Dish-Network Going IPTV with Vip-TV, ASAP…Now that’s a Mouth Full
October 23, 2007 2 CommentsOn Monday October 22, Dish-Network unveiled its newest triumph over multichannel content transport and distribution. IPTV otherwise referred to as Internet Protocol Television, is a system where digital television is delivered to the viewer by using Internet Protocol over a large network infrastructure, which may include delivery by broadband connection. ViP-TV is an IP-based service that will send more than 300 of your favorite Dish-Network channels delivered via satellite to telco, private and rural cable companies, municipalities and video providers.
Still confused? Okay, so basically Dish-Network is raising the bar in technology and using state of the art, high tech, comprehensive satellite services to bring its viewers more than just programming and standard services. ViP-TV includes Vip-Premier, ViP-HD, ViP-Movies, ViP-Latino and ViP-International along with providing subscribers with local networks from more than 165 local DMAs. ViP-TV will have the essential features for of all modern computers, as it allows devices to transfer data without subjecting the CPU to a heavy overhead”, thank you Wikipedia! So lets review: Dish-Network is unveiling ViP-TV for more than 300 channels, promising customers affordable, scalable, and aggregated audio and video programming from a high powered satellite, proving once again that there is a reason Dish-Network is your #1 satellite provider.
For more information on Dish-Network please call 1-866-989-3474 or visit our website at www.dish-network.com.
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Pondering DISH’s Latest Move … ViP-TV
EchoStar’s latest move to supply small, rural telcos with an IP-supported video platform may have some industry insiders scratching their heads. Others said they see the brilliance of the company’s ViP plans.
On Monday, EchoStar and its subsidiary EchoStar FSS Corporation unveiled ViP-TV, an IP-based service that will transport more than 300 channels of programming delivered via satellite to telco, private and rural cable operators, municipalities and master planned community video providers.
EchoStar described ViP-TV as its turnkey solution for wholesale multichannel content transport and distribution. The offering promises affordable, scalable and aggregated MPEG-4 IP encapsulated audio and video programming from a high-powered satellite, the company said.
Jason Bazinet of Citigroup said EchoStar may risk cannibalization of its existing DBS business, given that the ViP-TV service would help small, rural telcos enter the video market. “However, we believe these risks are small relative to the rewards for a few reasons,” the analyst said.
First, contrary to the views of others, Bazinet said he doesn’t think the majority of EchoStar’s DISH Network customers are in rural areas, given that the company suggests more than 90 percent of customers reside within the top 100 DMAs. Also, DISH Network has 13 million subs, and “its cannibalization risk is relatively small versus the entire pay-TV category,” he said.
“The upside from being one of two wholesale providers of IPTV – along with SES AMERICOM – is probably greater than the downside risks of cannibalization,” Bazinet said. “This is particularly true since the risk of telco video entry is unlikely to increase with EchoStar’s entry into the wholesale video market.”
Bazinet said he likes the company’s latest move. “We think a ViP-TV service makes a lot of sense. While it’s still to early for us to quantify the financial benefits of this new service, we do think it’s a positive for EchoStar e! quity ho lders,” he said.
Story From SkyReport
SkyFILES: DISH’s IP Video Future
by Michael Hopkins
EchoStar wants to use its satellite infrastructure to
support an IPTV platform aimed at small, rural video providers?
When DISH revealed its IP video plans earlier this week,
the news left some observers of the satellite TV business
shaking their heads. Why would the company want to help the same
folks who are trying to steal DISH Network viewers, or attempting
to keep their subscribers away from the DBS service?
After all, these video providers are likely small, rural telco c
ompanies, private and rural cable operators, municipal video
services and master planned community video providers looking
to launch a competitive and affordable video solution. Some of
these companies are in the areas where the small dish is the
dominant pay-TV force.
While some were left with the impression
that EchoStar was prepared to cannibalize its own subscriber base
with the wholesale IP video support offering, others saw the brilliance
of the IP video plan.
For starters, the pieces could be falling into place for
EchoStar’s ongoing scrutiny of a possible split of the company
into two entities. Forget the talk about AT&T taking control
of the DBS platform, speculation that has become part of the
scrutiny of a possible company split. It’s much more interesting
than that suggestion
.
The IP platform could become part of the technology company
spin off, along with other items such as EchoStar’s recent
acquisition of Sling Media.
And with the IP platform beginning to materialize, the Sling
Media purchase is beginning to make a lot more sense. The
Slingbox from Sling Media not only connects a user’s PC to
a computer, it’s also an IP device that could – in theory
- connect users to an IP video platform.
The IP effort could offer a complete solution
to video providers, from video support and delivery rights
to the device used for receiving services.
Whatever happens with the IP video push, it should be noted that the endeavor would compete directly with
SES AMERICOM’s IP Prime service, which also offers a turnkey
video support platform for video providers.
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative is utilizing IP Prime.
And, of course, all of this is early speculation.
Who knows what additional items Charlie Ergen and his
company have up their sleeves. But it is interesting, nonetheless,
that the company’s leadership is now embracing an IP video future.