Multichannel News back issues from January 2001:
AT&T Restates Bad News As Stock Continues to Fall.(AT&T Corp. predicts lower fourth-quarter 2000 growth)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 01, 2001; ... AT&T Corp. stock continued its downward spiral as the year drew to a close, spurred by its fourth earnings warning in a year and continued softness in the company's business and consumer long-distance telephony units. After market close on Dec. 20, fourth-quarter overall revenue ...
AT&T Bucks FCC, Could Be Hoping For Bush Help.(AT&T Corp. may ignore Federal Communications Commission order, hoping President-elect George W. Bush nominees to the FCC will amend the agency's ruling)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... WASHINGTON -- AT&T Corp. seems to think it can get a better deal from a Federal Communications Commission run by Republicans than Democrats. Two weeks ago, the FCC ordered AT&T to sell its 25-percent interest in Time Warner Entertainment L. P., a step that on the surface ...
GOOD RIDDANCE, 2000.(cable operator's stocks took a beating in 2000)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Cable Turns Page on Brutal Year for Stocks Despite all the hype that surrounded the beginning of 2000, it was a year many cable operators would probably like to forget. After a period of intense consolidation and rapid stock-price acceleration in 1999 -- the stocks of ...
Charter Hits 1M Digital Mark.(Charter Communications Inc. has 1 mil digital cable subscribers)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 01, 2001; ... After-hours efforts from Charter Communications Inc. employees -- from customer service representatives and administrative clerks to managers and headend staffers -- helped the MSO reach the 1-million digital cable milestone just before Christmas, the company said last week. In ...
Comcast, Cable One Reach with Disney.(Walt Disney Co. makes deals with Comcast Corp. and Cable One Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... The Walt Disney Co. last week finally reached a retransmission-consent deal with Comcast Corp., and also settled a dispute with Cable One Inc. that almost resulted in Disney Channel being dropped from that MSO's systems. Last Friday afternoon -- after nearly a year of ...
Saban Saga Hits News Stock.(Haim Saban to sell stake in Fox Family Channel to News Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Haim Saban's demand that Rupert Murdoch buy out his stake in Fox Family Channel took a toll on News Corp.'s stock last week. Concerns over Saban's decision to exercise his so-called "put" option -- and the subsequent decision by Standard & Poor's to downgrade its outlook on ...
AOL-Time Warner Merger Awaits FCC.(Federal Communications Commission)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission, reportedly weighing whether to regulate instant messaging technology, failed to act on America Online Inc.'s merger with Time Warner Inc. last ...
Fox Family Says EchoStar Dawdled.(Fox Family Channel says EchoStar Communications Corp. can't cancel agreement)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... DENVER -- Fox Family Channel has charged that EchoStar Communications Corp. took too much time before trying to exercise a contract clause that would allow it to drop the cable network, according to recently filed court papers. EchoStar filed suit this fall, claiming its ...
Starz Encore Gets 'Crouching Tiger'.(Starz Encore Group L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... ENGLEWOOD, COLO. -- Starz Encore Group LLC has acquired the exclusive pay-TV rights to acclaimed director Ang Lee's ...
NAMIC Enlists eBay For Fundraising Help.(National Association of Minorities in Communications Foundation)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... CHICAGO -- The National Association of Minorities in Communications Foundation said it has partnered with eBay Inc. to raise funds for the Digital Bridge Alliance, ...
Cable Gains 4% Despite Broadcast Stars.(primetime viewership data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 01, 2001; ... In a banner year for the broadcast networks -- thanks to blockblusters such as Who Wants To Be a Millionaire and Survivor -- basic cable managed to rack up a 4 percent gain in the 2000 primetime ratings. Cable's primetime household numbers bumped up to a 26.3 rating from a 25.4 ...
More Players Circle Dying ISP Channel.(seeking to pick up ISP Channel affiliates)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Though High Speed Access Corp. has received the green light from SoftNet Systems Inc. to launch contract talks with existing ISP Channel affiliates, a host of competitors, including Excite@Home Corp. and lower-profile companies such as Zcorum Inc. and InterTECH, have also stepped in to ...
Utility Backbone Buy Would Aid Overbuilds.(Kansas City Power & Light to buy DTI Holdings Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Kansas City Power & Light last week unveiled an acquisition that will ultimately offer cable overbuilders in four states a way to enter second- and third-tier markets more quickly. The Kansas City, Mo.-based electric utility announced plans to acquire a controlling interest in ...
Ashcroft Loses Another One: NAB's Love.(various items of media interest)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... What if President-elect Bush had named outgoing Sen. John Ashcroft (R.-Mo.) as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission instead of attorney general? It would have meant bedlam at the National Association of Broadcasters. Four years ago, when the NAB wanted spectrum for digital ...
Court Adds 'Rockford,' Mulls Originals.(Courtroom Television Network acquires rights to The Rockford Files movies, plans to produce new films)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Jan 01, 2001 ... NEW YORK -- Courtroom Television Network, which just acquired the rights to The Rockford Files movies, plans to join the parade of basic-cable services creating original films, according to published reports last week. Court TV, which has seen its primetime ratings multiply ...
Ness Gets Recess Renewal.(Susan Ness of the Federal Communications Commission)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... WASHINGTON -- President Clinton has given Federal Communications Commission member Susan Ness a recess appointment that will allow the Democrat to continue to serve, perhaps until next fall. "I am honored President Clinton has appointed me to serve a recess term at the [FCC]," ...
ACTV Claims 'Enhanced TV' Patent.(sues Disney, ABC, ESPN)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... ACTV Inc. has filed a patent-infringement suit against The Walt Disney Co. units ABC Inc. and ESPN, accusing them of violating three ACTV interactive-television patents. The complaint, filed Dec. 19 in U.S. District Court in New York, is centered on the Enhanced TV feature that ...
Portable Meter Test Draws Near.(for Arbitron)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... NEW YORK -- The Arbitron Co., spelling out more details on the upcoming market trial of its Portable People Meter, said it expects to have a panel of 300 consumers in place by the end of February. Arbitron last month started to recruit consumers for that two-phase test. The ...
Illinois Judge OKs Late-Fee Settlement.(Charter Communications cable case)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... An Illinois judge has approved the settlement of a class-action lawsuit on late fees that will result in service rebates to some Charter Communications Inc. customers. The settlement of the 1999 lawsuit affects all Charter customers except those in California, Connecticut, ...
Concurrent Falls on VOD Pullback.(Concurrent Computer Corp. stock price falls because of delay in major video-on-demand order)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Shares in video-on-demand provider Concurrent Computer Corp. fell 49.6 percent after the company said an order for three VOD systems from a major MSO would be delayed until next quarter. The company's stock closed at $4 per share, down $3.94 each. Concurrent would not ...
Bigger, Interactive MTV2 Rings in 2001.(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... NEW YORK -- MTV2 this week kicks off the New Year with a relaunch, bolstered by the subscribers and interactive localized programming it inherits through its merger with The Box. The 24-hour music-video network has a special New Year's Eve and New Year's Day schedule set to ring ...
DBS Services Add 'Public' Channels.(Direct-broadcast satellite television providers)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Direct-broadcast satellite providers DirecTV Inc. and EchoStar Communications Corp. last month beefed up their public-interest programming by adding several commercial-free channels. DirecTV in December added Brigham Young University Television, which features sports, concerts ...
TNT's 'Trail' Takes a Detour.(review of television movie Crossfire Trail)(Brief Article)(Review)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Tom Selleck, executive producer and star of Crossfire Trail--Turner Network Television's latest western opus -- has obviously taken great pains to get the look just right. The scenery is well photographed, with Calgary standing in for 1880 Wyoming. And at first, most of the ...
Carey Tests Improv Skills on PPV.(pay-per-view program featuring comedian)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Showtime Event Television this month will distribute a rare comedy-based pay-per-view event featuring stand-up comedian Drew Carey. Carey, the star of two ABC comedy series -- The Drew Carey Show and Whose Line Is It Anyway? -- will host a live, unedited improvisational comedy ...
Adult PPV Looks Hot in 2001.(pay-per-view television services)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... While many pay-per-view executives and observers will focus on driving near video-on-demand and VOD movie purchases in 2001, the adult business will arguably make its share of noise in PPV next year -- albeit quietly. Adult product has been a consistent source of revenue for ...
Midseason Sports Buys Available Via 888 Call.(In Demand lowers sports package prices)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... In Demand will launch its new, toll-free sports pay-per-view hotline by offering midseason deals on its two out-of-market pro packages. The PPV provider will make its National Basketball Association and National Hockey League slates available at discounted midseason prices ...
PEOPLE.(cable television executive appointments)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... ACTV Peter Cullen joined ACTV Inc. as executive VP, new business development. He comes from America Online Inc., where he was VP, business development for the interactive marketing division. Also, ACTV tapped John Penney as executive VP, enhanced media services. He comes from ...
Cox Digital Gets Good Guys' Retail Aid.(Cox Communications partnership with The Good Guys)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Cox Communications Inc. has started a retail digital-cable marketing pilot program with San Francisco-based consumer electronics retailer The Good Guys Inc. A Cox Digital Cable starter kit is available in select stores in the Orange County, Calif., and Las Vegas markets. The ...
Yule Sales: N.Y. is Up, L.A.'s Slow.(New York Interconnect, Adlink)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... While the New York Interconnect seems to have had a good December, it's beginning to look like a grinch stole Christmas from Adlink, its counterpart in Los Angeles. December in the No. 1 DMA was "pacing at 42 percent ahead of last year," Big Apple interconnect senior vice ...
This Just In: My Predictions for 2001.
Jan 01, 2001; ... Warning: Like the economist who called six out of the last three recessions, I hereby make enough predictions that at least some of them will some true, given enough time to ripen. To wit: Within three months, the Bush administration will end the antitrust jihad against ...
AT&T Phone Efforts Get Assist in Pennsylvania.(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... HARRISBURG, PA. -- AT&T Corp. got a holiday boost in Pennsylvania the week before Christmas, when local regulators voted to drop an impediment that kept the company from expanding cable telephony there. The state Public Utility Commission had a policy that protected small rural ...
Classic Exec Purge Claims CEO Belisle.(Classic Communications Inc. CEO J. Merritt Belisle)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Classic Communications Inc. CEO J. Merritt Belisle is the latest casualty in a management shakeup at the rural-system MSO, spurred in part by a drop of more than 90 percent in the company's stock price since its December 1999 initial public offering. Belisle, who founded Classic ...
BellSouth Bags Wireless Cable, DTH Plans.(BellSouth Corp. to provide customers with direct-broadcast satellite service)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Opting to focus on digital subscriber line growth, BellSouth Corp. said it plans to abandon wireless-video offerings and will instead opt to provide customers with direct-broadcast satellite service from EchoStar Communications Corp. In November, BellSouth said it was ...
RCN Will Cut Capital Outlays in Half.(RCN Corp.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... RCN Corp. now plans to slash capital expenditures by 50 percent in 2001, abandoning a strategy to aggressively overbuild cable: systems and focusing on existing markets. The overbuilder said it would reduce its capital expenditures next year by $600 million, to between $770 ...
ABIZ Shows Little, Late.(RBC Dominion Securities Corp. downgrades Adelphia Business Solutions Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... RBC Dominion Securities analyst Eric Schrumpf downgraded Adelphia Business Solutions to "under-perform" from "outperform" after the company said it would scale back its expansion plans. Adelphia Business, which trades under the symbol "ABIZ," will trim its 2001 capital expenditures from ...
STOCK FOCUS.(TIME WARNER INC. (NYSE--TWX))(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... TIME WARNER INC. (NYSE--TWX) Time Warner stock lost nearly 20 percent of its value since the company said its 2000 cash-flow growth would fall short of expectations. On Dec. 18, Time Warner said cash-flow growth for the year would be about 11 percent -- instead of 12 percent to ...
Hughes Cash Buys a DSL Outlet: Telocity.(Hughes Electronics Corp. plunged into the digital subscriber line business by buying Telocity Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Acknowledging that its DirecPC data service trails other broadband service providers, Hughes Electronics Corp. plunged into the digital subscriber line business by buying Telocity Inc. for $180 million. In the pre-Christmas announcement, Hughes said it would use Telocity's ...
Vendors, Content Firms Perchance May Stream.(Aerocast at Streaming Media West show)(Product Announcement)
Jan 01, 2001; ... While cable players continue to mull over their streaming media agendas, equipment and content vendors in that arena are aggressively pushing forward their ideas. They were out in full force for last month's Streaming Media West show in San Jose, Calif. And why shouldn't they ...
Enron, Blockbuster Launch VOD.(Enron Corp. and Blockbuster Inc. video on demand)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... The content may be limited, and only a few hundred homes may have digital-subscriber line access to somewhat dated movies like Silence of The Lambs. But Enron Corp. and Blockbuster Inc. did get their VOD service off the ground at the end of December, meeting their promise to launch by the ...
2001: A Video-On-Demand Odyssey.(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... One of the worst things I think executives can do is publicly declare, "This is the year of [fill in the blank]." Year after year, the bigwigs declared, "This is the year of pay-per-view," only to see their predictions fall short. So I had to chuckle when, in recent weeks, I ...
Intertainer OKs Software Deal.(licensing deal with Into Networks Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -- Intertainer Inc. said it would offer software-on-demand services through a nonexolusive licensing deal with Into Networks Inc. More specifically, Intertainer will marry Into's "IntoMedia" streaming software with its "Intertainer.tv" entertainment-on-demand, ...
Singapore Broadcaster Goes with Open TV.(Media Corp. of Singapore has selected OpenTV Corp.'s software)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. -- Media Corp. of Singapore has selected OpenTV Corp.'s software for that country's first interactive-television foray. OpenTV-enabled set-tops are expected to be deployed on MediaCorp's digital terrestrial network later this month as part of a pilot ...
DOCSIS Shipments Rise in 3rd Quarter.(Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification-based cable modems)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... PHOENIX -- Worldwide shipments for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification-based cable modems ballooned to 2 million units in the third quarter, up 67 percent versus the previous quarter, Cable Datacom News said, citing vendor reports. Motorola Broadband Communications ...
Vegas CES Adds ITV Flavor.(International Consumer Electronics Show)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Interactive television companies that showed their wares at the recent Western Cable Show in Los Angeles get another chance to promote the category at the retailcentric International Consumer Electronics Show, which opens Saturday (Jan. 6) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. ...
NAB Seeks Free-TV CODY Protection.(National Association of Broadcasters on copying internet broadcasts)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... WASHINGTON -- Broadcasters are pressuring movie and television producers to ensure that digital broadcast signals can't be repeatedly copied or loaded onto the Internet. In a recent letter, National Association of Broadcasters president Edward Fritts warned that if broadcast ...
Holiday Online Spending Trends Up.(DIRECTV Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Despite the recent focus on dot-com shutdowns, holiday online spending doubled in 2000 compared to the previous year, according to surveys released last week. That's good news for cable companies looking to add electronic-commerce revenues through portals on their high-speed ...
What You Told Us.(Cable television services outlook)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001; ... Last week, we all read and heard about the Grinch who stole Christmas. I'm not talking about the movie -- which is still going great at the box office -- but rather the compound effect of the Federal Reserve Board raising interest rates several times this past year, the angst over a new ...
Closing Prices.(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 2001 ... [TABLE HAS ...
FCC Plans to Tackle Digital Must-Carry.
Jan 08, 2001; ... WASHINGTON -- After taking a pounding from broadcasters for 30 months, the Federal Communications Commission is about to tackle issues that involve cable carriage of digital TV signals in an attempt to accelerate the phase-out of analog service. Late last week, it was unclear ...
ACTION NEEDS A HERO.(BET Holdings Inc. will shut down pay-per-view network in absence of right buyer)
Jan 08, 2001; ... Without Buyer; PPV Net Would Shutter BET Holdings Inc. will shut down its BET Action Pay-Per-View network on March 31 unless it can find a suitable buyer for the beleaguered service. Facing limited distribution and unable to effectively compete with In Demand's ...
Rainbow Deal May Hinge on Debt.(Rainbow Media Group)
Jan 08, 2001; ... Steve Donohue contributed to this report After months of negotiations, $1 billion in debt may be all that separates USA Networks Inc. chairman Barry Diller from a coveted prize: Rainbow Media Group. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Diller has ...
Despite 'Hiatus,' NUE-TV Talks Tough.(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001; ... Despite a production "hiatus," executives at start-up cable network NUE-TV said the company is not in danger of folding -- and is holding serious discussions with potential investors interested in the urban-targeted service. Inside.com last week reported the basic-cable service ...
MTV Goes Dark Over Hate.(for first time ever)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001; ... NEW YORK -- To kick off its new anti-discrimination campaign, MTV: Music Television this week will go dark for the first time ever -- for 17 hours -- to honor hate-crime victims. As part of its "Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Discrimination" effort, MTV will run a ...
Paskowski, Jessell Promoted.(Cahners Television Group executives Marianne Paskowski, Harry Jessell)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... NEW YORK -- Cahners Television Group last week announced several organizational changes as part of its ongoing effort to position the group as the leading information provider serving the television marketplace. Multichannel News editorial director and editor-in-chief Marianne ...
Tauzin Will Chair Energy/Commerce.(W.J. Tauzin)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... WASHINGTON -- Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) last week won approval from his House Republican colleagues to take over as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees ...
Adelphia to Pass On Eminem PPV.(Adelphia Communications Corp.)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... COUDERSPORT, PENN -- Adelphia Communications Corp. will not offer subscribers In Demand's Feb. 17 pay-per-view concert featuring controversial rap star Eminem. In a statement, Adelphia executive vice ...
AT&T Lays Off 300 in Atlanta.(AT and T Broadband)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... ATLANTA -- AT&T Broadband has laid off 309 staffers, about one-sixth of its local work force. MSO spokesman Reg Griffin confirmed the number, noting that the cuts range across ...
Viacom Has Plans For $1.5B Debt Sale.(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... NEW YORK -- Viacom Inc. said Friday it wants to sell $1.5 billion of global debt securities. Earlier last week, Charter Communications ...
Chad-Check Impact Clear in Net Ratings.(cable television networks' ratings for fourth-quarter 2000)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Jan 08, 2001; ... Cable's all-news channels were the clear-cut winners in terms of fourth-quarter ratings growth last year, as coverage of the seemingly never-ending presidential election saga doubled their primetime numbers. Cable News Network, Fox News Channel and MSNBC tallied up audience ...
Ops Swing Big Winter Swaps.(cable television system operators swap properties)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001; ... Top MSOs -- including Comcast Corp., Adelphia Communications Corp. and AT&T Broadband -- last week closed several previously announced deals that helped strengthen their clusters in markets such as Detroit, Los Angeles and South Florida. At press time, AT&T was also expected to ...
AT&T Draws Flak For 4.8% Rate Hike.(AT and T Broadband L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001; ... AT&T Broadband last week drew national headlines of a negative sort when it said that its 2001 price increases -- which take effect as early as next month -- would average 4.8 percent nationwide. That uptick is moderate by cable-industry standards. But it generated criticism ...
The Very Model of an English Whopper.(tabloids mis-represent event at Western Show)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001; ... The headline read "Gropers Start Cindy Brawl; Star Terrified." If you were at the actual scene of the incident, at the Western Show, you'd certainly read on -- but you'd probably find the case was a bit, shall we say, overstated. The banner in London's Daily Mirror was atop a story about ...
AT&T Backs Away From Modem-Fee Halt.(AT and T Broadband L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001; ... A mid municipal opposition, AT&T Broadband has temporarily stepped back from plans to cease franchise-fee payments on Internet-service revenues. Following the lead of Cox Communications Inc., AT&T at year-end began notifying the cities it serves in Oregon, Washington and ...
Ellis, Raymond Co-Chair SkiTAM.(Steve Raymond, Chuck Ellis)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... VAIL, COLO. -- The steering committee for "SkiTAM 2001," cable's annual fund-raising initiative to benefit the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, will be co-chaired by Time Warner Cable executive vice president Chuck Ellis and Steve Raymond, vice president of affiliate sales and marketing for ESPN's ...
Kreshek Named Western Sales Manager.(Leandra Kreshek, Multichannel News)(Brief Article)
Jan 08, 2001 ... NEW YORK -- Leandra Kreshek has been promoted to Western regional sales manager for Multichannel News. Kreshek, based in Los Angeles, has handled programming, new media and technology accounts in California since she joined the publication in late 1999. She also represents ...