[opendtv] FYI: NR on Emmis' answer to USDTV
- From: "John Willkie" <jmwillkie@xxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 13:56:12 -0700
MessageI received the link and news release below from a fellow list member.
I have seen much talk on this list about the USDTV (venture-capital backed)
system. What Emmis is proposing is not venture-capital backed: broadcasters
are in control.
Also, I've included the text from the poster to me. Apparently, Craig
believes in a "level playing field" when on this list (yet he only
criticizes free broadcasters, and not $$ cable companies), and he has even
said on this list that this is what broadcasters need to do. Yet, when this
was announced, he sung a different tune.
hth
John Willkie
-----Original Message-----
You can listen to the press conference Jeff Smulyan held at NAB at the link
below. also, if you listen to the question and answer section you can hear
Craig Birkmaier complain how philosophically opposed he is to having ad
supported subscription services, like cable networks. :) Apparently he
thinks one revenue stream should be enough for anyone.
http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=22141
4/20/2004
TELEVISION BROADCASTERS INITIATIVE UNVEILED
STRATEGY WOULD RE-ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIP WITH AUDIENCE AND MONETIZE THE
DIGITAL SPECTRUM FOR BROADCASTERS
Las Vegas... Television broadcasters will reclaim lost revenue and
reestablish severed audience relationships through a revolutionary
initiative that was unveiled today at the National Association of
Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas. By taking advantage of new
technologies, the initiative would allow broadcasters to compete with cable
companies by providing audiences with low-cost multi-channel viewing
options.
"Forty years ago, Americans began taking down their TV antennas and severing
broadcasters' direct link to television audiences," said Jeff Smulyan, the
initiative's founder and Emmis Communications (NASDAQ: EMMS) Chairman & CEO.
"Since then, the middlemen who replaced us ? the cable companies ? have
created more than $300 billion of value for themselves, using our product.
But technology has advanced in our favor. By pooling our digital spectrum
and utilizing the latest technology, broadcasters can provide the public
with local channels in high definition as well as at least 30 of the most
popular cable networks."
Smulyan said the response to the proposal from fellow television
broadcasters has been swift and overwhelming. He was joined at the news
conference by leading television companies in support of the initiative
including Barrington Broadcasting Co., Citadel Communications Co., Clear
Channel Communications, E.W. Scripps Co., Fisher Broadcasting Co., Media
General, Meredith Corporation, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Prime Cities
Broadcasting Inc., Raycom Media and Sunbelt Communications Co.
"The television industry has allowed a third party to take our product and
profit from it," Smulyan said. "If left unaddressed, this model will only
further erode our business. However, technology has shifted, and we have the
opportunity to strengthen our relationships and our businesses. It is time
for us to take control of our industry and our destiny."
Smulyan noted that broadcasters have already spent $3.5 billion nationally
for the digital build-out, so start-up costs would be limited.
Research has shown the public is interested in a low-cost alternative to
cable, with a select number of targeted cable channels available and
high-quality customer service. Under this proposal, the public would
purchase a set-top box for a one-time cost of approximately $99 and pay
roughly $25 a month in service ? a significant discount to current cable
rates ? with access to local stations in high definition and at least 30
top-rated cable stations. Because of the limited up_front cost for
broadcasters, resources can be focused on creating the first-class customer
service experience that consumers demand.
A webcast with the replay of the presentation in Las Vegas is available by
visiting the Emmis home page, www.emmis.com.
Broadcasters interested in participating in the initiative should call
317.684.6530.
Emmis Communications -
Great Media, Great People, Great Service sm
EMMIS Communications is an Indianapolis based diversified media firm with
radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing
operations. Emmis' 18 FM and 3 AM domestic radio stations serve the nation's
largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago as well as Phoenix, St.
Louis, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN. In addition, Emmis owns two radio
networks, three international radio stations, 16 television stations, award
winning regional and specialty magazines, and ancillary businesses in
broadcast sales and publishing. Emmis has announced the acquisition of a
majority interest in six radio stations in Austin, Texas. Pending approvals
from the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory agencies,
the transaction is expected to close in the company's second fiscal quarter.
After the close of the transaction, Emmis will own 27 radio stations in
eight markets.
The information in this news release is being widely disseminated in
accordance with Regulation FD, recently adopted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Certain statements included above which are not statements of historical
fact, including financial data for quarters or other periods for which
quarterly or annual reports have not yet been filed with the Securities &
Exchange Commission and statements identified with the words "continues,"
"expect," "will," or "would" are intended to be, and are, identified as
"forward-looking statements," as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements
of EMMIS to be materially different from any future result, performance or
achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such
factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions;
fluctuations in the demand for advertising; increased competition in the
broadcasting industry; inability to obtain necessary approvals for our
pending acquisitions or to complete our pending acquisitions; changes in the
costs of programming; inability to grow through suitable acquisitions,
including the desired radio; and other factors mentioned in documents filed
by EMMIS with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Emmis does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
statements in this news release because of new information, future events or
otherwise.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at
FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
unsubscribe in the subject line.
Other related posts:
- » [opendtv] FYI: NR on Emmis' answer to USDTV