Dish’s Ergen Expects 100 HD Nets, 100 Local HD Markets

Conceding that delays in satellite launches hurt Dish Network competitively, CEO Charlie Ergen said Tuesday that the satellite provider will have 100 national HD networks and local HD channels in 100 markets by the end of the year.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6535643.html

Cable Giants Talk WiMAX

Cable TV giants Comcast and Time Warner Cable are in talks with Sprint Nextel and Clearwire about a joint venture that would finally give the cable firms their elusive quadruple play service package, according to a published report.

http://www.redherring.com/Home/24018

Scripps Splits in Two

E.W. Scripps is planning to split into two publicly traded companies, one focused on “national lifestyle-media brands,” such as cable networks, and the other comprised of TV stations and newspapers. They’ll be known respectively as Scripps Networks Interactive and E.W. Scripps Co.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491592.html?industryid=47169

Surprise Czech digital TV move

The licences to Febio TV, TV Barrandov, TV Pohoda, Ocko, RTA and Z1 were initially granted in April 2006 but subsequently withdrawn following protests. They have since been reinstated as ‘compensatory’ licences following legislation that came into effect at the beginning of this year.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=4146

Nielsen, Google Team Up to Track TV Ads

The two companies struck a multiyear deal that will include Nielsen delivering audience-demographic data for the Google TV Ads platform, which collects set-top-box data that allow advertisers to measure the reach of their ads.

http://www.contentagenda.com/article/CA6493966.html

CNet: Satellite lobbying push could mean higher cable bills

DirecTV and other satellite television providers want taxes "equalized" on fairness grounds -- which could mean higher taxes for cable providers and their subscribers.

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9872657-7.html

Cable subscriptions will rise little on digital switch

MARCH 27 | Blockbuster, Netflix and other DVD-rental services may have found an unlikely ally in the U.S. switch to digital broadcasting next year: the federal government.

https://www.videobusinesss.com/article/CA6545683.html

DOJ gives blessing to XM-Sirius

What an outrage! The key reason for DOJ granting the merger is because XM and Sirius have flagrantly and defiantly violated their FCC licenses for every day of their existence. Now it is up to the FCC.

http://www.rbr.com/radio/6471.html

XM-Sirius merger approved

Barnett said Justice Dept. lawyers rejected arguments made mostly by consumer groups and the National Assn. of Broadcasters that satellite radio was a unique market and that a merger would allow creation of a monopoly that would jack up subscription rates.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982819

DirecTV Lobbied On Digital TV Switch (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Satellite-television provider DirecTV Group Inc. spent more than $1.2 million in 2007 to lobby on the nation's switch next year from an analog to a digital TV format.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hrXO6SuUG-BGulsibUbFs-zBcvkQD8VHU5300