Direct-broadcast TV may be getting off the ground

Article Abstract:

Direct-to-home satellite TV is closer to reality. Several companies plan ventures: Hughes Communications announces a venture with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, envisioning a direct broadcast service (DBS) in the US; General Electric's National Broadcasting Company and Cablevision Systems, which already have a cable programming partnership, may join with Hughes and News Corp; and General Electric's GE American Communications unit will join with nine cable operators to form a joint venture called K Prime Partners. Initially, a market of 20 million TV households not currently served by cable is at issue; later, DBS systems might compete directly with cable. The FCC is encouraging competition from alternative program delivery services, so DBS looks attractive to investors. Moreover, the cable industry faces possible regulatory restrictions imposed by Congress.

Regulation, admin. of utilities, Legislative bodies, Laws, regulations and rules, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Joint ventures, Contracts, Science and technology policy, Cablevision Systems Corp., Deregulation, National Broadcasting Company Inc., United States. Congress, Direct broadcast satellite television, Satellite television, The News Corporation Ltd., Digital television, GE American Communications Inc., Telecommunications, Industry Analysis, Outlook, Government Regulation, Direct Satellite Communications, Hughes Communications Inc.

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Time Warner, TCI join to set cable standard

Article Abstract:

Time Warner Inc and Tele-Communications Inc (TCI) announce plans to co-develop standard hardware and software for high-capacity, interactive cable systems. Many telecommunications, cable and electronic firms are establishing alliances with an eye to the multimedia market of the future, but no standards have been established yet. Should the two companies succeed in their effort to establish a standard for the much-touted electronic superhighway of the future, it could be as significant as the IBM PC standard for microcomputers. Together, Time-Warner and TCI service more than 17 million of the 60 million US cable subscribers. The alliance could create major changes in the cable industry, in which no firm has been big enough to establish a de facto standard.

Motion picture & video production, Periodicals, Motion picture theaters, ex drive-in, Standards, Standard, Standardization, Time Warner Inc., Interactive Cable

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Tele-Communications' big spinoff plan to test business acumen of John Malone

Article Abstract:

John Malone's reputation as a shrewd and powerful executive in the cable television industry will be tested now that the company's board has authorized a spin off of as much as $3 billion in cable-programming and cable-systems assets into a new company. At stake is the future of a company that controls almost 25 percent of the nation's cable subscribers and large chunks of cable-programming companies as well. So far, according to a Tele-Communications VP, there is only a skeleton plan for a spinoff. A final plan will depend on the outcome of discussions with regulators.

Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Divestiture, Malone, John C., Divestment, column, Management Style, Executive, TCOMB

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