DIRECTV FILES TO LAUNCH SIX MORE SATELLITES; MOVE RAISES STAKES IN DBS.Byline: Dave McNary Daily News Staff Writer Satellite broadcasting leader DirecTV has filed an application with federal regulators to add six satellites to the three it already operates, which will lead to a much wider offering of programming for U.S. customers. DirecTV filed with the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. last week to launch the satellites starting in 1999 and assign it orbital orbital Mathematical expression, called a wave function, that describes properties characteristic of no more than two electrons near an atomic nucleus or molecule. An orbital can be considered a three-dimensional region in which there is a 95% probability of finding an slots and part of the transmission spectrum in order to provide additional movie, sports and pay-per-view programming to its domestic subscribers, a spokesman confirmed. The development underscores the increasing stakes in the burgeoning direct-broadcast satellite - or DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) A one-way TV broadcast service from a communications satellite to a small round or oval dish antenna no larger than 20" in diameter. - market, which began three years ago when General Motors Corp. subsidiary DirecTV began service with digital-quality picture transmission as an alternative to cable. DirecTV, which has 2.6 million U.S. customers for its 175-channel service, did not disclose how many new channels it will add once the new satellites are operational. The rival Primestar service, with 1.8 million customers for its 160 channels, announced this week it will add 60 channels to its service early next year as part of a push into urban areas. Primestar's announcement came following the decision by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. to swap its direct-broadcast satellite assets, valued at $1.1 billion, with Primestar in exchange for 31 percent ownership. The transaction is likely to knock down prices and intensify in·ten·si·fy v. in·ten·si·fied, in·ten·si·fy·ing, in·ten·si·fies v.tr. 1. To make intense or more intense: competition for DBS customers between DirecTV and Primestar, a consortium of leading cable operators. Murdoch reached the deal with Primestar after his plan to buy Echostar, which has 550,000 DBS customers for its 120-channel service, fell through last month. Earlier this year, the media tycoon had promised the combination with Echostar would lead to 500-channel DBS service, and News Corp. executives told analysts that the venture would earn $1 billion annually by the year 2001. Echostar has filed a $5 billion breach-of-contract suit against News Corp., which has countersued. Curtis Alexander Curtis Alexander is a footballer on the fictional footballing drama Dream Team, played by Chucky Venice. He first appeared on the show in January 2002 about a possible move, however this failed to materialize as this was only a ploy to get his brother Linton to sign for , vice president of the Media Research Group consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a in Providence Providence, city (1990 pop. 160,728), state capital and seat of Providence co., NE R.I., a port at the head of Providence Bay; founded by Roger Williams 1636, inc. as a city 1832. , R.I., said the DirecTV filing will probably lead to the service being able to offer specific regional programming options to customers. He cautioned that it may be several years after 1999 before DirecTV is able to build and launch the new satellites. DirecTV, based in El Segundo El Segundo (ĕl sēgŭn`dō), industrial city (1990 pop. 15,223), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1917. Its products include navigation and computer systems, aircraft parts, office machines, telephone apparatus, and , expects to sign up its 3 millionth U.S. customer by the end of the year. The company launched its first international service last July with service to Venezuela and now operates in 10 Latin American markets. It is also planning to launch DBS service in Japan later this year to compete against PerfecTV - a venture started last year by trading companies Itochu, Mitsui and Sumitomo. Japan Sky Broadcasting, controlled by Murdoch, Softbank, Sony and Fuji Television Fuji Television Network, Inc. (株式会社フジテレビジョン Network, will go into service in April. |
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