will be able to enjoy a variety of additional NFL-related and NFL Network programming, including weekly previews of NFL Network games, highlights of NFL Network games, off-season programming and links to an NFL.com fantasy football game.

"Customers who subscribe to video and broadband with Verizon can now enjoy live NFL action on their TVs, PCs and laptops, both at home and away from home," said Bob Ingalls, chief marketing officer of Verizon. "NFL Networks already is a premier part of our video offerings, and we're delighted to add it to our fast-growing roster of top-quality online entertainment programming.  This reflects our commitment to providing consumers more and better choices in video and online entertainment."

Through a separate agreement, Verizon provides the NFL Network TV channel to subscribers of its 200-channel all-digital FiOS TV Premier package.

To access the new, online NFL programming, customers will log onto their Verizon consumer broadband accounts and access the shows from the Verizon Surround online entertainment site (http://surround.verizon.net/).   They can enjoy live programs at home or use any broadband connection to log on remotely. 

Verizon FiOS TV subscribers -- or customers who subscribe to DIRECTV through Verizon -- who receive both the NFL Network and a Verizon consumer broadband service will have access to online broadcasts, including:

• Live NFL Network feed for NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday regular-season games, including alternative camera angles and audio feeds; real-time statistics; and in-progress highlights of NFL Network games and other college games.
• Special events, including college bowl games and college all-star games.

All of Verizon's consumer broadband subscribers will have access to:

• Weekly NFL preview videos, including a highlights package for each Thursday and Saturday game.
• Programming from NFL Network shows including NFL Total Access and NFL Point After.
• NFL off-season programming.
• Exclusive commentary from NFL analysts, including Rich Eisen, Vic Carucci and Pat Kirwan.
• NFLN Fan Challenge fantasy football game based on NFL Network's eight-game package.

A new world of advertising may be coming to a home near you. Recently, Charter Communications, Inc. launched a field pilot for dynamic OnDemand advertising in St. Louis, Missouri. St Louis is the largest media market to date to deploy dynamic on demand advertising and follows the successful completion of the company's lab trial in which advertising was dynamically inserted into on demand programs, enabling individual ad copy to be refreshed and rotated among viewer sessions within minutes. Atlas, C-COR, Harmonic and TVN Entertainment Corporation are full participants for the software, hardware and workflow management required to implement this new system.

"Charter is now taking dynamic ad insertion to the next phase, which means deploying it as a field pilot focusing on delivering dynamic on demand advertising built instantly in response to viewers' desires, all based on play lists by viewer sessions," said Todd A. Stewart, Charter's Corporate Vice President of National Advertising Sales and Development. "This is a breakthrough that entirely changes the landscape of on demand television advertising," said Mr. Stewart.

The field pilot was deployed in Charter's St. Louis metropolitan market in late October. Charter is partnering with Ogilvy North America whose national client is a participant in the pilot. Mediaedge:cia also has a client participating. Maria Mandel, Partner, Executive Director Digital Innovation for OgilvyInteractive, said, "We are excited by the potential of dynamic on demand television advertising and are looking forward learning its targeting and optimization capabilities."

Commercial content provided by advertisers is being placed in pre- and post-roll positions around free on demand content provided by Hollywood.com Television and Vehix.com. Video sessions are created as they are ordered and allow ad copy updates without having to incur the cost of re-encoding and re-distribution. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the ability to immediately direct targeted messages to the right audience at the right time and reduce lead time from weeks to days. In the past, most video on-demand advertising was tied to specific content for the run of the ad, which forced advertisers to commit to a lead time of several weeks and run generic copy.

"This is an exciting time for advertisers using Charter OnDemand," said Mr. Stewart. "When this product is fully developed and launched, advertisers will reach the audience they want, and viewers will see more of the products they actually desire."

You can read more about the advertising pilot in this Charter press release.

Comcast Corp. is the nation's leading provider of cable entertainment and communications products and services, with 23.3 million cable customers, 10 million high-speed Internet customers and 1.6 million voice customers. The bundle includes digital voice, digital cable and high-speed Internet and is now available through WhiteFence in Fort Wayne/Huntington, Indiana.

AT&T Inc. and NBC Universal, Inc. have entered a distribution agreement to deliver NBC Universal linear, high-definition (HD) and on-demand programming as part of the AT&T U-verse^SM TV channel lineup.

Under the agreement, AT&T will distribute to U-verse customers the analog and digital signals of the NBC and Telemundo owned-and-operated broadcast stations, as well as NBCU's cable properties, including CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, Telemundo, mun2, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Bravo, the SCI FI Channel, Sleuth, ShopNBC, USA Network, Universal HD and the Olympics on Cable. The deal also includes video-on-demand (VOD) rights for Universal Pictures' movies.

"NBC Universal operates many of the most popular television services on the air today," said Dan York, head of programming, AT&T Entertainment. "We're thrilled to include the wide array of engaging and entertaining NBC Universal brands in our channel lineup and VOD offering."

"NBC Universal is proud to deliver diverse, quality programming; leading news coverage; and award-winning feature films to AT&T U-verse customers," said Henry Ahn, senior vice president, Affiliate Sales, NBCU Cable. "We appreciate AT&T's support of NBC Universal in the broad carriage of all of our cable properties, broadcast network, owned and operated stations, and VOD films."

AT&T U-verse TV is delivered by Project Lightspeed, the company's initiative to expand the fiber-optics network deeper into neighborhoods to deliver U-verse TV, AT&T Yahoo!^® High Speed Internet U-verse Enabled and, in the future, Voice over IP services. Through its subsidiaries, AT&T expects to reach nearly 19 million households by the end of 2008 as part of its initial deployment, using fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technologies.

Lifestyle and entertainment network WealthTV recently announced that it will be joining the programming lineup on TVMAX by the end of the year. Television viewers in the Houston metro area will soon have access to WealthTV's programming which features shows from exotic travel to luxurious lifestyles to programs on the latest medical advances. WealthTV will be featured on TVMAX's digital basic tier.

"TVMAX is further enhancing its programming lineup to satisfy their subscribers' passions. We are excited to be expanding our coverage in Texas which currently includes numerous partners in nearly all areas of the state," stated John Ghiorzi, EVP, affiliate relations.

"WealthTV delivers what our customers are dreaming of in an informative and entertaining fashion. The vicarious living aspect of WealthTV will play well with our customers," said David J. Curtin, Chief Operating Officer, TVMAX.

TVMAX follows a number of successful WealthTV launches in a myriad of communities across Texas.

Read more about the network at WealthTV.net.

TiVo recently announced that it has signed CBS Interactive to deliver original programming created for the Web directly to television through the TiVoCast service. Additionally, TiVo signed on a list of other partners to deliver broadband content to the television including Reuters, Forbes, dLife, Plum TV and Nano. Launched earlier this year, the TiVoCast service brings a whole new line-up of content to the television by offering broadband video previously found only on the Web and not widely available on TV.

CBS Interactive is the first network deal for TiVoCast. The content will consist of original programming from CBS's online destinations including CBS.com, CBS's broadband channel innertube, CBSNews.com and CBS SportsLine.

"This represents a great opportunity for CBS to showcase its growing online content on the television platform," said Quincy Smith, President, CBS Interactive. "TiVo's TiVoCast service allows for us to extend our reach, join other content innovators, and ultimately learn more about our audience with content such as Katie Couric's "Eye To Eye" from CBSNews.com, fantasy football shows from CBS SportsLine.com, or the wealth of original programming currently available on CBS.com."

"Web video has become an explosive pop culture phenomenon and TiVo is leading the way in bringing it from the PC to TV," said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo. "Television remains the number one platform on which consumers prefer to watch video so TiVoCast is a win-win both for consumers who enjoy the comfort and convenience of TV and for content providers who want to extend their reach."

TiVo also is announcing new content partnerships with Reuters, Forbes, dLife, Plum TV and Nano. These new channels join a stellar line-up of TiVoCast partners which includes leading video content providers: the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), The New York Times, Heavy, iVillage and CNET among others.

All the Web-based video content is included in the TiVo subscription fee and available to any broadband connected TiVo Series2™ TiVo box, with TiVoCast available on Series3™ TiVo boxes later this year.

For more, check out the TiVo press release.

Comcast digital cable and high-speed Internet customers can get a sneak peek at the penguin stars of the new movie Happy Feet with exclusive content available 24x7 on Comcast's ON DEMAND service and on Comcast.net, its broadband portal.

The comedy adventure, Happy Feet, from Warner Bros. Pictures, debuts in theaters November 17. In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing-which is unfortunate for Mumble, who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune - tap dancing. Mumble's mom, Norma Jean, thinks this little habit is cute, but his dad, Memphis, says "it just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that, without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love. Leaving home, Mumble meets the Adelie Amigos, led by Ramon. The Adelies invite Mumble to party with them in Adelie Land, where Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru, a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life's questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

Comcast offers fans a variety of exclusive Happy Feet entertainment on its signature video-on-demand service and award-winning portal, including:

• A Dancing Lesson with Savion Glover - Glover, an award-winning tap dancer who has starred in musicals, such as "The Tap Dance Kid" and "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk," gives home audience members step-by-step instruction on how to do the tap with Mumble in his "I WISH" solo. As Savion teaches the entire routine, he gives away hints and tricks of his own to make learning easier. Clips of Mumble's dance help guide viewers to perfecting his moves.

• "Somebody To Love" Music Video - Viewers can enjoy special behind-the-scenes footage of Brittany Murphy, the voice of Gloria in Happy Feet, performing "Somebody To Love" from the Happy Feet soundtrack and talking about her animated, on-screen alter-ego.

• The Amigos Spanish Lesson 101 - Happy Feet fans can learn some key Spanish words and phrases from the film, taught by the Adelie Amigos, a group of un-Emperor-like penguins Mumble meets when he ventures away from the Emperor Nation.

• Penguin Environment Trivia - As the audience watches penguins in their natural habitat, Mumble shares interesting facts about life in Antarctica.

Comcast high-speed Internet customers also can download Happy Feet mobile tones and wallpapers for no additional charge.

In addition to the Happy Feet content, Comcast's ON DEMAND service offers a growing library of more than 8,000 programs each month, including 100 hours of high-definition content. Customers can watch programs any time they want to watch them - with the ability to fast forward, rewind and pause selections. Comcast.net, an online portal for the company's 11 million high-speed Internet customers, provides communications tools, search functionality, entertainment and information content, as well as account management functionality. The portal also features T online media player, which streams thousands of video clips related to news, entertainment, games, shopping, travel and other content that consumers want to view online.

What would make your dad's Comcast high definition TV service look even better? That's right - a new high definition television set. Now that we are entering the holiday season, it is time to start making your gift list. From cell phones to televisions to computers - the hardware you have in your home can make a big difference in your home services. Check out the CNET Holiday Gift Guide to find the best buys on the market now. Who knows - you might find something for yourself.

EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network^TM satellite TV service have entered an agreement with Lionsgate Entertainment to carry the studio's titles on its Video On Demand platform, DISH On Demand, as well as Pay-Per-View services, including high definition.

DISH Network's DISH On Demand service gives customers the power to enjoy movies and other programs whenever they want and is currently available on the DISH Player-DVR 508, DISH Player-DVR 510, DISH Player-DVR 625, and ViP622 DVR receivers. Customers have immediate access to the newest VOD movies on DISH On Demand and can use the DVR features (Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind) to enhance their viewing experience.

DISH Network Pay-Per-View offers a variety of movies every day. Customers with HD-capable receivers can tune into Channel 9467 to see Pay-Per-View movies in HD. All Pay-Per-View movies can be ordered via remote control, by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or online at www.dishnetwork.com/ppv.

"Lionsgate is a great addition to both DISH On Demand and Pay-Per-View," said Susan Arnold, vice president of Programming for EchoStar. "This agreement greatly enhances the variety of movie titles available to our customers."

Charter Communications is a broadband communications company providing a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television, high-speed Internet and local telephone. Charter's Central Division serves more than 2.1 million customers. Local telephone is now available through WhiteFence in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

According to a recent article in The Desert Sun, Time Warner Cable and NFL network are no closer to a deal than they were when I posted about the dispute in September, making it unlikely for a resolution before the network begins airing live games on Thanksgiving Night.

The article quotes NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky on the issue. "Time Warner has made it clear to us they will not carry our channel," Palansky said. "With that being the case, we're working hard with people who do carry us to have special promotions to offer service to those customers."

In response, Time Warner Cable senior vice president of corporate communications Mark Harrard told the newspaper, "We want to be competitive on our basic [cable package], and we can't be competitive if basic absorbs the high price of the network, particularly a niche network. We are ready to sign up today or yesterday, if it makes business sense. We haven't been able to at this time. It's not a matter of who will yell chicken."

For more information on the ongoing dispute, read the full Desert Sun Times article No settlement in sight between Time Warner and NFL Network. If you are interested in switching from Time Warner Cable to a provider that offers NFL Network, check out packages that include the network from DIRECTV or DISH Network.

Last month, I posted about the AT&T-BellSouth merger being postponed. Officials were supposed to discuss the issue further, but the special meeting regarding the acquisition was never convened.  Now The Associated Press is reporting that the FCC vote has been delayed again, with no further discussion scheduled.

According to the AP, failure to attach conditions to the merger brought a sharp response from the two Democratic commissioners, Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, who accused the Justice Department of failing to protect consumers. Their opposition meant that AT&T was facing a potential 2-2 tie vote, which would have required a fifth vote from Robert McDowell, a former lobbyist for a trade group that opposed the merger.

AT&T's did offer last minute concessions, including $10-per-month Internet access in its service area, free modems, promises to freeze prices temporarily for competitors that use the company's networks, and even a pledge to bring back some BellSouth jobs shipped overseas. However, consumer groups criticized the concessions as "short-term candy for a few instead of long-term lower prices and better choices for all consumers."

BellSouth recently announced that it has entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Resident Interactive, Inc. to jointly market a community Web portal service in planned communities in BellSouth's service area.

Under this sales teaming agreement, BellSouth, together with Resident Interactive, will offer a community Web portal service, known as Digital Village Service, as part of BellSouth's comprehensive communications portfolio for planned communities that includes voice, video, high-speed data, security and Wi-Fi hotspot solutions.

Resident Interactive's Digital Village Service allows homeowners associations and property managers in single family home, apartment and condominium developments to create a more connected community. The Web portal service is a virtual representation of a neighborhood where residents can meet, form groups, make plans and link with local businesses.

"Developers are increasingly identifying community web portals as a differentiating amenity for their residents," said Phil Jacobs, president - Community Technologies, BellSouth. "The Digital Village Service is a logical complement to BellSouth's comprehensive technology portfolio and provides additional solutions to communities through a trusted source."

BellSouth and Resident Interactive will jointly market the Digital Village Service and coordinate deployment of services with community managers. Resident Interactive will provide ongoing customer service and technical user support.

"Our mission is to establish outstanding, long-term relationships with our customers and strategic partners, while delivering software with unmatched reliability and customer service that exceeds expectations in every respect," said Dennis Papalois, president and CEO of Resident Interactive, Inc. "The teaming agreement with BellSouth will greatly expand our capabilities to meet this objective in more communities across the Southeast. It is truly a winning proposition for developers and residents."

For more information, check out the press release BellSouth and Resident Interactive, Inc. Sign Teaming Agreement to Deploy Web Portal Service in Planned Communities.

This Halloween, Comcast, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Lionsgate, will unveil its new horror-movie network FearNet. The new offering will allow fans to watch movies through Comcast's video-on-demand service and on the Web at FearNet.com. Other elements include full-length trailers, a search engine/horror movie encyclopedia, news, a community site and a trivia game.

First announced at Comcast's video-on-demand upfront in April, FearNet's on-demand platform will serve 200 horror titles a year, with about 70 hours of programming a month, including a number of Japanese- and Spanish-language productions and blood and guts in high-definition. Titles like "Bram Stoker's Dracula," "Night of the Living Dead" and "The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre" will be offered free to Comcast's 11 million digital cable subscribers.

Web surfers will be able to watch nine movies for free each month—for a total of 50 titles a year—as well as 100 shorts, which include original programming from directors such as Wes Craven.

According to Reuters, the FearNet launch plan was purposely designed to cater to the adults 18-34 demographic, who increasingly are watching and consuming media on demand while multitasking like never before. "This generation wants content when they want it, how they want it and where they want it," said Diane Robina, president of emerging networks for Comcast Programming Group. "To me, besides usage and revenue numbers, these channels in general will be successful if fans embrace them and like what we've created for them."

For more information, check out the Reuters UK article Comcast Corp. scares up horror broadband site or the official FearNet site.

DIRECTV continues to fortify its satellite fleet with the successful launch last week of DIRECTV 9S, a high-powered, spot-beam satellite that will provide back-up capacity and ensure continuous, reliable service for DIRECTV customers. The spacecraft was successfully launched on Friday, Oct. 13, at 1:56 p.m. PT from Europe's Spaceport in Kouou, French Guiana.

DIRECTV 9S is one of four satellites DIRECTV has launched over the past two years as it continues to expand its capacity to provide new national and local services in both standard- and high-definition, as well as interactive and original programming. DIRECTV will launch two more satellites next year that will more than quadruple its capacity and enable it to lead the industry in the delivery of HD programming.

The Space Systems/Loral-built satellite will be positioned at the 101-degree West longitude orbital slot, providing back-up capacity for the DIRECTV fleet, including spot-beam satellites that deliver standard definition local services. DIRECTV offers local channels in 142 markets, representing 94 percent of U.S. TV households.

DIRECTV 9S was launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket and after 26 minutes, the rocket left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the equator. Controllers at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa made contact with the satellite and confirmed that all systems are functioning properly.

CNET recently announced the official launch of its video destination, CNET TV, as well as a partnership with Verizon to distribute CNET's video through on-demand television. The latest partnership extends the reach of CNET content and its original videos to even more people interested in today's latest tech and consumer electronics.

Launched earlier this year, CNET TV offers an environment where users can find all of CNET's videos. In addition, CNET TV makes a selection of the site's popular video content available for distribution on television. The partnership with Verizon follows on successful partnerships with Cox Communications and TiVo, Inc., which currently make CNET's videos available to consumers through their on-demand services. Verizon, which currently offers Verizon, FiOS TV in seven states, will also make CNET's video content available to its on-demand subscribers, including product reviews, help and how-to videos, and commentary on breaking news.

Online, CNET TV is also introducing downloadable content, making CNET's videos available to consumers while they are on-the-go. Users can subscribe to a video podcast they've created based on their own play lists or with the existing channels on CNET TV. For example, a person looking to buy a new flat-screen TV could create a playlist with the latest product reviews and tips and tricks from CNET's experts that they can take with them shopping.

"The latest VOD partnerships are further proof of CNET's unique ability to create video programming that helps demystify technology and help people get the most out of their products," said Joe Gillespie, executive vice president of CNET. "With the official launch of CNET TV and these additional partnerships, CNET videos are available everywhere our consumers want – online, offline, and on-the-go."

According to CNET, CNET TV quickly became a popular destination as a result of its unique design and personalization features, which includes a virtual remote control, a "draggable" interface so users can move things around, full-screen playback, playlists, and customizable channels and backgrounds. With more than 30 original videos produced each week and a library of thousands of videos, CNET TV gives people a single destination to easily find the latest videos on their favorite technology products and topics. Since launch, streams have increased 152 percent thanks to popular video features like the Buzz Report, Car Tech, Insider Secrets, Prize Fight and First Look from the Lab that help consumers figure out what gadgets to buy and how to get the most out them.

For more information, check out the CNET press release.

Cinemax is giving Star Wars fans a reason to celebrate as it airs all six Star Wars films back-to-back—in story order—for the first time ever on TV. The Star Wars Weekend Marathon begins at midnight on Nov. 10 and will play throughout the weekend.

Broadcasting in high definition for the first time, the marathon will begin with Episode I: The Phantom Menace, followed by Episode II: Attack of the Clones at 2:20 a.m., and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith following at 4:45 a.m. The classic trilogy airs starting at 7:10 a.m. on Saturday with A New Hope, followed by The Empire Strikes Back at 9:20 a.m., and Return of the Jedi at 11:30 a.m.

For fans who don't want to stay up all night, Cinemax will re-air the prequel trilogy on the evening of Nov. 16, and the original trilogy on Nov. 17. In addition, Cinemax On Demand subscribers will have access to all six films from Nov. 2 to Dec. 28, along with more than a dozen special features and footage including original concept art and other behind-the-scenes material.

To see a complete list of when the movies will air, check out the Cinemax Star Wars schedule.

Hundreds of communities across the country received a helping hand last weekend, as 30,000 Comcast employees, family members and friends volunteered their time on Comcast Cares Day, the company's sixth annual day of service. In all, more than 180,000 volunteer hours were logged on Oct. 7 on projects ranging from beautifying schools, parks and community centers to delivering meals; and from renovating an apartment complex to sprucing up a neighborhood zoo.

For the first time, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the National Urban League were national partners in Comcast Cares Day, working with the company to co-sponsor projects in 30 communities across the country. Comcast worked with 15 local affiliates of NCLR, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, and 15 affiliates of the National Urban League (NUL), the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans.

In recognition of the efforts of Comcast Cares Day volunteers, the Comcast Foundation is donating more than $1.2 million in grants to the nearly 300 partner organizations in 34 states and Washington, D.C.

"For the sixth consecutive year, Comcast employees turned out in force to donate their time on the weekend to make a noticeable, lasting difference in the towns where they live and work," said Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Roberts. "We were particularly honored to have two outstanding organizations, NCLR and the National Urban League, as national partners this year, along with the hundreds of local organizations around the country that work year-round to serve our communities."

In addition to Comcast Cares Day, Comcast employees volunteer year-round with a variety of projects and organizations through the company's Comcast Cares program.

Read more in the Comcast press release.

Two months ago, a federal appeals court blocked a trial judge's order that would have required DISH Network to disable more than 3 million digital video recorders. Last week, the U.S. District Court of Appeals agreed that the DVRs can stay in operation while the direct-broadcast satellite provider appeals the original court injunction.

"We are pleased the Federal Court found that [DISH Network parent company] EchoStar has a 'substantial case on the merits' and blocked the Texas decision for the duration of the appeal," said the company in reponse to the court ruling. "This action by the Federal Court reinforces our belief that the Texas court made significant errors during the trial process and we look forward to complete vindication of our position."

TiVo sued the satellite TV service provider in 2004, alleging that EchoStar and certain subsidiaries violated a TiVo patent related to the storage and playback of television. A jury ruled in April that EchoStar infringed on Tivo's patented TV-viewing technology in making set-top boxes for its customers.

In August, the federal district court judge who presided over the jury trial issued the injunction against EchoStar, ordering it to pay TiVo $89.6 million in damages—more than the $74 million awarded by the jury. EchoStar had secured a temporary stay of the injunction, but this week's stay will be in place as long as the DBS company pursues its appeal.

In their official statement in response to the ruling, Tivo said, "We are confident that the jury's decision in TiVo's favor will be upheld once the Federal Circuit has the opportunity to review the entire record in this case. It is important to note that most injunctions in patent cases are stayed pending appeal, and the appeal itself will be decided on a totally different standard of review."

For more information, check out the Bloomberg article EchoStar Can Sell Digital Recorder During TiVo Appeal.

The Comcast Foundation recently announced a $50,000 grant for a literacy program to LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC). The LNESC is a national, non-profit, community-based organization established by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), whose mission is to educate and prepare America's future workforce through intensive educational programming and leadership development training. Support of LNESC's "Accelerated Program" reinforces Comcast's continued commitment to improving educational opportunities for the Hispanic community.

The project will be implemented in three Comcast markets; the La Villita neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois; Balboa Park in San Francisco, California; and Pueblo, Colorado. The "Accelerated Reader" program will serve approximately 180 participants, 90 elementary school children and 90 parents. LNESC's supplementary services are considered an integral part of the education system in these neighborhoods because they face high rates for poverty, school drop out, and unemployment.

"Comcast is proud to support this important program, which provides essential literacy tools to individuals furthering their education," said David L. Cohen, executive vice president for Comcast and chairman of the Comcast Foundation. "Ultimately, providing support to organizations such as LNESC will expand the opportunities available to the Hispanic community and contribute to the success of those who participate in their programs."

For more information, check out the press release The Comcast Foundation Supports LULAC's Education of Latino Youth.

Market Watch is reporting that the AT&T-BellSouth merger delay will end soon. According to the business news site, the Federal Communications Commission has scheduled a vote for Oct. 12 at the behest of Chairman Kevin Martin, who has insisted on trying to meet the agency's informal 180-day deadline on reviewing proposed mergers.

However, the deal also has to win approval from the Justice Department's antitrust division. While the two agencies tend to consult each other through the review process and Justice typically issues its ruling several days or weeks before the FCC, there have been exceptions. The most notable occuring when the FCC was the first agency to block the DIRECTV-Dish Network merger a few years ago.

According to Market Watch, regulatory analysts have long predicted that the AT&T-BellSouth merger would pass regulatory muster with few conditions attached because the companies do not compete in many markets and they co-own Cingular Wireless, the nation's biggest mobile company. The merger has already won approval in all U.S. states in which the two companies have a large presences, as well as the foreign countries in which AT&T operates.

For more information, check out the article AT&T-BellSouth merger set for vote.

The Federal Communications Commission announced last week that it has ended its investigation into Time Warner Cable's decision to drop the NFL Network back in August without providing appropriate notice to subscribers. At the time, the FCC ordered Time Warner Cable to reinstate the NFL Network while it investigated a complaint issued by NFL Enterprises over the issue.

The FCC reached a consent decree in which Time Warner Cable agreed that it violated an FCC rule that requires cable operators to provide customers 30 days' notice before deleting a channel. The agency said it would take no action against the company and closed the investigation.

While Time Warner Cable is still in talks with the NFL Network, no agreement has been reached. The network is hoping to complete a distribution deal before its package of live Thursday and Saturday night National Football League games launches on Thanksgiving night.

For more on the issue, check out the Digital Pro Sound article Dressler's Last Play: NFL Network Talks.

Knology announced this week that it will extend its sponsorship of the Montgomery Biscuits through the year 2010. The AA minor league baseball team has enjoyed a partnership with Knology for the past three years.

Knology continues to hold a strong presence at Riverwalk Stadium, home to the Biscuits. From their Tug of War and Call to the Bull Pen to Scoreboard Displays and Knology Give a Way Day, the company is very involved in the team's local initiatives and community spirit. Knology also provides the stadium, offices and luxury suites with Knology Phone, Internet and Cable TV services.

"The Biscuits needed a large amount of direct high-speed bandwidth as well as high-volume telephone access. Not only did we get what we needed in our contract, but we also received more for our dollar," said Sherrie Myers, Co-Owner of Professional Sports Marketing. "Knology offers a depth of infrastructure to Central Alabama, allowing them to deliver on business' unique needs."

The Biscuits, just three years into its franchise, recently won the 2006 AA Southern League Championship. The team continues to break attendance records and merchandizing sales records for all of minor league baseball. In addition, Baseball America recently named the Biscuits the AA Team of the Year.

"Our association with Pro Sports Marketing and the Biscuits has been a great success for Knology," said Art Loescher, Knology General Manager. "Our Value System dovetails perfectly with the Biscuits and the entire Riverwalk Stadium experience."

Read more about the Mongtomery Biscuits at their official site.

Sony has announced the first titles that it will release on 50 GB Blu-ray discs. Some of these first movies will be "Click", "Black Hawk Down" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby". Fifty GB allow for Sony to offer some special features on these new discs, including high definition, improved audio and more additional commentary. Keep an eye out for when these discs will be released.

Two months after the integration of Southern California's Adelphia and Comcast operations, Time Warner Cable announced a series of product and customer service improvements to its acquired systems. Starting next month, Time Warner Cable Los Angeles Region will roll out a regionwide standardized digital channel line-up, new genre-based programming blocks, additional high-definition channels and ethnic-language networks, 100 percent digital picture and sound, the launch of new High-Speed Online packages, the start of e-mail domain name changes, and the beginning of Digital Phone launches.

To assist customers during this major transition, Time Warner Cable has launched a comprehensive customer communication campaign consisting of television, radio, outdoor and print advertising. Customers also will receive direct mail, bill inserts and e-mail messages to ensure each customer is aware of the myriad changes.

"Today's announcement is a first step in Time Warner Cable's commitment to offer consumers the best in cable products and services," said Roger Keating, Executive Vice President, Time Warner Cable. "We know from customer feedback and proven successes in other parts of the county that customers want more quality programming that's value driven and rich with choice. These enhancements are designed to address these customer needs."

To see if service is available in your area, visit the Time Warner Cable information page.

In a recent keynote address at the annual conference sponsored by the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council, Verizon Telecom Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Bob Ingalls said their competiitors are coming up short on their "me-too" claims of offering a fiber-rich network for high-speed Internet and TV service.

"As the FTTH Council has already acknowledged, Verizon is the only major provider in the country that is building and offering service over an all-fiber network," Ingalls said.  "The claims by the competition — most notably the cable industry—that they offer a similar fiber-dense network fall a mile short—the last mile."

In September, the FTTH Council announced that Verizon has earned the council's first certification for a network that provides fiber all the way to customers' homes and offices.

In his presentation, Ingalls outlined Verizon's plans for building the nation's largest all-fiber network, including an $18 billion net investment over a seven-year period (2004-2010). Verizon told investors and analysts last week that it plans to pass 18 million premises with its fiber network by the end of 2010—more than half the approximately 33 million households in the company's 28-state wireline service area.  The company is on target to pass 6 million households by the end of this year.

Verizon is also seeing strong customer demand for FiOS TV, which was launched in its first market just over a year ago.  By the end of the third quarter of 2006, Verizon expects to have more than 100,000 FiOS TV customers, and the company estimates that about two-thirds of FiOS TV customers have discontinued their cable TV service.

Verizon has set a target of 175,000 FiOS TV customers by year-end 2006 and making the service available to 1.8 million households.  This would be a market penetration rate of approximately 10 percent.  More than 1 million households are already currently eligible to purchase FiOS TV services, due to Verizon's progress in obtaining state and local cable franchises.

Verizon's goal is for FiOS TV to have a market penetration rate that ranges from 20 percent to 25 percent by 2010—or from 3 million to 4 million FiOS TV customers—based on its estimate that approximately 15 million households will be video-ready by then.

Nearly 80 percent of FiOS TV customers have purchased three services—voice, data and video—from Verizon, with customer loyalty that has exceeded the company's initial expectations.

"Verizon's FiOS Internet services continue to gain market share with unmatched reliability and speeds that make applications like photo and video sharing, blogging, digital movie downloads, video chat and conferencing, and interactive multi-player games a part of everyday living," Ingalls said. "Meanwhile FiOS TV is setting the pace for signal clarity, HD channel lineup and video on demand, all at competitive prices."

For more information, check out the Verizon press release.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, more than 30,000 Comcast employees and their families will be volunteering with almost 300 community organizations in 34 states and the District of Columbia as part of one of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the United States, the sixth annual Comcast Cares Day. Comcast employees and their families will donate 180,000 volunteer hours of service, or the equivalent of more than 86 person-years of community service, in one day.

"At Comcast, we appreciate how incredibly important community service is to the health and well-being of the neighborhoods we serve," said Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brian L. Roberts. "Our employees and their families have generously given of their time and talents to help improve their communities. We're very proud of their contributions, and are delighted to be working with almost 300 partner groups throughout the country to make this year's Comcast Cares Day a resounding success."

Comcast Cares Day is a company-wide day of service in which Comcast employees and their families volunteer on the same day in their local communities. Local Comcast management teams work with civic leaders to identify non-profit partner organizations and projects that address specific needs in cities and towns across the country.

Comcast's employee volunteers will represent all sectors of the Comcast Family of Companies, from its corporate headquarters in Philadelphia to its local cable offices and the company's content businesses.

The Comcast Foundation will also donate more than one million dollars in grants to the local community partner organizations on behalf of each employee and family member who volunteered on Comcast Cares Day. These partner grants are to help Comcast's community partners continue their mission throughout the year.

According to Multichannel News, a number of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks systems are enabling users to interact on-screen with episodes of The N's high-school drama Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Scheduled to launch recently with the sixth-season debut of the series, the interactive program integrates two questions within each of the seven episodes for viewers to answer via their remote controls.

The article quotes Time Warner  Cable senior vice president of on-demand product management Bob Benya, who said that the questions—displayed on the lower-right-hand corner of the screen—will be based on the characters and story lines. Consumers participating can press A, B, or C to respond. The poll results will then air before the end of the half-hour episode. "You get quick, instant gratification while participating," he added.

MN reports that the interactive offering is available to Time Warner Cable subscribers in Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse, and Rochester, New York; Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina; Cincinnati,  Ohio; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as to Bright House customers in Orlando and Tampa Bay, Florida.

For more information, check out the article Time Warner Cable Takes Degrassi Interactive.

According to a recent Adweek article, Comcast is encouraging candidates in various state and local mid-term elections to take their speeches digital through Comcast Spotlight, a video-on-demand initiative that allows candidates to expand their campaign messaging beyond the 30-second spot. Candidates in approximately 70 Comcast markets can put together VOD spots up to two minutes in length, in the hopes of better informing constituents and would-be voters in the days leading up to the November elections.

"Getting our complete message to voters is critical in a political campaign," said Andrea Silbert, a businesswoman who was the first candidate from Massachusetts to craft a VOD spot. She was defeated in the September primary, but she still praised the initiative. "The on-demand platform allows us to provide greater detail in an unfiltered presentation not available through traditional media."

It is unclear what kind of effect the new platform could have on the election. However, Comcast said that in its mature markets, more than 75 percent of its digital cable subscribers have accessed VOD in the past 90 days. Of that number, 80 percent are registered to vote in their district, while 72 percent said they generally vote in statewide elections and 45.1 percent reported that they always cast ballots in statewide elections.

For more information, check out the Adweek article Comcast Offers Pols Digital Platform.

After a seven-year abscence, Comic Relief, the live stand-up comedy benefit that ran on HBO from 1986 to 1998, will return to the premium cable network Nov. 18. It also will be simulcast on TBS, a fellow subsidiary of Time Warner. Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams will return as hosts of the three-hour event, which will raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"Disasters like Katrina devastate the environment and cause suffering for all forms of life, both human and animal," says Bob Zmuda, Comic Relief's founder and president. "Comic Relief is determined to address these tragedies by benefiting everyone from the elderly to children and pets."

The three-hour show will include live segments from New Orleans and showcase the work of Crescent City filmmaker Kenny Morrison. Other performers are still being lined up.

In its 20 year history, Comic Relief has created as many as 80 benefit shows, including eight concerts televised on HBO, that have raised more than $50 million for programs aiding the homeless.

For more information on the event, check out the LA Daily News article Robin, Whoopi, Billy, Bob 'psyched' for return of comic relief.

Time Warner Cable has announced the launch of Quick Clips, a new digital cable feature that allows customers to access short-form video content, including content produced for the Internet, on their televisions. The initial launch of Quick Clips in the company's South Carolina division will make this new feature available on CNBC, CNN and The Weather Channel.

Quick Clips uses IP technology and new software to push short-form content created by the participating networks to Time Warner Cable's Enhanced TV. Select online video content from participating programmers is made available within minutes of its original Web posting.

Viewers are alerted to this feature by an onscreen prompt notifying them that "Enhanced TV" features are available on the currently viewed channel. By pressing "Select" on the remote a menu will appear showing all "Enhanced TV" features such as Quick Clips and Start Over, the Company's service that allows customers to jump to the beginning of a program already in progress. After viewing the desired "Quick Clip," the viewer is returned to the current programming on that channel.

"Continuing the Company's tradition of innovation, Time Warner Cable's Quick Clips makes short form, time sensitive programming, such as news segments and local weather forecasts, available for our customers to view when they want, on their schedule," said Bob Benya, Senior Vice President of On Demand Product Management for Time Warner Cable. "We are committed to providing our customers with this type of convenience by leveraging our advanced digital platform."

CNN's category offerings on Quick Clips include the latest broadband content from CNN.com drawn from the following categories: Top Stories, U.S., World, Politics, Law, Business, Sci-Tech, Sports, Health, Offbeat, Entertainment and Best of TV. Once the CNN category has been selected, viewers are able to choose from various "quick" stories—usually from the top headlines of the day.

"We are pleased to partner with Time Warner Cable to provide CNN's award-winning programming to customers via the Quick Clips service," said Coleman Breland, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Turner Network Sales (TNS). "This service allows us to further extend the powerful brand of CNN and reach viewers on yet another platform."

The Weather Channel provides Quick Clips of updated local and regional weather forecasts, weekly planner, top stories and content from its Storm Stories series. Local and regional forecast are updated twice daily.

"Weather has a 'perishable' quality that is ideal for 'Quick Clips' and we are pleased to provide Time Warner Cable with weather content that has the distinctive brand of The Weather Channel. Our offerings will include: time-sensitive local and regional weather forecasts by on-camera meteorologists, the top weather stories of the day, and a 'Weekly Planner' for the week ahead. Changes in the weather can have an impact on consumers, creating a need for immediate access that is very well served by Time Warner's innovative Enhanced TV platform," said Becky Powhatan, EVP, Distribution and Business Affairs, The Weather Channel.

Quick Clips is currently available to all 150,000 digital cable subscribers in Time Warner Cable's South Carolina division. Time Warner Cable expects to increase the number of channels that offer Quick Clips and plans to launch in additional markets later this year.

Read more in the press release Time Warner Cable Launches Quick Clips.

DIRECTV has opened its fourth owned-and-operated call center in an effort to further strengthen its ability to provide technical support for its customers as it continues to expand its advanced products and services, including the roll out of hundreds of local and national HD channels next year.

DIRECTV's Missoula, Montana Customer Contact Center will have the capacity to employ up to 1,000 customer service professionals dedicated to providing technical support to DIRECTV's more than 15.5 million customers. DIRECTV will be among the largest employers in the state and said it expects to hire more than 600 agents by year end.

The new 74,000-square foot call center was officially opened today at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by DIRECTV executives and state and local officials.

In addition to providing support for the expanding base of DIRECTV HD customers, Missoula customer call center representatives will provide technical help for new DIRECTV products and advanced television services, such as standard-definition and HD digital video recorders and interactive services.

"With DIRECTV on the threshold of an exponential growth in capacity, products and services, the technical support provided by the Missoula call center is critical to maintaining customers' satisfaction and ensuring they're able to take advantage of the full array of our industry-leading technology and services," said John Suranyi, president, DIRECTV Sales and Service. "Along with our professional service and installation technicians in the field, our call center agents are on the front lines of an increasingly competitive battle among video providers, and how we fare in that fight will be decided in large part on how well we take care of our customers."

Suranyi added, "Through the commitment of the DIRECTV team and close cooperation of the County and State, we constructed and opened this facility in six months. Everyone's involvement with this project has been fantastic. We are really looking forward to being a productive member of this community and sharing what we believe will be an exciting future."

For more information, check out the DIRECTV press release.

DISH Network has announced that seven of eight contestants selected to compete in the DISH Network Ultimate Football Fan Contest have unofficially set a new Guinness World Record for watching TV the longest. If substantiated by Guinness World Record officials, the new record will be 70 hours.

Eight fans from rival football teams began watching TV on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 11:07 a.m. at the Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver. Their ultimate goal: to attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for watching TV the longest—set at 69 hours and 48 minutes—and earn a trip to the 2007 Pro Bowl in Hawaii, courtesy of NFL Network. But in an unexpected show of camaraderie, teamwork and good sportsmanship, seven contestants formed an alliance halfway through the event to help fend off sleep so they could break the record together.

"We decided early on that we could all work together to break the record, so we set aside our personal goals to join in this pact so everyone would turn out a winner," said Dallas' Ultimate Football Fan Chris Chambers. "I'm really looking forward to seeing the other guys in Hawaii."

The contestants were seated shoulder-to-shoulder in La-Z-Boy recliners watching non-stop football broadcast on flat-screen HDTVs. Charlotte's Ultimate Fan, John Dickson "Trey" McMillan III, elected to be the first one to voluntarily exit the contest. As the hours passed and fatigue set in, the remaining seven somehow found a way to put aside long-standing team rivalries so they could encourage each other to go the distance. Shortly after surpassing the current record at 8:55 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, the seven remaining contestants held on until 9:07 a.m.—a full 70 hours—before looking away from their TVs at exactly the same time.

This show of solidarity inspired DISH Network to award all seven contestants a trip to the 2007 Pro Bowl. "These seven fans epitomize the very spirit of what football is all about—teamwork, fortitude and mental toughness," said Jody Martin, senior vice president of marketing for DISH Network.

All eight contestants who participated in the event will take home the La-Z-Boy recliner they sat in for three days, a 37-inch Akai HDTV from Radio Shack, a DISH Network HD receiver and DishHD programming for a year.

Read more in the DISH Network press release.

Kangaroo TV™ has reached agreements with the National Football League and DIRECTV to conduct a season-long test in which DIRECTV's exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ programming will be delivered to fans at select NFL stadiums using Kangaroo TV's specialized handheld device.  The service will be provided under the brand name "NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ In-Stadium By DIRECTV".

The Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins will participate in the trial, offering the service to fans on a season-long or per-game basis. The service debuted at the Dolphins home game on Sunday, Sept. 24, and will premier in Washington on Sunday Oct. 1. The season trial follows a successful one-game test of the technology at a game last season.

Kangaroo TV and DIRECTV have signed an agreement that grants Kangaroo TV the rights to rebroadcast NFL SUNDAY TICKET content at select stadiums using the same Kangaroo TV technology already popular with fans in motorsports.  The agreement also provides DIRECTV the primary sponsorship of the new service.

"With NFL SUNDAY TICKET In-Stadium, DIRECTV and Kangaroo TV have created the best seat in the NFL," said DIRECTV Entertainment President David Hill. "NFL SUNDAY TICKET has transformed the NFL viewing experience at home and we have no doubt it will do the same for fans in the stadium and at tailgate parties in the parking lot."

For more information, check out the Kangaroo TV press release.

Intel and DIRECTV recently released details for what they are calling the world's first digital set-top box. With integrated digital media adapter (DMA) functionality verified to work with Intel® Viiv™ technology, the DIRECTV digital set-top box will allow customers to access and enjoy their pictures and music on their TVs directly from Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

In a keynote at the Intel Developer Forum, Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini detailed plans for DIRECTV's new set-top box, the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR, which marks the first time a major service provider has endorsed an integrated DMA deployment in the home through a set-top box, which could be deployed to customers virtually overnight via a software download starting in December. Otellini reinforced that the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR is in the final stages of Intel Viiv technology testing and verification.

Delivering the ability to record and view 200 hours of standard definition content or 50 hours of MPEG 4 high-definition programming, the new DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR receiver verified with Intel Viiv technology will allow consumers to enjoy new experiences that combine the best of the TV with the best of the PC.

"With a simple software download, DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR customers nationwide can enjoy on their TV favorite photos and music albums that have been tucked away on their PCs," said Kevin Corbett, vice president of Intel's Digital Home Group and general manager of the company's Content Services Group. "Having the nation's leading satellite television service provider with a 15 million and growing customer base introduce the world's first Intel Viiv technology-verified set-top box is a significant milestone, accelerating the number of connected digital homes."

"Intel Viiv technology delivers the power, simplicity and functionality to connect these products in an easy and seamless fashion so DIRECTV customers can enjoy their favorite digital content in the living room," said Romulo Pontual, chief technology officer at DIRECTV. "Our strategic relationship with Intel, and joint commitment to an industry standards-based approach for securely delivering a premium TV experience on multiple devices, will ensure that DIRECTV customers have the flexibility to view content when, where and how they want it."

The two companies expect this capability to accelerate the adoption of connected digital homes by providing a substantial footprint of interoperable set-top boxes and PCs.

Read more in the Intel press release Home ???Intel, DIRECTV Poised to Connect PCs and TVs in U.S..

Since I posted earlier this month about Charter's participation in the Worldwide Day of Play, I wanted to update that Multichannel News is reporting that Cox is joining in on the program urging children to get up from in front of their PCs and TVs in favor of physical activity.

According to MN, Lara Salamano, senior director of affiliate marketing for the Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, said the company is very excited about Cox's support of the program. Part of Cox's participation includes its Orange County, Calif., cluster hosting an event in San Juan Capistrano, with an estimated 2,500 children expected to attend. The event will include stations focusing on characters created for Nickelodeon's Go Healthy Challenge.

In addition to the Worldwide Day of Play campaign, Nickelodeon sponsored the Let's Just Play Giveaway where children can log on to Nick.com and describe why play is important in their community and to nominate a local program that needs funding. The network has provided $1.4 million to local schools and other community organizations since August 2005, and it plans to award another $400,000 to 70 recipients in the next three months.

"Kids are really aware of this issue and they take advantage of the money for ways to play," Salamano said, noting that kids have asked everything for sports balls for physical-education classes to the construction of local bike paths.

Read more in the Multichannel News article Cox to Help Nick Play.

Starz Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television have signed an exclusive agreement that provides Starz Entertainment with the rights to more than 500 movie titles from the Sony library. The company will be able to offer the content on multiple distribution platforms, including its 16 linear channels, subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) offerings and the broadband video download service, Vongo.

The library deal runs from 2008 to 2014 and provides Starz Entertainment's flagship Starz and Encore channels exclusive rights to a selection of Sony's library films, however the VOD deal for Vongo will be begin next month. Starz and Encore deliver programming to 15.1 million and 27.1 million homes respectively through cable, satellite and telco providers and its other advanced services. This new deal broadens the already-established relationship that gives them exclusive first-run premium cable channel outlet for all of Sony Pictures Entertainment's films.

"This partnership with Sony Pictures Television validates our position as a leader in movie entertainment and demonstrates our strategy to make a whole range of recent and beloved content available to our subscribers on all of our platforms," said Stephan Shelanski, Starz senior vice president, programming. "We are pleased to offer our subscribers access to Sony's extensive library of theatrical films that includes content from 'Gandhi' to 'Ghostbusters' to 'Godzilla,' via cable, or satellite, VOD and over broadband."

For more information, check out the press release.

DIRECTV recently announced that that it will be the first to take the MySpace experience and bring it to life as a television show when its show Project MyWorld debuts Oct. 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET on DIRECTV's Channel 101. The show will follow three friends as they travel the world in search of love, adventure, independent bands and the real people around the world who have become their MySpace friends. DIRECTV's fourth original series is part documentary, part international odyssey and part Internet experience come to life.

DIRECTV will give the three women a voice to create, develop and produce Project MyWorld according to their own unique personalities for the ultimate in viewer-generated content. The three women will also serve as executive producers and maintain the show's Web site on MySpace at www.myspace.com/projectmyworld.

The program will introduce viewers to three friends: Shaina Fewell, Renee Intlekofer and Taryn Southern, and follow them as they traverse the globe in search of their MySpace friends worldwide and set out to fulfill their own personal missions. Shaina is on the hunt for the best indie band in each city, Renee is searching for international love and the feisty Taryn is looking for adventure.

"This is such a great concept and the fact that it's totally homegrown by Shaina, Taryn and Renee really drew us to the project," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president of entertainment at DIRECTV. "Project MyWorld is a completely new kind of show where everything from the music to the characters have a connection between the online world and real-life."

The women will begin their journey in Los Angeles and then continue on to such exotic locales such as Croatia, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and other countries in their worldwide tour. Their adventures will be shot documentary style in High-Definition and presented to viewers in a weekly half-hour television show.

For more information, check out the DIRECTV press release DIRECTV's New Original Series Project MyWorld Sends Three Friends to Conquer the World with Their MySpace Friends.

To celebrate the new seasons of some of ABC's most popular shows, DISH Network satellite TV service will feature half-hour promotional specials of "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" on its Video On Demand platform, DISH On Demand.

Designed to help viewers follow storylines, the free-of-charge specials began airing on Thursday, Sept. 21, and will be available through Wednesday, Oct. 4, for DISH Network customers with a 622 or 625 receiver.To order any of these shows, customers simply need to press the "DVR" button on their remote and select "TV Entertainment" from the menu screen, select the program they watch from the menu, and select "Start" to begin viewing.

"Providing DISH Network with this special content for their On Demand service is a perfect example of our desire to find new ways we can work together with our distribution partners," said Ben Pyne, president, Disney and ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. "This also marks an opportunity for both new viewers and returning fans to get caught up with ABC's biggest hit series before their new seasons begin."

"We strongly feel that the addition of content featuring ABC's popular hits such as 'Lost' and 'Desperate Housewives' further strengthens our DISH On Demand service," said Susan Arnold, vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "This is a great example of our commitment to provide our DISH On Demand customers with the best programming available."

For more details, check out the DISH Network press release DISH Network Video On Demand Platform to Feature Special ABC Programs; Overview Specials Recapping 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Lost' and 'Desperate Housewives' Available for Free on DISH On Demand.

AT&T recently announced that approximately 2,000 previously outsourced technical support jobs will be added to the AT&T payroll. The jobs—which have been outsourced both domestically and overseas—are related to supporting AT&T's DSL customers who self-install their service or have other basic questions about the service.

"This is one more example of how we're working together with our union to add jobs in growing parts of our company," said Bill Blase, executive vice president-Labor Relations. "We're pleased that the Communications Workers of America has recognized the mutual importance of creating these jobs with competitive wages and benefits that enhance the company's ability to compete while creating good jobs."

The DSL jobs are the second group of jobs that the company and the union have agreed to create in recent months. Previously the company and most regions of the CWA agreed on a contract covering premises technicians who will perform installation work at customer homes for AT&T's new U-verse^SM video service. Hiring of those workers is under way as the product is rolled out. The company is currently assessing where to locate the DSL jobs, which will be added to the AT&T payroll by the end of 2008.

For more information, check out the San Antonio Business Journal article AT&T plans tohire 2,000 DSL jobs.

According to a recent USA Today article, the average American home now has more television sets than people. The article states that the threshold was crossed within the past two years, according to Nielsen Media Research, with an average of 2.73 TV sets in the typical home and 2.55 people.

In addition, the article quotes other interesting Nielsen findings:

• Half of American homes have three or more TVs, and only 19 percent have just one. In 1975, 57 percent of homes had only a single set and 11 percent had three or more.
• In the average home, a television set is turned on for more than a third of the day—eight hours, 14 minutes, an hour more than it was a decade ago.
• The average person watches four hours, 35 minutes of television each day.

Read more in the USA Today article Average home has more TVs than people.

Verizon celebrates the first anniversary of its fiber-optic FiOS TV service this week. Citing Verizon research that shows the majority of FiOS TV subscribers were previously cable subscribers, Marilyn O'Connell, Verizon's senior vice president - video solutions, said, "Customers have spoken loudly about the quality and value of FiOS TV as they've moved from cable to Verizon.  We think 2007 will be an even bigger year for FiOS TV and our subscribers as we add advanced services and new markets."

Verizon launched the fiber-optic FiOS TV service in Keller, Texas, on Sept. 22, 2005, and now serves more than 80 communities in North Texas, California, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.  Verizon is making FiOS TV available to more customers weekly, as it continues to build its industry-leading fiber-to-the-home network and open new video-serving facilities. Verizon expects to begin providing FiOS TV service in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey in the coming months, and it will expand deployment in the states where FiOS TV already is available.

AT&T and Comcast recently announced a distribution agreement to deliver Comcast linear and on-demand programming as part of the AT&T U-verse(SM) TV programming lineup.

Under the agreement, Comcast will offer the following programming to AT&T U-verse TV customers: E! Entertainment Television, The Golf Channel, OLN (soon to be Versus), AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, Style Network, G4, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet West and SportsNet New York.

"We are pleased to be able to offer the numerous networks and on-demand content from Comcast Networks to customers of AT&T U-verse TV, which is designed to deliver a truly revolutionary entertainment experience," said Dan York, head of programming, AT&T Operations, Inc.

"Comcast's networks engage viewers in some of the most attractive and targeted demographics with top-quality programming. From E! Entertainment to the Golf Channel, we offer something for everyone and are pleased that AT&T sees the high value that these networks have in reaching TV viewers," said Bill Bridgen, executive vice president for distribution and development, Comcast Networks.

For more information, check out the press release AT&T U-verse TV to Include Comcast Networks' Content.

DISH Network™ satellite TV service will be featuring the series premiere of NBC's new fall series "Friday Night Lights" on its Video On Demand platform, DISH On Demand, before the show's network debut on NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The "Friday Night Lights" series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. Dillon's promising high school team, its star quarterback, and newly appointed head coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "King Kong," "Grey's Anatomy") feel the mounting pressure of the town's pride and honor riding on their shoulders as a new football season kicks off.

"Friday Night Lights" will be available on DISH On Demand on Saturday, Sept. 23 through Monday, Oct. 2 for DISH Network customers with a 622 or 625 receiver. Customers simply need to press the "DVR" button on their remote and select "TV Entertainment" from the menu screen, select "Friday Night Lights" from the menu, and select "Start" to begin viewing. DISH Network's DISH On Demand service gives customers immediate access to the latest movies and television programs, allowing them to enjoy movies and other programs whenever they want. Additionally, DISH Network's DVRs enable subscribers to further customize their viewing experience by taking advantage of popular features such as pause, fast forward, and rewind.

"We're delighted that we have this opportunity to showcase a drama of this caliber to the DISH Network audience," said John Miller, chief marketing officer, NBC Universal Television Group. "We're proud of the quality of 'Friday Night Lights' and we look forward to having viewers see the show in advance and encourage others to watch this exciting new series."

"We are very excited that DISH On Demand customers will get a sneak preview of 'Friday Night Lights' before it premieres on NBC," said Susan Arnold, vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "By combining the latest and most popular programming on DISH On Demand with the functionality and technology of our industry-leading DVRs, DISH Network customers will find multiple ways to enhance their viewing experience."

For more information on the new series, check out the show's official site or the DISH Network press release.
 

RCN is teaming up with iSorpresa!, America's first Hispanic kids network, during Hispanic Heritage Month to sponsor a company-wide children's essay-writing contest about the importance of heritage.

In partnership with iSorpresa!, RCN is sponsoring a children's essay writing contest to increase awareness about the importance of heritage and how it's infused in today's culture. The contest, also intended to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, began with the airing of cable television commercials in RCN's Boston, Chicago, New York, metro DC, and Eastern, Pennsylvania markets that invite children, ages 14 and under, of all heritages to write and submit an essay describing what their heritage means to them.

One essay will be chosen based on creativity, spelling, grammar and content, with the winner and their classroom receiving a pizza party and prizes. The contest is open to all children, including RCN customers.

John Baker, RCN's vice president, marketing and sales management, explained, "RCN recognizes the important part that heritage plays in our customer's lives. Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time for us to focus more attention on the benefits that heritage brings to our culture, and the children's essay contest is a fun way to increase that awareness.

Baker added that RCN has taken the lead in designing and launching a comprehensive and unique offering addressing its customer's diverse Hispanic culture: "Our recently launched countries package of cable TV networks, Paquete de Paises, which is included in our new Hispanic MiVision programming, connects many of our customers back to their countries of origin."

Contest entries should be forwarded by October 20, 2006, by e-mail to pizzaparty@sorpresatv.com or by mail to RCN/Sorpresa! Hispanic Heritage Contest, c/o Firestone Communications, 6125 Airport Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76117. Additional details can be found at the official RCN Heritage Contest site.

According to ESPN, the network's last Monday night NFL game was watched by more viewers than any show in cable TV history except a 1993 debate between Al Gore and Ross Perot.

Jacksonville's victory over Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh posted a rating of 10.6 and was seen in 9.81 million homes, topping the network's Monday Night Football debut from the previous week that had been the most-watched program in the network's history. The Gore-Perot debate on NAFTA on CNN was watched in 11.174 million households.

The first game of the Monday Night Football doubleheader last week between Minnesota and Washington drew a 9.9 rating, representing an average of between nearly 9.2 million and 12.57 million households, the network said. The previous record was 8.9 million households on Christmas Day 1994 for a game between Detroit and Miami.

ESPN's second Monday night game, San Diego's 27-0 victory at Oakland, received a rating of 8.5 and was seen in an average of 7.87 million households. Through two weeks of its new deal with the NFL, ESPN is averaging a 9.7 rating and viewership in 8.99 million homes. During ESPN's final season of Sunday night telecasts, the network's averages were an 8.8 rating and 7.89 million homes.

For more information, check out the Bloomberg.com article ESPN's NFL Broadcast Is Second-Most Watched in Cable History .

Qwest recently launched a football-themed Web site to help customers stay even more connected to the sport of football through its communications services. The new site's (www.morefootball.com) interactive features helps put fans at the center of football action.

With a basic digital camera, even amateurs can create and post personal videos. On morefootball.com, fans can upload their own video clips and watch others' video clips, post comments and rant, rave and rehash each play of the season. Fans can also track their favorite teams, make weekly "Fan Picks" and even find the recipes for their own football parties.

"Qwest's morefootball.com brings football fans together and gives them the chance to immerse themselves in the sport in a fan-friendly, easy way," said Laura Sankey, Qwest vice president of corporate marketing and advertising. "Customers tell us they want a fast, interactive connection to football, and Qwest's morefootball.com makes that possible."

The new Web site builds on the Qwest Football Bundles the company launched in August that include high-speed Internet service, digital voice and DIRECTV® service, as well as the opportunity to add exclusive services and features, such as DIRECTV's subscription football packages and Qwest Wireless.

Check out the Qwest services page to see if bundles are available in your area.

Yahoo! and Current TV, a pioneer in "viewer created content" (VC2) for television and the Web, have partnered to deliver high-quality video content to one of the largest audience on the Web. The launch of the Yahoo! Current Network combines the best in user submitted videos plus professional, studio-produced content to air side by side in a co-branded environment, leveraging the highly customizable Yahoo! Video platform.

"Current TV empowers young adults to actively participate in creating the television they want to watch, but in a broader sense, we're about giving young adults a voice," states Current TV co-founder and chairman Al Gore. "Current's mission has always been to spark a global conversation among young adults. Partnering with Yahoo! helps us advance this mission."

Yahoo! Current Network's daily video offerings blend pop culture awareness with journalistic sensibilities to offer a smart, irreverent take on trends, news and personalities. Videos created and submitted by users will be featured alongside professionally produced segments narrated by Yahoo! Current Network hosts to inform and entertain enthusiast and mainstream audiences. All Yahoo! Current Network content can be easily found, via a search shortcut, by going to Yahoo.com and searching for "Current."

"Current TV's strengths in producing and programming some of the most creative video content available, combined with Yahoo!'s leadership in online video and user-centered communities creates a unique experience. The new Yahoo! Current Network helps publishers find an audience and be discovered on the biggest network on the planet," said Dan Rosensweig, chief operating officer for Yahoo!. "In addition, the Yahoo! Current Network allows advertisers to reach highly targeted audiences in an engaging environment."

The Yahoo! Current Network debuts with four channels on Yahoo! Video that allow users to view and upload videos, participate in rich communities and share their passions. Each channel will feature a daily selection of the best viewer created video submissions and professionally produced Buzz videos. These featured videos will be programmed into a set of custom branded channels with all content discoverable through Yahoo! Video.

Through user participation features found on Yahoo! Video, including the ability to rate, review and share videos, all viewers can voice their opinions and share their favorite content. Users can personalize their experience by subscribing to channels, grouping videos related by source or topic and making videos viewable from their blogs or Web sites.

Current TV, which launched August 1, 2005, is the first national network created by, for and with an 18-34 year-old audience. The network shows young adults what's going on in their world, in their voice. Current is available in 30 million U.S. homes via Comcast (channel 107 nationwide), Time Warner Cable, and DIRECTV (channel 366 nationwide). For more information, check out www.current.tv.

Comcast has added more than one million Comcast Digital Voice customers in less than two years.  This milestone underscores the record growth Comcast continues to experience across all cable products as it aggressively rolls out its $33 per product first-year bundle of phone, high-speed and video services.  Comcast also recently became the first broadband provider to cross the 10 million high-speed Internet customer threshold, following several high-growth quarters and the close of the Adelphia transaction, and is the nation's largest video provider with 23.3 million cable customers.

To keep pace with the growing popularity and increasing demand of the Triple Play, Comcast also announced that it now expects to add more than 4,000 jobs nationwide this year, a significant increase from its previously announced plans of 3,000 new customer-facing positions.

"Comcast Digital Voice and the Triple Play bundle continue to exceed our expectations. Customers are attracted to the convenience of the service and the value of the $33x3 offer," said Steve Burke, chief operating officer of Comcast Corporation.  "We're increasing our job growth projections this year to meet the accelerating customer demand for the bundle and our Comcast Digital Voice service."

The 4,000 new employees will join Comcast's current 66,000-member cable division workforce in helping connect customers to Comcast Digital Voice and other cutting-edge cable, entertainment and communications products and services.  These new jobs include 3,000 front-line technicians and 1,000 customer care representatives who will install, maintain and provide support for the company's services, as well as managerial and sales positions.  As a result of its commitment to employees, Comcast is regularly recognized by local publications as a top employer, receiving 25 awards for being a "Best Employer" in states and cities around the country.

You can read more about Comcast and its services from this Comcast press release. If you are interested in getting Comcast services, you can go to the WhiteFence Comcast page.

While Time Warner Cable officially removed NFL Network last week, Broadcasting & Cable is reporting that the cable system is still negotiating with the network to carry the 24-hour sports channel on the Adelphia markets Time Warner Cable aquired.

According to B&C, Time Warner spokesman Mark Harrad says the two sides are still talking, reports otherwise notwithstanding. "Fred Dressler, our lead negotiator, reports having had conversations last week. We continue to talk to the NFL," says Harrad, who added that he was surprised that the NFL Network described the talks as having broken off. He called that characterization "inaccurate."

Read more in the Broadcasting & Cable article Time Warner Still in Talks with NFL Net.

Samsung Electronics recently introduced the future of versatile multimedia entertainment for the entire home with its FlipTop design, featuring an integrated 10.2-inch LCD screen. This latest addition to Samsung's award-winning family of LCD display panels is the first-of-its-kind: a DIRECTV receiver that features a unique swivel design with a backlit control panel. This allows the unit to be mounted under a cabinet or on a table-top with the TV image and control panel icons always illuminated right side up.

"Samsung is once again at the forefront of a rapidly-evolving market," said Frank Romeo, vice president of marketing, Digital Set Top Box Products. "DIRECTV's 15 million subscribers and new customers are seeking compact, versatile flat panel displays as additional sets for rooms outside the traditional home theater space. The FlipTop combines Samsung's tradition of design innovation and technical leadership to offer an advanced all-in-one entertainment solution for any room in the home."

The Samsung DIRECTV FlipTop offers a clear and bright LCD picture with a 16:9, aspect ratio. The folding configuration allows users to tilt or flip the screen for convenient positioning and viewing from any direction, while the front panel buttons are back-lit and can flip based on the TV's placement. "The FlipTop allows consumers to bring DIRECTV programming and XM Satellite radio anywhere in their home," said Richard Long, senior product marketing manager Digital Set Top Box Products, Samsung Electronics America.

With its space-saving 10.2-inch profile, built-in DIRECTV receiver and 10 watts of stereo audio, the FlipTop allows consumers to experience the full range of entertainment media without the need for a separate set top box. Subscribers can easily enjoy over 250 available channels of DIRECTV programming with digital picture quality and sound, as well as up to 72 channels of music, news, sports and entertainment through XM Satellite Radio.

Additional features include a built-in AV input that allows users to connect additional entertainment devices, bilingual user interface (English and Spanish), three device universal remote and three-day Advanced Program Guide.

For more information and to find a retailer that carries the Samsung FlipTop Powered by DIRECTV, visit Samsung.com.

The Better Business Bureau recently awarded Knology the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the category of more than 100 employees. The first annual Torch Awards were held at the Augusta Towers in Augusta on September 7.

The coveted award for marketplace ethics attracts over a thousand entries for businesses of all sizes throughout North America. This year, the competition included Knology, Comcast, LazyBoy and Electrolux in the Augusta area. The award is presented to companies in recognition of their outstanding commitment to exceptional standards in relationships with their customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, shareholders and surrounding communities.

"We are incredibly proud to receive this award," said Mike Adams, Knology General Manager. "It goes to show how much of an impact our value system, and the ethics it instills in each and every one of us, has on the way we do business. It also speaks to the strong partnerships we have made with organizations in our community. From MCG Children's Hospital to the Make Kids Count Campaign, Knology understands how important it is to sponsor local programs."

Knology attributes this recognition in part to its dedication to customer service and support. In the Augusta Division, Knology has nearly 400 employees that concentrate their efforts on customer care. The Value System also plays a major role in the way that Knology does business. With points that target honesty, respect, teamwork and responsiveness, each employee in the Augusta Division is encouraged to live and work by these values. As a constant reminder, Augusta employees open and close every meeting and conference call with a discussion of values.

Winners of the local competitions will move on for consideration in the International Torch Award. For more information, please visit www.bbb.com.

DIRECTV is giving everyone a chance to go backstage with the world's top artists as they begin airing behind-the-scenes podcasts from their popular original concert series, CD USA. Beginning Saturday, September 16th, these unique podcasts will be available on a biweekly basis through directv.feedroom.com and the iTunes Store. Links to the podcasts will also be available on cdusa.com, myspace.com/cdusa and IGN.com.

The downloaded videos will include material from "CD USA" and will be distributed every other Saturday corresponding to the premiere of new "CD USA" televised episodes. Each 2-3 minute podcast will provide viewers with total backstage access to artists like Natasha Bedingfield, Goo Goo Dolls and Ne-Yo.

The first of the podcasts will be a three-part series titled "How To Get Your Demo Heard" featuring advice from Timbaland, Young Joc and DMC. Next, Rob Zombie will enlist the aid of fellow musicians Nine Black Alps, Head Automatica and Damone for "Ask Rob Zombie." Hot new acts such as Ok Go, Flipsyde, Hot Hot Heat and The Lashes will provide advice for aspiring musicians in "How To Start A Band" and the Ying Yang twins will educate viewers with "The Definition of Crunk." Other podcast guests will include T.I., Soul Asylum, and Hawthorne Heights. DIRECTV also has plans to create podcasts surrounding its other original programs debuting this fall.

"'CD USA' is fast becoming a global music phenomenon and as such has created a tremendous appetite for content connected to today's hottest bands," said David Hill, president of DIRECTV Entertainment. "The addition of these entertaining and original podcasts will enable viewers to see a different side of their favorite bands off-stage and strengthen their connection to the show."

"CD USA" currently entertains over 15 million DIRECTV customers in the United States with its weekly hour-long showcase of up to six live performances. The acclaimed music series is also a world-wide industry leader, broadcasting to 97 countries across 6 continents, and regularly boasts top acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and Busta Rhymes. Hosts Becky Baeling and John Wynn, along with correspondent Malikha Mallette report on the latest music news, exclusive interviews and gossip.

AT&T Inc. and TVG Network, a leading interactive horse-racing network owned by Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., recently announced a distribution agreement to deliver TVG's horse-racing programming as part of the AT&T U-verse (SM) TV channel lineup.

Under the agreement, AT&T U-verse TV customers will have access to TVG's full programming lineup, including up to eight live races an hour from more than 60 of America's premier thoroughbred race tracks, as well as TVG's expert race analysis, interviews and original programming.

"AT&T U-verse is dedicated to delivering a variety of original sports entertainment to our diversified customer base," said Chris Lauricella, vice president of programming, AT&T Operations, Inc. "The TVG Network will be a wonderful addition to our robust channel lineup and sports programming, offering horse-racing aficionados an excellent source of live race coverage."

"TVG offers horse-racing fans the excitement of live races and the convenience of at-home wagering," said David Nathanson, president of TVG. "We are thrilled to make TVG part of AT&T's comprehensive sports programming lineup."

To read more about U-Verse, you can read this AT&T press release.

Comcast and CBS announced that they will make eight of the CBS Television Network's primetime entertainment series available to viewers at no cost through the cable operator's digital cable ON DEMAND service. Included in the video-on-demand (VOD) offerings will be the network's three CSI shows, Survivor, NCIS, Numb3rs, Jericho and Big Brother.

The new deal replaces the previous agreement between the two companies to offer CBS programming for 99 cents per episode only in markets served by CBS owned and operated stations. Now, each of the CBS series, which will include paid commercial spots sold by CBS, will be available for free to Comcast digital cable customers with ON DEMAND throughout the country. Episodes of the shows will be available for on-demand viewing starting on the day after their network airing and will remain available for four weeks.

"Video on demand has fundamentally changed the way people watch TV. Our customers have watched more than three billion ON DEMAND programs in addition to their regular linear TV viewing since 2004," said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation. "CBS took a giant step forward in experimenting with prime-time video on demand last season, and we're pleased to partner with them to make their most popular prime-time programming available for free on VOD, which continues to provide a great value for all of our digital cable customers."

While Time Warner Cable and Common Sense Media are focusing on helping parents making better viewing choices for their children, the U.S. Senate focused on passing a bill to mandate a study examining the effects such exposure has on the cognitive development of children.

The Children and Media Research Advancement Act, sponsored by Senators Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., among others, will establish a research program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC, working with the National Academy of Sciences, will examine existing research and set new research priorities regarding how screen media—including television, computers and video games— effects children. It will also issue grants over six years to researchers to examine the impact of media on a child's social, cognitive and physical development.

Read more about the new bill in the AdWeek article Senate Calls for Media Study.

Several news organizations are speculating that cable, telephone and Internet service provider RCN has hired The Blackstone Group to look into a possible sale of the company. According to a Bloomberg.com source, the Herndon, Virginia-based company is struggling to compete against rivals such as Comcast and Time Warner, the two largest U.S. cable companies, in part because they have more leverage with cable networks.

Representatives from The Blackstone Group and RCN declined to comment to the media about the rumors.

For more information, check out the article Struggling RCN Considers Putting Itself Up for Sale.

While Comcast is apparently ready to deal with the NFL, according to a recent article in Buffalo Business First, Time Warner Cable has confirmed that it will remove The NFL Network from the company's channel lineup by Sept. 15, affecting more than 1 million subscribers in the Time Warner/Adelphia markets, including those in NFL hotbeds such as Buffalo, Cleveland and Dallas.

I posted about this last month when the FCC forced Time Warner Cable to reinstate the network. The company responded by threatening court action to overturn the FCC mandate.

Since that time, no progress has been made on by either side. In an e-mailed statement to several news organizations, Time Warner Cable spokesperson Keith Cocozza said that the company alerted affected customers of the pending move and will delete the programming by Sept. 15 if a new carriage agreement with the network isn't reached.

Football fans in the affected areas can check out the NFL Network FAQ for tips on how to get access. The FAQ does note that the network is available on both DIRECTV and DISH Network, if NFL football programming is important enough to you to make the switch from cable to satellite.

Charter Communications is inviting children, teachers, parents and their communities to participate in Nickelodeon's annual Worldwide Day of Play celebration.

As part of the celebration, Nickelodeon, the most popular basic cable network over the past ten years, will "go dark" from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006.

The third annual Worldwide Day of Play invites kids across the country to take an afternoon to focus on healthy and fun activities. The event is part of Nickelodeon's multi-media and grassroots pro-social initiative that encourages kids to engage in active, healthy lifestyles. By evolving into a health and wellness movement, the initiative empowers kids to lead the way to making healthy lifestyle changes and to be agents of change in their communities.

The Worldwide Day of Play inspires kids to be active, stay healthy and eat right. Healthy activities help young people learn about the importance of being physically fit at a time when many children are not active enough.

Parents and kids can get ideas about what to do in their own neighborhoods and learn more about the event by going to the Worldwide Day of Play section of Nickelodeon's "Let's Just Play" site.

Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play is part of a partnership with the Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge, a joint partnership between Nickelodeon and The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Comcast and The NFL Network have apparently cut a deal for the cable operator to carry the network's package of eight live football games on terms that are far weaker than what the league is currently seeking, according to a new article in Broadcasting & Cable.

The publication reports that, starting on Thanksgiving day, Comcast will air the network's new eight-game, Thursday-Saturday package on a digital tier available to fewer than one third of its subscribers. The league has been looking to be carried on basic cable, which would be available to nearly all of the operator's 23.3 million subscribers.

Comcast will pay a significantly lower rate under the fee arrangement than what the NFL is seeking with other cable providers. The deal seems to give the cable company more leverage, as it would have the right to put the network on a digital sports and entertainment tier that is available to a very small group of its subscribers.

The NFL does have some power over most cable companies, however, because it has the right to black out the games it features on The NFL Network on any cable carrier not paying an increased surcharge it is requiring.

For more information, check out the article NFL Network Cuts Comcast Deal.

Time Warner Cable and Common Sense Media recently announced a new partnership to provide Time Warner Cable customers with access to point of decision reviews, ratings and program information designed to help parents make informed viewing choices about TV, movies, music, books, websites and video games. Time Warner Cable will integrate Common Sense Media's extensive reviews, recommendations and media parent tips into its cable television and high-speed data services.

Time Warner Cable will launch a co-branded section on the Company's website and on Road Runner, its high-speed online service, that will present Common Sense Media's independent ratings information for television shows, movies, books, music and video games. Common Sense Media is also producing televised reviews and media information spots for Time Warner Cable's free video on demand service. Additionally, the companies plan to explore the integration of Common Sense Media reviews, recommendations and ratings into the Time Warner Cable interactive program guide and TV listings search functionality.

"We are pleased to partner with Common Sense Media in giving parents additional tools and information to help them make informed decisions for their families," said Time Warner Cable President and CEO Glenn Britt. "Our goal is to incorporate Common Sense Media assets and expertise across a wide variety of Time Warner Cable platforms making this information easy to access for interested customers. We believe Common Sense Media's extensive reviews will add another level of resources to the cable ratings system that has been operating since the mid 1990's."

Time Warner Cable says it is dedicated to providing customers with more control over their cable services. The new partnership should complement the company's Parental Controls which allow users to block specific channels and in many cases specific programs; as well as the Family Choice tier launched in December 2005 that provides customers with a package of programming they could reasonably assume would not contain any content that might be objectionable for younger viewers in the household.

"Time Warner Cable has taken a big step forward in empowering millions of parents by providing them with point of decision media and entertainment reviews and ratings that allow families to experience the best possible media viewing environment," said James P. Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense Media. "Increasingly, parents need trustworthy information to help them navigate through a rapidly changing media world and make positive choices. We're pleased that Glenn Britt and Time Warner Cable are demonstrating such a strong commitment to kids and families by leading the industry in this way."

Read more about this new partnership in the press release Time Warner Cable and Common Sense Media Partner to Help Parents Make Informed Media Viewing Choices.

Comcast recently announced that beginning September 15, the company will offer 100 hours of high-definition video-on-demand (HD VOD) programs on its signature ON DEMAND service. As part of the initiative, Comcast and Starz Entertainment also announced that at least 20 high-definition movies from Starz Entertainment will be available each month. The debut of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on September 15—more than one week before its scheduled airdate on the Starz HD cable channel— will kick off a series of HD VOD premieres on Comcast this fall.

Comcast's HD VOD rollout comes as video-on-demand usage is soaring, with customers viewing more than three billion ON DEMAND programs since 2004. In a recent survey of 200 cable customers with HD service conducted by ICR (International Communications Research) for Comcast, nearly 80 percent of respondents said they prefer to watch high-definition programs on their terms, not when the shows air on a traditional television schedule.

"Customers have clearly expressed their desire for more HD programming, and our fall HD VOD lineup will become the destination for HD movie fans," said Page Thompson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. "The addition of Starz HD to Comcast's growing HD VOD library and early premieres like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are helping to transform the HD viewing experience for our customers by giving them more programming on their schedules."

Like DIRECTV's planned preview, Comcast will also be offering a Starz Free Preview from September 15-17 for all of the Starz Entertainment services it offers, including the Starz suite of premium channels, HD, and the newly launched Starz HD ON DEMAND and Encore HD ON DEMAND.

For more information on the HD Initiative, check out the Comcast press release.

TiVo Inc. has announced the launch of their high end TiVo® Series3™ HD Digital Media Recorder. The first stand-alone TiVo product that is HD compatible, the new DVR will be available beginning mid-September. The TiVo Series3 HD box is the world's first THX®-certified, digital video recorder, delivering audio and video that maintains the fidelity of the original broadcast.

"TiVo continues to be the best way to watch television and we are very proud to extend the TiVo experience into the world of high definition with the release of the TiVo Series3 HD box," said Tom Rogers, CEO and President of TiVo.

The TiVo Series3 HD box allowis consumers to experience TiVo service features such as Season Pass™ recordings and WishList(c) searches in high-definition. The company says that extensive video analysis and performance testing by THX ensures content will always playback at the maximum quality and resolution.

Dual tuners gives subcribers the option to record two different shows in HD at the same time, while watching a third pre-recorded show. With the high quality OLED front-panel display, the TiVo Series3 HD box shows what is recording, even when the television is off. The box enables users to record up to 32 hours of HD programming, or up to 300 hours of standard definition recording.

The TiVo Series3 is designed to fit seamlessly into the most discerning home theater systems. It is compatible with digital cable, with the use of a CableCARD, analog cable and is the first TiVo to support over-the-air digital HD (ATSC). Later this year, the boxes will also support the TiVoCast service feature which allows users to access content directly through their broadband connection.

"Our subscribers have eagerly anticipated the day they can use our services in high definition," said Jim Denney, Vice President of Product Marketing at TiVo. "The TiVo Series3 HD DVR gives our customers the best way to experience HDTV in visual and audio performance, an easy, intuitive way to find and record HD programming and a broad set of multimedia and networking capabilities that greatly exceed other generic offerings available allowing subscribers the freedom to enjoy their favorite programming whenever they chose to do so."

The TiVo Series3 HD box will join the existing TiVo product line, and will soon be available for $799.99 at retail stores including select Best Buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics, Fry's and online at www.tivo.com. For more information, check out the TiVo press release.

Cox Communications announced that its high-speed Internet customers who use its newsgroup service will be able to experience a number of enhancements, including faster transfer speeds, longer storage of newsgroup posts and access to additional newsgroups. Newsgroups will continue to be available to all Cox High Speed Internet customers at no charge.

"Newsgroups are the original version of collaborative online communities," said Scott Hightower, Cox's vice president of data development and support. "Many of our customers remain loyal newsgroup users, and we are glad to expand our already comprehensive newsgroup service."

Cox is working with Highwinds, an industry leader in newsgroup management, to:

• Increase retention by at least 30 days: Retention time for binary newsgroups is being increased from an average of 3 days to at least 30 days. Text groups will have even longer retention.
• Boost transfer speeds by more than 30 percent: Each Newsgroup user can use up to four connections to the server, and transfer speeds for each connection have been increased from up to 384 Kbps each to up to 512 Kbps each.
• Add more newsgroups: Cox has traditionally offered access to over 55,000 newsgroups, and now thousands of additional newsgroups are available to Cox customers. Each newsgroup has a primary topic of discussion, and users can read and post messages on topics ranging from C++ programming to sports and jokes.

Martin Scorsese will take DIRECTV subscribers on a journey of cinematic discovery starting in September when he begins writing a monthly column exclusively for ON DIRECTV, the monthly magazine and program guide for DIRECTV customers. Only DIRECTV customers will have access to this unique offering and enjoy the benefit of Mr. Scorsese's detailed and intimate insight as he highlights, critiques and explores selected films that shaped the face of modern cinema as well as those that had an impact on his trademark style and vision.

Each month, Mr. Scorsese will get an advance look at DIRECTV's comprehensive offering of films and select those he feels are overlooked, underappreciated or simply in need of a fresh perspective. He will then provide detailed insight as to why these movies hold an important place in film history.

The idea for the monthly column came about when Mr. Scorsese wrote DIRECTV earlier this year, recommending enhancements to the movie review system so that viewers could get a better idea of the full range of choices available to them when looking for interesting films to watch. As there seemed to be no better person to take on that task than Mr. Scorsese himself, he was offered the opportunity to write the monthly column.

"As an early and enthusiastic supporter of DIRECTV, I'm very excited to be working with them on this column for ON DIRECTV," said Mr. Scorsese. "No one can know or even guess what movie will inspire a budding film director, writer, actor, novelist or painter. They have to find it for themselves. But they also have to know roughly what to look for and where to look for it. Through DIRECTV, we're fortunate to have a vast range of choices when it comes to watching films on television, from all places and time."

To read more about Scorsese's monthly column, you can read this DIRECTV press release.

TiVo and CBS SportsLine recently announced that CBS SportsLine Fantasy Football Companion can be accessed from any television connected to a broadband-enabled TiVo® Series2™ DVR. As part of the new form of interactive sports programming for subscribers, registered users of CBS SportsLine Fantasy Football can manage their leagues, check stats and scores, and watch highlights with their TiVo remote control.

The servive will offer subscribers features to help them play and follow fantasy football, including:

• Fantasy Scoreboard - Check live player and team scores on all league matchups.
• GameCenter - Get up-to-the-minute details and statistics on the current week's matchup.
• Standings - Monitor weekly changes to league standings throughout the season .
• Lineup - View active and reserve players, injury status, and make late changes as needed.
• MyPlayerNews - Read breaking headlines and player news that impact a team's lineup .
• Video - Watch short-form CBS SportsLine videos, including pre-game analysis, player interviews and special fantasy football content.

"CBS SportsLine Fantasy Football Companion adds tremendous programming value to TiVo subscribers by delivering with an industry-leading service and specialized CBS SportsLine video—with our sponsor's support, this service will drive additional interest in TiVo content partners," said Tara Maitra, TiVo's Vice President and General Manager, Programming. "The partnership demonstrates TiVo's commitment to building an expansive set of valued online services and elevating the home entertainment experience."

"We continually evaluate innovative offerings that enhance the fantasy football experience and TiVo gives our users highly coveted access to televisions in the living room, giving us the ability to reach fantasy football fans where they actually watch the games," said Steve Snyder, General Manager of CBS SportsLine . "TiVo-based connectivity, along with our PC and mobile products, creates an unrivaled multi-screen experience for CBS SportsLine Fantasy Football users."

Read more about the service in the TiVo press release or register online for CBS SportsLine Fantasy Football.

Comcast's recently announced that its video-on-demand service has now surpassed three billion program views since 2004. The company also set a new monthly record for July, with customers watching 180 million ON DEMAND shows.

As ON DEMAND tops three billion views—the equivalent of 10 programs watched by every person in the United States—Comcast customers have made music videos and programs (more than 540 million viewed), children's shows (more than 330 million viewed), free movies (more than 180 million viewed) and sports and fitness programs (more than 73 million viewed) some of the most popular programming categories.

"Customer response to ON DEMAND over the past few years has been extraordinary," said Page Thompson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. "ON DEMAND is the ultimate viewing experience, and as more customers try the service and we continue expanding our content library with viewers' favorite shows from top networks and VOD-exclusive programs, we expect ON DEMAND use to continue climbing."

Comcast's ON DEMAND service offers a growing library of more than 7,500 programs per month—available any time customers want to watch them, with the ability to fast forward, rewind and pause selections. Approximately 95% of ON DEMAND programs are available at no additional charge for Comcast Digital Cable customers based on their service levels.  Comcast also plans on introducing high-definition (HD) ON DEMAND programming.

Read more about Comcast's ON DEMAND programming choices in the press release Comcast ON DEMAND Tops Three Billion Views.

Last month, I posted about DISH Network parent company EchoStar losing a court ruling on some TV transmissions and then settling with the all of the parties involved except for stations owned and operated by News Corporation's Fox Network. Now the Frontiers of Freedom Institute, a public policy foundation dedicated to promoting free market principles and the ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, is urging Congress to investigate the News Corporation's refusal to contribute to the resolution.

After pulling out of the settlement discussions last week and stating that it has no intention of rejoining negotiations with EchoStar, Fox recently filed a motion with the Federal District Court in Miami relating to an earlier Court decision, requesting that the Court issue a nationwide, permanent injunction barring EchoStar from delivering any ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox distant network signals to nearly one million consumers. The Institute feels that Fox's action is designed to derail the settlement agreement that EchoStar entered into with the broadcast affiliates. They contend that such an aggressive legal filing does not make sense if Fox were legitimately concerned about retaining viewers in its own markets, rather than enabling its sister company, DirecTV, to benefit from an unfair monopoly. The Institute is calling on Congress to investigate whether the News Corporation's actions are in violation of anti-trust laws.

"Congress must step in quickly and investigate whether the News Corporation is acting in violation of anti-trust laws in order to protect the interests of hundreds of thousands of rural consumers. Without quick Congressional action, the News Corporation could put itself in the position of holding nearly a million consumers hostage," said George Landrith, president of Frontiers of Freedom. "One of the reasons this is so frustrating is that time and again rural consumers are treated unfairly, especially when it comes to their television viewing options. Now, hundreds of thousands of mostly rural Americans who have come to rely on distant network television signals will soon be deprived of these signals."

Read more about the issue in the press release News Corporation's Unfair Conduct is Holding Rural America Hostage: Innocent Rural Consumers Will Lose Their Distant Network Signals.

Comcast and Venevision International—a member of the Cisneros Group of Companies and the largest Spanish-language film distributor and producer in the world— announced that the VeneMovies channel has launched on Comcast cable systems.

As the first full-featured Spanish-language film channel ever offered in the United States, the new 24-hour, commercial-free, cable channel is aimed at serving the needs of the more than 40 million Hispanics living in the United States. Comcast will add VeneMovies to its CableLatino Hispanic programming package, currently offered in more than 15 markets across the country, including Miami, the San Francisco Bay area, central California, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, central and northern New Jersey and Albuquerque.

The target audience is U.S.-Hispanic households, both Spanish dominant and bi-cultural, as well as all lovers of great independent film. VeneMovies will add English subtitles for all of its movies in the coming weeks as well as 20 hours of video-on-demand programming a month to the Comcast ON DEMAND en español service.

According to Venevision International, U.S. Hispanics are the fastest-growing U.S. consumer market, attending film openings (17% of all tickets sold) and watching more movies, DVDs and rental movies per year than any other segment of the U.S. population.

"Comcast is excited to work with Venevision International to make this powerful and compelling film library available to U.S. Latinos for the first time with a brilliant new channel that fully exploits and develops this library's considerable riches," said David Jensen Vice President of Content Acquisition for Comcast. "We think VeneMovies will quickly find an enthusiastic and lasting audience for whom great Spanish-original, theatrically released films will complement the lineup of programming that tells their stories on today's television screens."

VeneMovies premiers on Comcast this week and will soon be offered by other major cable TV providers in selected markets throughout the country.

Read more about this new Comcast channel in the press release Cisneros Group's Venevision International Launches on Comcast 'VeneMovies': America's First Full-Featured U.S.-Hispanic Cable Movie Channel.

AT&T Inc. announced last week its season-long Game Day. Delivered. program enabling fans to create their own college football videos of their favorite team and enter for a chance to win tickets to upcoming games. In conjunction with the new program, the company also unveiled plans for its 2006 AT&T College Football Experience Tour.

Beginning this week through Dec. 1, 2006, fans can visit the Game Day. Delivered. Web site, www.attblueroom.com/sports, and enter for a chance to win prizes that include tickets to college football games, team jerseys and hats, MP3 players and tailgating gear.

While at the site, fans can share their passion for the game online by creating a customized video MASHup using exclusive team footage, school fight songs, team graphics and personal photos. Users become producers by dragging and dropping elements to create a video. Fans also can upload their own photos to personalize their videos. Cingular Wireless customers can text message their favorite team names to a short code using their Cingular phones and receive a password to "unlock" bonus team footage for their videos. Each week, AT&T will showcase new videos and recognize their "producers" on the Game Day. Delivered. Web site.

"College football Saturdays in America are unique for their tradition, pageantry and excitement," said Eric Fernandez, executive director, AT&T sponsorships and events. "Game Day. Delivered. and the AT&T College Football Experience Tour provide fans a fun way to support their favorite college teams while showcasing AT&T's comprehensive set of entertainment products and services."

College football programs involved in Game Day. Delivered. Include: 

• Arkansas
• California-Berkeley
• Connecticut
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Ohio State
• Oklahoma
• Oklahoma State
• Texas
• Texas Tech
• UCLA

According to Multichannel News, Comcast is planning to announce a Web-based service that will act as an electronic guide and search engine for computer users trying to sort through thousands of scheduled television shows, on-demand videos and high-definition programs.

Rumored to be called TV Planner, the service will be introduced along side Comcast first "fall lineup" launch of video-on-demand programming. The company plans on touting the Web service's ability to sort through large amounts of on-demand programming quickly.

Viewers will be able to click on a listing and instruct a digital recording machine to store a copy of a chosen program. Through a recommendation engine that will be eventually added to the service, users will also get suggestions about what other programs might interest them.

The TV Planner service will launch this fall and be exclusively for Comcast cable subscribers. The 10 million Comcast high-speed Internet customers will be able to reach the service through the company's Comcast.net portal, which provides a wide range of video and multimedia services. Comcast's other 12 million or so customers can also search for scheduled shows and on-demand programs by going directly to a Web site set up for providing the guide services.

Read more in the Multichannel News article Comcast Plans a 'TV Guide' on the Web.

Starz Entertainment and DIRECTV will offer an exclusive free preview weekend to all DIRECTV customers beginning Thursday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 17. An added incentive running during the free preview weekend is "The Starz Walk with Santa Sweepstakes," promoted exclusively to DIRECTV customers. The sweepstakes features a grand prize trip for two to the Hollywood premiere of "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause."

The free preview will highlight 12 channels in the Starz Super Pack including Starz East, Starz West, Starz InBlack, Starz Edge, Encore East, Encore West, Encore Love, Encore Westerns, Encore Mystery, Encore Wam, Encore Drama and Encore Action.

"The Starz Super Pack has a comprehensive movie offering and we are thrilled to give our customers a free weekend to enjoy and sample the great films," said Dan Ferguson, director, marketing, DIRECTV. "The Starz Super Pack is a perfect product for movie lovers and the 'The Starz Walk with Santa Sweepstakes' will provide early holiday presents for lucky DIRECTV subscribers."

"The Starz Super Pack consistently provides the best movie value on DIRECTV with an unparalleled library of hundreds of movies each month for the whole family," added Tom Wenzel, director of affiliate sales with Starz Entertainment. The free preview weekend introduces DIRECTV customers to big Hollywood blockbusters available exclusively on Starz

For more information, check out the Starz press release.

Anime Network has announced that additional cable service providers will bring the total penetration of the network to 40 million homes in the United States and Canada.

Anime Network has added Wide Open West and Harron Communications as new cable systems for its 24/7 linear service; and Service Electric Cablevision and Knology as new systems for subscriber-based video on demand service. The new systems bring Anime Network's total carriers to 17 cable service providers and 22 VOD service providers.

Check out the Anime Network site to learn more.

Looking to buy an HDTV but don't know where to go to find advice? There are tons of resources out there, but one in particular that I would suggest reviewing is the CNET HDTV World. Not only does the site help you purchase a HDTV, but it also has information on what exactly HDTV is and how you can optimize your HDTV once you purchase it. For those of us who are newbies in the world of HDTV, the section titled HDTV Boot Camp gives you the basics on HDTV. Once you have a good idea on what HDTV is, you can view the Editor's Top HDTV Picks before you start shopping. After you purchase your HDTV, you can check out their guide on the 10 Essential HDTV Accessories to make your HDTV viewing complete. As we know, buying an HDTV is a big investment, so having a resource like this at your fingertips is essential.

Throughout the 2006 season, NFL Network will feature weekly college football programming including College Scoreboard, a highlight show airing on Saturdays, and live press conferences from head coaches and star players weekdays on Point After.

"NFL Network will focus on tomorrow's NFL stars today," said executive producer Eric Weinberger. "With season-long college football programming, NFL Network brings our viewers a wider range of football programming."

College Scoreboard hits the air as the early afternoon games conclude Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, providing highlights, interviews and analysis from around the college gridiron. The studio-based show is hosted by Paul Burmeister with analysts Mike Mayock, Butch Davis and Charles Davis from a new state-of-the-art Los Angeles set equipped with the latest technological enhancements to provide viewers with up-to-the-minute information on the day in college football.

If you don't currently get NFL Network or in an area where Time Warner Cable plans on dropping the network on Sept. 3 when the FCC emergency order expires, you can check out the NFL Network FAQ for tips on how to get access.

Sony announced recently that they will expand their distribution of Blu-ray discs. Currently, Blu-rays are only available in United States and Canada, but come October, they will be making a splash in countries all over the world, including Australia, Japan, Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, the Nordic countries, Spain and the United Kingdom. The first set of Blu-ray releases available in October will be a mix of new release and catalogue titles. You can read more in this edition of SkyRETAILER.

According to a recent article in SkyREPORT, the second half of 2006 may be even better for cable providers than the first half. Tom Eagen of Oppenheimer and Co. said he expects high subscriber growth over the last months of 2006. He also said that he believes Comcast to be in the best position for success among all MSOs (Multi System Operators). To find out more of Eagen's predictions, you can read the article Second Half 2006: Even Better for Cable?

California's legislature passed an amended bill this week, by a vote of 64 to 5, that aims to increase competition among cable television providers and make it easier for telephone companies to enter the market. The bill eliminates city-by-city franchises, which proponents said made it nearly impossible for rivals with new technologies to enter California's market for TV entertainment services.

The bill comes at an opportune time for the telephone and cable companies that are fighting to sign up as many customers as possible for a bundle of services including telephone, cable television and high-speed Internet access. AT&T and other telecom giants have been lobbing to eliminate similar laws requiring franchise deals with municipalities before they are allowed offer TV service.

"California has led the way in the evolution of new technology, and with this bill, our state's policy toward contemporary TV and entertainment technology is catching up to the times," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a vocal supporter of the legislation.

In an analyses by the state Senate's Rules Committee, researchers found that more than 60 percent of the state's TV-watching households have cable reception, while 27 percent subscribe to satellite service and the rest use conventional antennae.

Read more about the bill in the CNET News.com article California passes bill easing cable rules.

Verizon recently announced that its Verizon One high-tech phone, which integrates multiple functions, now has several new features at no additional cost to its users. These enhancements include e-mail access, enriched weather maps, the latest entertainment news, sneak peaks at upcoming movies, wireless home networking, the latest lottery results and the ability to transfer cell-phone photos to the Verizon One phone.

"These newest features enrich the Verizon One experience for our DSL customers," said Christopher Pizzirani, Verizon's vice president of broadband management and development, "and increase the value of this state-of-the-art information tool for the home."

The system is available to Verizon Online DSL customers nationwide and integrates a DSL modem, 802.11g wireless router, 5.8 Ghz cordless phone, wide color-touch screen, Verizon SuperPages features, family-event planner and reminder, and a one-touch access point for weather, news, sports, stocks and entertainment information. Up to four additional handsets can be added to each Verizon One phone at an additional cost. The device allows consumers to set up a wireless broadband network connecting computers within the home with straight-forward setup screens, and also features customized information services and a touch-screen display personalized with photos, including those downloaded from cell phones.

"Verizon One eliminates the need for multiple, costly devices," Pizzirani said, "including separate modems, phones and electronic organizers. The value of Verizon broadband is made even better with this communications command center."

Read more in the article Verizon to Sell Verizon One Wi-Fi Hotspot Phone Manufactured by Westell.

Earlier this month, I posted about the FCC decision that required cable operators to distrubute CableCards, a technology that allows digital cable subscribers to receive cable without a cable set-top box. The device will be available for the majority of U.S. cable customers by July, 2007, according to the ruling.

Chris Kohler over at Wired News posted a good article this week that gives an overview of the CableCard technology and what it means for you. He answers some of the most common questions so you can decide if it's right for your home:

What advantages does using a CableCard offer me?
There's no giant, ugly box with associated wires taking up space in your entertainment center. Also, the costs to lease a tiny, inexpensive CableCard from your cable provider should be significantly less expensive than leasing the box -- usually around two bucks. They can also send it to you in the mail rather than having to arrange an installation appointment. Finally, electronics manufacturers can sell devices capable of tuning in to your full cable lineup directly, without kluges likes TiVo's IR blaster.

What are the disadvantages?
CableCard is a one-way system, so you won't get an interactive program guide—you'll just have to use the static, non-interactive onscreen listing. You also can't order pay-per-view or on-demand programming.

Check out the rest of article CableCard Swipes at Set-Top Boxes to learn more.

Comcast and MTV Networks announced this week the debut of MHD: Music High-Definition on Comcast's  HDTV lineup. The channel launching this month on many Comcast cable systems, giving viewers the opportunity to enjoy a non-stop lineup of HD music programs, as well as the first-ever simulcast of MTV's Video Music Awards in high definition. MHD will include musical programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT, such as MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers and CMT Crossroads, as well as original concert series.

"With MHD on Comcast, fans will feel like they're in the concert hall with the artists they love," said Page Thompson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. "Music programming is a perfect fit for HDTV, and we're excited to expand our service with the addition of MHD, giving our customers even more of the high-definition programming they want to watch."

In addition to MHD's regular lineup of HD music programming, for the first time, MHD viewers will be able to watch an HD simulcast of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), taking place August 31 at Radio City in New York City. Also, beginning later this fall, Comcast and MHD will make selected HD music programming available as part of Comcast's ON DEMAND video-on-demand service, bringing viewers the convenience of watching their favorite MHD programs any time they want.

"Live concerts and music programming are in the 'top three' when it comes to what people want from a high-definition channel, and MHD will deliver the biggest artists to Comcast subscribers," said Eric Sherman, Senior Vice President and General Manager for MHD, VH1 Classic and VH1 Digital Television. "We are very excited to launch in anticipation of the first-ever high-definition simulcast of the MTV Video Music Awards and look forward to showcasing all of MTV, VH1 and CMT's tent pole events in the future."

The debut of MHD complements the extensive music offerings currently available to Comcast Digital Cable customers, including dozens of commercial-free digital music channels; hundreds of music videos, concert performances and karaoke songs available on Comcast's signature ON DEMAND service; and popular music networks.

Vistula Communications Services, a VoIP supplier for major telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers, recently announced the selection of its V-Cube™ platform by DirecPath to run a pilot program for the delivery of DirecPath's consumer VoIP service offerings. DirecPath is a new partnership between The DIRECTV Group and Hicks Holdings LLC that was formed to provide bundled DIRECTV programming, broadband voice and data and security services to multiple dwelling unit (MDU) and gated-community owners across the United States.

Vistula will allow DirecPath to manage the communications needs of a diverse range of MDU and gated-community properties, and to add to its suite of bundled services the benefits of a secure, simplified, scalable and highly resilient VoIP infrastructure.

"We are committed to meeting the needs of owners and residents in MDU and gated communities nationwide and providing them with a unique and compelling value proposition," said Paul Savoldelli, chief executive officer of DirecPath. "Vistula's hosted VoIP service will be an important part of that value proposition, enhancing our ability to include VoIP as part of our seamless, cost-effective suite of bundled services."

Read more about this new venture in the CNET.com article DIRECTV test IP telephony.

According to The Wall Street Journal, an unprecedented amount of money is being spent on cable TV advertising in the run-up to November's U.S. mid-term elections.

Campaign spending on U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial races rose above  $311 million for local TV-ad spending. That figure is up 45 percent from the same point in 2004 and more than three times as much as in 2002.

Cable TV executives credit George Bush's use of national cable ads in his 2004 re-election campaign for the interest of other candidates now. Candidates are banking on demographic data that shows Republicans tend to watch more cable programming, while Democrats tend to watch more broadcast television.

DISH Network's parent company suffered a setback this week in its battle with TiVo when a federal court judge delayed a countersuit it filed against the DVR pioneer.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven of Texarkana blocked EchoStar Communications Corp.'s patent-infringement lawsuit against TiVo and Humax USA Inc. while the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews patents claimed by EchoStar. Craven, who issued the stay last month, made it final when EchoStar declined to appeal, TiVo spokesman Elliot Sloane said Monday.

TiVo sued EchoStar in 2004, and in April a jury in Marshall found that EchoStar had infringed on a TiVo patent in making its own set-top box with DVR capabilities. This month, the judge who presided over that trial ordered EchoStar to pay $89.6 million in damages, more than the jury had awarded.

The trial judge, David Folsom, also ordered EchoStar to disable more than 3 million of its DVRs that jurors found used elements of TiVo technology, but a federal appeals court this month delayed Folsom's order while the case is appealed.

EchoStar filed its own lawsuit against TiVo in 2005. TiVo issued a statement Monday saying it was pleased with Craven's decision to delay the countersuit while the government reviews EchoStar's patents. TiVo charges that patent officials failed to review older technology that would make EchoStar's patent claims invalid. The countersuit had been scheduled for trial early next year.

EchoStar spokeswoman Kathie Gonzalez said Monday the company is "anxious to get to trial because we believe TiVo's DVRs infringe on our technology," but acknowledged it will be a long process. In a regulatory filing, the company said the Patent Office review "could take many years."

I reported last week that DISH Network's parent company EchoStar recently lost a court ruling that would force them to stop providing local stations to some of their rural customers. However, EchoStar announced on Monday that it will pay $100 million to settle the nine-year long legal battle.

The company is settling with the ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox Affiliate Associations to allow it to continue broadcasting network channels including those that do not originate in a subscriber's home region. These are known as distant network channels. As part of the settlement, EchoStar agreed to requalify its distant network subscribers and terminate transmission of those channels later this year to the "small percentage" of customers who are not eligible to receive them today. EchoStar also agreed to expand its local network channel service to 175 markets, from 165, by the end of 2006.

The decision to settle follows EchoStar's failure last week to get an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court to freeze a federal appeals court order barring it from rebroadcasting any of the networks' shows. The settlement did not include the 25 stations owned and operated by Fox Network, which late last week declined EchoStar's offer and pulled out of the discussions.

EchoStar cautioned in their statement that the settlement is contingent on confirmation by the U.S. District Court in Florida.

Comcast SportsNet has signed a two-year deal with ISP Sports, holder of multimedia rights for Virginia Tech athletics, days after scoring a three-year deal with the University of Maryland. The Bethesda-based regional sports television network will air a weekly program from August to March that will feature Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, and basketball coach Seth Greenberg. Also as part of the agreement, Comcast SportsNet will show a rebroadcast of each week's Virginia Tech football game.

"The Virginia Tech athletics department is one of the most successful collegiate programs in the region and this partnership is a tremendous asset for our network and Comcast SportsNet's loyal viewers," says Sam Schroeder, Comcast SportsNet's executive vice president and general manager for the mid-Atlantic region. The network will air Hokies men's and women's basketball games through a separate, five-year deal with the Atlantic Coast Conference. Comcast SportsNet will air up to 42 men's and up to 26 women's ACC games.

Comcast SportsNet consists of the regional network serving the Washington and Baltimore markets, and other regional networks servicing the Philadelphia, Chicago and Central and Northern California markets. Together, the five networks reach more than 22 million households.

In an era of fantasy sports leagues, where sports and athletes are measured as much by statistics as who won or lost, DIRECTV is satisfying stat-hungry NFL fans with a menu of new interactive features for its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ service at no additional charge to customers. The new features provide more team statistics from NFL SUNDAY TICKET games, and most notably for stat-mongers and fantasy players, with the Holy Grail of interactive functionality—the ability to track player performances while viewing NFL regular season games on NFL SUNDAY TICKET.

The new NFL SUNDAY TICKET "Player Tracker" allows fans to select up to nine NFL players from around the league and track their performance throughout the day via real time on-screen alerts on every NFL SUNDAY TICKET game channel, Game Mix, and Red Zone Channel. The alerts appear when one of the selected players does anything of significance during a game. In addition, fans will be able to bring up a "My Players" statistical overlay at the touch of a button, listing up-to-the-minute cumulative statistics for their players. To access these new features, all that is required along with the NFL SUNDAY TICKET service is interactive DIRECTV system equipment.

"With our new interactive features for this year's NFL SUNDAY TICKET, fantasy players no longer have to face the dilemma of tracking their fantasy team players and their opponent's players on their computer while watching the games themselves on TV. 'Player Tracker' brings it all together," said David Hill, president, DIRECTV Entertainment. "It's always been our mission to make NFL SUNDAY TICKET the ultimate destination for die-hard NFL fans and fantasy players every Sunday, and as their needs evolve, we intend to evolve with them."

According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association's 2005 national survey, more than 13 million adults play fantasy football. On average, these individuals participate in up to three separate leagues simultaneously.

Read more about the new NFL SUNDAY TICKET Player Tracker in the DIRECTV press release.

AT&T recently announced the selection of HomePNA 3 technology for in-home distribution of AT&T U-verse^SM services including AT&T U-verse TV, AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet, U-verse Enabled and, in the future, consumer VoIP services.

HomePNA 3 technology will be integrated into IP set-top boxes supplied by Motorola Inc. and Scientific Atlanta and Residential Gateways supplied by 2Wire as key components of AT&T's U-verse deployment. AT&T chose the technology following extensive testing in AT&T Laboratories and other test environments.

"Based on our research, we believe HomePNA 3 technology is the best option for distributing IP-based video services inside customers' homes," said David Deas, vice president--networks & services, AT&T Laboratories Inc. "The ability to work over both coaxial cable and traditional phone lines is a key advantage and we look forward to working with the industry to enhance and standardize the technology."

"This represents an opportunity for HomePNA technology to be part of one of the largest deployments of true Internet-protocol television services in the world," said Rich Nesin, President of HomePNA alliance. "This selection is the culmination of a lot of work with AT&T and its strategic partners to develop and refine the technology for the delivery of IP-based services over the existing wiring in the home."

Check out the AT&T press release for more information.

EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service recently announced an agreement with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group to carry the studio's current and catalog titles on its Video On Demand platform, DISH On Demand, as well as Pay-Per-View services, including high definition.

DISH Network's DISH On Demand service gives customers the power to enjoy movies and other programs whenever they want and is currently available on the DISH Player-DVR 508, DISH Player-DVR 510, DISH Player-DVR 625 and ViP622 DVR receivers. Customers have immediate access to the newest VOD movies on DISH On Demand and can use the DVR features (Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind) to enhance their viewing experience.

DISH Network Pay-Per-View offers a variety of movies every day. Customers with HD-capable receivers can tune into Channel 9467 to see Pay-Per-View movies in HD. All Pay-Per-View movies can be ordered via remote control, by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or online at www.dishnetwork.com/ppv.

Cox Communications, the nation's fourth-largest cable television company,  and TiVo Inc. have entered into an agreement to make TiVo's leading DVR and interactive advertising service available to select Cox subscribers.

Under the terms of the agreement, TiVo will customize its cable software for deployment on compatible Cox DVR set-top-boxes. TiVo's downloadable software will allow Cox to deliver the TiVo® service in Cox subscriber homes without replacing existing DVR boxes, and without an install appointment. In this way, current Cox DVR customers who wish to enjoy the award-winning TiVo service, can quickly and easily add the benefits of TiVo to their DVR subscription.

"We are excited to add TiVo to the portfolio of Cox entertainment services," said Steve Necessary, vice president of video product development, Cox Communications. "Cox is committed to offering our customers the best television experience possible. Our new joint service will allow us to build on the popularity of the TiVo brand while continuing to provide our customers with the simplicity of our products and the award winning customer service they have come to expect."

Cox Digital Cable customers with DVR service who choose to add TiVo to their Cox subscription will enjoy the renowned TiVo user interface as well as new innovations that link the capabilities enabled by Cox's broadband network like On DEMAND and High Definition service, with exclusive TiVo features like Season Pass™ recordings, WishList® searches and the recently announced TiVo KidZone. KidZone gives parents an easy way to safeguard their kids from video content while also helping them discover and choose great educational and age-appropriate shows. The service is expected to launch in select Cox markets in the first half of 2007.

The agreement also provides for Cox to distribute TiVo's interactive advertising platform which enables an industry proven advertising solution that is seamlessly integrated with the award-winning TiVo subscriber experience. The new advertising relationship extends Cox Media's leadership in the advanced advertising arena and further expands TiVo's national advertising footprint. Cox Media is the advertising sales arm of Cox Communications.

According to a recent Washington Post article, hundreds of thousands of DISH Network subscribers could lose access to shows on traditional television networks after a Supreme Court justice's decision that ends several lawsuits that have been tied up in court for more than eight years.

The Court let stand a ruling in May by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit that ordered DISH Network's parent company EchoStar Communications to stop transmitting network programming to 800,000 subscribers living in mostly rural areas too far to receive local stations with regular antennas.

The decision stemmed from lawsuits filed by the Fox Network and stations affiliated with the four major networks. All the suits claimed that EchoStar illegally offers distant-network signals to customers who are capable of receiving television signals from nearby cities. Rural customers who live within the reach of a local television broadcast are not eligible to receive network programming from a satellite TV company, which usually offers transmissions from stations in large cities.

The ruling is a double victory for media mogul Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp., which owns Fox and DirecTV Group Inc., the nation's largest satellite television company. "A decade ago, satellite TV was a boon to rural subscribers," said Craig E. Moffett, a senior analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. "Now that game has largely played out. The obvious beneficiary here is DirecTV."

The loss of 800,000 rural subscribers, about 6 percent of EchoStar's 12.5 million customers, could cost the company several million dollars in revenue.

Read more about the Court's decision in the Washington Post article EchoStar Loses Court Ruling On Some TV Transmissions.

AT&T Inc. recently announced a Letter of Intent with Vistana, Ltd. to build a fiber network to deliver the AT&T U-verse^SM suite of services, which includes Internet Protocol television, high-speed Internet access service and, eventually, voice services, to a new, mixed-use high-rise structure in historic downtown San Antonio.

To date, the AT&T Smart Moves program has signed more than 9,000 contracts with leased properties for AT&T communications and entertainment services, reaching 1.8 million units across the country for these types of bundled services. At The Vistana, AT&T will provide its first fiber deployment for U-verse to a multifamily and retail property.

AT&T will make Internet Protocol-based communications and entertainment services available to residents who will move in to The Vistana. Officials held unveiling ceremonies this week at nearby Milam Park in San Antonio. AT&T U-verse TV and high-speed Internet services are currently available in San Antonio, and the company plans to make U-verse services available in Houston and additional markets later this year.

"We know that the demand for the next generation of entertainment and communications services doesn't distinguish between suburban and urban living," said Brooks McCorcle, AT&T vice president and general manager for the San Antonio market area. "We look forward to working with The Vistana to serve the hundreds who will reside here, and we consider this new agreement a real turning point for our Smart Moves program. It's another strategic way that we are connecting customers with our next generation of services—while providing property owners with added value that helps differentiate their properties in a growing, fiercely competitive marketplace."

Construction on The Vistana will begin in late 2006 and will be complete in late spring 2008. The Vistana will be a 14-floor, 530,000-square-foot art deco building that will include a four-floor parking garage with more than 450 spaces and 246 market rate rental apartments above, including the top two floors of two-story penthouses. The sixth-floor amenity deck will include a theater, among other features. The building is expected to open in late spring 2008.

In addition to the millions of rental units served through the Smart Moves program, since 2005, the total number of single-family homes under AT&T Smart Moves contracts has increased from about 460,000 to more than 930,000—including those that are fiber-enabled and others that involve bundled services and other types of networking.

To learn more about this new development, check out the AT&T press release.

Recognizing the growing interest among American motorists who want the same DIRECTV entertainment experience in their cars that they have in their homes, DIRECTV is now delivering to car video screens live local news, weather, traffic, sports and other local entertainment programming. Local broadcast channels via DIRECTV are now available to mobile customers on the open road within the continental United States to vehicles that have been equipped with a TracVision A7 mobile satellite TV system, launched today by KVH Industries, Inc. DIRECTV will provide mobile customers their local broadcast channels within the designated market areas where it already offers them to home viewers. Local channels availability may vary by market. DIRECTV delivers local programming in 142 markets, representing 94 percent of U.S. television households.

DIRECTV's TOTAL CHOICE(R) Mobile with local channels package, created exclusively for mobile customers with a low-profile automotive TracVision system, is available for $44.99, and offers more than 185 channels. To receive local channels in their car, DIRECTV customers must purchase a new TracVision A7 satellite TV system, which includes an integrated GPS unit and new 12-volt receiver jointly developed by DIRECTV and KVH.

The mobile local channels offering is part of a larger strategy by DIRECTV to target the more than 20 million U.S. vehicles expected to have in-vehicle passenger video systems by 2011, according to the leading analyst firm Frost & Sullivan.

"We are delighted to be able to offer local broadcast programming on a DMA basis and to extend the connection that viewers have to their local broadcaster, to the mobile consumer. With consumers' growing demand to watch news and entertainment services whenever and wherever they want, the in-vehicle market has come to represent the next frontier in live digital multichannel entertainment," said Daren Benzi, vice president, Sales Development and Strategy, DIRECTV, Inc. "This new development symbolizes DIRECTV and KVH's continuing efforts to innovate and provide the best of the DIRECTV television experience to mobile consumers. With our new receiver technology and KVH's new TracVision A7 with GPS, DIRECTV is now able to offer its mobile customers the benefits of live local news, traffic, weather, sports and other important information."

To read more about DIRECTV for cars, you can read this DIRECTV press release.

Lifetime Television this week launched a new video-on-demand service to some 10 million Comcast digital cable subscribers.

Lifetime On Demand will include episodes of the flagship network's newer series, such as Lovespring International and Cheerleader Nation, as well as a selection of shows from Lifetime's library. The Comcast VOD service will also offer short-form programming not available on the linear network.

Lifetime said the decision to launch the VOD package on Comcast was spurred in part by recent research which suggests that women are increasingly interested in on-demand viewing. According to a CTAM study commissioned in late 2005, women on average watch about 28 hours of VOD fare per month.

While Time Warner Cable continues its fight with The NFL Network, football fanatics who are hungry for more programming can get it with DISH Network. Dedicated fans won't miss any of the action on the field with DISH Network's total football package including NFL Network, ESPN and local channels—adding up to seven nights a week of NFL football.

"The Monday night football game is ingrained into American culture, a ritual embraced by millions of sports fans across the country," said Jody Martin, senior vice president of marketing for DISH Network. "But now there's something else to look forward to - Thursday and Saturday night primetime games broadcast live on NFL Network beginning Thanksgiving night, along with DISH Network's extensive coverage of football—all for about half the price of digital cable."

Along with games broadcast on ESPN and local channels, customers can enjoy NFL Network's exciting lineup including eight regular season games airing on Thursday and Saturday nights, 52 preseason games, director's cut game replays, and NFL Films' Game of the Week. NFL Network is available to DISH Network customers on the America's Top 60 package.

In addition, high definition fans will feel like they're watching from the sidelines, as DISH Network offers the largest HD lineup in the U.S. with 30 channels including NFL Network and ESPN in HD. DISH Network is the only satellite TV provider to offer NFL Network HD.

To celebrate the start of the 2006 NFL season, DISH Network has teamed up with NFL Network to create a new multimedia ad campaign. New York Giants' premier running back and DISH Network fan Tiki Barber is featured throughout the brand's television, radio, print and online advertising, championing the rallying cry "I want football 24/7." Four other headlining NFL players will join Tiki to promote DISH Network's football lineup in select regions.

"Tiki Barber is an avid fan of DISH Network and we're obviously fans of his, as he is one of the most accomplished and recognized players in the National Football League," said Martin. "This is a great opportunity for us to join together to promote the new lineup to his fans and football fans everywhere who don't want to pay a hefty price to watch the games."

To support the new multimedia campaign, DISH Network has also launched a new Web site, www.Iwantfootball24-7.com, where visitors will have a chance to play games, win prizes and enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to the 2007 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, February 10.

Sign up for DISH Network now or read more about the NFL package in the DISH Network press release. 

The cable industry suffered a blow on Friday when a federal appeals court upheld the Federal Communications Commission's mandate requiring cable operators to distribute a technology called CableCards, which will allow digital cable subscribers to get rid of their cable set-top boxes.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously supported the FCC's "integration ban," which requires cable operators to separate encryption functions from basic decoding capabilities in their set-top boxes.

Separating these functions allows cable customers to plug their cable line directly into a TV set without the need for a set-top box. The CableCard device is about the size of a thick credit card, and fits into a special slot built into digital TVs and a growing number of consumer electronic devices, such as TiVo's digital video recorder and most HDTV sets.

The court's decision should move cable operators a step closer to finally offering a service that allows consumers to simply plug a card into a device to get cable TV service. "Today's opinion sets the record straight: Consumers are entitled to a broad array of products that can connect to cable systems featuring innovative new features for competitive prices," Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Electronics Association, said in a statement. "In the wake of the court's decision, we are hopeful that cable will stop its foot-dragging and comply with the law for the benefit of consumers."

Read more about the ruling in the CNETnews.com article Cable companies lose round in CableCard battle

Stephanie posted about DIRECTV's ranking in the new J.D. Power study the other day and Cox Communications, another WhiteFence service provider, also did well, receiving highest honors in the West Region.

This marks the fifth J.D. Power and Associates Award presented to Cox this year. Cox also received the Highest Honor in J.D. Power and Associates' 2006 Residential All-Distance Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) in the Northeast, Southwest and West Regions. Cox also received the highest honor in J.D. Power and Associates' 2006 Major Provider Business Telecommunications Services Study(SM) - Data, for highest customer satisfaction among small/mid-size business data service providers in the nation. Cox is the only bundled service provider to receive J.D. Power and Associates' highest honor for all three of its residential telephone, video and high-speed Internet services.

"Cox is thrilled to be recognized once again for high customer satisfaction with our services," said David Pugliese, Cox's vice president of product marketing and management. "The study findings simply demonstrate our ongoing commitment to being the best choice for entertainment and communications services in our markets."

In the West region, Cox ranked significantly higher than others in both of these areas - overall, scoring 54 points higher than the West region's average. Specifically, the study shows that Cox customers reported high scores in convenience of having multiple telecommunications services on one bill; technical innovation; timely resolution of service needs; performance and reliability; ease of contacting customer service and knowledge of customer service representatives; as well as beliefs that Cox is honest, highly reputable and highly committed to its communities.

The study also reports that the cable industry's average cost is lower than that of satellite providers. Cable customers report spending $58 monthly—down $1 from 2005—while satellite subscribers report spending $61 per month for service—up $3 from a year ago.

Read more about the results in the Cox Communications press release.

A federal appeals court temporarily blocked a trial judge's order that EchoStar Communications Corp., owner of DISH Satellite TV, disable more than 3 million digital video recorders.

The appeals court blocked an injunction that was issued earlier this week by a federal district court judge in Texarkana. The injunction followed a jury decision in April that EchoStar infringed on TiVo's patent for "time-warp" technology, the ability to record a live television program while playing another.

EchoStar was pleased with the delay approved Friday by the federal appeals court in Washington. The company said it was altering its recorders to avoid future claims of patent infringement. A spokeswoman for EchoStar said more than 3 million of the 12 million DISH Network subscribers use an EchoStar recorder that would have been affected by Folsom's ruling.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Comcast have teamed up to bring the ultimate Steelers fan dream to Comcast ON DEMAND. "Steelers 24/7" provides the fanatical Steelers enthusiast with exclusive content to carry them through the upcoming football season. Who more appropriate to represent "Steelers 24/7" than numbers 24 and 7—Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and cornerback Ike Taylor.

With the click of the remote, Steelers fans are taken behind-the-scenes and given under-the-helmet insight on current and former players. "A Day in the Life" looks at players during the off-season with segments featuring Alan Faneca, Joey Porter, Hines Ward, Jeff Reed, Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel and Bryant McFadden.

"The Steelers are pleased to partner with Comcast to bring true Steelers fans On Demand coverage 24/7," said Art Rooney II, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Comcast's extensive customer and distribution network will reach millions of Steelers fans in a wide region and will add even more excitement to football season".

"Word of mouth, combined with Pittsburgh's heavy Comcast On Demand usage is scoring a touchdown for the 'Steelers 24/7' video on demand destination," remarked Doug Sansom, Senior Vice President of Comcast's Three Rivers Region. "Comcast is your place to go for sports — from high school athletics to the pros. You know that you can score with Comcast."

Other programming available on "Steelers 24/7" ON DEMAND includes coverage in its entirety of the Super Bowl Ring Ceremony at Heinz Field, the team's visit to the White House and other Steelers events.

Comcast's digital cable subscribers can access "Steelers 24/7" at no additional cost just by selecting the "Sports and Fitness" folder from the ON DEMAND menu and selecting NFL Network. Programs will be available throughout the course of the 2006-2007 season.

Comcast offers more than 7,000 ON DEMAND programming choices to its customers, with the vast majority available at no additional cost.  Last year, ON DEMAND views reached 1.4 billion, with its usage increasing each month.

Time Warner Cable has upgraded its ability to keep its customers from losing access to their favorite channels. Volicon's award-winning Observer server platform has been selected by Time Warner to provide early and expedient detection of off-air channels. The Observer RPM will monitor over 500 channels at Time Warner Network operations and headend facilities. Serving as an advanced desktop video monitoring solution, Observer RPM systems will provide Time Warner Cable staff with intuitive interfaces and capabilities for comprehensive video and audio quality assurance.

"Time Warner Cable's hundreds of channels pass through more than 27 million U.S. homes, reaching 14.4 million customers in 33 states, so the effects of a channel going off-air can be quite dramatic," said Volicon CTO Gary Learner. "Compromised signals for the most popular channels will be brought to the operator's attention quickly, but it is critical to have a system in place to ensure that each and every channel is on air. Our Observer RPM system allows multichannel cable operators like Time Warner to improve customer satisfaction, and thereby maintain revenue streams, by ensuring the presence and quality of the company's complete broadcast offering."

Time Warner Cable will be using two Observer systems for a total of eight parallel scanners, which are equivalent to eight human operators constantly scanning channels. One of the RPM scanners will be reserved for manual scans, allowing the operator to tune to the suspicious channel and confirm the error report. The Observer uses Volicon's unique video processing technology to give users simultaneous access to multiple channels of live and archived content from their desktops using a Microsoft Internet Explorer®-compatible interface.

Read more about it in the Volicon press release Time Warner Cable to Implement Volicon Observer RPM for Multichannel Media Monitoring.

The joint venture formed by Satellite TV giants DIRECTV and EchoStar Communications has pulled out of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) advanced wireless services license auction. Expected to be one of the highest bidders, they put up more than $972 million for the auction. But earlier this week, they began scaling back on bids and eventually withdrew from the auction completely.

The satellite TV providers were seeking the license in a bid to build a wireless broadband network. Using a technology called WiMax, they could have provided a broadband service offering downloads between 2 Mbps and 4 Mbps. Satellite TV companies like EchoStar and DirecTV are fighting for survival as they face more competition from cable and, more recently, telephone companies. These companies have the ability to offer bundles of services that include high-speed Internet access, telephone and TV service. Satellite TV companies can currently only offer TV service. While EchoStar and DirecTV have separately partnered with phone companies Verizon Communications and AT&T, they are likely to lose these partnerships as more phone companies begin TV services as well.

Read more about the auction in the CNETnews.com article Satellite TV providers exit FCC auction.

According to a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article, the bundling of cable TV with phone and Internet services has helped Comcast pick up new voice customers and increase retention of its existing subscribers.

On average, Comcast's triple-play customers spend about $120 monthly with the company because many buy extra products and services such as digital video recorders and premium channels such as HBO.

Competitors like DirecTV and Verizon are having a difficult time keeping up. Satellite packages often start at about $30 a month, almost eliminating the advantage that existed when cable companies offered only video for $50 and up monthly. While phone companies are slowly starting to offer television, they are years away from making it available to most customers.

According to Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen, telephone companies are blaming their slower growth on cable competition. She recently told clients that, "AT&T's chief financial officer acknowledged on the company's second-quarter earnings call that the introduction of the triple play by cable operators into AT&T markets was negatively impacting subscriber growth."

Triple play also helps Comcast boost customer loyalty. Comcast has been offering triple play to Boston customers longer than in any other market. The company gained about 1,000 subscribers in the second quarter, where last year it lost 16,000. For most customers, the competitive pricing of triple play and complicated process involved in switching back to their old phone-service provider keeps them with Comcast longer.

Read more about how Comcast is growing with triple play bundles in the Philadelphia Inquirer article Comcast's 'triple play' wins fans on Wall St.

Comcast is bringing the world's largest professional wrestling library to a living room near you. WWE 24/7 On Demand offers 40 hours of wrestling-related programming each month, including classic matches, behind-the-scenes coverage, wrestler profiles and more.

Beginning this month, Comcast Digital Cable customers can subscribe to WWE 24/7 On Demand for $7.99 per month, giving them instant access to the world's largest wrestling library of more than seventy five thousand hours of programs.

"Comcast's ON DEMAND service has transformed the way people watch television, and WWE 24/7 will do the same for the millions of wrestling fans across the country," said Page Thompson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. "With anytime access to thousands of great matches and wrestling shows, viewers can relive the rich history of the WWE and enjoy their favorite moments whenever they want."

Read more about this new video-on-demand service in the Comcast Digital Cable press release.

DIRECTV has been ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Satellite/Cable TV Subscribers" in the 13-state Eastern region of the United States, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Residential Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study(SM). DIRECTV has received this honor three previous times in J.D. Power national customer satisfaction studies, and earlier this year received the highest score for customer satisfaction among satellite and cable TV companies rated by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

In a change in format for this year's study, J.D. Power and Associates is recognizing the highest-ranked companies in each of four regions in the United States - East, South, North/Central and West - rather than naming a single company as the #1 Cable/Satellite provider in the nation. The East region is comprised of 13 states, including the six New England states and New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Virginia.

To read more about the study, you can go to this DIRECTV press release.

Verizon has been in the news a lot lately. The company announced this week that it is planning a DVR that allows its customers to watch programs recorded on mutliple TVs in any room in the house. Made by Motorola, Verizon's Home Media DVR allows customers to record programs on up to three televisions at once.  It also lets users watch one program while recording another.

Similar to TiVo's broadband services, the DVR includes software that allows Verizon customers to access collections of pictures and music stored on networked computers. The company said that the system doesn't currently support copy-protected, but would in the future.

The DVRs will be available with Verizon's new fiber-optic TV service, called Fios, that reaches directly to the side of a customer's home, bringing customers nearly limitless bandwidth capacity. As I posted about yesterday, Verizon's Fios TV service was created to draw in new customers and help the company compete with cable operators, which have added telephone service to their bundle of TV and broadband services.

"We've deployed the best platform in the industry, from the core of our fiber-to-the-premises network right through the home to every device on the network. Now we're adding cool new features that capitalize on the speed and interactivity that the FiOS platform makes possible," said Marilyn O'Connell, Verizon's video vice president.

Verizon's FiOS service is now offered in parts of seven states, according to the company: California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Texas. Verizon says the service also benefits cable subscribers, as rates for cable service have been shown to drop when FiOS enters the market.

Bright House Networks has acquired naming rights to the University of Central Florida's new football stadium slated to open next year.

UCF has begun construction on "Bright House Stadium," which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2007 home opener against the University of Texas. According to the agreement, UCF will receive $15 million over 15 years for naming rights to the Golden Knights' stadium.

"This generous support from our friends at Bright House Networks will help us build a first-class stadium on our campus that will attract the best student-athletes and provide an exciting college football experience for students, alumni and other fans," UCF President John Hitt said.

"We are excited about announcing this new partnership between Bright House Networks and UCF because it demonstrates our commitment to the community, as well as to this university, which has  played such a pivotal role in Central Florida's growth," said J. Christian Fenger, president of Bright House Networks Central Florida Division. "As an on-campus sports venue, we believe Bright House Networks Stadium will become an important facility in this community and a symbol of our support for UCF's leadership as one of the largest and most successful state universities in the country."

According to a new press release by Cox Communications, satellite customers are switching  from their current service to Cox triple-play bundles in record numbers. The company states that among new connections, the percentage of basic cable customers who are former satellite customers has nearly doubled in two years.

"In 2004, 6 percent of our basic connects were former satellite customers; in 2006, we've driven that number to 11 percent," said Esser. "The convenience and value of buying video, telephone and Internet services from one provider and our superior customer care experience are bringing more and more DBS customers to Cox."

Cox's success in attracting satellite customers helped the company gain approximately 84,000 basic cable customers since July 2005. Advanced video services such as cable-only On DEMAND, high-definition and DVR also contributed to new customer acquisitions and a reduction in churn, Esser commented.

"Former satellite customers are great cable customers; over 40 percent buy the full three-product bundle," Esser said. "We're retaining and winning back the best video customers in the marketplace with bundled services that are individually compelling and a good value. In markets where we've offered the three-product bundle the longest, more than 70% of our customers choose two or more services and approximately 40 percent take all three—video, Internet and telephone."

Cox is touts itself as America's leading bundler, noting the company's nearly 10 years of experience in offering video, telephone and Internet services and the fact that its bundled customers are 41 percent less likely to leave for another provider.  "Today, Cox is better at bundling than anyone else in the business," Esser said. "This is proven by the customers we're winning away from both DBS and telephone company competitors and by our customer satisfaction which continues to increase."

Over the last four years, Cox has topped nine national and regional J.D. Power and Associates' studies of customer satisfaction, including highest honors in residential telephone and high-speed Internet, and commercial data.

Cox also remains the nation's leading provider of cable telephony with more than 1.8 million residential subscribers. Cox has the highest telephony market penetration to basic subscribers of any cable company, at nearly 35 percent. "Cox's early entrance into the telephone business is key to the company's ongoing success," said Esser. "Today, 70 percent of our telephone customers subscribe to our triple play."

At the close of the second quarter, Cox had more than 3.2 million bundled customers, 5.4 million basic video subscribers, and 3.1 million high-speed Internet customers.

The New York Times technology writer Ken Belson recently wrote an interesting article about what Verizon is doing with its fiber-optic network in New York City. Part of an extensive project to replace Verizon's older copper network with the more durable fiber lines, the company will spend about $20 million by the end of 2010 to reach millions of homes from Florida to California. However, New York is their primary focus because residents there are the biggest buyers of video, Internet and phone services. Verizon plans to spend about $3 billion dollars to reach that market of customers.

Ken writes, "With such a high concentration of potential customers, competition is fierce—and Verizon has been losing ground. Time Warner Cable, Cablevision and others are stealing about 1,000 Verizon phone customers a day, and their discounted services are making it hard for Verizon to win them back—another reason to get the fiber network up quickly."

The article goes into detail about the hurdles Verizon faces during the project and what it could mean to New York City residents in the future.  You can read more about the project in the full article Verizon Is Rewiring New York, Block by Block, in a Race for Survival.

Time Warner Cable and the Los Angeles Dodgers announced a new channel for Southern California: Dodgers On Demand. Effective immediately and only available on Time Warner Cable's digital line-up, Dodgers On Demand will house a library of Los Angeles Dodger television content. The channel is the first new On Demand Channel launched by Time Warner Cable since the company became the largest cable provider in the Los Angeles market.

"This partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers is an exciting opportunity for Time Warner Cable to show its commitment to serving the Los Angeles market," said Jeffrey Hirsch, president of Time Warner Cable. "With channels such as Dodgers On Demand, Time Warner Cable will become synonymous with quality entertainment."

To access the new channel, Dodger fans in the Los Angeles market can tune into Time Warner Cable Channel Number One and navigate to the specific Dodgers On Demand section.

The Chicago Tribune reported recently that AT&T was the first company in Indiana to file a statewide application with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that would allow it to provide new television services to some of its customers. The application would allow AT&T to offer its U-Verse service, which provides many of the same benefits as digital cable or satellite television, and put the company in direct competition with satellite TV and cable companies.

AT&T Indiana President George Fleetwood and other proponents said the new options would spur competition and drive down the cost of cable services. The company cited a major telecommunication deregulation law enacted by the General Assembly earlier this year as a reason for investing $250 million over the next three years to bring new video and broadband services to Indiana. The law allows companies to provide cable-like TV services without seeking approval from individual cities and towns.

Read more about this new development in the Chicago Tribune article AT&T takes step toward offering video services.