Late Breaking News

Cable World, Sept 29, 2003

A&E Upgrades West Coast Feed

A&E Television Networks is upgrading its West Coast feed from analog to digital feed on Tuesday. The switch will be facilitated by Scientific-Atlanta's PowerVu digital video compression system. "We believe that the ability to deliver an improved signal and new revenue opportunities for our affiliates make the digital conversion to PowerVu technology a winning proposition," said David Zagin, SVP, affiliate sales and marketing, AETN.

Microsoft, BellSouth Call It Off

Microsoft is ringing down the curtain on its two-year-old broadband access deal with BellSouth, as the Redmond giant continues to rejigger its MSN service for high-speed Internet. As of Nov. 12, MSN will no longer provide DSL service to subs in BellSouth's 13-state service area. Microsoft will continue to support dial-up in the area, but MSN DSL subscribers there will lose access unless they change providers before the deadline. Microsoft pulled back its broadband partnership with Qwest Communications in July, and will terminate a similar agreement with SBC.

HDNet Partners Buy Theaters

HDNet partner Todd Wagner has entered into an agreement to acquire the parent company of national theater chain Landmark Theaters to help promote high-definition movies. Upon closing of the transaction, 2929 Entertainment, which is owned by Wagner and Mark Cuban, will own Landmark's parent company. "Our goal is to aggressively leverage our ability to produce our own films, promote and display them on HDNet and HDNet Movies and exhibit them at Landmark," said Wagner in a statement. HDNet is currently available on satellite systems DirecTV and EchoStar Communications as well as cable operators such as Charter Communications and Insight Communications.

SeaChange Up for Emmy

SeaChange International has been nominated for an Emmy for its Time-Shifted Television software suite. Other nominees in the Emmy category - for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms - include ABC Enhanced Television, Cablevision Systems and GoldPocket Interactive. Winners will be announced at the Academy's Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards in New York on Oct. 23.

Teleste Looks to U.S. Shores

Teleste, one of Europe's leading providers of digital cable equipment and services, plans to aggressively market a standards-based solution for delivering digital entertainment services such as video-on-demand in the U.S. via a deal with California-based Tut Systems, the companies announced last week.