View Full Version : A little history
Thanks to Phil, the mods present and past and the positive contributors who made this forum the outstanding place for Canadian satellite and broadcasting fact and fiction over the years.
A great deal has happened in the world of the forum’s subject mater in the years since the forum started.
Here is a brief (or not so brief) History of some of the happenings of interest to members of this forum. It is a little uneven but it is mostly here. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
December 20, 1995; CRTC Approves ExpressVu
Decision CRTC 95-901
ExpressVu Inc.
Across Canada - 952064400
New, national, direct-to-home satellite distribution undertaking -
Approved.
Following a Public Hearing held in the National Capital Region commencing
30 October 1995, and in accordance with Public Notice CRTC 1995-217 which
accompanies this and other related decisions published today, the
Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence to carry on
a new, national, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertaking.
The proposed service will derive its revenues entirely from subscription
revenues, and will provide programming services exclusively to individual
subscribers in all parts of Canada on a DTH basis.
The applicant proposed to make a variety of licensed Canadian and
authorized non-Canadian programming services available by satellite for
direct reception by individuals. All licensed and authorized programming
services will be distributed using Telesat's Anik E-1 satellite.
The Commission will issue a licence to carry on a national DTH satellite
distribution undertaking expiring 31 August 2002. The license will be
subject to the conditions specified in the appendix to this decision and
in the licence to be issued.
Ownership
ExpressVu Inc. (ExpressVu) is a new company incorporated under the Canada
Business Corporations Act. ExpressVu has four shareholders, none of whom
has sufficient votes to control the corporation. The four shareholders
are: BCE Inc. (33 1/3%), Tee-Comm Electronics Inc. (33 1/3%), Canadian
Satellite Communications Inc. (19%) and WIC Western International
Communications Ltd. (14 1/3%).
December 20, 1995; CRTC approves Power DirecTV
Decision CRTC 95-902
Joel Bell, on behalf of a company to be incorporated (Power DirecTV)
Across Canada - 952060200
New, national, direct-to-home satellite distribution undertaking
- Approved
Following a Public Hearing held in the National Capital Region commencing
30 October 1995, and in accordance with Public Notice CRTC 1995-217 which
accompanies this and other related decisions published today, the
Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence to carry on
a new, national direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertaking.
The proposed service, to be known as Power DirecTv, will derive its
revenues entirely from subscription revenues, and will provide programming
services exclusively to individual subscribers in all parts of Canada on a
DTH basis.
The applicant proposed to make a variety of licensed Canadian and
authorized non-Canadian programming services available by satellite for
direct reception by individuals. Canadian programming services would be
distributed using a Canadian satellite, specifically the Anik E-2
satellite operated by Telesat. The non-Canadian programming services to be
distributed on the proposed service would be delivered using high-powered
U.S. satellites owned and operated by DirecTv Inc. (DirecTv), pursuant to
a service agreement between Power DirecTv and DirecTv (the agreement).
DirecTv is a non-Canadian corporation active in the delivery of
programming in the U.S. market. It should be noted that Power DirecTv
requires the use of the Anik E-2 Canadian satellite in order for
subscribers to simultaneously receive the Canadian signals as well as the
U.S. signals received from the DirecTv satellites.
The Commission will issue a licence to carry on a national DTH satellite
distribution undertaking, expiring 31 August 2002. The licence will be
subject to the conditions specified in the appendix to this decision and
in the licence to be issued. This authority will only be effective, and
the licence will only be issued, at such time as the Commission receives
documentation establishing that the company has been incorporated in
accordance with the application in all material respects, and that it is
an eligible Canadian corporation.
Ownership and Control of the undertaking
The licensee will be effectively owned and controlled by Power
Broadcasting Inc. (Power) through its ownership of 80.01% of the company's
issued voting shares. The remaining shares will be owned by DirecTv.
As noted earlier, the applicant proposed that authorized non-Canadian
programming services to be distributed on the service be delivered using
high-powered U.S. satellites owned and operated by DirecTv. At the public
hearing, the Commission questioned the applicant on whether it would be in
a position to exercise control over all components of its distribution
undertaking. The applicant noted that it would have complete control,
under the terms of the agreement, over the packaging of programming
services made available on its service, including the ability to authorize
or de-authorize any programming service or part of a programming service
distributed over the portion of the signal stream it makes available for
reception by subscribers within Canada from the U.S. satellites. Having
carefully reviewed the agreement with DirecTv, and having considered the
submissions made by all parties, the Commission has determined that the
applicant has demonstrated and committed to a sufficient level of control
to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 3(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act.
Feb. 1, 1996; POWER DIRECTV WILL NOT PROCEED
Source: Canada NewsWire
MONTREAL, /CNW/ via Individual Inc. -- PowerDIRECTV announced today that after careful consideration of the CRTC decision regarding its DTH licenses, it will not proceed with the implementation of the licenses.
“it is extremely disappointing that, in the light of the conditions of license imposed by than CRTC and the reported number of Canadians making unauthorized purchases in the gray market, a business case can no longer be made for the substantial additional investment now required to enter the market,'' said Mr. Joel Bell, Chairman of the Company.
“Since the initiation of the project some 2 years ago, and again in our recent applications, we have voiced particular concern regarding two issues: fairness in treatment relative to cable, and delay in approval while Canadian consumers continue to subscribe to various US services in the gray market.''
The CRTC acknowledged the disparity with cable in its DTH decision. The additional burdens imposed on PowerDIRECTV by the CRTC decision are estimated to be some $250 million over 10 years. This difference is simply too significant to allow us to compete successfully with cable.
During the prolonged debate on this issue, a gray market has developed as a result of an increasing number of Canadians making unauthorized purchases of various unregulated US satellite TV systems. These systems are incompatible with Canadian systems and their owners may not readily convert. This reduces the potential size of the market.
The foregoing issues were thoroughly debated at the recent CRTC Public Hearing. Unfortunately, the CRTC decision does not satisfactorily resolve the question. “We regrettably do not believe that this would be a successful venture and cannot therefore proceed.''
February 6, 1996; Canada’s satellite TV sputters as industry seethes
Source: Reuters,
TORONTO, Reuters Corporate World News via Individual Inc. : Canada's broadcast regulator is being accused of thwarting competition in the new field of satellite television, with one consortium dropping out of the running and another having trouble getting off the ground.
An unusual alliance of consumer groups and professional artists filed a submission to the Canadian government on Saturday seeking to overturn a regulatory decision licensing the new direct to home satellite television services.
The coalition is accusing the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in its December ruling of disobeying an order from Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien's government to ensure competition in the new satellite TV field.
"We are hoping the government will send the commission back to the drawing board," said Tim Woods, spokesman for the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. The coalition making the submission also included the Consumers Association of Canada and the Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists.
The application to the cabinet follows mounting criticism that the federal commission is again killing competition with the aim of coddling Canada's cable TV monopoly.
"To experience cable TV in Canada is to run headlong into a pampered monopoly," the Globe and Mail newspaper wrote in an editorial this week. "The industry's regulator...rarely seems to be acting in the consumer's interest, and often seems deliberately to be stifling competition."
The federal commission licensed two groups, Power DirecTv and ExpressVu, to offer satellite services where subscribers use small dishes and decoder boxes to receive a variety of channels and programming.
The federal cabinet intervened last year and ordered the federal commission to allow competition in satellite TV after the commission gave its blessing only to the ExpressVu group.
But last week it appeared ExpressVu would enjoy a monopoly after all. Power DirecTv, controlled by Montreal-based Power Corp of Canada and related to DirecTv in the United States, said it was withdrawing its plan due to "onerous" licensing conditions, such as being required to carry certain pay TV channels.
Woods at Friends of Canadian Broadcasting said the commission wants ExpressVu to enjoy a monopoly so the cable industry will not be threatened too much by the new service.
Woods said consumers will pay for the lack of competition through higher prices for the services.
"The government has gone to great lengths to introduce competition but the commission has matched it stride for stride to prevent it," said Woods.
Meanwhile ExpressVu has repeatedly delayed its start-up after promising to be up and running by last September. ExpressVu, controlled by a group that includes BCE Inc and Tee-Com Electronics Inc, said the company was hiring a new president to focus the group on getting the service operational "in the coming months."
Industry analyst Vince Valentini at the Toronto brokerage of Midland Walwyn, said he believes the consortium's problem are technical and could be resolved in the coming months.
"It certainly will get off the ground," said Valentini. "There is no doubt there is demand for it."
He said ExpressVu could be profitable within three years, or by the time it attracts more than 250,000 subscribers.
August 27, 1996; CRTC Approves Star Choice
Decision CRTC 96-529
Star Choice Television Network Incorporated
Across Canada - 952895100
New, national, direct-to-home satellite distribution undertaking -
Approved
Following a Public Hearing held in the National Capital Region commencing
8 July 1996, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting
license to carry on a new, national direct-to-home (DTH) satellite
distribution undertaking. This approval is in accordance with the
policy provisions set out in Public Notice CRTC 1995-217 dated 20 December 1995, as modified in Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 1996-6 dated May 10, 1996.
Public Notice CRTC 1995-217 had served as the introduction to the
Commission's decisions on earlier applications for licenses to carry on
new DTH satellite distribution undertakings. In that notice, the
Commission stated that, in order to permit the new DTH distribution
undertakings licensed in Decisions CRTC 95-901 and 95-902 to establish
themselves, both as competitors to cable and as strong Canadian
alternatives to unauthorized direct broadcast satellite services entering
the Canadian market, it would generally not be disposed to begin
processing further applications for new Canadian DTH distribution services
until six months after these first two services had commenced delivery of
services to subscribers.
In Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 1996-6, the Commission noted that, due to unforeseen circumstances, including technical difficulties affecting
Telesat Canada's Anik E1 satellite, it no longer appeared that the DTH
distribution undertakings licensed in Decisions CRTC 95-901 and 95-902
would commence operations within the first six months of 1996. In light
of these changed circumstances, the Commission determined to proceed with
consideration of the current application.
The service herein authorized, to be known as Star Choice, will derive its
revenues entirely from subscription fees, and will provide programming
services exclusively to individual subscribers in all parts of Canada on a
DTH basis.
The applicant proposed to distribute basic and discretionary programming
services, including national broadcasting television network services,
other English- and French-language television services, licensed
specialty, multicultural television services, pay television and DTH
pay-per-view (PPV) services, audio programming services, and authorized
non-Canadian programming services.
The licensee has stated that it will distribute programming services in
accordance with the government's Satellite Policy. The licensee's plans
and options with respect to the satellite delivery of its service are
examined in a later section of this decision.
The approval granted herein shall only be effective, and the license shall
only be issued, at such time as the undertaking is prepared to commence
operations. The license shall not be issued if this undertaking is not in
operation within 12 months of the date of this decision, or, where the
licensee applies to the Commission within this period and satisfies the
Commission that it cannot complete implementation before the expiry of
this period and that an extension is in the public interest, within such
further periods of time as are approved in writing by the Commission. The
licensee shall advise the Commission in writing once it is prepared to
commence operations.
Subject to the foregoing, the Commission will issue a license to carry on
a national DTH satellite distribution undertaking, expiring 31 August
2002. This date coincides with the expiry date of the licenses issued in
December 1995 in respect of the two other national DTH satellite
distribution undertakings. The license will be subject to the conditions
specified in the appendix to this decision and in the license to be
issued.
Ownership and Control of the undertaking
Star Choice Television Network Incorporated is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Direct Choice T.V. Inc., a public company Canadian owned and
controlled, and incorporated in British Columbia. The applicant stated
that Direct Choice T.V. Inc. is controlled by its Board of Directors, led
by Mr. K. Richard Buckingham as the company's President, Chief Executive
Officer and largest individual shareholder.
September 4, 1996; New English language Specialty Services; A Two Phase Launching Process
Fact sheet
As technological developments now underway in the field of broadcast delivery promise expanded channel capacity and choice, the CRTC has authorized the maximum number of new specialty services meeting its licensing criteria, most important of which are consumer demand, diversity, affordability and contributions to Canadian programming. The newly licensed services will greatly broaden the range of high-quality niche services offered to television viewers across the country. They will also ensure a stronger presence of Canadian talent and Canadian ideas in a variety of highly popular genres of programming. Some services will satisfy the needs or interests of relatively underserved audiences. Others will provide useful, informative programming of particular relevance to our economic and social environment.
While cable system capacity to deliver new television signals is currently limited to an average of six to eight spare analog channels, broadcast distributors are quickly moving beyond a strict reliance on analog capacity. For instance, new players employing digitally-based distribution systems and direct-to-home satellite technology have recently been licensed. Cable operators have undertaken to upgrade their systems to add digital capacity and major companies have already announced their plans to introduce digital service in some areas as early as this year.
The new specialty services will provide an extra incentive to all cable operators to deploy digital technology as early as possible. They will also add to the selection of high-quality Canadian programming available to competing Canadian distributors.
Four services scheduled for early launch
Four new English-language services, corresponding to genres in which Canadian consumers have demonstrated a significant interest, will be launched throughout Canada by September 1997. They are:
•The Comedy Network (1155636 Ontario Inc.)
•the headline news channel CTV N1 (CTV Television Network Ltd.)
•the History and Entertainment Network (Alliance Communications Corporation, on behalf of a company to be incorporated)
•the animation channel TELETOON (3210073 Canada Inc.)
These services have been given access to distribution systems' remaining analog channels due to their significant commitments to Canadian programming. For example, The Comedy Network has committed to broadcast more than 600 hours of original Canadian programming in its first year of operation. In accordance with its conditions of licence, its evening schedule will contain at least 72% Canadian content. CTV N1 will provide 100% Canadian programming, totally differentiated from the existing CBC Newsworld service, with more than $4.7 million going to Canadian freelancers and the independent production sector. Over a third of the History and Entertainment Network's yearly gross revenues will be invested in productions focusing on Canada's current and past historical events. Finally, TELETOON has committed to invest more than $64 million over seven years in the acquisition of Canadian animated programs, which will be distributed nationally via its English- and French-language feeds.
Thirteen other options for the digital environment
Thirteen other English-language specialty services will have access to distribution systems as soon as the switch from analog to digital technology extends available channel capacity or, at the latest, by September 1999. They can also negotiate with distributors for an earlier launch. The services and licensees are:
•CLT-Canadian Learning Television (Canadian Learning Television Ltd.); •HGTV-Home and Garden Television (Your Channel Television Inc., on behalf of a company to be incorporated);
•the adult-oriented MuchMoreMusic (CHUM Limited);
•Outdoor Life (1163031 Ontario Inc.);
•Prime TV, an information and entertainment channel for the 50-plus age group (Partners of Prime TV);
•the southern Ontario local and regional news service Pulse 24 (Pulse 24 Inc.);
•ROBTv-Report on Business Television (Partners of the "Report on Business Television");
•the S3 regional sports service (2952939 Canada Inc.);
•Space: The Imagination Station (CHUM Limited);
•the sports highlights channel Sportscope Plus (Sportscope Television Network Ltd.);
•the entertainment world-focused Star TV (CITY-TV, a division of CHUM Limited, on behalf of a company to be incorporated);
•Talk-TV (1155637 Ontario Inc.); and
•the pre-schoolers' channel TreeHouse TV (D. Martin Abel on behalf of a company to be incorporated).
All the above services will be available nationwide. S3 's coverage of local and regional sports events, however, will be distributed in four distinct regional versions (Pacific, western, central and eastern Canada). Because it focuses on southern Ontario news and information, Pulse 24 will be primarily distributed in that region.
Distribution
Direct-to-home satellite distributors, cable systems with 6,000 or more subscribers, and major wireless distributors will offer the new specialty services within a discretionary package of services, unless both the specialty service provider and the distributor agree to carriage on the distributor's basic service. Some of the new channels could thus be added to the basic service in order to offer subscribers packages corresponding more closely to their preferences.
Most cable companies will likely distribute the first group of newly authorized services as part of their existing discretionary packages, or within a new optional tier of specialty services.
The second group of services will be distributed under any of the above alternatives and could form part of the first digital TV packages that will be available in Canada.
The Commission expects that distributors will be sensitive to their subscribers' wishes and preferences in packaging and marketing the new services. Cable companies have stated their intentions to market the services on a positive option basis, offering consumers clear and advantageous choices between various packages.
January 31, 1997; CRTC approves Homestar
Decision CRTC 97-38
Shaw Communications Inc., on behalf of a company to be incorporated (Homestar) Across Canada - 199608428
New, national, direct-to-home satellite distribution undertaking -
Approved
Following a Public Hearing held in Vancouver commencing 23 September 1996, the Commission approves the application by Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw), on behalf of a company to be incorporated (Homestar), for a
broadcasting licence to carry on a new, national direct-to-home (DTH)
satellite distribution undertaking.
February 27, 1997; CRTC approves AlphaStar
Decision CRTC 97-87
AlphaStar Canada Inc.
Across Canada - 199610606 - 199610613
Application for a new, national, direct-to-home satellite distribution
undertaking - Approved
Application for a new, national direct-to-home satellite pay-per-view
programming undertaking - Approved in part
Following a Public Hearing held in Montréal commencing 2 December 1996,
the Commission approves the application by AlphaStar Canada Inc.
(AlphaStar) for a broadcasting license to carry on a national
direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertaking.
April 7, 1997; Star Choice Channel Western Line-up
Network Channels
CBC
CTV
SRC
ABC, west
CBS, west
Fox, west
NBC, west
PBS, west
Specialty Channels
Bravo
CITV, Edmonton
CMT
CPAC
CTV News 1
CTV Sportsnet
Discovery
History & Entertainment
Life
Much Music
Newsworld
Showcase
Teletoon
TSN
Weather Network
WTN
U.S. Speciality Channels
A & E
Black Entertainment Television
CNBC
CNN
CNN Headline News
Learning Channel
Nashville Network
U.S. Super stations
KTLA, Los Angeles
WGN, Chicago
WPIX, New York
WSBK, Boston
WTBS, Atlanta
Premium Channels
Family Channel
MovieMax
SuperChannel
Ethnic Channels
Fairchild
Pay Per View
Home Theater
Digital Audio
30 channels
April 30, 1997; Star Choice takes to DTH airwaves quietly
Canadian Press
The Vancouver Sun
Toronto- A second Canadian direct-to-home satellite TV service is set to be launched quietly today with an equally low-key sales pitch.
Star Choice Communications, based in Fredericton, N. B.- operated from Toronto and listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange-has “more purchase orders than we can handle” and doesn’t need to hype its product, said Guy Skipworth, vice-president of corporate development.
Star Choice has hardware en route to retailers, Skipworth said, and its live signal, beamed to Telsat Canada’s Anik E2 satellite from six uplink centers across the country, has been going through tests for weeks.
AlphaStar Canada, owned by TeeComm Electronics of Milton, Ont., claims to have snared 4,000 subscribers since it began selling its service just over a month ago.
AlphaStar’s initial service of 35 video, 30 audio and 10 pay-per-view channels will expand to as many as 120 channels this summer when its signal migrates to Loral Skynet’s new Telstar 5 satellite, AlphaStar president David Lewis told the annual convention of the Satellite Communications Association of Canada in Toronto.
He said the additional channels won’t affect AlphaStar’s prices significantly. AlphaStar’s current offering costs $799-including $499 for the set-top receiver and dish antenna and $300 for an annual programming package.
Star Choice plans to charge $900 for the hardware and $400 for an annual programming package that includes some premium pay-TV services such as TMN (The Movie Network) and Family Channel at no extra charge.
Star Choice leaves the gate with a total of 60 TV channels available. It’s counting on 64,000 subscribers in its first year.
The third player in the Canadian satellite TV industry, ExpressVu of Mississauga, Ont., is slated to launch by Sept. 1.
Owned 70 per cent by Montreal-based BCE Inc., ExpressVu has given out few details about its service.
June 10, 1997; FIRST STAR CHOICE CUSTOMER ECSTATIC OVER SERVICE
TORONTO, /CNW/ -- The first Star Choice direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television customers can be found happily perched in front of their newly re-discovered source of entertainment.
``We were never big TV watchers, yet we've had the television on since 6 a.m. and have been enjoying it like you wouldn't believe,'' says Marilyn Gray of Kirkfield, Ontario. The Gray's are the first officially activated Star Choice DTH customers in Canada. ``The picture is crystal clear and the surround sound is unbelievable. It makes our old TV seem brand new,'' says Gray.
Star Choice launched its premium DTH service on April 28 and is currently fulfilling shipment orders to enthusiastic dealers across Canada. Over 80 digital laser disc-quality video and CD-quality audio channels are available including the `best-of-the-best' in Canadian and U.S. programming, premier sports, hit movies, superstations, news and information. By the fall, Star Choice customers will have access to over 100 channels of quality programming.
``We are very excited about the response we have had since going live,'' says Peter Porteous, vice-president of marketing, Star Choice Television Network. ``Our print advertisements have been running since last month and we're excited about our upcoming TV ads that will begin airing coast-to-coast on June 30. Our Customer Care Call Centre has also been busy fielding inquiries from every corner of the country.''
Furthermore, Porteous says, ``The thousands of calls we've received this week indicates that consumers are delighted to now have a choice in how they receive their television signal. It certainly appears that they were indeed prepared to wait for the Canadian DTH solution.''
``The price was extremely reasonable, well worth the investment, and has made our neighbors quite envious,'' says Gray. ``Furthermore, we were quite confident with our purchase knowing the financial strength of Star Choice.''
Star Choice is positioning their premium DTH service as an opportunity for Canadians to be introduced to the next level in home entertainment.
``I just can't believe how much more enjoyable watching television has become,'' says Gray. ``I'd recommend it to anyone.
``After all the effort Star Choice has exerted to get to where we are today, it is extremely rewarding to hear excitement in the voices of our new customers like Mr. and Mrs. Gray,'' says Porteous. ``It is ironic that with all the recent discussion over U.S. `grey-market' dishes, our first customer's last name is Gray. We certainly invite many more Gray's to experience Canadian DTH excellence with Star Choice.''
July 23, 1996; Shaw Applies To Launch Two Satellites
The Financial Post
Shaw Communications Inc. said yesterday it has filed an
application with Industry Canada to launch high-powered
direct-broadcast satellites (DBS) into one of Canada's two
allotted orbital slots.
Shaw would launch the first of the two satellites, which are
estimated to cost $750 million in total, in the fourth quarter of
1998. Service would start in early 1999, said Jim Shaw, president
of Shaw Communications of Calgary.
Shaw has also reapplied to the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission for a licence to launch a Canadian
satellite television service under the Homestar name. Shaw was
denied a satellite-TV licence last December.
``We're ready to put the Frontier plan {Shaw's name for its
proposal} into action; and we're asking Industry Minister {John}
Manley to proceed without delay in considering our application,''
Shaw said.
Shaw filed the application July 3, but only announced it yesterday.
It was delayed until after the July 19 deadline for the U.S.
Federal Communications Commission to announce its decision on
allowing U.S. companies to use four Telesat Canada's satellites
which Telesat had proposed to launch into Canada's two orbital
slots.
The Telesat proposal called for the four satellites to be
Canadian-owned but only 15 of 64 transponders would be used by
Canadian services.
The FCC sent the proposal back without ruling, which may doom it.
The Shaw proposal may fare better because it is more in line with
standard operating procedure, Shaw said.
August 15, 1996; ALPHASTAR CANADA INC. APPLIES FOR CRTC LICENCE TO PROVIDE DIGITAL DIRECT TO HOME SATELLITE SERVICE
press release from Canada NewsWire
Aug. 15 /CNW/ - AlphaStar Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Tee-Comm Electronics Inc., filed an application with the CRTC today to provide a digital direct to home satellite television service. This application represents a separate initiative from the ExpressVu consortium, of which Tee-Comm is an original member.
With CRTC approval, AlphaStar Canada will be able to provide multi-channel digital satellite television in Canada,'' said Al Bahnman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AlphaStar Canada Inc. and Tee-Comm at a news conference held in downtown Toronto. This initiative represents an exciting new opportunity for Tee-Comm and is the final step towards our goal of launching a Canadian digital direct to home service.''
Despite CRTC approval for an ExpressVu licence to broadcast digital satellite services in Canada, the consortium has experienced delays in choosing a technology and problems with the Anik E1 satellite. Both ExpressVu and Power DirecTV, which received CRTC-approval to provide digital satellite services in December, 1995, have not yet established a Canadian service.
Mr. Bahnman cited that Tee-Comm, either directly or through its subsidiaries, has the technology, the infrastructure and the technical personnel in place today to provide digital direct to home satellite television, pay per view and audio services immediately upon receiving a CRTC licence. Tee-Comm has already invested more than $130-million in establishing its digital direct to home services.
We acknowledge and deserve some of the criticism we have received from our earlier difficulties,'' said Jim Wilkinson, Chief Financial Officer of Tee-Comm and AlphaStar Canada. However, we have focused on the technology and integration issues, and have delivered on the promise we made to ourselves, our shareholders and the general public in launching our U.S. service. We now want to launch a Canadian digital direct to home satellite television service to complete our promise.''
Tee-Comm demonstrated the technology that will support the Canadian digital satellite service at the news conference. Subject to regulatory approvals, the Canadian service will initially utilize transponder space on AT&T's Telstar 402R satellite. In accordance with Industry Canada regulations, AlphaStar Canada will return to a Canadian satellite at such time that sufficient bandwidth is available at a competitive price. Consumers in most areas of Canada will be equipped with a 75 centimetre dish antenna and digital TV set-top receiver.
Tee-Comm and AlphaStar Canada executives stated that a national direct to home digital satellite service is vital to the preservation of Canadian television programming. Without a serious Canadian service provider, the Canadian broadcast industry will continue to suffer irreparable harm,'' said Jim Wilkinson. We cannot wait any longer for a Canadian digital direct to home satellite television service. We are the Canadian company in the best position to provide such services to Canadians because of our technology, infrastructure and technical expertise.''
Upon receiving a licence from the CRTC, AlphaStar Canada will reinvest a portion of its revenues in a Canadian Program Fund. This Fund, to be managed by an independent board, will be used by Canadian artists, television writers and producers for the development of made-in Canada programming content. It is anticipated that significant contributions will be made to this Fund over a five year period.
The bottom line is that -- subject to CRTC approval, which we are confident that we will obtain -- AlphaStar Canada is positioned to establish Canada's first digital satellite television service,'' said Mr. Wilkinson.
Aug. 23, 1996; CRTC Makes Sound Decision for Canadians
CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- --SHAW COMMUNICATIONS After an extensive review prompted by a request from the federal cabinet, the CRTC has given Digital Music Express Canada (DMX Canada) the green light to introduce a subscription based music programming service to homes across the country. Today's decision means the Company's licence conditions will remain unchanged from the application approved late last year.
"We are very pleased with the CRTC's decision not to change the conditions of a licence they have twice approved," said DMX Canada president, Heather Shaw. "DMX remains a viable service for the residential market and creates some exciting new opportunities for Canadian artists."
During hearings held last fall, DMX Canada proposed a comprehensive music service for the Canadian residential market. The new service, which will be available across the country later this year, highlights Canadian artists and international talent. "We are averaging a minimum of 30 percent Canadian content on our locally produced channels. We plan to program 18 out of 35 channels in Canada," said Shaw. "That's an unprecedented opportunity for home grown music talent, especially for those performers in niche music genres. We will also contribute 4 percent of our gross annual revenue to the development of Canadian talent."
"Canadians from coast to coast have told us they want more variety than what can be received through commercial radio. Consumers expect more choice from a residential subscription service, which is why our application focused on niche and specialty music formats while other applicants emphasized popular channels that have a common appeal. With 35 channels each dedicated to a specific music format, DMX is designed to provide something for everyone."
Ms. Shaw said Canadians don't want to pay for a digital music service just because it sounds better; they want it because it offers something different: a very wide selection of programming and music formats that comes to them 24 hours a day with no talk and no commercials. "That's something that we can deliver."
Aug. 27, 1996; STAR CHOICE GRANTED DTH LICENCE
CRTC INCREASES RANGE OF CANADIAN SATELLITE DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Source: Canada NewsWire
OTTAWA-HULL, /CNW/ via Individual Inc. -- The CRTC today authorized Star Choice Television Network Incorporated to operate a Canadian national, digital direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution system. Today's decision follows a CRTC public hearing held in the National Capital Region last month (Decision CRTC 96-529).
Star Choice will provide a wide range of television and audio programming services directly to individual subscribers in all parts of Canada using satellite facilities. In addition to the national CBC, SRC (Societe Radio-Canada) and CTV television networks signals included in its basic service, Star Choice will distribute programming from various English- and French-language television stations and multicultural channels; all Canadian specialty and pay television services; pay audio programming services; foreign television services authorized for distribution in Canada; and exempt programming services such as homeshopping, real estate and advertising channels. It will also offer DTH pay-per-view services, including at least one general interest service in both French and English.
Given the technical difficulties currently affecting Telesat Canada's Anik E1 satellite, Star Choice has worked out several scenarios to ensure an early delivery of Canadian programming services. Star Choice confirmed that all of its options would be in accordance with the Canadian government's satellite policy. Except in the case of temporary technical problems, the policy requires Canadian distributors to use Canadian satellites to carry all Canadian programming services, while allowing them to use U.S. satellites to carry authorized American signals.
Star Choice's preferred interim satellite delivery option consists of subleasing satellite capacity on Anik E2 from an existing customer. Star Choice indicated that this option would allow it to be in operation by the end of 1996. Non-Canadian programming services will be supplied by U.S. satellites.
CONDITIONS OF LICENCE
- Star Choice will provide a basic service that includes programming from at least one station or affiliate of all three national television networks--CTV, CBC and SRC. This will give the licensee flexibility to offer a low-cost basic service.
- Star Choice will conform to specific linkage requirements, designed to ensure the maximum exposure of Canadian specialty and pay television services while giving subscribers access to the most popular foreign services. Canadian pay television services can be offered in an optional package with up to five channels allocated to authorized foreign services. Each Canadian specialty service within an optional package may be linked with no more than one channel allocated to foreign services.
- Star Choice may allow subscribers to purchase only pay-per-view services, without having to take any other package of services.
- Finally, Star Choice will contribute at least 5% of each month's gross revenues to an independently administered Canadian program production fund.
STAR CHOICE PLANS AND COMMITMENTS
- Community groups will have access to a Star Choice channel for the distribution of one hour of programming every day, during prime time and without charge. This programming will be selected by an independent panel representing all Canadian regions.
- An on-screen, electronic program guide will list all distributed services in both French and English.
- Star Choice decoders will be compatible with V-chip technology so that subscribers who choose to install the device will be able to block out violent programming in accordance with a pre-set rating code.
- Voice/Print, the national audio news and information network for the visually impaired, will be distributed as a supplementary audio service.
- The Commission also expects Star Choice to distribute all available closed captioning signals.
Star Choice Television Network Incorporated is a wholly owned subsidiary of Direct Choice T.V. Inc., a Canadian-owned and controlled public company incorporated in British Columbia. Its licence term expires August 31, 2002.
Star Choice is the third Canadian satellite distribution system licensed by the CRTC since December 1995. ExpressVu and Power DirecTV have not launched their services so far.
January 9th, 1997; EXPRESSVU ACQUIRES DIRECT-TO-HOME SATELLITE TV TECHNOLOGY AND SATELLITE SPACE
75+ Channel choice coming
(Mississauga, Ont.), - Television viewers across Canada will soon have access to a Canadian satellite television service offering 75+ channels and savings on their monthly cable bills.
ExpressVu, Canada's first authorized direct-to-home satellite television service, announced today it will begin offering its Canadian direct-to-home TV on a 60 cm (24") dish across Canada in the summer of 1997.
"We have acquired the rights to EchoStar's end-to-end DTH technology and the exclusive use of EchoStar's DISH brand in Canada," said Michael Neuman, ExpressVu president. "EchoStar also has an option to invest in Expressvu." These arrangements are subject to certain conditions precedent.
ExpressVu has acquired enough Canadian Anik E2 satellite space to carry 75+ channels of TV, music, pay TV and pay-per-view, moving ExpressVu far ahead of the pack of DTH program line-ups proposed for this year. ExpressVu will offer the best of both U.S. and Canadian programming such as TSN, CBC, CTV, YTV, MuchMusic, U.S. networks and superstations, along with 30 CD-quality music channels, pay TV and pay-per-view movies and events.
"No other Canadian DTH service can come close to the size and diversity of ExpressVu's program line-up," said Neuman.
"EchoStar's DTH technology, considered among the world's best, combined with ExpressVu's outstanding U.S. and Canadian program line-up, will finally give Canadian TV viewers access to the highest quality television from both sides of the border and in both official languages," said Neuman.
In addition to having secured technology and satellite space, ExpressVu's foundations have been dramatically strengthened in recent weeks through additional financial backing from BCE Inc.
"DTH is a very capital-intensive business," said Neuman. "Buyers need to ask the tough question - does the DTH company have the financial resources to get its service up and operating for at least a year? If the answer is no, consumers and retailers risk losing their investment."
ExpressVu Inc., owned by BCE Inc., WIC (Western International Communications Ltd.) and Cancom (Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.), is licensed to provide a full range of direct-to-home entertainment and information to Canadians in every region of the country.
ExpressVu Inc.
Jan. 31, 1997; Shaw to Launch National Satellite Service - CRTC Licenses Shaw's HomeStar Application
CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Shaw Communications Inc. announced today that the CRTC has approved HomeStar's application for a direct-to-home (DTH) satellite service.
"We are delighted with the opportunity to offer Canadians an attractive and affordable satellite service that gives consumers a real alternative to the 'grey' market," said Jim Shaw, Jr., President and C.O.O. of Shaw Communications. "We have been pursuing this opportunity for over two years and we can now look forward to providing Canadians with a competitive DTH satellite service," he added.
"HomeStar will be a national satellite service offering a variety of television and audio programming packages, delivered by state-of-the-art digital technology," said Mark Pezarro, President of HomeStar. "We know consumers are looking for a high-quality Canadian satellite service that offers them choice and diversity in television programming and HomeStar will deliver that service," added Pezarro.
HomeStar will offer a menu of programming choices that will include Canadian and U.S. broadcasting and specialty services, pay and pay-per-view services featuring movies and sports, and a selection of special interest, multilingual programming services.
"We believe that HomeStar's commitment to customer service combined with our consumer-friendly programming packages and high quality digital signals will make HomeStar one of the leading DTH providers in Canada," said Pezarro.
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified Canadian communications company and one of the largest cable television operators in the country. With approximately 1.5 million customers, Shaw serves about 20 per cent of the Canadian cable television market.
February 12, 1997; 16 To 1 Digital Video Compression Capability For Digicipher II/Mpeg 2
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- General Instrument Corporation
(NYSE: GIC), the world's leading supplier of high quality, end-to-end digital
transmission systems, today announced that the capability to transmit 16 video channels on a single 24 megahertz satellite transponder will soon be available for commercial deployment.
This increased channel capacity, which provides 16 digital channels in the
same space as one of today's analog TV channels, will be available later this
Spring. The product is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of
applications, including consumer DTH; commercial programmers and
broadcasters; and distance learning, as well as cable and MMDS operators.
"This breakthrough capability gives the DigiCipher(R) II/MPEG 2 customer up to twice the number of channels from a single satellite transponder, with remarkably high quality and with no additional transponder or hardware costs," said Michael Bernique, President, GI's NextLevel Satellite Data Networks Group. "GI's customers can reduce their annual space segment costs by improving their efficiency. They can then offer the consumer more programming without costly new infrastructure investment."
Bernique added that "customers who have seen a demonstration of this new technology have been extremely impressed."
In the past, only eight to 10 channels were available at acceptable
quality levels. This increased digital video capacity is made possible
through application of GI's statistical multiplexing ("stat mux") capability.
Through this technology, 14 of the 16 channels provide programming, and two channels are reserved for redundancy.
Stat mux examines all the incoming video feeds as a group, and dynamically assigns compression bit rates based upon the complexity and motion in each feed. The basic premise is that, at any given time, there will be some feeds that have a lot of motion, some with very little, and some that are "average."
Stat mux works by having all of the channels that are included in a stat
mux group report their compression demands to one decision maker the Packet Muliplexer (PM). The PM considers all of the demands, decides on the bit rate to assign to each channel, then communicates that decision back to each channel. This "negotiation" for bit rate takes place about 35 times per video frame, about 1,000 times per second, to ensure that even the slightest change in scene complexity becomes part of the decision-making process.
Feb. 28, 1997; AlphaStar Canada Announces Initial Channel Line-Up
MILTON, Ont., /CNW-PRN/ - AlphaStar Canada, Canada's first market-ready provider of digital direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television, announced their introductory broadcast and pay-per-view channel line-up at a news conference in Toronto this morning. AlphaStar Canada received broadcast and pay-per-view licenses from the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) late yesterday, and is prepared to begin offering a service to Canadians immediately.
``We're off and running,'' said David Lewis, President of AlphaStar
Canada. ``Canadians have waited long enough for a home-grown digital DTH satellite television service, and we're delighted to be the first company to be able to offer it to them.''
AlphaStar Canada subscribers will be able to access up to 45 channels as
soon as their equipment is installed. By the end of March, up to 75 channels
will be available. By mid-summer, when the network begins broadcasting from AT&T's new Telstar 5 satellite, up to 120 channels will be available.
The immediate availability of this service, and the network's broad
channel offering, firmly position AlphaStar Canada as a leader in the Canadian digital DTH marketplace.
The AlphaStar Canada package -- which consists of a digital set-top
receiver ``box'' and a 75-centimetre satellite dish -- will retail for $499
when purchased with a one year programming package at $24.99 per month.
AlphaStar Canada Proposed Programming Line-up
ENGLISH BASIC
CBC
CBC NEWSWORLD
CTV
MUCHMUSIC
SHOWCASE
CPAC
YTV
CNN
CNN Headline
ABC
CBS
NBC
FOX
PBS
SRC
30 Digital Music Channels
FRENCH BASIC
CBC
SRC
CTV
TV-5
MUSIQUE PLUS
CPAC
CANAL FAMILLE
RDI
CANAL D
TVA
30 Digital Music Channels
ENGLISH EXTENDED adds
TSN
DISCOVERY
CNBC
A&E
TNN
TLC
MUSIQUE PLUS
CANAL-D
CANAL FAMILLE
RDS
RDI
FRENCH EXTENDED add
RDS
SUPER ECRAN
PAY SERVICES/A LA CARTE
DIGITAL MUSIC
FAMILY CHANNEL
FAMILY CHANNEL + 23 WGN + 24 WTBS
ASIAN TELEVISION NETWORK (ATN)
ATN + WGN + WTBS
SUPER ECRAN
SUPER ECRAN + WGN + WTBS
PPV
DIGITAL MUSIC CHANNELS Subject to change
30 Channels Including:
Classic Rock, Adult Contemporary, New Country, Album Rock
Heavy Metal, Children's, Symphonic, Gospel & Traditional Blues.
SOURCE AlphaStar Canada Inc.; Tee-Comm Electronics Inc.
AlphaStar U.S., Channel Lineup (for US subscribers only)
AlphaPreview Channel
Arts & Entertainment
Comedy Central
Country Music Television
The Disney Channel East
The Disney Channel West
E! Entertainment
Cartoon Network
The FamilyChannel
Lifetime
MTV
Nickelodeon
The Nashville Network
Sci-Fi Channel
Turner Classic Movies
TBS
TNT
TV Land
USA Network
VH1
Regional Sports Channel
ABC
CBS
FOX
NBC
PBS
DMX (30 Audio Channels)
C-SPAN
CNBC
CNN
CNNfn/I
Court TV
Discovery Channel
Headline News
The History Channel
The Learning Channel
The Weather Channel
Showtime (3)
The Movie Channel (2)
HBO (5)
Cinemax (3)
Starz!
Sundance Channel
Encore Plex Encore I
MultiChannel Pay Per View
March 6, 1997; STAR CHOICE AND HOMESTAR STRIKE DTH ALLIANCE
TORONTO, /CNW/ - Direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service just got a lot better for Canadian viewers as two major players joined forces to offer a significantly enhanced DTH service. Star Choice Communications Inc. and SHAW Communications Inc. announced today a merger between their DTH satellite television operations through the merger of Star Choice Television Network and HomeStar. This alliance signals the beginning of a very strong Canadian DTH competitor.
``This alliance is great news for Canadians,'' said Brian Neill, Chairman
and C.E.O of Star Choice Communications. ``Our team is now stronger
and able to offer the most comprehensive, high quality DTH service available to Canadians. Our partnership with SHAW will allow us to build on the
momentum we have already established and will ensure that we launch the best possible service for Canadians.''
The combined operations of Star Choice and HomeStar have an
approximate value of $110 million. HomeStar will contribute up to $55 million in cash, satellite space and uplink facilities to Star Choice so that upon
completion of the transaction, SHAW will own approximately 50% of the common shares of Star Choice Communications on a fully diluted basis. The financial strength and technical capability of the alliance will ensure that Canadians have access to a world-class DTH satellite service.
``This is a very powerful combination,'' said Jim Shaw, Jr., President
and C.O.O. of SHAW Communications. ``Our experience in delivering
programming services to Canadians combined with the operational and marketing capability of Star Choice will make this an unbeatable team. SHAW Communications is totally committed to the development of a competitive direct-to-home satellite business in Canada and this partnership will strengthen our ability to do this.''
The Star Choice management team will operate the business under the
leadership of Brian Neill as Chairman and C.E.O. ``We are simply delighted,''
said Mr. Neill. ``This means three things - a significantly enhanced service,
the financial strength to ensure consumer, dealer and investor confidence, and
a strong competitor in the Canadian DTH industry.''
``By combining our expertise and access to satellite capacity we will be
able to launch a service with over 80 video and audio services by April 30,
and by the fall of 1997 the company will be able to provide over 100
channels to Canadians,'' Mr. Neill concluded.
MAR 18, 1997; AlphaStar Canada Begins Direct-To-Home Service
Source: CNW
MILTON, CANADA, (NB) via Individual Inc. -- By Martin Stone.
Canada's first digital direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service has
gone on-air across the country. AlphaStar Canada spokesperson Josh Cobden told Newsbytes on Tuesday that signals started beaming within days of the company receiving government approval on February 27.
AlphaStar Canada Inc. received regulatory approval to begin broadcasting by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on February 27, becoming the first service to go on-air. The company claims to have shipped thousands of equipment packages to dealers across the country in anticipation of rapid expansion. Cobden said his company has at least a two- to three-month lead over any other Canadian DTH service.
The AlphaStar's initial programming line-up includes 45 channels, made-up of all major Canadian television networks, most approved American services, and several international networks. Within six weeks, this will expand to 75 channels. By mid-summer, when the network begins broadcasting from AT&T's new Telstar 5 satellite, up to 120 network and specialty channels, pay-per-view, and commercial-free music channels will become available.
Cobden said that Canada requires Canadian DTH services to use Canadian- launched satellites, but since no space is available presently, it is allowing Canadian DTH signals to be beamed from US "birds."
The equipment package, consisting of a digital set-top receiver and a
75-centimeter satellite dish, is priced at $499 when purchased with a one-year programming package at $24.99 per month.
Lewis noted that picture and sound quality improve significantly with the
AlphaStar system. Unlike cable or antenna reception, the signals are compressed and transmitted digitally, direct to the home receiver, resulting, he says, in a sharp, clear picture, and CD-quality sound.
SOURCE: ALPHASTAR
April 3, 1997; FULL SPEED AHEAD TOWARD CANADA’S FIRST DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE
Telesat welcomes government approval of DBS plan.
OTTAWA, /CNW/ - Telesat Canada today welcomed the federal government's decision to approve the company's plan to build a new high-powered Canadian direct broadcast satellite (DBS). The satellite, which could be in service as soon as the fourth quarter of 1998, will carry the signals of Canada's direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television companies.
``Today's announcement is a powerful signal from Canada to the rest of the world,'' said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's president and CEO. ``By approving Telesat's plan, the government is ensuring that Canadians will have a world-class satellite infrastructure for the long term, and that Canada will continue to be a major player in the growing international satellite marketplace.''
Telesat's plan, developed in cooperation with Spar Aerospace, is to build and launch a high-powered 32-transponder DBS satellite into one of Canada's six DBS orbital positions (at 91 degrees west longitude).
April 7, 1997; STAR CHOICE ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING LINE-UP
Attention Business Editors:
TORONTO, /CNW/ - Star Choice Television Network announced today the details of its special introductory offer that is scheduled to be available on April 30.
``We will introduce the most comprehensive, highest quality programming and hardware package available in Canada,'' said Peter Porteous, vice-president of marketing for Star Choice. ``Our introductory programming line-up will give Canadians what they want in a direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service!'' Premium sports, movies, family and news information are only a few of the exciting program services that will be available.
``This one-of-a-kind introductory offer will include over 50 video and audio channels plus a one year subscription to the Family Channel or Canal Famille and a 60 day subscription to two of our movie channels,'' says Porteous. ``This package will offer viewers the `best-of-the-best' of Canadian and U.S. programming.''
Enhanced packages of over 75 channels including superstations, pay-per-view, and other specialty stations will also be available at launch. Programming packages with over 100 channels are slated to be available from Star Choice in September.
For a limited time only, the Star Choice 921 premium digital satellite receiver, universal UHF remote, and 60 cm dish will be available to consumers for $999 with the purchase of a one-year $400 programming package. Consumers will save over $450 with this offer. The Star Choice 921 receiver, manufactured by General Instrument, is the best consumer receiver available on the market. It will offer the highest quality in digital laser-disc video and Dolby digital AC-3 audio and the most extensive selection of user features including high speed Internet access, and interactive programming guide.
``There is simply no better quality consumer equipment available on the market today north or south of the border,'' says Porteous. ``No other Canadian DTH service is, or will offer consumers the hardware and programming package that we will have available at launch!'' Canadian retailers are also excited about this special offer. ``There is no comparison. The new 921 is the cream of the crop,'' says Guy Richard, Satel Choice in Montreal.
BACKGROUNDER
STAR CHOICE 921 DIGITAL RECEIVER
Welcome to the next dimension in television viewing.
•- The Star Choice digital satellite receiver utilizes broadband digital technology which creates unlimited entertainment possibilities.
•- It is compatible with existing C-band and Ku-band outdoor electronics which makes it attractive to current dish owners and first-time dish buyers alike.
•- It offers high speed Internet access and a high speed interface capable of outputting HDTV or Internet information where available.
•- Pay-per-view movies, premium sports and special events are as easy as a touch of the remote control and can be ordered in advance.
The Star Choice 921 Receiver has incorporated a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that is absolutely state-of-the-art. The 921 has the capability to offer the following:
•- Interactive Program Guide - Quickly see what programming is available for the next seven days.
•- Themes Guide Search - Sort the Guide by one of many favourite themes such as sports or movies.
•- Themes Channel Surfing - Channel surf by one of many favourite themes such as sports or movies.
•- Program Information Banners - Program title and selected information automatically displays when changing channels.
•- Favourite Channel Setting - Develop two favourite channel lists for instant access. Add virtually an unlimited number of channels to these lists.
•- Quick Information - Display detailed information about any program with one touch. Information includes: movie descriptions, ratings, actors, interactive services support and much more.
•- Multi-Language Support - Easy user set-up for audio and sub-title language preference.
•- Instant Pay-Per-View - Order movies, sports and other special events are available at the touch of a button.
•- Program Timer - Program satellite receiver to automatically tune to a desired channel at any time. Wide range of timing options available.
The Star Choice 921 Receiver uses world-class technology to offer the best quality premium product.
•- Digital DigiCipher II with full MPEG-2 decompression capability built in allows for more programming per satellite transponder.
•- DigiCipher II delivers CD quality sound and Dolby Digital AC3 audio provides superior stereo and surround-sound for home theaters.
•- The Universal UHF remote control operates the Star Choice receiver as well as all major TV and VCR brands. The remote is usable up to 250 ft. from the receiver.
•- Parental control blocks out unwanted channels and sets content. A password can be set for access control.
•- Clear NTCS analog reception offers free programming including raw network feeds, sports feeds, home shopping, international programming and more.
BACKGROUNDER
STAR CHOICE PROGRAMMING
Star Choice plans to introduce these services with the Introductory Program Offer:
East:
- CBC
- CTV
- SRC
- ABC - East
- CBS - East
- NBC - East
- FOX - East
- PBS - East
- TSN or RDS
- Much Music
- Newsworld
- Discovery
- WTBS - Atlanta
- Showcase
- Bravo
- Life
- Country Music Television
- CNN
- The Learning Channel
- ASN - Halifax
- YTV
- Viewer's Choice Pay-Per-View
- Canal Indigo Pay-Per-View
- Digital Audio (30 channels)
West:
- CBC
- CTV
- SRC
- ABC - West
- CBS - West
- NBC - West
- FOX - West
- PBS - West
- TSN
- Much Music
- Newsworld
- Discovery
- WTBS - Atlanta
- Showcase
- Bravo
- Life
- WGN - Chicago
- WSBK - Boston
- Home Theater Pay-Per-View
- Digital Audio (30 channels)
We plan to include these services with the Introductory French Program
Option:
- RDS or TSN
- Musique Plus
- TVA
- RDI
- TQS
- TV5
We plan to provide consumers with the option of replacing any English
channels with any or all of these great French channels.
As an added bonus, we plan to provide the following services with our
Introductory Programming Offer:
- A one-year subscription to The Family Channel (a retail value of
$9.99/month) or Canal Famille.
- A 60-day subscription to Movie Pix and The Movie Network or Super
Ecran (in the east) or SuperChannel and Movie Max (in the west)
(a retail value of $19.98/month).
In addition to the Star Choice Introductory Program Package, we plan to
offer the following great programming services:
East:
- The Movie Network
- The Family Channel
- Moviepix
- Arts & Entertaimnent
- Super Ecran
- The Nashville Network
- TVA
- TV5
- TQS
- WSBK - Atlanta
- WGN - Chicago
- Canal Famille
- Musique Plus
- RDI
- RDS or TSN
West:
- SuperChannel
- MovieMax
Following the introductory period, Star Choice plans to add these
additional services to its program offering:
East:
- The Movie Network 2
- The Movie Network 3
- The Movie Network 4
- Telelatino
- Teletoon (NEW)
- History (NEW)
- CTV NEWS1 (NEW)
- CTV Sportsnet (NEW)
- Canal Indigo, French PPV
- CNBC
- CPAC
- WTN
- Fairchild (Chinese)
- KTLA - Los Angeles
- WPIX - New York
- City TV - Toronto
- Black Entertainment Television
- CNN Headline News
- The Weather Network
West:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Country Music Television
- The Nashville Network
- The Learning Channel
- KTLA - Los Angeles
- WPIX - New York
- Teletoon (NEW)
- CTV NEWS1 (NEW)
- CTV Sportsnet (NEW)
- History & Entertainment
- CNN
- CNBC
- CPAC
- WTN
- Black Entertainment Television
- CNN Headline News
- CITV - Edmonton
- The Weather Network
(x) Subject to various agreements
-30-
April 15, 1997; Crtc Approves BCE Control Of Expressvu
REUTERS
OTTAWA, April 15 (Reuter) - The Canadian broadcast regulating agency CRTC gave the green light on Tuesday to BCE Inc to take control of the direct-to-home satellite distribution undertaking ExpressVu Inc.
"With approval of this transaction, BCE will hold 70.67 percent of the voting interest in ExpressVu," the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said.
"Accordingly, ExpressVu will go from a situation of no clear-cut control to a situation where BCE will have legal and effective control."
It said the application for a change in effective control resulted partly from the acquisition by BCE of the ownership interest in ExpressVu previously held by Tee-Comm Electronics Inc , an initial shareholder which now owns another DTH undertaking, AlphaStar Canada.
It also resulted from Expressvu's issuance of additional equity to BCE resulting from BCE's capital injection.
July 22, 1997; MORE NON-CANADIAN SATELLITE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS
News Release
OTTAWA-HULL - The CRTC today published its revised lists of eligible satellite services to which have been added a number of non-Canadian services (Public Notice CRTC 1997-96 ). These additions will provide more choice and variety with respect to the non-Canadian satellite services that may be packaged with Canadian specialty and pay services. A listing of the sponsored services was contained in an information sheet published last February 19.
These non-Canadian services will not be subject to any additional requirement concerning the Canadian services they may be packaged with, other than the existing packaging rules, or concerning the technology used for their distribution. Distributors will be provided with maximum flexibility to add non-Canadian services to discretionary tiers, without placing at a competitive disadvantage distributors that have yet to roll out digital technology.
Services added to the lists
The following services will be added to Section A of the Part II list and to the Part III non-Canadian list:
America's Health Network
ART America
BBC World
Court TV
Deutsche Welle
The Filipino Channel
Fit TV
The Golf Channel
Speedvision
TV Food Network
TV Japan
TV Polonia
WMNB-TV: Russian-American Broadcasting Company
The following services will be added to Section B of the Part II list and to the Part III non-Canadian list:
American Movie Classics
Game Show Network
KWGN (Denver)
Turner Classic Movies
Playboy TV will also be added to Section B of the Part II list and to the Part III non-Canadian list, but with the following carriage restrictions:
• the service is only to be delivered to a subscriber at the specific request of that subscriber;
• distributors are not permitted to package the service in such a way that subscribers are obligated to purchase it in order to purchase any other programming service; and,
• cable distributors who distribute this service are required, at the subscriber's request, to take measures to fully block the reception at the subscriber's premises of both the audio and video portions of the service, for example, using trapping technology.
The Commission has decided to move Black Entertainment Television from Section B to Section A of the Part II list, thereby enabling this service to be packaged with Canadian specialty services as well as Canadian pay television services.
The Commission has also decided to remove the restrictions imposed on the distribution of the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), permitting the full-time distribution of this service.
JULY, 1997; ExpressVu Dish Network National Digital Broadcast Center Fact Sheet
Background
ExpressVu's Digital Broadcast Center, located in North York, Ontario, is the only fully integrated direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast facility of its kind in the world. The National Broadcast Center houses the company's administrative offices, business operations, customer service call center, technical infrastructure and satellite uplink.
The facility receives video, audio and data information from various geosynchronous satellites and incoming terrestrial backhauls, combines the information into a single digital service and transmits to 14 transponders on the Anik E2 satellite. Anik E2 broadcasts the digital programming stream to ExpressVu DISH Network subscribers across Canada.
History
Construction of ExpressVu's National Digital Broadcast Center began on February 24, 1997, and will be completed and on the air in the summer of 1997.
Equipment
The National Digital Broadcast Center has extensive state-of-the-art satellite communications, the latest Digital Video Compression (DVC) and electronic equipment from the world's leading manufacturers.
ExpressVu’s digital signals are fully compliant with the international standards for DVC * MPEG-2 and DVB, therefore ensuring the lowest possible prices for home subscriber set-top boxes.
EchoStar of Denver, Colorado is the systems integrator for the DVC system which is the core technology of the facility, based on Divicom, Inc. encoding equipment and Nagra conditional access. EchoStar's responsibilities include end-to-end integration through to the home set-top boxes.
Juliann Jacobs was the building architect, VanBots was responsible for construction management, Drake & Associates were ExpressVu management's construction consultants on the project and Imagineering of North York, Ontario carried out the detailed design and integration of the base-band system. Comlink Systems Inc. of Oshawa, Ontario was responsible for the installation of the satellite transmitters and Fitzgerald Communications Inc. of Barrie, Ontario was responsible for wiring the facility.
Toronto area equipment suppliers included: Applied Electronics, CableCom, Anixter, Steckley, Mel Cabinets, EMF, ESA Communications, Juchtech, Leitch Technology Inc., Kan-Tech, Acura Technology Group Inc., Sony of Canada and Glentronix.
Function
ExpressVu’s Digital Broadcast Center will be used to deliver up to 100 channels in the summer of ´97 and up to 180 channels in the winter of ´98, of digital video, music and data services.
Facility Size
ExpressVu’s National Digital Broadcast Center consists of a 50,000 square feet building on a three acre site and contains more than 680 km of cable, four large satellite transmit antennas, five steerable satellite receive antennas, more than 150 equipment racks; and is equipped with an emergency power generating system capable of supplying 1.5 million watts of electricity.
DISH is a trademark licensed for use by ExpressVu.
August 7, 1997; Quick death for first DTH service:
With no buyer for troubled satellite service, Alphastar broadcasting comes to halt.
Vancouver Sun
TORONTO -- Canada's first digital direct-to-home satellite TV service is being forced off the air early today after a court-appointed receiver failed to get any bids to keep the insolvent company alive.
``The receiver did not receive any acceptable bids to acquire the business as a going concern,'' Ernst & Young said in a release late Wednesday.
``As a result, the previously announced backstop deal with Loral SpaceCom will be completed and AlphaStar Canada and its U.S. counterpart, AlphaStar Television Network will have no alternative but to stop broadcasting effective 3 a.m. {today}.''
Tee-Comm Electronics and its satellite TV subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada have been operating under bankruptcy protection since late May.
During this period, AlphaStar Canada and AlphaStar U.S. have continued to provide services to subscribers -- about 6,000 in Canada and 50,000 in the United States.
Ernst & Young said an Aug. 4 deadline for bids failed to find an acceptable buyer, so Ontario and U.S. bankruptcy courts have approved a deal to return satellite transponders used by the companies to Loral. That deal closes today.
The assets of AlphaStar Canada and AlphaStar U.S., including the Milton, Ont. and Oxford, Conn. uplink stations and real estate, manufacturing plants, set-top decoders and antennas, will be sold in the coming weeks.
Tee-Comm of Milton, Ont., launched Canada's first digital direct-to-home satellite TV service earlier this year. It had been operating the Alphastar satellite service in the U.S. since July 1996.
Tee-Comm has searched for more than a year for a strategic partner to share the financial burden of launching it satellite service.
Technology delays set back the U.S. launch by 14 months and forced the company to carry costs without revenue longer than anticipated.
According to bankruptcy court documents, Alphastar U.S. had $72 million in assets and $105 million in liabilities.
Copyright 1997, Vancouver Sun.
August 25 1997; CONFUSION IN THE SKIES:
As the satellite TV industry takes flight, it's a challenge just keeping track of the players
Maclean's,
Couch potatoes, take note. After several false starts, countless broken promises and one hugely embarrassing flop, the battle lines are now being drawn for the long-awaited war between the direct-to-home satellite TV industry and Canada's cable companies.
For consumers, the showdown is both good news and bad. Good, because the arrival of competition in what previously was a seller's market will mean more choice, better customer service and--with luck--lower prices. But bad because in the coming months the rival camps in this battle for eyeballs will launch a barrage of contradictory advertisements aimed at attracting or retaining subscribers. Figuring out which service offers the best package of programming for the lowest cost is going to be about as easy as filing your taxes.
It's hard enough just to keep track of the players. For a while, it looked as though the most formidable of the satellite entrants would be PowerDirecTv, a joint venture between Montreal-based Power Corp. and General Motors' DirecTV, the leading U.S. satellite broadcaster. Instead, PowerDirecTv chose to bow out on the grounds that the regulations governing the industry were too restrictive and would render it all but impossible to turn a profit.
As a result, the first satellite operator to hit the airwaves was tiny AlphaStar Canada Inc., which began signing up subscribers in March with a basic package of 60 channels for $300 a year, plus $499 up front for a digital tuner and 74-cm dish. The fledgling service might have stood a chance had it not been for the fact that its parent company, Tee-Comm Electronics Inc. of Milton, Ont., was simultaneously engaged in a high-risk effort to crack the U.S. market. When that failed, Tee-Comm was forced to seek bankruptcy protection. Unable to find a buyer for AlphaStar Canada, the receivers finally shut off service to its 7,000 subscribers on Aug. 7.
Next off the launchpad was Star Choice Communications Inc. of Fredericton, which began operations in late April. Almost immediately, Star Choice merged with HomeStar, a rival venture owned by the country's second-largest cable firm, Shaw Communications of Calgary, which obviously wanted to cover its bets. Star Choice won't say how many customers it serves, but claims to be on track to reach its target of 65,000 after one year. Subscribers pay $999 for the hardware and $37 a month for 53 TV and 30 commercial-free radio channels.
Although Star Choice recently launched a high-profile ad campaign, the real fireworks won't begin until the fall when ExpressVu Inc. of Toronto finally rolls out its service after two years of delays, technical glitches and management changes. An arm of the mighty BCE Inc. telecommunications empire, ExpressVu has purchased the rights to the DISH Network brand name from EchoStar Communications Corp., a Colorado-based operator known for aggressive pricing. But while Americans can buy a basic EchoStar receiver and dish for the equivalent of $275, ExpressVu plans to sell the same equipment in Canada for $599, with more sophisticated packages costing $749 and $999. (Because they are programmed differently, a set-top box purchased in the United States will not function in Canada.) ``In the United States, the various players are heavily subsidizing the equipment to attract subscribers,'' says Michael Neuman, ExpressVu's president and CEO. ``We don't think there's a need to do that in Canada. If we did, we'd be leaving a lot of money on the table.''
Perhaps, but as competition intensifies, discounts are inevitable. Already, Star Choice has matched ExpressVu's prices on set-top boxes. Meanwhile, the country's biggest cable operator, Rogers Communications Inc. (which owns Maclean's), is bracing for war. ``I guarantee that cable will always beat satellite on price and be more than competitive on programming,'' says Rogers vice-chairman Phil Lind. The satellite services, naturally, claim the reverse. Let the battle begin.
September 10, 1997; EXPRESSVU LAUNCHES DIRECT-TO-HOME SATELLITE SERVICE
A New World of Television Viewing Begins
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(TORONTO, Ontario) - Today, the face of Canadian television viewing changed forever. It had nothing to do with the start of the new fall season, and everything to do with a whole new experience in television viewing as ExpressVu Inc. launched its direct-to-home (DTH) satellite service across Canada.
The ExpressVu DISH Network service will offer Canadians from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland an unprecedented lineup of programming, delivered directly to their homes with digital clarity, using a small 60 cm (24-inch) satellite dish.
ExpressVu subscribers will have a choice from a menu of programming options beginning as low as $7.95 per month for the Starters package to $45.95 for All You Can Eat TV, an all-inclusive package that will provide a $15.00 savings over a comparable monthly cable bill.
"For the first time, consumers can pick the programming they want to watch, for less money than what most cable companies charge," said Michael Neuman, President and CEO of ExpressVu Inc.
Other menu items include: the Sports Bar ($5.95), Brain Food ($5.95), Fine Dining ($6.95), Kids Size ($3.95), Network Platter ($6.95), Film Feast ($19.95), the House Special ($29.95), All You Can Eat TV ($45.95), After Hours ($15.95), and ˆ la carte options - Telelatino ($9.95), South Asian Television ($14.95) and Fairchild ($19.95).
"Our menu allows subscribers to customize their program line-up based on themes and ˆ la carte options, the way television viewers have always wanted to pick their programming," Neuman added.
The company's offering will include 69 digital video channels in the east, 48 in the west, plus more than 34 CD-quality Galaxie music channels. ExpressVu's programming line-up consists of: the channels launched today plus six Canadian and U.S. specialty channels - the Golf Channel, Speedvision, History, Teletoon, Comedy and Space - in each region when they are available in mid-October, eight pay-per-view channels in the east and five in the west shortly thereafter.
ExpressVu is the only Canadian DTH service that will move to a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), enabling the company to offer television viewers more than 180 channels. This satellite will be launched in September, 1998. Subscribers to ExpressVu's DISH Network service will receive a free hardware upgrade and will be able to use the same set-top box technology.
"We will offer Canadians one of the largest multichannel television services in North America, and larger than all other cable or DTH services in Canada, when we move to the DBS satellite next year," said Neuman. "Why would anyone choose a service other than ExpressVu today, given our visibly larger channel capacity," added Neuman.
A range of ExpressVu DISH Network systems will be priced from $599 to $999, and available to consumers in a choice of three state-of-the-art digital set-top boxes, with a remote control and a 60 cm (24") dish that is easy to install.
Distribution of ExpressVu's set-top boxes and 24" dishes to leading consumer retail chains and electronics dealers across Canada began on August 26th. More than 1100 retail stores, including Aventure Electronique, The Bay, Bell Mobility, Future Shop, Kmart, London Drugs, Real Canadian Superstores, Sears, True Value Hardware Stores and Wal-Mart Canada, will carry ExpressVu's DTH system.
In addition to mass merchant retail, more than 500 individual satellite, TV and consumer electronics dealers across Canada will carry the ExpressVu DISH Network System at launch.
"ExpressVu offers an exceptional direct-to-home service that will set the industry standard for value, quality and breadth of programming. Canadian consumers finally have a dramatically better choice as to their provider of television programming," said Neuman.
The company has distributed 10,000 ExpressVu DISH Network systems, and will distribute an additional 60,000 units by December, 1997. By the end of 1997, ExpressVu will introduce new set-top box models.
ExpressVu's customer call centre is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Owned by BCE Inc., Cancom (Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.), and WIC (Western International Communications Ltd.), ExpressVu is licensed to provide a full range of DTH entertainment and information to Canadians in every region of the country.
DISH is a trademark licensed for use by ExpressVu.
October 5, 1997; ExpressVu "Dish Network" Channel Line-up for Western Canada
101 SRC
102 RDI
182 Knowledge Network
184 Access Alberta
200 CBC North
202 CBC North
212 BCTV (CTV), Vancouver
222 Global, Toronto
235 CITV, Edmonton
261 Global, Vancouver
302 KOMO (ABC), Seattle
312 KIRO (CBS), Seattle
322 KING (NBC), Seattle
332 WUHF (Fox), Rochester
342 WGBH (PBS), Boston
350 WGN, Chicago
355 WPIX, New York
356 KTLA, Los Angeles
358 WTBS, Atlanta
380 Speedvision
382 Golf Channel
401 TSN, Sports Network
408 Outdoor Life
410 Headline Sports
414 Discovery Channel
420 History Channel
432 Comedy Network
437 WTN, Women's Television Net.
442 Showcase
446 Space
448 Treehouse (November 1?)
452 YTV
458 TeleToon
461 Much Music
464 CMT, Counrty Music Television
466 Bravo
481 Weather Network
491 CBC Newsworld
501 CNN
511 CNN Headline News
521 A & E
525 TLC, Learning Channel
530 TNN, Nashville Network
600 Superchannel
620 MovieMax
640 Family Channel, east
700 Pay Per View - 1
702 Pay Per View - 2 (Late ?)
704 Pay Per View - 3 (Late ?)
706 Pay Per View - 4 (Late ?)
708 Pay Per View - 5 (Late ?)
830 Playboy Channel
854 South Asian Television
Galaxy (CBC)
900 Gold Rock
902 New Rock
904 Adult Alternative
906 Pop Adult
908 Ambient Lounge
910 Rhythm Machine
912 Hit List
914 New Country
916 Country Classics
918 Franco Country
920 Franco Rock
922 Palmares
925 Franco Succes
927 Nostalgie
929 Big Band Swing
931 Jazz Masters
933 Jazz Now
935 Blues Time
937 Folk Roots
939 Global Village
941 Stage & Screen
943 Smooth Away
945 Environment
947 Pop Classics
949 All Baroque
951 Classic Masters
953 Chamber Music
955 Opera
957 Kids Stiff
959 Mousses Musique
Radio Stations
960 CBC Radio 1
962 SRC AM Radio
965 CBC Radio 2
967 SRC FM Radio
970 CJRT, Toronto
December 22, 1997; SHAW INVESTMENT IN STAR CHOICE APPROVED
Canada Newswire
OTTAWA, Dec. 22 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced today its approval of an
application by Star Choice Communications Inc. (Star Choice), allowing SHAW
Communications (SHAW) to hold an equity interest exceeding 50% in Star Choice.
This decision by Canada's broadcast regulator approves an investment which
will further strengthen and enhance Star Choice's direct to home (DTH)
satellite service.
"We are very pleased to receive the CRTC's approval of the SHAW investment.
The financial strength and subscription television experience that SHAW brings
will enhance Star Choice's ability to offer Canadians new and exciting
entertainment choices," said Brian Neill, Chairman of Star Choice. Shaw
reported assets of $2.4 billion as of August 31, 1997.
"Canadians are excited about satellite television, and our growing customer
base is evidence of the high demand for the Star Choice service," Neill
continued.
"The backing of SHAW Communications provides our customers with the
assurance that they will be served by a well-financed company dedicated to
offering a great entertainment experience now and in the future."
Jim Shaw, President and C.O.O. of SHAW confirmed the company's vision of
being a major player in a competitive DTH industry. "SHAW Communications is
totally committed to a DTH company which offers choice to consumers in every
part of the country. We are confident that Star Choice will provide Canadians
with a compelling new television experience."
Since announcing the alliance of the two companies in March of this year,
Star Choice launched an aggressive national advertising campaign, entered into
a $30 million revolving credit facility with the Toronto Dominion Bank,
acquired new satellite space, introduced new channels to its program packages,
and was offering service to approximately 23,000 subscribers as of October 31,
1997.
February 10, 1998; Anik C2 Retired After Achieving 180 Percent Design Life
LOS ANGELES (BUSINESS WIRE) - Anik C2, the fourth of five HS 376 satellites built and launched by Hughes Space and Communications Co. for Telesat Canada, was gracefully deorbited last month after 14 years, 6 months and 19 days of round-the-clock telecommunications service.
Anik C2 was launched on the Space Shuttle on June 18, 1983, and joined the first Anik C satellite in providing expanded telecommunications services to Canada. Anik C2, an HS 376 spin-stabilized spacecraft model, was designed to provide at least 8 years of service.
When the final commands to switch off the satellite's telemetry were issued Jan. 7, Anik C2 had not only completed its intended service life, but had lived an additional 6.5 years, an increase of 80 percent.
Anik C1, the first of the Anik C satellites, is still operational. Launched Nov. 11, 1982, it is scheduled for retirement in 2002.
Anik C originally focused four transmit beams to provide regional coverage to the more densely populated southern portions of Canada.
In June 1993, Anik C2 was leased to provide service over southern Argentina. The satellite was repositioned from 110 degrees West longitude to 78.5 degrees West longitude, and its round antenna was turned down to cover the south part of the country. Due to the tilt of the antenna, the pattern was altered, causing elongation north-south and compression east-west.
The resulting antenna pattern permitted occasional coverage as far north as Buenos Aires and allowed coverage of the northern regions of the South Pole, where a research station in Antarctica was able to use Anik C2 for communications. The satellite was returned to Canada and resumed service there in March 1997.
June 19, 1998; Cancom Sells Shares in ExpressVu to BCE
Mississauga, Ontario -- Cancom (Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.) is pleased to announce that it has sold its 8.5% equity ownership in ExpressVu to BCE for approximately $13 million.
The transaction results in a total recovery of the investment Cancom has made in ExpressVu since its creation in 1994.
Cancom also concluded an agreement with ExpressVu to supply the DTH operator with a minimum of five Cancom signals over the next five-years, as well as the American superstation WSBK, Boston.
Duncan McEwan, Cancom President & CEO stated: "The sale of our interest in ExpressVu permits us to redeploy our capital resources towards growth in our specific areas of expertise, while at the same time concluding an excellent affiliation agreement between the Cancom Broadcast Solutions division and ExpressVu which provides us with a valuable revenue stream for a considerable period of time."
September 10, 1998; ExpressVu, statement re. delayed NIMIQ launch
Attention News/Telecommunications Editors:
TORONTO, Sept. 10 /CNW/ - ExpressVu's satellite supplier Telesat Canada, and its manufacturer Lockheed Martin Aerospace, disclosed today that they will not proceed with the proposed September launch of the DBS satellite, Nimiq. ExpressVu supports this decision as the suppliers did not have full confidence that the satellite would perform as specified.
ExpressVu had planned to migrate to the DBS satellite this fall and to expand its channel line-up from 130 to 200 channels at that time. While ExpressVu's channel expansion was in part dependent on the DBS satellite launch, it was also dependent on technical upgrades to its broadcast center in Toronto. With existing satellite capacity, ExpressVu will continue its technical upgrades as planned, and will add approximately 25 digital-quality video and additional audio channels to its programming line-up in the next few months, including pay-per-view, local programming from across the country, new Canadian and U.S. specialty channels and new pay movie services.
“While a new DBS satellite this fall would have enabled us to further expand our service, our new compression systems give us the ability to add about 25 per cent more programming on our existing satellite, on top of an already powerful 130 channel line-up, with even greater picture quality,” said Michael Neuman, President and CEO of ExpressVu. “At about 160 channels, ExpressVu's T.V. channel line-up will be significantly larger than that of any Canadian cable company going into the Christmas season,” Neuman added. ExpressVu will continue to liaise with Telesat regarding future satellite launch options.
Nov. 11, 1998; Cancom acquires Star Choice through Share Exchange
CNW
Canadian Satellite Communications Inc. (Cancom) and Star Choice Communications Inc. (Star Choice) jointly announced today that they have entered into a Reorganization and Share Exchange Agreement that will ultimately result in the creation of a major satellite-based communications company serving consumers and business customers across North America. Both Cancom and Star Choice are major providers of satellite services in Canada.
Cancom is a leader in the domestic business-to-business marketplace through its broadcast, tracking and satellite distance learning lines of business.
Star Choice, the first Canadian direct to home provider to become operational, has successfully penetrated the domestic retail marketplace with its small dish satellite technology, high quality image and sound and attractive entertainment menus.
Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Star Choice shareholders and applicable regulatory authorities. Until such approvals are obtained, the shares of Star Choice acquired by Cancom shall be subject to a trust that will have first been approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (``CRTC'').
Under the terms of the Agreement, Star Choice will seek shareholder approval to amend the attributes of its common shares to provide for mandatory exchange of Star Choice common shares for common shares of Cancom at a ratio of one common share of Cancom for every 4.8 common shares of Star Choice. Holders of Star Choice warrants will be eligible for the share exchange on the same terms as holders of Star Choice common shares. Star Choice 14% preferred shares, all of which are owned by Shaw Communications Inc., will be exchanged for a new series of Cancom 9% preferred shares which will be convertible, subject to applicable regulations, into Cancom common shares at an exercise price of $16 per share. It is a term of these Cancom preferred shares that the dividend and redemption obligations may be satisfied, at the option of Cancom, by the issuance of additional preferred shares of Cancom. Following these transactions, and subject to CRTC approval, Star Choice will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cancom. In addition, three of Star Choice's current directors will be appointed to the Cancom board of directors.
The transaction is expected to close by the middle of February, 1999 but will remain subject to CRTC approval.
May 21, 1999; Telesat launches Canada's first direct broadcast satellite.
press release from Canada NewsWire
Nimiq will expand the frontiers of television from coast to coast.
BAIKONUR, KAZAKHSTAN, May 21 /CNW/ - Telesat Canada today celebrated the successful launch of Nimiq -- Canada's first direct broadcast satellite, and the most powerful satellite this nation has ever sent into space. When it goes into service in July, Telesat's Nimiq will be capable of carrying hundreds of channels of direct-to-home satellite television to Canadians from coast to coast, dramatically expanding the frontiers of home entertainment.
The launch of Telesat's Nimiq satellite marks a major milestone in the history of Canadian broadcasting,'' said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's president and CEO. Nimiq will ensure that our nation enters the 21st century with a satellite broadcasting system that's second to none.''
Nimiq is Telesat's twelfth satellite, and the first to be launched since the Anik Es in 1991. The new satellite, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Telecommunications, was launched on a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 4:30 am local time in Kazakhstan. International Launch Services (ILS) provided mission management for the launch, using a team of Russian and American specialists. The launch proceeded smoothly, and Telesat received word of the successful separation of the spacecraft approximately six hours later.
Deployment of antennas and solar arrays will occur approximately eight days after launch as the spacecraft approaches its final orbital position. Nimiq will then undergo in-orbit testing and, by mid-June, Telesat will be in a position to confirm the beginning of commercial service.
The primary customer on Telesat's Nimiq satellite will be Bell ExpressVu, which will use the satellite to enhance its direct-to-home television service across Canada. Nimiq will give Bell ExpressVu the ability to broadcast to an 18-inch dish and significantly expand its programming line-up.
July, 1999; Anik F1 to boost Telesat's international reach
Powerful satellite blends toughness with savvy new technology
Streaking through space at more than three kilometres every second, subjected to drastic temperature swings—from a scorching 130°C to a frigid -170°C—and continually soaked with radiation from the sun, geostationary satellites have to be as tough as tanks.
Mike Minhas, program manager with Telesat, is in charge of ensuring that Telesat's next satellite, the Anik F1, has what it takes to thrive despite its inhospitable environment. Scheduled for launch in 2000, Anik F1 will be the largest, most powerful, and farthest reaching communications satellite that Canada has ever put into space.
"Anik F1 will be 150 feet long when fully deployed; it's a huge spacecraft," says Mr. Minhas. "The market wants lower and lower satellite delivery costs, so that's pushing satellite designers to come up with innovative ways to equip satellites with more channels."
And they're doing it.
Hughes Space and Communication Co. in El Segundo, California, is manufacturing Anik F1, an HS 702 spacecraft, the most powerful commercial satellite available today. Weighing in at a hefty 4700 kg (over 10,000 lb)—1700 kg more than the Anik E satellites—Anik F1 will carry 84 transponders or channels and cover all of North and South America, allowing Telesat to expand services well south of its traditional Canada-U.S. market.
Anik F1, the 12th in a long succession of Anik satellites, will serve North America with 32 Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders and cover South America with 16 Ku-band and 12 C-band transponders—augmenting the Company's space segment in South America beyond the current Anik C1 capacity. Four special extended Ku-band "global" transponders will actually link the two continents.
Now under construction, the spacecraft is on schedule for its mid-year 2000 launch from Kourou, French Guiana. An Ariane rocket will carry Anik F1 into orbit.
July 6, 2000; THE CRTC AUTHORIZES THE SALE OF WIC TO CANWEST GLOBAL AND THAT OF WIC PREMIUM TO CORUS
News Release
OTTAWA-HULL — In a decision made public today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved the purchase of WIC Western International Communications Ltd by CanWest Global Communications Corp., and that of WIC Premium Corporation by Corus Entertainment Inc. On June 30, the Commission also approved the purchase of Canadian Satellite Communications Inc. (Cancom) by Shaw Communications Inc.
"In today’s decisions, the CRTC has recognized the importance of consolidating the Canadian radio and television industries, while at the same time promoting the diversity of voices and choices. The stronger our companies, the more they can contribute to achieving the cultural objectives set out in the Broadcasting Act", said Commission chairperson, Madame Françoise Bertrand.
CanWest Global
According to Madame Bertrand: "In approving the transaction between CanWest and WIC, with certain conditions, the CRTC is allowing the company to consolidate. In so doing, it will be able to both create new synergies and make a more effective contribution to the Canadian broadcasting system. The company now has a greater capacity to spotlight local artists and to stimulate the production of quality Canadian programming, particularly in Western Canada."
The Commission’s desire to build on the strength of the large television networks in order to help achieve the objectives of the Broadcasting Act is very much in the spirit of the television policy it adopted a year ago.
Diversity of voices and local programming
In its decision today, the Commission is departing from its policy which allows a company to own, in the market it serves, only one television station broadcasting in a given language.
In effect, the Commission is authorizing CanWest Global to maintain ownership of the English-language stations CIII-TV and CHCH-TV in the Hamilton (Ontario) market, and CHAN-TV and CHEK-TV in the Vancouver-Victoria market. This is because the Commission is of the view that these two large markets are already well-served by a good number of media outlets, and that the plurality of voices and fora for expressing them is not compromised by having one owner for two television stations. The Commission also took into account the fact that CanWest Global has committed to substantially increasing local programming, both on CHCH-TV and CHEK-TV, by emphasizing the production and broadcasting of programs that reflect the concerns and interests of the people of Hamilton and Victoria.
To make these commitments conditions of licence, the Commission is requiring that over the next four months, CanWest submit a licence amendment application. This will allow CanWest to begin broadcasting a minimum number of local news bulletins, local programs other than the news, and eight hours per week of original Canadian programs from the various categories of priority programming as soon as possible on its new stations.
Other conditions
Over the next four months, CanWest Global must also submit to the Commission an application to divest itself of television station CKVU-TV (Vancouver) in order to minimize the risk of undue competitive advantage. If it does not present such a request within the required timeframe, CanWest must place CKVU-TV in trust.
Finally, the Commission refuses to allow CanWest to act as vendor of CFCF Television Inc., formerly owned by WIC and licence holder for the English-language television station CFCF Montreal. Consistent with its decision last February, the Commission believes that it is in the public interest that responsibility for the sale of CFCF Television to a third party remain with the trust to which it has already been confided.
Corus
In acquiring full ownership of the WIC Premium Corporation, Corus Entertainment Inc. becomes, with its 44 stations, a major owner in the Canadian radio industry, with an enviable position in television. Corus is also affiliated with Shaw Communications Inc., the second largest cable distributor in the country.
Radio
In its decision to approve Corus’ acquisition of 12 new radio stations, the Commission emphasizes that the transaction is in complete accordance with the fundamental principles set out in its commercial radio policy (April 1998).
"The consolidation of its position will provide Corus with the strength it needs to increase the diversity of radio programs on its stations, in all the markets it serves, and to give each a distinct voice that reflects its daily realities", said Madame Bertrand. Moreover, the Commission believes that these objectives can be achieved while maintaining the competitive dynamic that exists in the markets where Corus’ stations broadcast, and preserving the variety of choice offered to listeners by many other broadcasters.
Television
The Commission approves Corus’ acquisition of WIC Premium’s discretionary pay services, such as MovieMax, SuperChannel, and Home Theatre, because they are, for the most part, distributed in digital mode. In its new licensing framework for pay and specialty digital television services (January 2000), the Commission authorizes cable distributors to invest in such services.
However, the Commission requires that over the next six months, Corus sell half of its shares in The Family Channel, which is part of the WIC Premium portfolio.
The Family Channel is a discretionary pay television service, distributed by cable, mainly in analogue mode across the country. Analogue cable capacity in Canada is limited. For that reason, the Commission established a policy in its 1995 Convergence Report prohibiting any company affiliated with a cable distributor from acquiring or increasing its interest in discretionary programming services until such time as the capacity of cable distribution systems had sufficiently expanded to distribute all of these services.
The Commission maintained this policy in its recent decisions concerning TVA, Cancom-StarChoice and the Food Network. The Commission requires today that Corus, an affiliate of Shaw Cable, give up 50% of the Family Channel.
Shaw
In approving Shaw Communications’ acquisition of Canadian Satellite Communications Inc. (Cancom), the Commission was of the view that this ownership consolidation would allow for a better competitive balance among satellite service providers in Canada. Shaw’s financial contribution will foster the development of sustainable competition among these providers, including the satellite relay distributors, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite systems and other non-regulated services. Consumers are the ones benefiting from this transaction as they will have more choice in service providers.
November 24, 2000; CRTC APPROVES NEW DIGITAL PAY AND SPECIALTY TELEVISION SERVICES
News Release
MORE CHOICE FOR CONSUMERS
OTTAWA-HULL — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is issuing abridged decisions on the approval of applications for new digital pay and specialty television services. The Commission is convinced that these high quality and varied services will help drive the penetration of digital technology in Canada and provide new windows for Canadian talent while offering Canadian viewers a wide array of new choices.
"The approval of these licences for new digital pay and specialty services marks an exciting new era in Canadian broadcasting and sets the stage for expanded digital interactivity," said Commission Chairperson, Françoise Bertrand. "The number of high-quality choices offers something for everyone in the house, from mystery and biography to documentaries and health. Not only that, these new services will present more opportunities to showcase Canadian talent."
World firsts
The Commission is pleased to announce a couple of world firsts in terms of Category 1 programming services licensed today—the Women’s Sports Network (WSN) and PrideVision. WSN is a service devoted entirely to women’s sports. PrideVision is a new service designed to meet the needs and concerns of the gay and lesbian community.
Range of voices
The Commission believes that in their entirety, these services provide a well-rounded and balanced offering. The winning applicants represent a range of companies from the well-established to new players. The new channels include a number of ethnic services in a variety of languages not currently available in the system. The Commission is convinced that this will provide for a diversity of voices across the broadcasting spectrum.
More consumer choice
Digital technology allows for new and imaginative ways for distributors to offer services. But the most attractive aspect of the new technology is the chance for consumers to be in the driver’s seat in terms of what services they choose to pay for and view.
New licences
The Commission received over 450 applications for licences and approved 16 English- and 5 French-language Category 1 applications, 262 Category 2 applications, as well as the 2 pay-per-view (PPV) and 4 video-on-demand (VOD) applications. The Commission denied 66 Category 1 applications and 99 Category 2 applications. Consistent with the licensing framework issued last January, applications were denied mainly because they competed with an approved Category 1 licence or an already existing conventional service.
To offer Category 1 services to the greatest number of potential digital subscribers, distributors who use digital technology will be required to carry all the approved Category 1 services appropriate to their markets. In contrast, Category 2 licensees must negotiate with distributors for access.
"The new world is both digital and diverse. But in that challenging world, the final choice will be the consumer’s," said Madame Bertrand.
The CRTC will publish the reasons, terms and conditions for its decisions on the new digital pay and specialty, PPV and VOD services as planned in mid-December.
December 7, 2000; CRTC APPROVES ACQUISITION OF CTV BY BCE
News Release
OTTAWA-HULL — In a decision issued today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved the acquisition of the CTV private English-language television network by BCE Inc.
The decision of the CRTC allows the Canadian broadcasting system to benefit from the largest investment in its history of additional funds for Canadian priority programming.
January 9, 2001; Satellite access sparks fight
Star Choice complains: Telesat accused of putting limits on new channels
Barbara Shecter Financial Post & Tom Hanson, The Canadian Press
Jean Monty's BCE has not influenced Netstar's decisions, CTV has told the federal broadcast regulator.
Satellite TV operator Star Choice says a sister company of chief competitor Bell ExpressVu is limiting its ability to offer new channels and has asked Canada's broadcast regulator to step in and ensure that Star Choice is treated fairly.
The company, owned by cable giant Shaw Communications Inc., is arguing that Telesat, which is owned by Shaw rival BCE Inc., is reneging on a two-year-old commitment to sell space on a new satellite.
In a plea for help from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Star Choice said the clawback would "totally undermine its ability to compete effectively with Bell ExpressVu."
The two sides are arguing about whether a clawback provision is still in effect.
The number of channels offered is crucial to customers deciding which satellite TV service to take, Stephen Whitehead, a Star Choice lawyer, said in a letter to the CRTC.
"Telesat's action would reduce the number of new digital services that Star Choice could distribute, a situation that makes Star Choice less competitive and attractive to subscribers ... [and] penalizes existing Star Choice subscribers who have counted on additional services being distributed," he said.
Telesat is clawing back four transponders on the recently launched Anik F1 satellite and selling them to broadcasters Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., CHUM Ltd., and CTV.
CTV is also a BCE-owned company, which has added heat to the battle because its Netstar division stands to get half the satellite space Telesat is clawing back.
"Telesat is giving unlawful preferential treatment to itself, its Bell ExpressVu and Netstar/CTV/BCE affiliates, and to CHUM and Alliance Atlantis, and is effectively determining which services Star Choice may offer," Star Choice told the commission.
Broadcasters buy or negotiate satellite space so they can produce digital programming for cable and satellite distribution.
The Anik F-1 satellite is expected to be in service by the middle of this month.
Star Choice will have access to 25 transponders, instead of 29 before the clawback, while its competitor will have 32 for the entire decade-and-a-half lifespan of the new Anik F1 satellite, according to Star Choice's CRTC filing.
The filing says that will give ExpressVu an unfair competitive advantage in packaging new digital television channels licensed in November by the CRTC.
On Nov. 30, Ken Stein, senior vice-president of corporate and regulatory affairs, added Shaw's weight to the dispute by forwarding Star Choice's complaint to Françoise Bertrand, chairwoman of the CRTC.
Robert Power, Telesat's director of regulatory matters, told the commission that Telesat never gave up the right to the claw back, as Star Choice claims. He also said Star Choice has made public statements that are at odds with its claims of being "frozen" at 25 transponders.
In a reply to the CRTC on behalf of CTV, Robin Fillingham, CTV's executive vice-president, said Telesat offered better non-financial terms for the two transponders than could be negotiated with Star Choice and its affiliates. He added Netstar and Telesat have had a space supply agreement dating back to 1997. "Netstar's decisions have not been influenced in any way by BCE ... For all intents and purposes, the negotiations with Telesat have been conducted, and are being conducted, in an arm's- length manner."
On the other hand, he said, it could be argued Star Choice's complaint to the CRTC is an attempt to make parent Shaw Communications "the primary gatekeeper for all [direct-to-home] and satellite-to-cable distribution in Canada."
Alliance replied that certain guarantees from Telesat won out over better financial terms offered in a Star-Choice counter-bid. Alliance also said it understood Telesat had the right to claw back as many as 11 transponders from Star Choice to allow customers who did not want to do business with Star Choice to buy capacity for digital broadcasts.
The dispute delayed Star Choice's planned marketing push over Christmas, according to the filing.
February 9, 2001; Anik F1 Upcoming Transfers
Transfer Plans
Telesat is pleased to announce that plans for bringing Anik F1 into service are progressing on schedule. Telesat is expecting to begin and complete the transfers of its Anik E2 customers onto Anik F1 in the early morning hours of February 16th. The transfers will be done by band and by polarization. The C-Band customers, A-polarization (horizontal pole) will be transferred first, followed by the B-polarization (vertical pole), then followed by the Ku-Band, vertical polarization and concluding with the Ku-Band horizontal polarization. Presently the transfers are scheduled to commence at approximately 0300 EST and everything should be complete prior to 0800 EST. During the transfer, minor adjustments will be made to each satellite channel to optimize operating levels but those adjustments should not result in a noticeable decline in service for customers who are using the channels.
Feb. 28, 2001; SuperChannel and TMN get a major overhaul
Toronto Star
Popular Sopranos catalyst for movie channel change
There's a whole new look and style coming to the country's two pay-TV services - Superchannel in the West and The Movie Network in the East. And The Sopranos is a big part of it. Both TMN, owned by Astral Media, and Superchannel, now owned by Corus Entertainment, announced big changes to their images and offerings Wednesday.
For The Movie Network, it means a new logo, a thematic approach to its multiple-channel listings, and, beginning Monday, the debut of the much-anticipated Season 3 of The Sopranos, the outlandishly successful HBO gangster series.
Superchannel - now to be known as Movie Central - is also adopting the theme approach where in the past the same movies aired at different times - theatre multiplex-style - on its different channels. But the big news is the end of a long-running rights dispute with HBO Enterprises, and under a multi-year deal signed Tuesday night, subscribers in Western Canada will now enjoy access at last to the American premium service's hit offerings.
The move flows from the Corus takeover of Superchannel from WIC (which in turn had assumed control from Allarcom). So Superchannel subscribers now will get to see The Sopranos which, except for CTV's broadcast of Season 1 last year, has been an unknown quantity to viewers west of the Lakehead. It's been cited as one reason why satellite piracy has been a bigger issue in the West than in the East. ''There was a 'situation' we inherited from the previous owner,'' is all Corus spokeswoman Laura Heath would say about the disagreement. ''We're obviously delighted about the news.''
Superchannel, now to be called Movie Central, will air Sopranos Seasons 1 and 2 - six episodes a week - beginning on its relaunch date, April 1, and Season 3 beginning May 1.
Movie Central will become a six-channel service, embracing its lower-rent sister service Moviemax under one umbrella. Movie Central's main channel will offer recent releases and blockbusters, including such HBO specials such as the Bruce Springsteen Madison Square Garden concert event.
The other genre-based channels will be called Adrenaline Drive (action and adventure movies), Shadow Lane (chillers and thrillers), Heartland Road (romantic drama), Encore Avenue (new and old classics) and Comic Strip (comedies).
The history of pay TV in Canada has been a confusing one since the first licences were issued in 1983. In the subsequent shakedown, some services collapsed and others merged. The outcome is that Astral-owned TMN (formerly First Choice - the Movie Network) now has exclusive domain over Eastern Canada and Corus Entertainment's Superchannel dominates the West. The only connection between Astral and Corus is that both own shares in The Family Channel. However, because Corus is controlled by the Shaw broadcast family, owner of the country's second biggest cable system, the CRTC says it must sell its half-interest. The federal regulator doesn't allow cable companies to own specialty channels although the policy is under review.
August 7, 2001; Digital TV launch to be messy
Financial Post Sinclair Stewart
50 stations; few deals
The biggest channel launch in Canadian television history is only one month away, yet most viewers have no idea what is on the programming menu.
Then again, neither do the broadcasters.
Between 45 and 50 new digital stations are expected to be jostling for attention in the first week of September, and industry watchers are predicting things could get off to a messy start.
Cable companies, satellite operators, and program suppliers are still quibbling over rates, meaning the vast majority of these channels remain without formal carriage deals.
Because most of the agreements are still at the handshake stage, it has been impossible to create bundled packages and begin marketing them to consumers. And that is the crucial means of attracting new customers to the digital world and helping the specialty stations survive in what promises to be a new era of media fragmentation.
"The industry launch of digital channels will be a dog's breakfast," Susan Reid, an analyst with Montreal-based Research Capital, wrote in a research note last month. "The channels that will succeed will need a strong brand to rise above the crowd and knowledgeable operators with strong corporate backing."
A likely explanation for the eleventh-hour talks -- and resulting gloomy predictions -- is sheer logistics. While broadcasting distribution units (BDUs) such as cable and satellite firms point out that such down-to-the-wire talks are relatively common, there is nothing common about the simultaneous birth of four dozen channels.
To complicate matters, the launches are not confined to cable, as they have been in the past, meaning programmers will have to negotiate a much wider variety of packages.
Gerry Noble, chief executive of Global Television Network, conceded there will be little time for marketing in the lead up to the launch, but said consumers will have plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the various deals during a free sample period, expected to last a few months.
Global, part of CanWest Global Communications Inc., which owns half of the National Post, plans to launch six specialty stations next month, including mystery and sports offerings, along with a jazz-themed channel in January. Mr. Noble said the network has reached "general agreements" with most of the carriers, and is negotiating on the strength of its cross-promotional abilities.
"We've offered quite a bit of marketing existence to the BDUs: With Global and CH networks and with our connection to the newspaper group we can offer quite a bit of marketing clout," he said, noting it may be a bit of a rough ride for the stations in the first year. "These business plans aren't as robust as we would certainly like them to be, but I think the future for them, as penetration increases, is quite positive."
Peter Miller, vice-president of business and regulatory affairs for CHUM Ltd.'s CHUM Television, said the Toronto specialty broadcaster has also concluded a handful of distribution deals for its seven new channels, and is currently in discussions to finalize the rest.
One of the few broadcasters to have actually secured placement on the digital tier is Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., which has already signed carriage agreements for its seven specialty channels with Shaw Communications Inc. and its direct-to-home satellite arm, StarChoice Communications Inc. The Toronto-based film and television company, whose new offerings include an independent film channel, also announced a carriage deal with BCE Inc.'s Bell ExpressVu, although neither side specified the number of channels.
At least one specialty channel operator blamed these early deals for contributing to the extended negotiations with cablecos and satellite companies. The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Alliance Atlantis had reportedly settled for lower subscription rates (these are expected to range anywhere between 30¢ and 55¢ per subscriber) in exchange for other benefits, such as packaging, and had thereby set a low-rate benchmark for other broadcasters.
BDUs are required to carry all 16 of the category one digital stations and may carry as many category two licences as they wish. Only Shaw and StarChoice have publicly outlined their plans, promising to launch a total of 28 stations in the first week of September. Shaw has close to 300,000 digital subscribers, while StarChoice has roughly 630,000.
Bell ExpressVu, the country's largest digital service with 850,000 subscribers, plans to unveil its carriage arrangements and packaged offerings early next week, while Rogers Communications Inc., which has more than 200,000 subscribers, is still hammering out carriage arrangements and has yet to offer an official kickoff date for the new channels.
DaveJohnson
01-25-2002, 2:06 PM
Bruce a great recap of Canadian DTH history. I was an Alphastar sub when the service went dark in Aug 97. I was also a Cancom DTH subscriber also when the service went dark.
Dave
MikefromCanmore
01-25-2002, 2:38 PM
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
I was an Alphastar sub when the
service went dark in Aug 97. I was also a Cancom DTH subscriber also when the
service went dark.
<hr></blockquote>
So who do you have now? - so that I can feel safe by buying the other one! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
DaveJohnson
01-25-2002, 6:17 PM
Mike I suggest you buy Alphastar. Even after the service went dark at least you could use the receiver to fry eggs as it ran so damn hot. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif
Dave
snoman
01-25-2002, 7:21 PM
Oooo that's a shot in the arm.
I like it. /forums/images/icons/tongue.gif
DaveJohnson
01-25-2002, 8:30 PM
BTW Mike right now I have SC and Dishnetwork so feel safe to buy BEV and DTV. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
**DONOTDELETE**
01-26-2002, 2:15 PM
The History according to Bruce ....... WOW !!! , thanks I leared alot /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
MikefromCanmore
01-27-2002, 3:28 PM
Thanks Dave:
Actually, I'm leaning towards a used BUD/4DTV - but if those next generation $200US HD OTA/DTV boxes actually come to market - I'll go that route
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