Post by Skaggs on Dec 30, 2009 9:13:11 GMT -5
DIRECTV Launches New HD Satellite
TVPredictions.com, December 29, 2009
Washington, D.C. -- DIRECTV's new satellite, intended to expand its HD capacity, was successfully launched last night, the company announced.
"The launch was carried out without incidents," said a spokesman for the Russian space agency Roscosmos which handled the launch.
The satcaster says the satellite, called DIRECTV-12, will give it the capacity to offer up to 200 high-def channels.
“With the successful launch of our DIRECTV 12 satellite, we will have the capacity to dramatically expand HD and movie choices for our customers and further extend our content and technology leadership,” Romulo Pontual, DIRECTV’s chief technology officer, said in a statement Tuesday. “With a robust fleet of 11 satellites, including five spacecraft delivering HD programming, advanced transmission and set-top box technology, we are able to provide our customers with an unparalleled viewing experience and maintain a significant competitive advantage for many years to come.”
DIRECTV executives have said they are not sure if they will use the full capacity for HD. There have been reports that DIRECTV might use the satellite for other services as well, including 3-D broadcasts, On Demand programming and other entertainment initiatives.
"The new satellite will boost DIRECTV’s HD capacity by 50 percent, to more than 200 HD channels, increase the number of local HD markets DIRECTV will serve and significantly expand movie choices on the DIRECTV Cinema and DIRECTV on Demand services," the company said in a press release today.
The DIRECTV satellite, which was launched from Baikonur, is expected to be operational in the early second quarter of 2010, the company said.
Swanni's Take:
Note that DIRECTV is emphasizing that the new satellite will permit it to expand its PPV lineup. As I have been saying, don't expect the satcaster to add a lot of new HD channels when the satellite becomes operational. It's more likely that it will be less than 15 new HD channels plus a bunch of PPV services.
TVPredictions.com, December 29, 2009
Washington, D.C. -- DIRECTV's new satellite, intended to expand its HD capacity, was successfully launched last night, the company announced.
"The launch was carried out without incidents," said a spokesman for the Russian space agency Roscosmos which handled the launch.
The satcaster says the satellite, called DIRECTV-12, will give it the capacity to offer up to 200 high-def channels.
“With the successful launch of our DIRECTV 12 satellite, we will have the capacity to dramatically expand HD and movie choices for our customers and further extend our content and technology leadership,” Romulo Pontual, DIRECTV’s chief technology officer, said in a statement Tuesday. “With a robust fleet of 11 satellites, including five spacecraft delivering HD programming, advanced transmission and set-top box technology, we are able to provide our customers with an unparalleled viewing experience and maintain a significant competitive advantage for many years to come.”
DIRECTV executives have said they are not sure if they will use the full capacity for HD. There have been reports that DIRECTV might use the satellite for other services as well, including 3-D broadcasts, On Demand programming and other entertainment initiatives.
"The new satellite will boost DIRECTV’s HD capacity by 50 percent, to more than 200 HD channels, increase the number of local HD markets DIRECTV will serve and significantly expand movie choices on the DIRECTV Cinema and DIRECTV on Demand services," the company said in a press release today.
The DIRECTV satellite, which was launched from Baikonur, is expected to be operational in the early second quarter of 2010, the company said.
Swanni's Take:
Note that DIRECTV is emphasizing that the new satellite will permit it to expand its PPV lineup. As I have been saying, don't expect the satcaster to add a lot of new HD channels when the satellite becomes operational. It's more likely that it will be less than 15 new HD channels plus a bunch of PPV services.