The NewMedia 500

Article Abstract:

Investments and alliances among 500 companies belonging to 19 different categories of computer, communications and media business are reviewed and a Convergence Chart prepared. The choice of the companies was based on such factors as profitability, revenues, technological leadership and influence. Phone companies, with their expertise and pipeline capabilities are at the top of the digital realm. Assisted by the provisions of the Communications Act, phone companies are acquiring each other's long-distance and local communications business as well as moving into new areas such as TV, Internet access and cellular telephony. DBS networks are taking profits away from cable companies and expect to pick up 12.5 million subscribers by the year 2000. Cable companies are building an infrastructure to offer a large number of digital TV channels to compete with DBS. Communications and equipment companies are moving into the consumer market to compensate for the shrinking defense markets.

Internet services, Cable television, Cable television/data services, Telecommunications Industry

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Sleeping with the enemy

Article Abstract:

The ability to partner has become a vital skill in the new media business. Companies must share standards and product development, and they often need to enter into cobranding agreements with potential or actual competitors. Partnerships are often backed up with equity investments that may lead to an eventual buyout, which has become a more viable way for large companies to deal with accelerating product development cycles. The companies comprising the New Media 500 are adept at the art of the deal. Among the companies moving up in the rankings for 1999 are America Online (from 17 to 2), IBM (from 8 to 3), AT&T (from 13 to 4), Yahoo (from 18 to 5) and Amazon (from outside the top 20 to 12). Five companies losing ground on the list are Cendant (from 14 to nowhere), News Corp (from 12 to 31), Electronic Arts (from 19 to 75), Disney (stuck at 11) and Sun Microsystems (from 6 to 21). Microsoft heads the list.

United States, Software industry, Computer industry, Cover Story, Computer software industry, Review of past year, Business conditions

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DirecPC takes on intranet multimedia delivery

Article Abstract:

Hughes Network Systems has debuted InterMedia, a LAN-ready version of its DirecPC satellite-based broadband Internet access service. InterMedia combines the DirecPC service with HP media servers and Starlight Networks multimedia distribution software to bring the annual service cost down to between $300 and $400 per seat. Hughes' DirecPC service for standalone system was introduced in 1995 and costs over $1,295. InterMedia allows the LAN to share a single satellite adapter card and satellite dish. It works as a gateway between the Hughes' satellite and HP media servers. Starlight Networks' StarCast software handles store-and-forward media transport to networked workstations. The service is marketed for corporate intranets, with corporations expected to deliver interactive material to Hughes for inclusion in its schedule of targeted broadcasts.

Radio & TV communications equipment, Services, Telecommunications equipment, Company service introduction, Service introduction, Multimedia systems, Hughes Network Systems Inc., Multimedia Technology

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