News Archive
Ergen on DISH Q4: "Disappointing"
-- Posted by soullezzon Wednesday, February 27 2008
DISH Network CEO Charlie Ergen called fourth quarter results for the DBS service "disappointing," blaming sluggish economic conditions and intense competition for generating lackluster numbers during the three-month period.
DISH Network said it added about 85,000 net new subscribers in the quarter, giving the company about 13.78 million subscribers at the close of December. In fourth quarter 2006, the company reported about 350,000 net new subscribers.
Ergen, speaking with analysts during a conference call Tuesday, cited the sour economic environment, which among other factors includes fewer housing starts, for the uninspiring numbers. Also, the top executive cited intensifying competition in the video space.
DISH Network executives said they hope to turn things around with key satellite launches. Those satellites would give the company additional capacity for HD services, including more local high-def markets.
The goal for the small dish company: 100 local high-def markets by the end of the year.
Among the satellites bringing capacity to DISH is AMC-14, the SES AMERICOM spacecraft that's scheduled for launch next month. According to DISH's quarterly filing, the EchoStar XI bird is set for a mid-year launch, and satellites named CMBStar and Ciel 2 are being prepared for missions later in the year.
As for financials, DISH Network reported total revenue of $2.89 billion for the fourth quarter, a 12 percent increase when compared to the $2.58 billion for the same period in 2006. Fourth quarter net income was $175 million, compared with $153 million for the same period in 2006.
and now THE NEWS...
-- Posted by soullezzon Tuesday, February 26 2008
OBAMA... something stinks about this man, he has lied to the public, and continues to hide his true feelings and nature....I’m not a democrat or a confirmed republican, but I know Bullshit when I see it.....take the following post for what they are, its about education of the person...not to slam the democratic party....
(Funny video about Obama)
Debbie Schlussel on Barack Hussein Obama
sciforums on Obama
Fact: Obama was part of one of the most corrupt and violent organizations in Africa: the Kenyatta regime. Obama's father ran back to Kenya soon after the British left. It is likely Obama's father had Mau Mau sympathies or connections, or he would not have been welcomed into the murderous inner circle of rapists, murderers, and arsonists.
We want the details of his 2 years in Pakistan (one of the birth places for terrorists’ plots and training grounds for Islamic terrorists)
and 4 years in Indonesia. Come clean Obama. Shine the flashlight of truth on your Islamic childhood!
Remember guys, if we don’t stop this mistake before it’s too late, we and our children will suffer for it the rest of our lives...... And I don’t know about you, but if we don’t stop this, my underground sources have already stated in many forums that the KKK will. (yes I said the KKK....so take this info for what its worth, and spread the word)
...I DONT condone the existence of the KKK, but the pure fact that they will resurface after all these years, does stand for something......remember this is just to educate the public on the facts about this presidential contender... so please don’t riot! LOL
Be Informed before you VOTE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Side_(Chicago)
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/civilrights/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
http://www.newsweek.com/id/115003
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/candidates/barack.obama.html
http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Aug 2007)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice. (Dec 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
Passed tax credit for installing E85 ethanol at gas stations. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
FactCheck: Yes, Obama cast 130 "present" votes in IL Senate. (Jan 2008)
Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
No need to mandate coverage; just let people afford it. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Obama's Voting record:
Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. (Aug 2007)
Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
FactCheck: Took Rezko's donations, but never represented him. (Jan 2008)
Obama's Voting record:
Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006)
Obama's Voting record:
Voted to fund war until 2006; now wants no blank check. (Nov 2007)
Late to vote against war is not late to oppose war. (Jun 2007)
Spending on the Cold War relics should be for the veterans. (Jun 2007)
Would have voted no to authorize the President to go to war. (Jul 2004)
Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
Barack Obama is a Hard-Core Liberal.
Who is Barack Obama?
Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii.
When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya . His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia. When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia . Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta . He also spent two years in a Catholic school.
Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that he is not a radical.
Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son's education.
Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran.
Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.
Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy.
The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States , one of their own!!!!
Read More...
AND DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THE DEBATE TONIGHT!!
More new files than will fit on the pop out menu...
-- Posted by soullezzon Tuesday, February 26 2008
There were 27 new file posts this morning, the Latest Filez menu only holds 14, the following is a list of receivers which have new file posts and links to their section for your convenience.
CNX duo/trio
Coolsat 6100, 7000, 7100
Ivision 200PVR, 300
Extremeview Magnum
Neosat ipro/pro 2000
Pansat 250, 2700, 2800, 3500, 5000, 6000, 9000, 9200
Skyview 1000
Sonicview 1000, 1000 PVR, 4000, 8000HD
Viewsat Platinum/lite, Extreme, Ultra, Pro, 7000PVR, 9000HD
Unanimous FCC Approval for DIRECTV/Liberty Deal
-- Posted by soullezzon Tuesday, February 26 2008
When it comes to big matters, not much at the Federal Communications Commission gets done with all commissioners in agreement. That was the exception Monday, when leaders of the regulatory agency approved Liberty Media's takeover of a controlling stake in DIRECTV.
All five commissioners signed off on the deal. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioners Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert McDowell - all Republicans - joined Democrat Commissioner Michael Copps in endorsing the transaction. Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein issued a statement approving and dissenting in parts of the FCC order.
Through the deal, News Corp. is swapping its stake in DIRECTV - along with regional sports networks and $550 million in cash - for the stock Liberty Media holds in the media giant. The fact that DIRECTV is no longer in the hands of Rupert Mudoch and Co. apparently convinced the FCC's Democrats to concur with the other commissioners on the item.
Copps lamented that DIRECTV would transfer "from one giant media conglomerate to a marginally-less-giant media conglomerate." Nonetheless, he said once the deal is consummated, "the transaction will result in a measure of de-consolidation and somewhat less vertical integration. That is the distinction between this transaction and the Hughes/News Corp. deal four years ago, and that is why I am concurring rather than dissenting in the decision."
Adelstein agreed, saying while News Corp is transferring DIRECTV to Liberty Media, "another vertically-integrated media company which seems to have an appetite to become even more vertically-integrated … a little media deconsolidation is better than no deconsolidation at all."
Adelstein's part dissention came from concerns about the lack of local TV service to smaller markets.
"Universal local-into-local service should be a localism goal of the commission, and it should be an imperative for DIRECTV," the commissioner said in a statement. "The benefits of video competition should be available for all Americans.
DISH Back on Roush Fenway, NASCAR Racing
-- Posted by soullezzon Friday, February 22 2008
On Thursday, Roush Fenway Racing said DISH Network has signed on as a sponsor in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the second season for the DBS company's NASCAR efforts.
As part of the deal, DISH Network will serve as a primary sponsor in 15 Sprint Cup Races in 2008, alternating between three Roush Fenway drivers, the company said. Greg Biffle will drive the No. 16 DISH Network Ford Fusion in 11 Sprint Cup races, Carl Edwards will drive the No. 99 Ford in three races and Matt Kenseth will race the No. 17 Ford in one race
The DISH Network team of drivers will be dubbed the DISH Network AllStars.
"DISH Network has been a tremendous partner to Roush Fenway Racing," said team owner Jack Roush. "We shared several successes last season including two Nationwide Series wins with Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth. I look for similar success this season in the Sprint Cup series with the 15 DISH Network entries."
BSkyB to Fight ITV Ruling
-- Posted by soullezzon Friday, February 22 2008
In a move that came as no surprise to satellite industry observers on the other side of the pond, British Sky Broadcasting confirmed that it will challenge conclusions made by the U.K. Competition Commission concerning its controversial investment in ITV.
In that decision, the regulator said BSkyB must dispose a majority of its 17.9 percent shareholding in ITV. Sky acquired the stake in the U.K. broadcaster in November 2006.
In its January decision, the Competition Commission said that the ITV transaction would likely result in a "substantial lessening of competition arising from a loss of rivalry between ITV and BSkyB in the all-TV market. This may be expected to result in a reduction in the quality of the offer, a reduction in innovation, or an increase in the price of audiovisual services in the all-TV market."
The commission also said BSkyB could influence ITV's investment in high-def as well as the broadcaster's strategy in relation to content production and commissioning.
BSkyB said it would file an application with the Competition Appeal Tribunal today concerning its move. That body has the power to eliminate part or all of the previous findings and send the case back to the Competition Commission for further consideration.
News Corp. has a controlling stake in BSkyB.
Meanwhile, News Corp. said Thursday that it increased its stake in German pay-TV operator Premiere AG to nearly 20 percent. In addition to Premiere and BSkyB, the media giant also controls satellite-based service Sky Italia.
A Better Approach to the M&A Process?
-- Posted by soullezzon Monday, February 18 2008
It appears that "sand has infiltrated the gears of the merger review process," stated one D.C.-based observer of the multiplatform business.
Ken Ferree, former head of the Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau and president of conservative think tank The Progress and Freedom Foundation, lamented in commentary released last week about the lengthy government review process tied to mergers and acquisitions. In his opinions he pointed out the obvious: Any company filing merger review requests with regulatory and antitrust authorities can expect to devote at least a year to the process … and sometimes considerably longer.
Ferree's case in point: The bankruptcy-driven acquisition of Adelphia's systems by Time Warner Cable and Comcast took 404 days before a decision was rendered by the appropriate authorities. Liberty Media recently marked the one-year anniversary of the filing of its application to acquire DIRECTV, and the Sirius/XM merger proposal anniversary is this week.
"In an information economy, a merger review should be getting speedier, not slower," Ferree said.
"Today, technological advances are upending traditional business models and requiring even new organizational structures to be re-evaluated regularly. This is particularly true among communications companies," he said. "The competitive landscape for most FCC-regulated entities can change in a matter of months, and competitive responses must be almost immediate if they are to be effective.
Just in the past year, during the same time the Liberty/DIRECTV and Sirius/XM deals have been pending, the communications markets have seen radically increased competition from old and new entrants, Ferree said.
"In multichannel video, major wireline carriers have made substantial investments in their video platforms and they are beginning to capture significant segments of the market," he said.
Earlier in the month, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said the agency is ready to take action on the Liberty/DIRECTV transaction. "One can only hope the other commissioners comply," Ferree said.
DBS Concerned with Must-Carry Idea
-- Posted by soullezzon Wednesday, February 13 2008
The nation's big satellite TV services were at the Portals during the last week fighting a proposal that could impose digital HD must-carry obligations on DBS platforms.
Both DIRECTV and DISH Network contacted Federal Communications Commission personnel about the issue, fretting that the proposed mandate - if enacted - could impact satellite capacity and operations. The companies described the must-carry idea that has been floated by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin as "burdensome" and that it could take years to comply with such a provision.
DISH Network said in a three-page filing outlining its opposition that its satellite fleet is at or near full capacity today, and that a local HD must-carry mandate would put a lot of pressure on the company's day-to-day capabilities.
HD channels require between three and four times the bandwidth of standard definition channels, the company said. "If DISH Network was required to carry all must-carry channels in HD, approximately three new, state-of-the-art satellites - with access to corresponding new spectrum - would need to be designed and constructed to meet those new burdens," the company said in its comments.
"This is a four-year process with a price tag of over a billion dollars," added DISH Network.
DIRECTV also approached FCC officials about the HD must-carry initiative. The company said that in its meetings it told commission staff the availability of satellite capacity and ground infrastructure, as well as the ongoing digital TV transition, would impact its ability to comply with a must-carry requirement.
NAB Fights Satellite Radio Merger
-- Posted by soullezzon Wednesday, February 13 2008
As regulators continue to debate whether Sirius and XM should be allowed to merge operations, the National Association of Broadcasters was back at the Federal Communications Commission this week fighting the proposed satellite radio combination.
In a filing sent to the FCC, the broadcast lobbying group argued that satellite radio services and local radio stations "are not good substitutes" for each other, and thus should not be grouped in the same radio product market. Because of that, the commission must conclude that the proposed merger between XM and Sirius "would create a monopoly in the satellite DARS market," and that the companies shouldn't be permitted to combine operations.
NAB also said the proposed "merger-to-monopoly" would lead to higher prices and reduce choices for consumers.
"It is now beyond dispute that satellite DARS and local radio should not be considered part of the same relevant product market for purposes of evaluating the proposed merger," the broadcaster group said in its FCC filing. "It follows that grant of the proposed merger would be an anti-competitive merger-to-monopoly in the relevant market … satellite DARS."
The Sirius/XM merger is before the FCC as well as antitrust staff at the Justice Department. Next week will mark the one-year anniversary for the companies' merger proposal.
Street Likes What it Sees from DIRECTV
-- Posted by soullezzon Tuesday, February 5 2008
Wall Street continues to be bullish on the prospects for DIRECTV.
In a note released Monday, Jason Bazinet of Citi Investment Research revised his outlook for the satellite TV giant, raising his fourth quarter net subscriber additions estimate for the DBS platform to 259,000 on anticipated higher gross additions and a lower churn estimate. That would put DIRECTV's year-end customer total at about 16.815 million, stated Citi forecasts for the company.
Fourth quarter gross customer additions for DIRECTV were forecasted at about 1 million by Bazinet and Citi. Monthly churn for the small dish service was estimated by the Wall Street firm at 1.58 percent.
Bazinet also said he expects DIRECTV's fourth quarter revenue to be about $4.652 billion and the company to generate EBITDA of $1.112 billion.
"DIRECTV represents a solid fundamental story, in our view, due to its robust net adds, stable-to-lower churn, and rising subscriber IRRs," Bazinet said. "Furthermore, we believe DTV represents a compelling valuation, with an under-levered balance sheet, and the potential for a take-out following the close of the Liberty transaction with News Corp.
Bazinet's positive outlook for DIRECTV came a week after Bernstein upgraded its rating on DIRECTV shares from "market perform" to "outperform."
DIRECTV also continues to wait for regulatory approval of Liberty Media's takeover of a stake in the company. "We view the closing (of the Liberty deal) as a positive for DIRECTV shareholders as it paves the way for tender offer," Bazinet said.
DIRECTV reports fourth quarter results on Feb. 13.