Cablevision Preps Sat Service

[toad57]

CABLEVISION TRIES TO WOO VIEWERS WITH NEW HDTV SATELLITE SERVICE (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/32989)

Hoping to cherry-pick the high-end, high-definition television viewer, Cablevision Systems will reportedly launch an HDTV-intensive satellite TV service Oct. 1.

[Chris Blount]

Cablevision's DBS effort is getting closer to reality, with rumors surrounding the service's retail sales and a brand name surfacing in the press during the past week.

Newsday said last week the Cablevision/Rainbow DBS venture is expected to use the brand name Voom. It's also expected that the small dish offering will roll out in Sears stores within the next few weeks, the Long Island, N.Y., newspaper reported.

The Cablevision service will have an emphasis on HDTV, and will aim to compete with product and service offerings from DirecTV and EchoStar, as well as cable operators. The service will use the Rainbow 1 satellite located at 62.5 degrees.

[Cyclone]

The only problem is that most of their Exclusive HDTV channels look to be junk channels. At $40 for the HD package, I don't think that they will take off like a rocket around here.

[Mark Holtz]

They're also going to have problems with customers on the west coast with a bird at 61.5.

[Richssat]

61.5 is doable out here in Ca. It is just a little more PITA to catch (super low elevation angle). Have done quite a few S/A and Dish international jobs.

Is V* testing on that bird? If so is there anything in the clear that can be picked up with an FTA box???

They are being really tight lipped about their hardware, I have yet to see any receivers, dishes or switchgear so far.

Rich

[Jacob S]

Perhaps to have different HD content than Dish or Direct will be an advantage but not if that content is not what consumers would like.

[cnsf]

I would never buy a product from Cablevision unless railroaded into it (OptimumOnline only broadband option in my area at an affordable price). Can't get DSL.

[waydwolf]

If they've enough HD content and Cox slows in its roll-out then I'd look seriously at adding it to my Cox service for the home theater. I HAVE to have NESN-HD or the damn Yankees fans in my house(all the women) are going to drive me nuts.

[rtt2]

waydwolf you obviously have never been a Cablevision customer. All I can say is look out