May 14, 2008

Analysts Blew It on Cable, DBS, Telco Forecasts

Consumer demand for pay TV and broadband stronger than expected in first quarter, and more news.

By Steve Goldstein

News Briefing for Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The housing market collapse has not dented subscriber and revenue unit growth for cable operators, satellite distributors and the telcos' TV services so far this year, surprising analysts and leading some of them to now conclude that content distributors' stocks are undervalued, Reuters reports. With the exception of Dish Network, first-quarter reports from the cable, satellite and telco sector indicate that consumers are willing to pay a premium for digital TV and high-speed Internet access, despite the gloomy financial climate. Speaking of Dish Network, CEO Charlie Ergen says he knows how to get his company back on track. [Reuters | Denver Post]

EchoStar Corp. reported a profitable first quarter. Sibling Dish Network provided most of the revenue for EchoStar, which was spun off from the former EchoStar Communications. [Wall Street Journal]

Unilever has made “about 20 different” interactive TV advertising deals this year for its products with cable operators and satellite distributors, and is holding an upfront-style marketplace to strike ITV ad deals for next year, the Wall Street Journal reports. Jon Stimmel, director of media investment for Unilever U.S., and Jacqueline Corbelli, CEO of ITV marketing company BrightLine Partners, discuss ITV advertising and partnerships with cable and satellite in a Q&A in today’s Journal. [Wall Street Journal]

John Malone’s Liberty Media will not appeal a March 28 court decision to allow IAC/InterActive Corp to spin off its HSN, Ticketmaster, LendingTree and Interval International businesses, the New York Times reports. Liberty Media, IAC’s largest shareholder, had tried to prevent the spin-offs planned by IAC chairman and CEO Barry Diller. [New York Times]

Beginning in August, daytime editions of ESPN’s flagship show SportsCenter will be telecast live. [New York Times]

No one knows how to make money off of so-called "social networks." [BusinessWeek]

Tuesday's Top Stories

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