Not to sound like a broken record, but VOOM is still not dead yet... This is from yesterday... Two memos issued to VOOM employees one after the other, contradicticting themselves.
MEMORANDUM
TO: DISTRIBUTION
FROM: JAMES DOLAN
DATE: FEBRUARY 28, 2005
RE: VOOM TRANSITION
The Board of Directors of Cablevision has been unable to reach an agreement with certain Class B shareholders regarding the sale of the VOOM business and, therefore, the Board has directed us to close the VOOM DBS business including VOOM 21. Thus, we begin a transition and we wanted to outline our initial thoughts. While we do expect job reductions to occur, we will encourage VOOM employees to pursue the many open positions we have within divisions of Cablevision, such as Cable & Communications, Madison Square Garden and our various programming entities.
I have asked Tom Rutledge, our chief operating officer, to lead the transition team to manage this shutdown. He will be working closely with me and with VOOM’s executive leadership to accomplish this in the most productive manner possible.
As we sort through the various issues we will keep you informed and tell you what we have planned in this regard. Cablevision has a long history of strongly valuing our relationships with our employees and you should know that this heritage will continue to be in the forefront of our thinking as we proceed.
We are also committed to treating our subscribers in an organized and appropriate manner, and we ask that you help in this effort. We will provide more specifics on this front as they become available.
Our goal is that this transition will be conducted in the most sensitive and professional way possible for our employees, customers and business partners.
This change will help Cablevision to be in the best possible position to build upon the strong operating performance of our telecommunications, sports, programming and entertainment businesses.
Thank you and we will continue to keep you informed.
After the memo was sent out this one was sent
TO: All Rainbow DBS & VOOM21 Employees
FROM: Charles & Tom Dolan
DATE: Feb. 28, 2005
SUBJECT: VOOM
VOOM is going through a period of uncertainty. What you need to know is that members of the Dolan Family remain committed to this bright and promising business. Financing for the purchase of VOOM operations is in place. We’re optimistic that we will be able to work out an arrangement that meets the needs of all the parties involved. Meanwhile, it’s important to note that VOOM will continue to provide service to its customers while these discussions continue.
You’ve all been through a lot in the past few weeks. We regret all the confusion and stress. Please know how much we appreciate your support, hard work and professionalism during these trying times. We hope that you will stay on and help us take this exciting project into the future.
And there was also this Press Release from VOOM that the PR newswires don't seem to be giving much play...
JERICHO, N.Y., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- VOOM HD, LLC today announced that it is prepared to finance the continued expansion of the VOOM satellite service. Supported by the family interests of Charles and Thomas Dolan, VOOM HD, LLC has advised Cablevision that it continues to be interested in completing a transaction on the terms and conditions of the Letter of Intent into which the two companies entered several weeks ago. These include the purchase of assets and the assumption of liabilities related to the satellite service.
Said Tom Dolan, VOOM HD's CEO, "We are more than ever convinced of the viability of the VOOM service. We believe our offer to Cablevision is in the best interests of Cablevision's shareholders and VOOM's 46,000 subscribers across the nation. If we are able to complete negotiations with Cablevision, we are certain that VOOM HD will emerge as a robust new vendor providing a valuable alternative to the two services that now dominate the satellite industry."
VOOM is the first television service to provide a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) programming for the rapidly growing but underserved HDTV audience. With a lineup of nearly 40 HD channels, VOOM delivers more HD programming than any other satellite or cable service provider. VOOM's HD lineup includes STARZ! HD, Encore HD, Showtime HD, Playboy Hot HD, ESPN HD, HBO HD and Cinemax HD, as well as an exclusive package of brand-new, commercial-free VOOM HD Originals such as WorldSport, Equator and Animania. The service also includes 87 of the most popular cable channels in standard- definition (SD), 23 digital music channels, and free over-the-air digital broadcast channels in HD, where available. VOOM is offered across the continental United States through local Sears retailers; at BrandsMart USA stores; and through O'Rourke Sales Company's independent electronics retailers with approximately 10,000 locations in all 50 states. Customers can also purchase the service by calling 1-800-GET-VOOM or by visiting
www.voom.com.
The game's not over yet, it looks to be a pissing match between Charles Dolan and his son James.
