News Archive
BSkyB Taking Heat for ITV Purchase -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, April 30 2007
Britain's competition and media watchdog organization is recommending that a full inquiry be launched into British Sky Broadcasting's controversial purchase of a large stake in commercial broadcaster ITV. The British government has called for reports into whether the deal threatens public interests, seen by many as the start of an investigation into the influence held over British media by Rupert Murdoch, BSkyB's chair and largest stockholder.
The Office for Fair Trading said BSkyB's 17.9 percent purchase of ITV stock months ago could "result in a substantial lessening of competition" and means to avoid such concerns "were not offered." In addition, Ofcom - the U.K.'s FCC equivalent - said there are "public interest issues in relation to sufficient plurality of news provision for both cross media and television news."
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling now has to consider each of the groups' reports before deciding whether to instruct the Competition Commission to launch a full investigation. Reports have said that Darling has until May 26 to announce his decision.
In response to the governmental concerns, BSkyB said the statements reflect the continuation of an existing regulatory process by which the company will continue to fully participate. "More than any other company, Sky has led the unprecedented expansion in choice and diversity of views available to British families," a company spokesman said. "Sky believes in choice and competition and supports an environment that fosters investment and dynamism in today's fast-changing media landscape."
Garmin Latest to Weigh In on XM/Sirius -- Posted by soullezz
on Monday, April 30 2007
Years ago, GPS specialist Garmin International began partnering with XM Satellite Radio to provide ground and weather information to pilots by including XM receivers in it's products. Now, Garmin is arguing that if the proposed merger between XM and Sirius is approved, the Federal Communications Commission has a duty to ensure the union will not endanger general aviation safety by allowing the deal to deteriorate the company's relationship with XM.
Last week, Garmin filed a statement with the FCC that said the agency must condition any approval of the XM/Sirius merger on the continued long-term provision of XM's current aviation weather products. Specifically, Garmin's letter said the FCC "must, at a minimum" condition any XM/Sirius merger approval on continued provisions of XM's satellite service - like the one with the GPS company, for example - for a period of "at least 20 years."
According to the documents, Garmin said it spent around $3 million during a two-year period to develop and obtain the initial FAA aircraft certification requirements for its current black box system with integrated XM datalink receivers. The company said it spent an additional $1 million to develop the XM receiver and software used with its accompanying portable product line.
Garmin said that in February of last year, Sirius announced plans to team with WSI - another satellite-based weather information system - to develop products that will compete with the Garmin/XM service. The problem, Garmin said, is that the WSI/Sirius product is not "interoperable" with the Garmin/XM product.
In a move that could be seen as hitting below the belt, Garmin implies in its filing with the FCC that any promises made by XM and Sirius that the companies would develop a universal black box device compatible with both services should ring hollow. Why? Because, as Garmin points out, both XM and Sirius have "disregarded the FCC's mandates requiring interoperability in the general consumer market."
FCC rules require that both XM and Sirius "include a receiver that will permit end users to access all licensed satellite DARS systems that are operational or under construction." In other words, one receiver for both (or more) services. But Garmin proclaims, "both XM and Sirius certified 10 years ago that they would comply with the interoperability requirement, but neither has done so to date."
According to the transfer application that XM and Sirius filed in March, the satellite radio companies said these model-type receivers have been developed, but there is no "incentive" to subsidize their development, and "manufacturers have not expressed an interest in producing and distributing these radios."
Iridium Satellite's New Pricing Plan -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 26 2007
On the heels of recent debate about the future of satellite phone services, global satellite solutions provider Iridium Satellite took the wraps off a new pricing plan for customers across North America. In a move aimed at bolstering support for the teetering service, Iridium has developed new pricing structures that will provide service for as low as 15 cents per minute.
According to the company, Iridium is now offering value pre-paid air-time packages with "street prices" in the 30-40 cents per minute range. The company also made available larger "super discount" packages that drive prices below the 15 cent per minute mark.
Iridium officials said the new pricing packages, coupled with its recently announced Network Quality Guarantee, provide an "unbeatable" value one-two punch for consumers continent-wide. The company said it is the only mobile satellite system offering high-volume discount plans covering all of North America, including the "extreme northern regions" of Canada and Alaska, and the entire Caribbean, with no roaming charges.
Service providers in North America now have Iridium's new packages for sale, the company said, with discounts taking effect last week. Iridium is also offering bonus airtime incentives for new subscriptions activated before July.
TV Guide Goes Interactive on DISH -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 26 2007
TV Guide parent Gemstar is launching an interactive application for the TV Guide Channel on EchoStar's DISH Network. Developed with interactive video company Ensequence, the new platform will allow Gemstar to program the entire screen allowing viewers to access TV Guide listings and recommendations, as well as pay-per-view and DVR scheduling, with their remote controls while watching the channel.
According to Gemstar, the interactive application will be one of two offered by TV Guide that provides viewers with the capabilities via a linear television channel. DISH subs can launch the service by hitting "select" on their remotes while tuned to TV Guide Channel, or by selecting the application from DISH's interactive mosaic DISH Home channel 100.
Kaufman Bros. analyst Todd Mitchell said while the product is currently only available on DISH - which, he says, has the most interactive offerings of any pay-TV provider - look for Gemstar to launch the interactive application on other service providers in the future. Gemstar brass has been quoted as saying the company is already in talks with Time Warner Cable and will be approaching Cablevision, Comcast and DIRECTV.
Mitchell also said Gemstar has a full development plan for the application that will eventually add more functionality to the product. The company has hinted that it is considering adding video clips to enhance show and movie descriptions, as well as integrating recommendations from TVGuide.com users.
Hughes Lands TerreStar Contract -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 19 2007
Satellite broadband services provider Hughes Network Systems signed a contract with Motient Corporation subsidiary TerreStar Networks to design, develop and manufacture a turnkey satellite base station subsystem (S-BSS) and satellite air interface protocol. The contract includes installation at TerreStar's two satellite gateway facilities and related services.
According to the company, the S-BSS will interface with the integrated satellite ground-based beam forming subsystem, which is also being developed by Hughes under a separate contract. The subsystem will be a key component of the satellite network portion of TerreStar's integrated satellite and terrestrial network, Hughes said.
The S-BSS design will support third-generation mobile satellite networks and interoperate with IP multimedia mobile systems, Hughes said. The satellite air interface protocol is based on the European Telecommunications Standards Institute's Global Mobile Radio standard designed to support high-speed data rates and other features.
New Twist in XM/Sirius Debate -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 19 2007
It may be just a rumor, but reports have surfaced that CBS could be interested in buying either Sirius or XM as a defensive move. With the Senate holding another hearing about the satellite radio merger earlier this week, and many believing that the quality of debate has failed to progress, the news of a possible CBS shakeup has caught the attention of analysts and investors alike.
According to a report on investment research website Briefing.com, CBS could make a bid for XM "and/or" Sirius sometime in the near future. At the time of the news breaking, both satellite radio companies' share prices were sagging by as much as 4 percent; after the story spread, both stocks rebounded to end the day relatively flat.
Wedbush Morgan Securities analysts William Kidd said if the rumor is in fact true, it would not be the first time that radio pondered teaming up with an "enemy" for a greater good. Case in point: Clear Channel being an investor in XM. The analyst estimates that one satellite subscriber translates into at least two terrestrial listeners, making the growth of satellite radio problematic for radio going forward. However, Kidd said the combination of local radio and a national satellite radio platform would be positive, "given not just the potential for terrestrial cannibalization, but also because of the synergies, such as the ability to port talent/content and leverage longstanding experience with ad sales and customer relationships."
The Wedbush analyst went on to say that he was skeptical CBS, or any other media player for that matter, would attempt to combine both Sirius and XM given all that has already gone down. If a competing bid were to emerge, Kidd said, the move would probably be for just one of the satellite radio providers.
Expanding on the buyout rumor, Kidd said that XM "is the more readily acquirable of the two, given that its shareholder base is more likely willing to vote with their feet" with regards to the company's recent competitive woes. At the same time, "if we were in the acquirer's seat, we would prefer Sirius even if it required a larger relative premium, given its content advantage and cost structure."
Finally, Kidd said some may argue that if CBS were to make a serious push to get into the satellite radio game, XM would be its natural preference, since Viacom's Sumner Redstone and Sirius' CEO Mel Karmazin share history. "We're skeptical of that history," he said, "thinking that the target's management would simply be restructured in an acquisition, regardless of whether the target was Sirius or XM."
Could IPTV Replace Satellite and Cable? -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, April 17 2007
A company that manages internet services for subscribers from many national telco providers said the majority of Americans would replace their satellite or cable TV service with internet-based television if they could get the same channels.
Redback Networks, an Ericsson company, sponsored research by national pollster Zogby to find out how Americans use broadband services, internet-connected mobile devices and what video services they would pay for in the future. According to the internet company's commissioned poll, not surprisingly, just more than half (53 percent) said they would replace their cable and satellite services with broadband TV.
According to SkyREPORT's sister weekly publication The BRIDGE, telco TV currently has an estimated .5 million subscribers - or roughly .52 percent of total pay-TV market share. With cable and satellite providers combining to dominate the market with nearly 95 percent penetration among pay-TV subscribers, it would seem broadband-delivered video services have a long way to go.
Other findings from the poll include: 88 percent believe video cell phone calls will become a reality within five years and 64 percent of parents would subscribe to mobile TV in cars to entertain kids. Despite 53 percent responding in favor of a broadband TV service, 74 percent believe a video-centric internet may be more dangerous for children.
Clear Channel Voices "Skewed" Opposition to XM/Sirius Merger -- Posted by soullezz
on Tuesday, April 17 2007
In an admittedly "skewed" letter to the Federal Communications Commission, a high-profile Clear Channel Radio executive voiced opposition to the proposed $13 billion merger between Sirius and XM. Last week, the FCC's Deborah Tate received talking points against the proposed merger in an attempt to influence the commissioner with the company's position on the proposal.
According to PublicIntegrity.org, Clear Channel Vice President Thomas English wrote three possible responses aimed at helping the commissioner resolve previous statements in favor of relaxing media ownership limits. In the letter, English asks Tate how she "reconcile(s) your past recognition of all the entertainment options like iPods, internet radio, satellite radio, etc. available to consumers as one of the reasons for relaxing local radio ownership rules with your present concerns with a merger of XM and Sirius being a monopoly?"
Answering his own questions, the Clear Channel VP admits that the responses provided "were composed by our Government Affairs folks so they might be a little skewed toward our specific goals."
In a strange tactic, English wrote three answers in the first person beginning with: "My position opposing the XM/Sirius merger and supporting a significant relaxation of local radio ownership rules is completely consistent with my primary guiding principle: avoid government action that seriously distorts the marketplace."
English went on to write, "My main concern is how can free radio survive when a combined XM/Sirius would control more spectrum in every market in the country than the entire AM/FM band combined?" The exec also wrote, "I consistently oppose a regulatory system that would disadvantage free, terrestrial broadcasting."
One major issue with English's letter is that by law, anyone who wishes to communicate with the FCC in a formal proceeding must file an ex parte presentation - a procedure that documents outside parties' communication with the agency. A spokesperson from Tate's office said it is unknown why Clear Channel submitted talking points to the commissioner and disregard standard procedure.
The Senate Commerce Committee will be holding another hearing on the proposed XM/Sirius merger today at 10 a.m. ET.
Virgin Challenges Sky in Court -- Posted by soullezz
on Friday, April 13 2007
Carriage disputes are not exclusive to American media companies, and news coming from across the pond is sounding too familiar to many here in the States. This week, Virgin Media filed legal proceedings in London's High Court stemming from its dispute with Sky surrounding the company's withdrawal of basic-tier channels from Virgin's TV service.
According to Virgin, the proceedings also seek a remedy for the arduous rates imposed by Sky for the carriage of Virgin Media channels on Sky's platform.
Virgin filed its charges of anti-competitive behavior based on a section of the U.K. Competition Act of 1998 and of the EC Treaty, both of which prohibit a company from abusing its dominant position. Sky, accounting for almost 70 percent of the country's pay-TV subscribers, is the majority provider and according to Virgin has "engaged in a strategy to stifle competition by using its dominance" against it.
The court filing said Sky has demanded a price for its basic channels nearly 17-times higher than it was prepared to pay for Virgin channels. The company said the price increase "is just one manifestation of Sky's systematic abuse of its dominant position and its longer term objective of suppressing existing and emerging competition from other companies."
The company also said Sky has rejected offers to settle the issue through independent arbitration.
Globalstar's Unlimited Loyalty Rate Plan -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, April 11 2007
Mobile satellite service (MSS) provider Globalstar launched a satellite airtime rate plan providing new and existing customers with unlimited satellite voice minutes for calls to the U.S., Canada and Caribbean. In anticipation of the transition to its Globalstar II second-generation constellation, the plan is part of the company's attempt to set a new standard for value in the MSS industry.
Available now, the new Globalstar "Unlimited Loyalty" rate plan enables customers to purchase unlimited satellite airtime for under $50 per month by incorporating a unique declining monthly fee structure at the completion of each calendar year, the company said.
Globalstar said its Unlimited Loyalty customers will pay $49.99 per month for the remainder of 2007 for access to the company's satellite network and unlimited home airtime voice minutes. In 2008, the monthly fee will be reduced to $39.99 per month; in 2009 and 2010, the rate will fall again to $19.99 per month. The promo will be available for a limited time and comes with a fixed price guarantee through the duration of the the consumer agreement - which ends on June 30, 2010.
Obstacles Remain for Mobile TV -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, April 11 2007
Mobile TV may hold new opportunities for satellite players, but costs and spectrum availability continue to pose significant hurdles for the technology. A new report analyzing the satellite-based mobile TV marketplace suggests that while potential exists for satellites to deliver mobile services, "great concerns" remain over a few key obstacles.
According to NSR, international market research firm specializing in satellite technology, mobile TV will produce a variety of satellite opportunities for S-band direct access and FSS channel distribution/backhauling in many markets including Asia, Europe and North America. The report says the continued deployment of S-DMB services and the recently approved DVB-SH standard point to positive momentum for this market segment.
The NSR study, "Mobile TV via Satellite: Assessing S-band and Channel Distribution/Backhaul Opportunities," also says that an emerging market for mobile TV distribution and backhaul via FSS satellite capacity is emerging especially as mobile carriers scale their networks and consider the cost of terrestrial distribution alternatives - in addition to terrestrial spectrum scarcity. The report says channel distribution and backhaul deals are already in place over FSS capacity in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
But all is not perfect, NSR says, because the mobile TV via satellite market will face several challenges all impacting the "shape of the growth curve."
Said Christopher Baugh, NSR president, "The cost of building out S-band networks, including satellite capacity and terrestrial repeaters, is a significant barrier to growth. Very little S-band capacity is available or planned worldwide, and the cost to implement S-band mobile TV may limit the opportunity outside of Asia in the next several years." The analyst also said terrestrial broadcast spectrum scarcity may actually negatively affect satellite-based channel distribution and backhaul growth during the next several years.
WildBlue-1 To Benefit Company Partners -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, April 11 2007
When WildBlue fired up its new WildBlue-1 satellite last month, dealers and retailers across the country rejoiced as they would finally have the opportunity to sell and install the product long-heralded as rural America's broadband solution. But now that the bird is up and functional, some see other companies - in addition to WildBlue's reseller chain - as benefiting from the added capacity and heightened competitive awareness.
One such company is ViaSat - a technology partner to WildBlue - which analysts are saying should benefit from the satellite broadband company's subscriber growth thanks to WildBlue-1.
According to Cowen and Co.'s Tom Watts, WildBlue resellers will begin to step up their marketing efforts which could lead to accelerating subscriber additions of 25,000 per month. "We expect WildBlue resellers including AT&T, DIRECTV and EchoStar to ramp up their marketing programs when all WildBlue-1 beams are operational in June 2007," he said.
WildBlue serves more than 130,000 subscribers with its satellite broadband product, and the analyst expects WildBlue-1 will increase the company's capacity to at least 750,000. WildBlue is also providing new subscribers with one month of free service in April in celebration of the new satellite. With ViaSat providing equipment for WildBlue, Watts rated the technology company with an "outperform" rating and expects 26 percent outperformance relative to the market over the next 12 months.
Liberty's Turn to Take on DIRECTV Deal Critics -- Posted by soullezz
on Wednesday, April 11 2007
Liberty Media took on critics of its pending takeover of a controlling stake in DIRECTV, telling regulators in a filing released this week that those wanting strict conditions on the deal provide no support for their demands.
In its Federal Communications Commission filing, John Malone's media company said petitioners seeking conditions "provide no factual or legal support for the regulatory relief that they request from the commission." Among proposed conditions from those fighting the deal include Liberty's divesture of cable operations in Puerto Rico to a ban on exclusive programming available through the DBS service.
"Like letters to the North Pole in early December, petitioners and commenters identify in their submissions a wide variety of regulatory gifts that each would like to receive in this proceeding," Liberty said in its filing. "Ranging from guaranteed carriage over other programmers, to a ban on exclusive agreements with third party programmers, to even a prohibition on Liberty Media's creation or acquisition of any new programming without prior government approval, these requests are without any factual support."
DIRECTV also filed comments on the pending takeover, details for which appeared in SkyREPORT Tuesday: (http://www.skyreport.com/archives/view/?publication_id=1&release_id=516 ).
Still, there were others who kept pushing for conditions on the DIRECTV deal, in which Liberty would swap its shares in News Corp. for the company's controlling stake in the satellite TV service.
The American Cable Association said regulators should ensure any program access and nondiscrimination conditions cover channels affiliated with Discovery Holdings, a Liberty Media unit. Also, the group representing small, independent cable operators said the FCC should clarify the rights of a collective bargaining agent who could mediate disputes between multiplatform operators and Liberty-affiliated programmers.
Infiniti, Lexus Take XM Along for the Ride -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 5 2007
Car makers continue to make noise in the satellite radio world despite the proposed merger that could have major implications on equipment, service and partnerships. Regardless, Infiniti Motors became the latest auto manufacturer to announce that it will be making XM Satellite Radio a standard factory-installed feature on all 2008 Infiniti models - many of which can be seen this week at the New York International Auto Show.
As the exclusive satellite radio service for Infiniti, XM will be a standard feature on every model, including Infiniti's G, M, FX and QX.
XM's real-time traffic service NavTraffic (another service facing possible complications if the merger with Sirius is approved) is currently available in the 2007 Infiniti G35 sport sedan and is also a standard, factory-installed feature on the 2008 Infiniti QX full size SUV. The company said it would expand XM NavTraffic availability in the 2008 year make as well. The 2008 G37 Coupe will make NavTraffic available as part of the vehicle's navigation service - which will feature standard XM radio.
In other XM OEM news, Lexus said XM and NavTraffic capability will be standard factory-installed features on the new Lexus LX 570 - also making its debut in New York this week. XM and NavTraffic capability are standard features on Lexus' LS 460 and LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan.
DISH Launches High Def RSNs -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 5 2007
Keeping pace with the high-definition push from pay-TV operators nationwide, EchoStar took the lid off seven regional sports networks in high-def on its DISH Network satellite TV platform. According to the company, it's been sports fans that have driven the HD craze - and DISH is naturally providing what subscribers are after.
EchoStar officials said the seven HD RSNs launched include Fox Sports Network Florida (DISH Network Ch. 373), Fox Sports Network Midwest (Ch. 368), Fox Sports Network West (Ch. 367), Fox Sports Network Prime Ticket (Ch. 361), Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain (Ch. 364), Fox Sports Network South (Ch. 370) and Fox Sports Network Southwest (Ch. 366).
DISH said it would continue to explore carriage of additional HD RSNs throughout the year to enhance local HD programming line-ups. In addition to the seven RSNs announced, DISH will begin offering Sun Sports and SportSouth this spring as well as Altitude this fall.
The HD RSNs are available to customers who subscribe to DISH Network's America's Top 100 Plus programming with DishHD.
GoogleStar To Change Everything -- Posted by soullezz
on Thursday, April 5 2007
With EchoStar and Google launching a partnership to automate buying, selling, delivering and measuring the impact of TV ads - some believe the project is poised to turn traditional television advertising on its head. Analysts are saying this could be the end of television advertising as it is currently known - and a few companies are positioned well to take advantage of the innovative approach.
According to Kaufman Bros.' Todd Mitchell, EchoStar and Google are shifting the fundamental paradigm for television advertising. Until now, all TV ads were based on selling inventory embedded on content according to the reach and demographics that programming could deliver. Now, however, "advertisers will increasingly buy the specific audience they are driving to reach regardless of what content that audience is watching."
Considering the U.S. television advertising market is valued at $70 billion - dwarfing the internet's $16 billion - the move may have a broader impact than some envision.
"This could be a big blow to the traditional advertising model and players," Mitchell said, and "in general we view this as positive for cable, satellite and telco operators that own the customer relationships and networks/set-top boxes that deliver these viewers." The analyst added that the partnership will also be a positive for some of the "disaggregators" like TiVo, which has developed alternative means for delivering a specific and measurable audience - which, coincidentally, is a negative for broadcasters and programmers.
Mitchell said OpenTV may benefit greatly from the GoogleStar initiative because the firm is "at the nexus of changes in television technology." According to the analyst, OpenTV is the leading provider of set-top middleware, leads in interactive advertising technology, is the largest technology provider to EchoStar and has important relationships already in place with Google. "OpenTV's technology (is) highly complimentary to Google's television advertising efforts," he said.
Another company that may enjoy a new TV advertising model, according to Oppenheimer's Thomas Eagan, is Rentrak as the firm attempts to transform itself from a distributor of home video products and gatherer of box office results to a real player in the digital video measurement business. "If advertisers embrace (GoogleStar's) new methodology, it would likely reflect their willingness to try alternatives to the existing ratings system currently dominated by Nielsen. This would benefit Rentrak," he said.
April Fools Day -- Posted by soullezz
on Sunday, April 1 2007
April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day, though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends and neighbors, or sending them on fools' errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. In some countries, April Fools' jokes (also called "April Fools") are only made before noon on April 1st.
Origin
The origin of this custom has been much disputed. Many theories have been suggested.
What seems certain is that it is in some way or other a relic of those once universal festivities held at the vernal equinox, which, beginning on old New Year's Day, the 25th of March, ended on the 2nd of April.
It has been suggested that Europe derived its April-fooling from the French. France was one of the first nations to make January 1 officially New Year's Day (which was already celebrated by many), by decree of Charles IX. This was either in 1564 or in 1582 when Gregorian calendar was established (See Julian start of the year). Thus the New Year's gifts and visits of felicitation which had been the feature of the 1st of April became associated with the first day of January, and those who disliked or did not hear about the change were fair game for those wits who amused themselves by sending mock presents and paying calls of pretended ceremony on the 1st of April. French and Dutch references from 1508 and 1539 respectively describe April Fools' Day jokes and the custom of making them on the first of April.
Chaucer's story, the Nun's Priest's Tale, written c.1400, takes place on 32 March; that is, 1 April; it is Chanticleer and the Fox, a story of two fools.
Hoaxes
Many media organizations have either unwittingly or deliberately propagated hoaxes on April Fools' Day. Even normally serious news media consider April Fools' Day hoaxes fair game and spotting them has become an annual pastime. A number of serious journals would publish hoax articles in their April volumes. The advent of the Internet as a worldwide communications medium has also assisted the pranksters in their work.
Lirpa Loof
April Fool hoax reports sometimes include "Lirpa Loof" (formed by reversing each word), explained as a supposed man's name, or a supposed substance, or various things.
Well-known hoaxes
Alabama Changes the Value of Pi: The April 1998 newsletter of New Mexicans for Science and Reason contained an article claiming that the Alabama Legislature had voted to change the value of the mathematical constant pi to the "Biblical value" of 3.0. This claim originally appeared as a news story in the 1961 sci-fi classic "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein.
Spaghetti trees: The BBC television programme Panorama ran a famous hoax in 1957, showing the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. They had claimed that the despised pest the spaghetti weevil had been eradicated. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate their own spaghetti trees.
Left Handed Whoppers: In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side.
Taco Liberty Bell: In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to "reduce the country's debt" and renamed it the "Taco Liberty Bell." When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.
San Serriffe: The Guardian printed a supplement in 1977 praising this fictional resort, its two main islands (Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse), its capital (Bodoni), and its leader (General Pica). Intrigued readers were later disappointed to learn that San Serriffe (sans serif) did not exist except as references to typeface terminology. (This comes from a Jorge Luis Borges story.)
Metric time: Repeated several times in various countries, this hoax involves claiming that the time system will be changed to one in which units of time are based on powers of 10.
Tower of Pisa: The Dutch television news reported once in the 1950s that the Tower of Pisa had fallen. Many shocked people contacted the station.
Sheng Long - Electronic Gaming Monthly's infamous hoax of a secret character in Street Fighter II. There have been several other EGM pranks that readers have fallen into. Among them: claiming that some Street Fighter II characters possessed unlisted special moves, including Chun-Li hurling her bracelets at an opponent, Sega mascots Sonic and Tails appearing as playable characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the release of a graphically-remade The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker as a preorder bonus. All such pranks have been met with praise and equal hatred from its readers, as can be seen in the "April Fools" letters section in the May issue. EGM tried the Sheng Long hoax again with Street Fighter III and once again got some people to believe it.
To read the "fool" article you can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools'_Day
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