http://www.satmods.com/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:41:49 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.satmods.com/images/future/misc/rss.jpg http://www.satmods.com/ http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19877-echostar-corporation-names-michael-dugan-president-ceo.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:09:49 GMT CNN EchoStar Corporation Names Michael Dugan President and CEO November 18, 2009: 06:00 AM ET EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) announced... CNN

EchoStar Corporation Names Michael Dugan President and CEO

November 18, 2009: 06:00 AM ET

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) announced today that Michael T. Dugan has been named the company's president and CEO, positions formerly held by Charles Ergen. Mr. Ergen will remain chairman of EchoStar Corporation.

Mr. Dugan currently serves on the board of directors for EchoStar and previously served in several executive roles, including president and chief operating officer, at the combined company from 1990-2004 prior to EchoStar's spinoff from DISH Network Corporation in January 2008.

"Mike was the chief architect behind the technological foundation for EchoStar and DISH Network, and I am pleased to welcome him back into the company he helped build," said Mr. Ergen. "Having Mike on board, along with the current executive management, establishes a highly seasoned team for leading EchoStar's endeavors in deploying advanced set-top box technologies and delivering satellite services worldwide."

Mr. Dugan began his EchoStar career as vice president of engineering for the subsidiary that later became EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.

About EchoStar Corporation

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) provides equipment sales, digital broadcast operations, and satellite services that enhance today's digital TV lifestyle, including products from Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., EchoStar has 25 years of experience designing, developing and distributing award-winning television set-top boxes and related products for pay television providers and is creating hardware and service solutions for cable, telco, IPTV and satellite TV companies. EchoStar includes a network of 10 digital broadcast centers and leased fiber optic capacity with points of presence in approximately 160 U.S. cities. EchoStar also delivers satellite services through nine satellites and related FCC licenses. ]]> Satellite News musky http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19877-echostar-corporation-names-michael-dugan-president-ceo.html http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19637-mr-viewsat-three-plead-guilty-violating-digital-millennium-copyright-act.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:39:14 GMT Three Plead Guilty to Violating Digital Millennium Copyright Act Submitted by editor on October 28, 2009 - 03:00 United States Attorney Karen P.... Three Plead Guilty to Violating Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Submitted by editor on October 28, 2009 - 03:00

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Jung Kwak, 33, also known as “Mr. Viewsat,” of Oceanside, California, Phillip Allison, 35, also known as “thebroken,” and Robert Ward, 54, also known as “TDG” and as “thedssguy,” both of Seminole, Florida, have tendered pleas of guilty to conspiring to violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The three defendants were charged in a one-count indictment handed up by a federal grand jury sitting in San Diego on July 9, 2009.

In connection with their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that beginning in or about March 2008, they determined to hire computer hackers to break the latest DISH Network encryption scheme, known as Nagra 3, so that the line of satellite receiver boxes sold by defendant Kwak would continue to have a market. According to the indictment, and in connection with their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that Mr. Kwak owns and operates Viewtech, Inc., in Oceanside, California. Viewtech imports “free-to-air” or “FTA” satellite receiver boxes and sells them to the public through a network of retailers under the brand name “Viewsat.” According to the indictment, there is a limited amount of free programming available by satellite to owners of FTA receiver boxes, much of it consisting of ethnic and religious programming in numerous languages. Yet, millions of Viewsat FTA boxes have been sold to the public. The popularity of FTA boxes is due to the fact that they are designed to make it a simple process for a purchaser to obtain subscription-based satellite television, such as that offered by Echostar’s DISH Network, for free. DISH Network licenses copyrighted works from the copyright holders, encrypts the signal, and sells the right to view to DISH subscribers. Subscribers to DISH Network programming obtain from DISH a “smart card,” which is inserted into a DISH satellite receiver box. The smart card decrypts the programming that the subscriber is authorized to view. Over the years, DISH has changed its encryption algorithms and employed other countermeasures to attempt to defeat theft of its signal. To illegally decrypt the DISH signal, the FTA boxes must appear to have DISH smart cards. That is done by reverse-engineering DISH smart cards and creating computer code which, when downloaded to an appropriate FTA box, will emulate the existence of a smart card and trick the system. In the past, as DISH encryption and countermeasures were defeated, the code has been posted on the Internet and made available for download to anyone.

In the late fall of 2007, DISH announced that it had created a new encryption scheme and would start shipping new smart cards to its customers. As the new encryption scheme was deployed, owners of FTA boxes would no longer be able to view DISH programming without a subscription, and sellers of FTA boxes would lose their market.

The defendants admitted in their plea that Mr. Kwak authorized Messrs. Allison and Ward to locate persons to work on cracking Nagra 3. Mr. Kwak agreed to provide funding and a substantial reward for success. Messrs. Allison and Ward admitted that they solicited a third party to join the scheme. Mr. Allison admitted purchasing a specialized microscope to be used in dissecting and analyzing smart cards for the third party and was reimbursed by Mr. Kwak. Mr. Kwak admitted meeting with and paying $20,000 in cash to the third party for photographs of a dissected smart card purported to be a Nagra 3 card. Mr. Kwak also admitted that he offered a reward of $250,000 if the EPROM (eraseable programmable read-only memory) for the Nagra 3 card could be obtained.

The defendants tendered their guilty pleas before United States Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia, subject to final acceptance of the pleas by United States District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on January 22, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Cybersquad of Federal Bureau of Investigation in San Diego.

DEFENDANTSCase Number: 09cr2646 -JLSJung KwakOceanside, CaliforniaAge: 33Phillip AllisonSeminole, FloridaAge: 35Robert WardSeminole, FloridaAge: 54 SUMMARY OF CHARGE

One Count — Title 18, United States Code, Section 371: Conspiracy to Violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

Maximum Penalty: five years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation ]]> Satellite News spot http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19637-mr-viewsat-three-plead-guilty-violating-digital-millennium-copyright-act.html http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19603-bev-announced-will-offer-amc.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:40:49 GMT *Bev to launch AMC, bringing viewers Mad Men and hundreds of movies each month* Bev announced it will offer AMC in both standard definition and... Bev to launch AMC,
bringing viewers Mad Men and hundreds of movies each month

Bev announced it will offer AMC
in both standard definition and high definition to its subscribers starting
November 11. The popular channel features hundreds of movies each month plus
compelling dramas such as the multi award-winning Mad Men and The Prisoner,
which will debut November 15.

"Bev is constantly growing to offer our subscribers the most
in-demand channels, and we are very excited launching AMC in both standard
and high definition," said Kevin Crull, President of Bev Residential
Services. "With a huge selection of movies and some of the hottest shows on
television, AMC is set to be a hit with Bev subscribers."

AMC joins the best selection and variety from Canadian and foreign
broadcasting services, including local TV from CTV, CBC, Global, CITY, CBS,
FOX, ABC, NBC and PBS; top specialty and pay TV services such as TSN, TMN,
Movie Central, National Geographic, Showcase, A&E; as well as premium
sporting and movies featuring the NHL, NFL and MLB. Bev now offers more than
100 HD channels - 60 of them at no extra cost - and 500 digital video and
audio standard definition channels.

Beginning on November 11, AMC will be available to Premium Movies theme
package subscribers at no extra cost on channel 293 in standard definition,
and channel 1281 in high definition.

Delivering AMC to our subscribers reflects Bev's continued commitment
to bringing Canadians the programming they want, when they want it and how
they want it. Today, more than 1.9 million subscribers have chosen Bev -
Canada's best HD with the most HD channels, the most free HD channels and
stunning picture quality that is 10 times better than cable. ]]> Satellite News Jrpca http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19603-bev-announced-will-offer-amc.html http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19568-d-rectv-partners-hdnet-offer-demand-programming.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:06:41 GMT D*RECTV Partners With HDNet to Offer On Demand Programming Top satellite service now offers 20 hours of HDNet programming and over 25 movies... D*RECTV Partners With HDNet to Offer On Demand Programming


Top satellite service now offers 20 hours of HDNet programming and over 25 movies from HDNet Movies each month to its HD subscribers

By: PR Newswire
Nov. 3, 2009 02:30 PM

DALLAS, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- HDNet, the independent network delivering all of its programming in true high definition, announced today a deal in which D*RECTV, the nation's No. 1 satellite service, now offers more than 20 hours of HD programming from HDNet, and more than 25 movies from its sister network HDNet Movies, on a video on demand basis every month.

"HDNet is excited to partner D*RECTV on their VOD offering," said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. "Now, HD subscribers will have access to HDNet's critically acclaimed movies, in-depth news, provocative originals and exciting MMA coverage not only on our linear channels but also on a video on demand basis."

"HDNet has been a part of the D*RECTV platform since its debut in 2001 and we are excited to continue to grow our relationship with the launch of its new on demand service," said Dan Hartman, senior vice president of Programming for D*RECTV, Inc. "HDNet's line up of unique movies and sports programming is a perfect addition to the D*RECTV On Demand platform, which offers more than 5,000 titles for customers to choose from."

D*RECTV HD customers will be able to experience the unique and provocative brand of content that HDNet offers, including blockbuster concerts, in-depth news from "Dan Rather Reports", exciting Mixed Martial Arts events from around the globe," "Ring of Honor Wrestling, "New York Confessions," and of course, the exotic travel locals and beautiful women of "Get Out!" and "Bikini Destinations."

The agreement allows D*RECTV customers with HD Access to enjoy HDNet's great, original programming, much of which will be available within 24 hours of its network premiere.
D*RECTV customers who subscribe to the HD Extra Pack will also have access to more than 25 movies from HDNet Movies' slate of top performing, critically acclaimed feature films and box office hits - each and every month. As always, these films will be presented in their original aspect ratio, uncut, unedited and delivered in true high definition.

D*RECTV subscribers can see great films including, "Lost in Translation" starring Bill Murray, "21 Grams," starring Naomi Watts, classics like "Hoosiers" starring Gene Hackman and "Waterworld," starring Kevin Costner, comedies such as "The Nutty Professor" starring Eddie Murphy, and thrillers like "Darkman," starring Liam Neeson and "The Illusionist," starring Edward Norton and many, many more.
The programming provided by HDNet and HDNet Movies on D*RECTV will be refreshed on a weekly basis. ]]> Satellite News musky http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19568-d-rectv-partners-hdnet-offer-demand-programming.html http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19518-hustler-hd-reality-kings-tv-added-dn-adult-lineup.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:52:55 GMT Hustler HD, Reality Kings TV Added to DN adult lineup *Hustler HD, Reality Kings TV Added to DN adult lineup DN customers can now access...

Hustler HD, Reality Kings TV Added to DN adult lineup

Hustler HD, Reality Kings TV Added to DN adult lineup DN customers can now access pay-per-view titles from Hustler HD and Reality Kings TV.

DN spokesperson Robin Zimmerman said that Hustler HD was officially added to its PPV offerings last Wednesday. Additionally, the company launched Reality Kings TV and Juicy into its adult programming options for PPV, she said.

LFP President Michael Klein said that programming on Hustler HD, which was launched this year on video-on-demand and PPV, consists of top adult movies shot in true HD format with no up-converted titles.

“Our Hustler HD service for VOD is available to cable operators and satellite providers in three different versions, XX, XX+ and XXX, all dependent on what our affiliates desire,” Klein said. “Our 24/7 Hustler HD PPV channel has over 40 different movies playing every month with new titles from top adult studios premiering every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.”

He also said Hustler is making plans to roll out Hustler HD in Europe in the near future.

DN already offers standard HustlerTV on PPV for $13.99; HD titles are available at the same price.

Standard HustlerTV is available as a subscription channel as well priced at $29.99 per month, as is Reality Kings TV. A package of the two channels also is available at $39.99.

Reality Kings TV was launched in 2004 and is available through cable, satellite and hotel/motel television providers as a VOD or PPV network.

Its programming includes movies from studios such as Reality Kings Video, Bang Bros., Muffia and others. ]]> Satellite News MOD http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19518-hustler-hd-reality-kings-tv-added-dn-adult-lineup.html http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19463-ariane-rocket-launches-two-television-satellites.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:49:34 GMT *Ariane rocket launches two television satellites* By Franck Leconte KOUROU, French Guiana (Reuters) - An Ariane-5 rocket placed two... Ariane rocket launches two television satellites



By Franck Leconte

KOUROU, French Guiana (Reuters) - An Ariane-5 rocket placed two television satellites in orbit after blasting off from French Guiana on Thursday, space officials said.
The rocket lifted off from the European Space Agency's launch center in Kourou on the northeast coast of South America at 5:00 p.m. (2000 GMT).
Twenty-seven minutes after launch, the rocket released the NSS-12 satellite for Luxembourg-based telecoms operator SES Global.

NSS-12 will provide television and telecommunications to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. It was built in the United States by Space Systems/Loral.
Five minutes later, Thor-6 for Norwegian operator Telenor separated from the rocket. Thor will broadcast direct-to-home television to Scandinavia and central and eastern Europe.

Thor was built by the Franco-Italian satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space. The company is 67 percent owned by France's Thales and 33 percent by Italy's Finmeccanica.
Thursday's launch was the 34th consecutive successful mission of the Ariane rocket series.




C&P ]]> Satellite News Jrpca http://www.satmods.com/satellite-news/19463-ariane-rocket-launches-two-television-satellites.html