Top 5 Significant Changes for DBS in 2005.

[Jeff McClellan]

List what you feel where the 5 most significant changes for DBS this year. Good or bad, either provider.

[Ken Howe]

Locals in HD for DTV...
The 411...
The Joint Effort on Broadband for DBS...
The local market alterations...
and last but not least, the fact that DBStalk.com got bought out... (bad)

[James Long]

the fact that DBStalk.com got bought out... (bad)I think of that as "DBSTalk.com securing it's future without ever needing to beg members for help (good)". The forum really hasn't changed that much, except the addition of a few new areas and moderators and a lot of growth in numbers.

But I digress ... Top Headlines
1) Voom ends HD centric DBS Service and becomes a program provider
2) DirecTV lauches first HD in market locals via satellite
3) Echostar positions themselves for a great 2006
4) Echostar reaches more than 10% of US TV households - and still isn't #1!
5) SkyAngel drops "100% religious" approach and adds 'secular' family programming

JL

[Ken Howe]

5) SkyAngel drops "100% religious" approach and adds 'secular' family programming

Is that a good of bad thing in your eyes?

[James Long]

5) SkyAngel drops "100% religious" approach and adds 'secular' family programmingIs that a good of bad thing in your eyes?It is growing on me. As an AT120 sub I already got HGTV and FNC - and rarely watch either. My wife has watched the Hallmarks. Overal (not thinking just about myself) it has become a "good thing".

JL

[Greg Bimson]

Top five significant issues in DBS this year, in no particular order:

1) Both major providers will have shown a profit this year (barring late year write downs) - GOOD
2) The improvements to infrastructure and bandwidth by both providers: DirecTV's launch of three satellites this year, and Dish Network's takeover of VOOM - GOOD
3) DirecTV's launch of HD locals in the top 12 major markets - GOOD
4) the sloooooooow rollout of significantly-viewed locals - BAD
5) the FCC ruling on multicast must-carry for Alaska and Hawaii - THE WORST

And the multicast issue is the worst because who knows if the FCC will force the DBS companies to multicast must-carry the lower 48. This potential firecracker will impact business plans until the analog cut-off in February, 2009.