Really Rocket Science

Space shuttle Atlantis on deck for grand finale launch of the space shuttle program on May 31.
[SatNews – 05/20/2011]

Ariane 5 rocket lifts two satellites into orbit; ST 2 of joint company Singapore Telecommunications and Chunghua Telecom of China, and India’s GSAT 8 satellite.
[Spaceflight Now – 05/20/2011]

American Geophysical Union calls on Congress to restore funding to the Joint Polar Satellite System for continuous data for weather forecasting, as an expected active hurricane season approaches.
[SatNews – 05/20/2011]

Hughes Europe forms U.K. initiative to promote satellite broadband.
[Satellite Today – 05/20/2011]

Smart, of the Philippines, to offer first satellite phone service for Filipino seafarers.
[Pinoy Worldwide – 05/20/2011]

ORAS-1 space vehicle approved for shipment to NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility for integration with Minotaur I launch vehicle.
[SatNews – 05/20/2011]

Camber Corporation acquires EADS North America Defense Security and Systems Solutions.
[Washington Technology – 05/19/2011]

West Point balloon satellite successfully travels to edge of space (85,000 ft.) and back, bringing high quality videos and still pictures.
[Army – 05/19/2011]

SES satellite ASTRA 1N arrives at European Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
[SatNews – 05/19/2011]

Stratos nears completion of FleetBroadband deployment on 55 vessels for Harren & Partner.
[PR Newswire – 05/19/2011]

Thales Alenia Space awards GMV contract to supply flight dynamics system for O3b satellite constellation.
[SatNews – 05/19/2011]

Tesacom is first business to have Iridium license in Panama.
[Globe Newswire – 05/18/2011]

ORBCOMM signs MOU with Taiwan’s Council for Economic Planning and Development to assist in its plans to enter Taiwan market through potential partnership with local businesses.
[EON – 05/19/2011]

Space shuttle Endeavor carries postage stamp-sized satellites into space.
[The Atlantic – 05/18/2011]

ORBCOMM completes acquisition of substantially all of the assets of StarTrak Systems from Alanco Technologies.
[SatNews – 05/18/2011]

GATR supports local agencies and tornado victims with critical satellite connectivity.
[EON – 05/18/2011]

The Shipping Corporation of India selects Stratos to deploy FleetBroadband on its fleet of 156 ships.
[PR Newswire – 05/18/2011]

Cubic Defense Applications introduces digital data link that operates in KU, C, S, L and UHF-bands at data rates from 200Kbps to 45 Mbps, can fit in a shirt pocket, and weighs less than 1.7 pounds.
[SatNews – 05/18/2011]

Debate over LightSquared’s plans for first broadband network based on satellites hinges on plan for traditional land-based transmitters.
[National Journal – 05/18/2011]

Integral Systems introduces ultra-compact and efficient 200 Watt Ku-band SSPA offering small package and minimal heat production.
[SatNews – 05/18/2011]

Advantech Wireless signs distributionagreement with TRISPEC for resale of Advantech products throughout Canada.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/18/2011]

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on NASA’s Terra satellite provides images of smoke across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories, Canada, from over 100 fires.
[SatNews – 05/18/2011]

ViaSat receives award from Thales Alenia Space to supply Ka-band transceiver modules for the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation.
[PR Newswire – 05/17/2011]

TeleCommunication Systems announces immediate availability of commercial service for the Cisco Internet Routing in Space solution aboard the Intelsat IS-14 satellite.
[SatNews – 05/17/2011]

At Newtec-hosted seminar in Miami, President of Euroconsult USA Susan Irwin predicts robust growth in emerging markets for satellite broadcasting in next decade.
[Advanced Television – 05/17/2011]

New Deloitte business case study states that transforming the global air transportation system from ground-based communications and radar control to satellite-based navigation systems will generate significant savings for airlines and passengers.
[SatNews – 05/17/2011]

MTN Satellite Communications receives Hot Companies and Best Products award from Network Products Guide.
[PR Newswire – 05/17/2011]

Indian Space Research Organisation plans to set up advanced R&D center in field of spacecraft technologies in Karnataka’s Chitradurga and rocket sub-systems integration facility near spaceport of Sriharikota in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
[SatNews -= 05/17/2011]

TS2 Satellite Technologies selected by Polish Government to provide global accessibility for its anti-terrorism and VIP security services.
[TMCnet – 05/17/2011]

Ball Aerospace & Technologies successfully completes thermanl vacuum testing for NASA’s NPOESS Prepatory Project satellite, advancing it toward planned October 25, 2011 launch.
[SatNews – 05/17/2011]

Russian Satellite Communications Company and Eutelsat Communications will partner on commercialisation of broadband and data network services in Russia using KA-SAT.
[PR-USA – 05/17/2011]

VT iDirect to offer new web and UDP optimization solutions through reseller agreement with ZipLink.
[SatNews – 05/17/2011]

According to International Telecommunications Union, the price for broadband service is falling dramatically across the globe.
[Satellite Today – 05/17/2011]

PortVision introduces WorkBoat communications and tracking service with two-way cellular and satellite service with least cost routing at half the cost of satellite-only services.
[EON 05/17/2011]

Space shuttle Endeavor lifts off on its final flight as wife of flight commander, wounded Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, watches from wheelchair.
[NY Times – 05/17/2011]

Satellite Industry Association applauds release by Departments of Defense, State, and Commerce of interim report assessing national security impact of reforming United States export control policy for satellites.
[SatNews – 05/16/2011]

ISRO to launch France’s Spot 6 satellite.
[Satellite Today – 05/16/2011]

Opening of Morganza Spillway on Mississippi River is captured in image from NASA’s EO-1 satellite.
[SatNews – 05/16/2011]

Integral Systems, a Columbia company providing services to the satellite industry, to be acquired by San Diego military contractor Kratos.
[Gazette – 05/16/2011]

About 3,000 fishing vessels in 28 coastal provinces of Vietnam to be equipped with satellite monitoring devices in August.
[SatNews – 05/16/2011]

Globecomm Systems ranked 12th in large-sized companies category as one of best companies to work for in New York.
[SatNews – 05/16/2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

As a satellite TV customer, there are times when the weather messes with your reception. The interference from rain/snow between you and the spacecraft with cause an outage and you can’t do anything about (rain fade or attenuation). I get that.

Now let me tell you why I’m pissed off.

I switched to Dish Network from cable in 2004 and we had some outages, but the storms had to be pretty big to knock out the signal (we were looking at 110°/119° West). Then I went back to cable so I could get MSG-HD. The Voom channels start going away to make room for a bunch of useless HD channels. Forget that — I went for the DirecTV bundle with Verizon DSL.

Big mistake. We had an outage every time it rained or snowed. I’d call DirecTV a half-dozen times to complain, hoping to get either a credit or a technician to come out an peak the antenna. No chance, valued customer. Either I sign up for a “maintenance” contract for $60 annually, or pay $50 for the tech to come out. Forget that.

Went back to Dish Network and I haven’t had a problem since (now looking at 61.5° West). Ever since I cancelled DirecTV, I’d had 3 or 4 “retention specialists” call and probably a half-dozen “come back” letters. Where were you during my moment-of-truth? Forget that, too.

Who cares about rain fade credits? Maybe trial attorneys should read up on it, in light of the current flooding around Old Man River. Prompted by the Alabama Attorney General’s office, cable and satellite TV providers are offering replacement equipment and suspending billing because of the flooding, caused by storms. The satcom statements, via WSFA-TV…

DISH Network provided the following statement about its response: “Taking care of our customers who have been impacted by any disaster, including tornadoes, is our top priority. DISH Network has a disaster policy in place and works with affected customers on a case-by-case basis to determine the best solution. We normally provide several no-cost options for victims to suspend their satellite service, including a pause of service, with no equipment fees.”

Ellen Filipiak, Sr. Vice President for Customer Service at DIRECTV, stated, “We join all service providers in Alabama in a sincere expression of sympathy for the people of Alabama who lost loved ones and homes in the terrible storms that hit the state last month. We are working with both our customers and employees in Alabama to help them rebuild as well as reconnect their TV services.  And to ease the burden and worry for our customers who were affected by the disaster, we have suspended accounts for those who were without power, offered free service calls and have waived equipment replacement costs and all other fees. More broadly we are also providing support to all victims of the storm through the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.”  Consumers may contact DirecTV by calling 1-800-531-5000.

Think about that. Will other storms that cause widespread outages in a particular area also become subject to crediting customers for service interruptions? Makes sense to me.

Dude, they busted the Dish Network truck. No TV party tonight.

The U.S. Border Patrol is out to get you, via KGBT-TV…

More than $2.3 million dollars of marijuana is off the streets after Border Patrol agents learned a cloned Dish Network van was being used to smuggle drugs.

U.S. Border Patrol agents reported tha the seizure happened in the rural Starr County community of La Casita on Wednesday, April 20th.

Court records were not immediately available but Border Patrol agents reported spotted a Dish Network van exiting a brushy area near the Rio Grande River.

Working on a tip that are drug smugglers are now using counterfeit vehicles from well-known companies as a cover, Border Patrol stopped the van.

Border Patrol agents reproted immediately noticing a strong odor of marijuana. Investigators looked inside and found 100 bundles with close to 3,000 pounds of marijuana worth $2.3 million dollars inside.

Import-Export bank provides financing allowing Inmarsat to purchase Boeing satellites.
[SatNews – 05/14/2011]

At Global Space and Satellite Forum in Abu Dhabi, a call for an international space traffic management body.
[Gulf News – 05/14/2011]

Smart Communications lends Smart Link $-190 satellite phones and provides airtime to keep group in touch during 7-day trek through deep forest in Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park in the Phillipines.
[Phillipine Star – 05/14/2011]

Thaicom sees IPStar bandwidth business booming in first quarter.
[Satellite Today – 05/13/2011]

Astrotech wins $16.2M contract to fabricate, install, and test satellite Ground Support Equipment for U.S. government.
[SatNews – 05/13/2011]

Congressman Mike Turner successfully includes language in National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress in case of widespread interference with military’s use of GPS satellites.
[POB online – 05/13/2011]

Integral Systems chosen by SES to provide global geolocation services to help protect its global fleet of satellites from effects of radio frequency interference.
[SatNews – 05/13/2011]

Second-Generation Orbcomm satellites delayed until late 2011.
[Space News – 05/13/2011]

MDA selected by Thales Alenia Space to provide 486 high-performance Ka-band cross link and feeder link antennas for Iridium NEXT satellites.
[SatNews – 05/13/2011]

C-COM Satellite Systems receives its largest order in history for its iNetVu mobile satellite antenna systems from Telemann Communications Company, a reseller in Japan.
[TechZone360 – 05/13/2011]

National Broadband Network of Australia reaches agreement with Optus to provide Internet Satellite Services as part of its rollout.
[Broadband Expert – 05/13/2011]

Lockheed Martin wins $105M WIN-T contract to deliver on-the-move broadband networking capability using satellite and radio links.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/12/2011]

Arianespace begins initial build-up at French Guiana Spaceport for its fourth heavy-lift mission of 2011, to launch BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N.
[SatNews – 05/12/2011]

Guardian Mobility intends to acquire Alakai Technologies in order to incorporate its data monitoring technology into Guardian’s open platform satellite communications and data management systems.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/12/2011]

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency decides to send halt command to DAICHI infrared earth observation satellite after three weeks of unsuccessful attempts to communicate with it.
[SatNews – 05/12/2011]

Vizada adds VSAT capability to Universal Card prepaid voice service.
[Satellite Today – 05/12/2011]

iDirect VSAT platform chosen for Iridium Next ground-control upgrade.
[Satellite Today – 05/12/2011]

NASA’s Dawn spacecraft obtains first image of giant asteroid Vesta.
[SatNews – 05/12/2011]

Northrop Grumman and Applied Minds announce success of recent launch and orbit of a Mayflower test microsatellite.
[SatNews – 05/12/5011]

Israel’s Defense Ministry to invest millions in upgrading country’s space communication capabilities.
[Space News – 05/11/2011]

Florida’s governor and legislators commit more than $43M for growth of space industry in Florida.
[SatNews – 05/11/2011]

Northrop Grumman wins $372M Air Force contract to provide satellite antenna system for B-2 stealth bomber that will help it send and receive information up to 200 times faster than now.
[Business Week – 05/11/2011]

Pau Pyrenees in southern France becomes Europe’s first airport to use new EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service to guide aircraft in for landing using only this space-based navigation signal.
[SatNews – 05/11/2011]

Afcom Satellite Network deploys first dual mode Satellite/TETRA communications system for emergency response vehicle in Niger Delta.
[Business Wire – 05/11/2011]

Hughes deploys HX System broadband satellite networks for Microcom in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
[Satellite Today – 05/11/2011]

Russian Satellite Communications Company and Eutelsat announce signing of MOU to launch new satellite at 36 degrees East.
[Traders Huddle – 05/10/2011]

Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission enters final preparations, readying for May 19 launch of GSAT-8 and ST-2.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

Landsat images capture Memphis, Tennessee flooding.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

GlobeCast and JIB launch NHK World HD on Eurobird 1.
[Satellite Today – 05/10/2011]

RapidEye works with SST Software to integrate its precision farming maps into SST’s information management products and services.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

NewCom International develops Emergency Communications Response Network to provide instant, cost-effective contingency or back-up communications for government and law enforcement personnel.
[SatNews – 05/10/2011]

Sky Italia orders IP video solutions from T-VIPS.
[Satellite Today – 05/10/2011]

Syria blocks satellite phone communications.
[Financial Times (MENA) – 05/09/2011]

United Launch Alliance launches Space-Based Infrared System Satellite into orbit for U.S. Air Force.
[Military Aerospace – 05/09/2011]

Gilat wins Australia NBN satellite contract.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/09/2011]

Mitec of Montreal sells satellite communications business to Quebec-based provider of microwave components.
[Montreal Gazette – 05/09/2011]

At Global Space and Satellite Forum, UAE’s DubaiSat-1 seen as part of focus on space technology as new common ground for organisations, governments, and individuals in the region and globally.
[AMEinfo – 05/09/2011]

Yahsat’s new satellite, Y1A, reaches orbital position.
[7DAYS – 05/09/2011]

Use of Ka-band along with L-band satellites with 400 narrow beams (planned Alphasat 1-XL by Inmarsat) and use of lighter materials allow very compact, lightweight satellite systems for the warfighter.
[Defense Systems – 05/09/2011]

DigitalGlobe cooperates with two German companies to provide new range of high quality 3D data maps.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

MDA signs multi-year contracts to supply oil field monitoring products utilizing advanced RADARSAT-2 surveillance capabilities covering entire Canadian oil field.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

U.S.-based Space Adventures offers to equip Soyuz launch vehicle with additional living space for eight-day commercial flights around the moon.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

Mercury Computer Systems to provide leading prime contractor with Ensemble and Echotek products for use in high-speed satellite communications system to transfer ISR data from UAVs to ground forces.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

Norsat satellite terminals used by U.S. military as part of relief efforts in Japan following earthquake and tsunami.
[SatNews – 05/09/2011]

Arianespace receives “keys” to Soyuz launch complex at Guiana Space Center from the European Space Agency.
[SatNews – 05/08/2011]

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo hits another milestone on way to beginning commercial operations in suborbital space.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/06/2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

Spectacular light show over Russia’s Ural mountains not Aurora Borealis or
UFO, but a Russian military rocket launching a military communications
satellite.
[Mail Online – 05/06/2011]

U.S. to finance Azerbaijan’s first communications satellite, AzerSat, from
Orbital, despite objections from some U.S.-based Armenian groups that it could
be used for military purposes.
[eurasianet – 05/06/2011]

Hughes Communications adds 613,000 satellite broadband subscribers in first
quarter, and credits governments broadband stimulus package for much of the
gains.
[Space News – 05/06/2011]

Telesat CEO silent on acquisition rumors during first quarter report.
[Satellite Today – 05/06/2011]

NASA Earth Observatory images created using Landsat data from US Geological
Survey illustrate extensive Mississippi River flooding.
[SatNews – 05/06/2011]

Gilat Satellite Networks to initiate hubs and VSATs in Australia under new
contract with Optus Networks Pty Limited.
[SatNews – 05/06/2011]

OmniGlobe EMEA assets acquired by satellite communications start-up iSat.
[Satellite Today – 05/06/2011]

Slovenia National TV renews broadcast relationship with Eutelsat with new
10-year contract for the Hot Bird neighbourhood.
[PR Newswire – 05/06/2011]

Data gathered by the Gravity Probe B satellite during 16 month mission
confirms two previously unproven subtle physical affects predicted by
Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
[SatNews – 05/06/2011]

U.S. Air Force’s GEO-1 SBIRS satellite scheduled for launch May 6 is delayed
due to weather.
[Aviation Week – 05/06/2011]

BGAN from Stratos Connectivity plays vital role in expanding archaeological
study in remote Mongolia.
[PR Newswire – 05/05/2011]

Satellites made Osama bin Laden raid possible.
[Spaceflight Now – 05/05/2011]

Russian Meridian series military communications satellite is placed in orbit
aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket with a Fregat booster.
[RIA NOVOSTI – 05/05/2011]

Newtec is awarded acclaimed Trends Gazellen award.
[SatNews – 05/05/2011]

Mercury Computer Systems selected to deliver multiple high-speed satellite
communications subsystems for transferring ISR data from UAVs to ground forces.
[Bradenton – 05/05/2011]

Integral Systems, with signal processing systems used by more than 85% of
U.S. space missions, is awarded more than $30M  in multiple contracts
during past three months.
[SatNews – 05/05/2011]

Newsat signs new contracts in April worth $1.7M in additional revenue,
providing satellite communication services in Australia and internationally.
[SatNews – 05/05/2011]

Research fleets choose Mini-VSAT broadband from KVH for onboard Internet and
data connections.
[Globe Newswire – 05/05/2011]

KVH downgrades future outlook though VSAT sales increase 59%, because of
losses in other divisions affected by rising fuel prices and decline in new
boat sales.
[Satellite Today – 05/02/2011]

At Global Space and Satellite Forum in Abu Dhabi May 9-11, leading experts
will discuss how satellite communications play important role in disaster
relief.
[AME info – 05/04/2011]

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting signs agreement with Elektrikom for IS 10-02
Spot 1 capacity, to deliver VSAT services for oil, gas, and cruise ship
industries throughout Europe.
[SatNews – 05/04/2011]

Australian communications regulator warns that more spectrum (to come from
satellite, broadcast, or government agencies) must be allocated to mobile
companies to support traffic growth by end of decade to 1000 times that at end
of 2007.
[Sydney Morning Herald – 05/04/2011]

NTD Asia Pacific Television files appeal at Taiwan’s National Communications
Commission charging that Chunghwa Telecom Company is unlawfully refusing to
renew satellite capacity lease.
[NTD Television – 05/04/2011]

Intelsat reports antenna reflector deployment delay with Intelsat New Dawn
satellite.
[Business Wire – 05/03/2011]

Charlie Ergen says acquired DBSD North America should be viewed as asset
whose existing S-band satellite and U.S. operating license are sufficient for
Dish Network and EchoStar to create wireless broadband business.
[Space News – 05/03/2011]

SES Astra’s German HD Plus service subscriber gains exceed expectations.
[Satellite Today – 05/03/2011]

Gilat Satcom launches iDirect Evolution-based service in Nigeria to deliver
high-speed C-band satellite service throughout the country.
[SatNews – 05/03/2011]

Pakistan will have its first satellite broadband service by the end of this
year using Yahsat YahClick satellite broadband product using satellite launched
April 23.
[TMCnet – 05/03/2011]

United Arab Emirates launches fifth communications satellite, the first to
provide secure and independent telecommunications for its armed forces as Persian Gulf Arab state boosts its military capabilities against Iran.
[UPI – 05/02/2011]

Arianespace wins launch contract for ABS-2 satellite for Asia Broadcast
Satellite.
[Satellite Today – 05/02/2011]

Dish Network and Echostar settle with TiVo for $500M as chances dwindle in
DVR patent suit.
[CED Magazine – 05/02/2011]

iDirect Government Technologies to resell Riverbed Technology products to
maximize bandwidth efficiencies and increase satellite network performance.
[marketwire – 05/02/2011]

Find loved ones anytime, anywhere, with new GPS bracelets.
[Satellite Spotlight – 05/02/2011]

Myanmar sets up central committee and working committee for launching a
satellite, the first for Myanmar.
[TMCnet – 4/30/2011]

Satellite images taken by GeoEye the day after tornadoes blasted through the
South, in an interactive display, show before and after the tornadoes.
[NY Times – April 29, 2011]

More competition, new entrants, fluctuating levels of usage in a slow and
uncertain recovery, and a flurry of new products with High Throughput
Satellites hitting the market in the coming years, all keep the Mobile
Satellite Services sector dynamic.
[NSR Mobile Satellite Services report – June 2011]

WBMSAT PS satellite communications systems services

How quickly analysts respond to big stories in industries they “follow” or otherwise expert in their inner workings. Many examples exist, but this one really got me…

David Berliner, an adviser at BDO Consulting, told Kary that the deal may be all about gaining customers for Dish Network’s satellite service. He cited a similar situation — the $95 million acquisition of electronics chain The Wiz by Cablevision in 1998. Cablevision “got access to Wiz customers to sell Cablevision services,” said Berliner.

Customers at Nobody Beats The Wiz? There’s no real loyalty in retail consumer electronics.

The issue in this acquisition comes down to streaming rights. Blockbuster had a chance to buy Netflix 10 years ago for $50 million. You’ll recall Sling Media is now part of the DISH Network family and this deal gives them streaming rights to video content practically overnight.

Comcast: prepare for battle. Your on-demand service is now getting hit from all sides. Fiber, satellite, Internet, P2P, etc.

Back to Blockbuster. Was it really Netflix that killed it? Yeah, I think so. Check out this infographic from last month in SocialTimes…

You sure I need this antenna grounded? Oh, yeah, rocket scientists. You can bet your feedhorn!

Here’s a story from Long Grove, Illinois, via The Lake County News-Sun…

Lightning that struck a home’s satellite dish Sunday night started a fire that caused about $25,000 damage, fire officials said Monday.

Long Grove Fire Protection District firefighters arrived at 2237 Stayton Lane about 9:19 p.m. and used about 600 gallons of water to extinguish a fire burning at the peak of the roof, officials said. Crews also used a fire extinguisher to put out some hot embers that fell into the attic.

The blaze apparently started when lightning struck a satellite dish on the roof and traveled throughout the house, officials said. The flames did not spread to other areas of the house, but the electrical surge burned out three electrical sockets and tripped eight circuit breakers.

The residents and their dog had already evacuated the house by the time crews arrived. There were no reported injuries.

And the video, too.

The Rangers got beat by the “Fishsticks” last night. It’s time to renew the rivalry with the Islanders.

And not just in hockey.

I’m referring to the folks who own Cablevision — and the Rangers, Knicks and the MSG Network. As a DISH Network customer, I still can’t get MSG-HD, even though the FCC finally closed that loophole.

While they’ve spent a year appealing the decision, contract negotiations with the carriers is the other weapon used to save their sorry business model…

Thursday marked Opening Day of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, but the team-owned regional sports networks in New York are nearing the bottom of the ninth in renewal negotiations with the top DBS providers.

SNY, the TV home of the New York Mets and YES, the carrier for the New York Yankees, are coming up against contract expirations with Dish Network and DirecTV, respectively.

SNY’s deal with Dish is set to conclude at midnight on April 1. However, the first Mets contest of the season is not scheduled until 7 p.m. that day against the Florida Marlins in Miami. SNY said it was in ongoing discussions with the No. 2 DBS provider at press time.

Dish had this response: “We are in negotiations with SNY for fair terms to reach an agreement. Due to confidentiality reasons, we cannot comment further on negotiations. It’s important to know that this is normal course of business, as we negotiate hundreds of contracts per year.”

The distributor also pointed out that some Mets games are available on WPIX-TV channel 11 in the New York DMA and on national networks.

SNL Kagan estimates SNY’s monthly subscriber license fee at around $2.20

YES, meanwhile, will see its current multiyear contract with DirecTV end at midnight on April 2. The RSN televised the Yankees’ season opening win over the Detroit Tigers on March 31 and doesn’t have another Bronx Bombers live game until Sunday April 3. SNL Kagan pegs YES license fee at some $2.60 per subscriber per month.

YES issued the following statement: “We are negotiating in good faith with DirecTV in hopes of resolving this matter quickly.”

For its part, DirecTV said it was negotiating with YES, while saying the RSN’s “threats to take down the channel are nothing more than gamesmanship to try and gain leverage in the talks.” The distributor said the contract will “get resolved if YES agrees that DirecTV should pay the same amount as the other three dominant TV providers in the market (Comcast, Time Warner, & Cablevision). DirecTV customers should not be forced to pay a penny more for YES Network.”

During its season-opening Bronx Bombers telecast, YES talent, its bottom line crawl and a spot alerted viewers to the contract situation. Information was also available on its website.
SNY did not disseminate similar information about its contract situation with Dish on its air on Thursday.

Dish has carried SNY since its rookie campaign five years ago, but has never reached a deal with YES. The DBS provider’s contract ended with MSG Network and MSG Plus last Oct. 1 and those New York RSNs have remained off Dish’s air since then.

What ever happened to giving your customers what they want?

Cut the cord.

Is satellite TV the great information distributor of our age? According to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, it is…

On Wednesday morning the al-Watan newspaper, which is close to the regime, predicted Assad would “reassure all Syrians and draw clear features for the coming phase”.

But instead he criticised “satellite channels, propaganda and a sectarian divide”, which he said had contributed greatly to the unrest that has reverberated through the country.

Assad did acknowledge that “mistakes” had been made in the southern city of Deraa where security forces have been accused of shooting dead more than 100 unarmed demonstrators. “Not all the demonstrators are conspirators,” he said.

The speech was interrupted regularly by members of Syria’s national parliament and was well-received in his constituency.

You just can’t stop people from downlinking content from satellite orbiting 36,000 km in space! Here’s the speech…

Ahrar TV launches today on Atlantic Bird 4A (7° West) at 16:30 GMT. Downlink details: 10930 H (tp 121). It’ll be part of the Jordan Media City MUX.

The report, via RIA Novosti…

The Libyan opposition is launching a satellite television channel, Ahrar TV, on Wednesday with the help of the Qatari government in counterbalance to state-controlled media.

Libyans have only been receiving information from media controlled by Muammar Gaddafi’s government and from foreign satellite television channels, which Tripoli has been jamming in the past few weeks.

The new TV channel will go on the air at 7:30 p.m. local time (17:30 GMT) using the French Atlantic Bird satellite.

The U.S.-based Foreign Policy journal said the Qatari government had provided technical equipment of their culture channel Al-Rayyan to a group of Libyan journalists led by Mahmud Shammam, who arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The Libyan opposition has already launched Radio Free Libya and Radio Free Tobruk on mid-range bandwidths.