News Corp: High & Immodest

Smiles on the News Corp. front yesterday as the company's fourth quarter (well, second quarter technically) results came in above Wall Street expectations. Overall the company reported earnings of $0.25/share on revenues of $8.7 billion. That's nicely over estimates of $0.20 and $8.23 billion.

On the downside, digital earnings were down $32 million year-over-year, "principally due to lower search and advertising revenue" plus a -$29 million on fire sales for some not-such-good-bets as Rotten Tomatoes and Photobucket.

With all due immodesty, CEO Rupert Murdoch noted that his company "has endured the most severe recession since the Great Depression and emerged as the world's most pre-eminent content company." Further, he added in predicting a bright future for his massive enterprise, "Content is not just king but emperor of all things electronic."

3 Feb 2010 - 18:55 by soullezz

Industry News |

DIRECTV's 1 Millionth App; Broadband Hotspots & More

• DIRECTV says that more than 1 million DVR iPhone apps have been downloaded in less than one year. The app, first introduced in March 2009 in the Apple App Store, lets customers schedule their DVRs remotely.

• The hottest of the satellite broadband hotspots – the Middle East, Asia and Africa – will have yet more IP-over-bird options. SkyDelta Satellite Networks says it has three iDirect hubs onboard to serve small businesses in the region.

• Watch for GOTV IPTV service to launch March 1. The service from Atlantis Technology Group's Global Online Television Corp aims to be a leading global provider of IPTV service. A video demo will be released befrore the launch.

• BET launched its new web series, "Shop Talk: What's on the Hearts of Men" yesterday. Look for lots of talk in a barbershop.

• ESPN reports an average of 12.3 million viewers for the 2010 Pro Bowl ... but for our money the real show was over at the X Games (also ESPN.)

3 Feb 2010 - 18:54 by soullezz

Industry News |

DISH Doings: HD Addition & A Relaunched Website

Fox Soccer HD is gearing up for a launch on the DISH Network, set for Feb. 10. According to a posting on the Fox Soccer website (brought to our attention by the folks at SatelliteGuys.US) , the HD net will be part of DISH's Top 250 and above.

Meanwhile check out the redesigned DISH website: It's got a nice clean look, the usual DISH mantra of deals, deals, deals plus prominent placement for what DISH heads bill as "the truth" about their network v. DIRECTV and cable. Again, "the truth" is mostly focused on deals, deals, deals ... but with increasing evidence that consumers are feeling tapped out by video fees, that might just resonate.

In related news, DISH cohort EchoStar Satellite Services announced that Mega Hertz has joined the company's ViP-TV Reseller program ... meaning, of course, that more feet on the street to sell the EchoStar IPTV solution to cable and telcoTV advocates.

3 Feb 2010 - 18:53 by soullezz

Industry News |