Thank you Christopher

Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by MegaZone

Christopher, thank you for the TiVo Rewards Referral.

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The Home Theater Specialists of America back Blu-ray

Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by MegaZone

Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), a buying group representing 62 specialty A/V dealers and installers with $500 million in value have announced that they will be exclusively backing Blu-ray Disc. According to an internal study, 92% of all high-definition disc players sold by members were Blu-ray, while the remaining 8% were mostly combo Blu-ray/HD DVD players.

“The industry looks to HTSA as an expert for custom home theater, built upon a foundation of the top consumer electronic retailers across the country,” said executive director Richard Glikes. “Based on our member research and observations in the field, it is clear that HTSA customers have made Blu-ray Disc their preferred HD format for movies and other packaged video content.”

Sony took the opportunity to jump on the coattails of this announcement:

In a statement, Jay Vandenbree, president of consumer sales for Sony Electronics, Blu-ray’s chief proponent and developer, lauded HTSA’s move. “At a time when ever-changing technology tests just how much one can know about everything, HTSA has chosen Blu-Ray Disc as the format they support. I think it speaks volumes when support comes from those who specialize in home theater, and are closest to the consumer.”

Picked up from Blu-ray.com.

Posted in Blu-ray/HD DVD | 2 Comments

EchoStar acquires Sling Media!

Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 by MegaZone

Dave Zatz of Sling Media just dropped this bombshell of a press release into my inbox:

EchoStar Announces Agreement to Acquire Sling Media, Inc.

Combination Will Create Industry-Leading Digital Media Solutions Provider

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and FOSTER CITY, Calif., September 24, 2007 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that it has agreed to acquire Sling Media, Inc., a privately-held digital lifestyle products company. EchoStar, through its DISH Network®, is the third largest pay-TV provider in the United States. The transaction values Sling Media at approximately $380 million and is payable in cash and EchoStar options. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Established in 2004, Sling Media has been a leading innovator in the digital lifestyle space through the introduction of the internationally-acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingbox™ and SlingPlayer™ software. Sling Media’s product line is distributed in over 5,000 retail stores in 11 countries.

In 2006, Sling Media created the Sling Entertainment Group with the mission of developing entertainment experiences and business models that reach beyond the Slingbox. The group also fosters and manages relationships with content creators and owners. Its first initiative, Clip+Sling™, dramatically changes the way consumers socialize around TV by enabling users to clip and share limited segments of their favorite television programming.

“As an early investor in Sling Media, EchoStar has been pleased with the progress and commitment the company has made establishing Sling Media and the Slingbox as powerful and beloved digital media brands,” said Charlie Ergen, CEO and co-founder of EchoStar. “With today’s increasingly mobile lifestyle, EchoStar’s acquisition of Sling Media will allow us to offer innovative and convenient ways for our customers to enjoy their programming on more displays and locations, including TVs, computers and mobile phones, both inside and outside of the home. This combination paves the way for the development of a host of new innovative products and services for our subscribers, new digital media consumers and strategic partners.”

“We are psyched to make this announcement. We have worked closely with EchoStar for more than two years, and have come to realize that both companies have similar entrepreneurial cultures and mutual dedication and passion for creating empowering experiences that benefit the consumer and the media industry,” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Sling Media. “By combining strategies, resources and technologies with EchoStar, Sling Media will be able to rapidly expand our open multi-platform product offerings, not only for DISH Network subscribers, but for digital media enthusiasts around the globe.”

# # #

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) has been a leader for more than 26 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company’s DISH Network® is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.585 million satellite TV customers. DISH Network® offers a premier line of industry-leading Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and hundreds of video and audio channels as well as the most national HD and International channels in the U.S., Interactive TV, Latino and sports programming. DISH Network also provides a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America and the DishDVR Advantage Package. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.

About Sling Media, Inc.
Sling Media, Inc. is a leading digital lifestyle company offering consumer services and products that are a natural extension of today’s digital way of life. Sling Media’s product family includes the internationally-acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingboxâ„¢ that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using PCs, Macs, PDAs and smartphones. For more information on Sling Media or the Slingbox, visit www.slingmedia.com.

Contact:
EchoStar: Kathie Gonzalez, 720-514-5351, press@echostar.com
Sling Media: Brian Jaquet, 415-235-4844, jaquet@slingmedia.com

I wonder if this will impact Sling’s work with EchoStar’s competitor, DirecTV?

Well, this is probably good news for Sling – they’ll have some serious backing to continue growing the company.

Posted in Dish Network, Sling Media | 1 Comment

Sneak peaks of new TV shows with TiVo Shanan

Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 by MegaZone

TiVo Shanan has posted a slew of new videos, what the stars are watching and TiVo promos for the new fall TV season – Back to You, Bones, K-Ville, and Prison Break.
Continue reading →

Posted in TiVo | 1 Comment

Capable Networks cozies up some more with DVRupgrade

Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 by MegaZone

Capable Networks, the parent company of sites such as DVRPlayground.com, SlingCommunity.com, and the recently acquired TiVoCommunity.com has expanded their partnership with TiVo upgrade pioneer DVRupgrade.

Under the expanded partnership, DVRupgrade, which is already an official sponsor of DVRplayground.com, will become an official sponsor of TiVoCommunity.com as well as working with Capable Networks on other joint marketing projects.

“DVRupgrade has been an active participant on TiVo Community for over seven years and continues to make significant contributions to the community in the area of TiVo upgrades,” said Ron Repking, CEO of Capable Networks. “The partnership will ensure that this benefit to the visitors to the site will continue into the future.”

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Capable Networks,” said Lou Jacob, Founder and CEO of DVRupgrade. “Our business was originally built upon the discoveries and contributions of pioneering TiVo Community members; we appreciate that, and want to ensure that we continue to invest in our long standing relationship by giving back to the community in meaningful ways.”

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