Voom is dead...

[jammybastard]

From video list I'm on:


-----------------------

Voom Goes Bust
By Staff
Dec 22, 2004, 12:40

Cablevision has decided to suspend its Voom
satellite service, which included several
high-definition channels, but had only a modest
25,000 subscribers by the end of Q3 2004.

The news had a positive and immediate effect on
the Cablevision stock, which closed at $25.06
yesterday, up by 13.3%

-------------------------

Voom To Go Boom?

By Michael Silbergleid, Editor
Cablevision has decided to suspend its spinoff of Rainbow Media Enterprises, which includes Voom, IFC, WE: Women's Entertainment and AMC networks. The new entity was originally slated to spin-of in 2003, delayed twice, most recently to Q4 2004. Voom was down by $75.3 million in Q3 2004, on revenues of just $5.9 million. Cablevision filed this statement with the SEC regarding the spinoff: "The board of directors has decided to suspend pursuing the spinoff of its Rainbow Media Enterprises subsidiary, in its previously announced form, and instead to pursue strategic alternatives for its Rainbow DBS business."

The news had a positive and immediate effect on the Cablevision stock, which closed at $25.06 yesterday, up by 13.3%. Based on the reaction of the market, could Voom go boom? I think so.

Consensus between the press coverage of Cablevision's announcement and industry analysts is that Cablevision wants to sell Voom, but there will probably be no takers, therefore the service could go bust.

What would you do if you were Cablevision, and you made a minor announcement like they did and the stock jumped by 13%? They have had to consider pulling the plug on Voom, or face a potential shareholder revolt. So in this age of shareholder value, mercy killing a money hemorrhaging service like Voom would only have three consequences: 1-Stop the loss 2-Increase share price 3-Piss off some 25,000 subscribers

Here's what we at DigitalTV think will happen: Cablevision will sell Voom for $1 to News Corp. (owners of DirecTV), which will then offer each Voom subscriber a free replacement DirecTV HD STB and dish with installation, but will keep the Voom service going until all Voom subscribers who want to
switched have been switched.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I say it's toast. Hope Lockheed got cash for those satellites.

[Visca...]

La Liga premium games back to GOLtv. :D

[socrne1]

the worst news all day...I was planning on getting Voom in March when they were supposed to add 70 HD channels. No WorldSport in HD?

[ElJefe]

Somebody ought to merge this with the thread entitled "Voom gets aggressive." :D

[jammybastard]

Somebody ought to merge this with the thread entitled "Voom gets aggressive." :D

that's what made me post this. :D

[AndyMead]

that's what made me post this. :D

But it's also a horribly misleading thread title.

[wjarrettc]

...Cablevision has decided to suspend its Voom
satellite service...


This is just false and the thread title is misleading.

Cablevision has decided to suspend its SPINOFF of its Voom satellite service. They have made no announcements about terminating the service as the first "news" item above indicates.

Speculation is rampant that Cablevision has found a buyer for Voom and that's why they halted the spinoff, but as of today, I'm still receiving 30+ channels of HDTV from Voom including WorldSportHD. In fact, Voom just added a new channel (a Florida Regional Sports Net) on Wednesday.

What was it that Mark Twain said about rumours of his demise? Sounds like they apply here as well.

I'm not saying that Voom will live forever, but until their broadcasts go dark, I'll continue to enjoy the finest looking programming I've seen yet (and I've tried both Time Warner Cable and DISH for HDTV)

[jammybastard]

This is just false and the thread title is misleading.

Cablevision has decided to suspend its SPINOFF of its Voom satellite service. They have made no announcements about terminating the service as the first "news" item above indicates.


Y'know something?

It's news, and it was relevant to an earlier thread here.
I didn't write the article, I only put it up because I thought people would like to know. If you really have trouble with content then contact the writer, but don't complain to me about it.

[AndyMead]

Y'know something?

It's news, and it was relevant to an earlier thread here.
I didn't write the article, I only put it up because I thought people would like to know. If you really have trouble with content then contact the writer, but don't complain to me about it.

Yeah, but you're the one who wrote the title of this thread.

[jammybastard]

Yeah, but you're the one who wrote the title of this thread.


I know, and I can tell it's really killing you too.

"horribly misleading" right?

That's a bit dramatic. You must find the boards very difficult to read if you have such a low tolerance for "misleading" titles.

Seriouly, how many posts do you have here? 8,000+?
So if it's really going to ruin your day have a Mod move it.
I would if I could, but I cannot.

[AndyMead]

I know, and I can tell it's really killing you too.

"horribly misleading" right?

That's a bit dramatic. You must find the boards very difficult to read if you have such a low tolerance for "misleading" titles.


Actually, I do have a low tolerance for misleading titles in the more "serious" forums. Those that remember when I was a mod of this forum and the USMN&A forums can attest to the fact that I routinely changed thread titles.

It's not killing me. I just made a comment.

As for my post totals - don't believe everything you read.

[wjarrettc]

Voom Goes Bust
By Staff
Dec 22, 2004, 12:40


and then...

Y'know something?

It's news, and it was relevant to an earlier thread here.
I didn't write the article, I only put it up because I thought people would like to know. If you really have trouble with content then contact the writer, but don't complain to me about it.

Sure, do you know where I can reach "Staff" to lodge my formal complaint? :cool:

Seriously though, I'm not complaining about your posting it. I was however trying to correct a slight error in the first article you quoted which incorrectly implied that Voom's service had been suspended when it was simply the spinoff that had been suspended. (the second, more detailed article correctly identified this).

I just got back from Chicago and saw a preview of the new Monty Python musical "Spamalot". There is a great new song in the musical that applies here..."Not Dead Yet!" (Python fans will know the scene that this song was written for).

[wjarrettc]

To keep this thread up-to-date with the latest info, Lockheed Martin says they'll keep building satellites for Voom...so maybe they know something we don't...

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=265462&postcount=196

[ElJefe]

To keep this thread up-to-date with the latest info, Lockheed Martin says they'll keep building satellites for Voom...so maybe they know something we don't...

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=265462&postcount=196
They know that the checks haven't bounced yet?

[wjarrettc]

And the latest on Voom. The board seems to have decided to sell Voom.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/19/business/dolans.html

[OldFanatic]

And the latest on Voom. The board seems to have decided to sell Voom.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/19/business/dolans.html
This consolidtion will be excellent news for consumers! Mark Cuban, Mark Cuban, pick up the white courtesy telephone, please!

[wjarrettc]

Breaking News: EchoStar to Purchase Rainbow DBS Assets

EchoStar agreed to purchase certain satellite assets from Rainbow DBS Co., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems, for $200 million.

Specifically, EchoStar will purchase Rainbow 1, a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) located at 61.5 degrees West Longitude, together with the rights to 11 DBS frequencies at that location. The satellite includes 13 frequencies, up to 12 of which can be operated in "spot beam" mode.

EchoStar is assessing how the Rainbow satellite's flexibility can best be utilized to enhance DISH Network's existing service. Also, as part of the transaction with Cablevision, EchoStar will acquire ground facilities and related assets in Black Hawk, S.D.

The transaction is subject to review by the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory agencies.

[Brrca Fan redded]

Long live Voom. I really like the service very much. Mark Cuban/ Hdnet will be on Voom in another month or so. He can't resist Voom much longer, get out there and show the world what you got.

[wjarrettc]

What's really interesting about this deal (read the press release closely), it only says that Dish has acquired the satellite and the uplink center. It makes no mention of the subscriber base or the exclusive content properties (WorldSportHD, etc.). Apparently as of right now, Cablevision is still holding the content.

What happens next is anybody's guess...

[bigtw64]

Sounds pretty dead to me..........

The service, called Voom, which started in 2003, has only 26,000 subscribers and has lost more than $76 million. The company said it would continue to provide service to its current customers during a transition period, but did not elaborate on what would eventually happen to them.

Under the terms of the deal yesterday, EchoStar will pay $200 million in cash for Cablevision's satellite, called Rainbow 1, as well as federal licenses to construct, introduce and operate satellite services over 11 frequency channels. In addition, EchoStar will buy the company's ground facility in Black Hawk, S.D., and related assets.

Cablevision, which is based in Bethpage, N.Y., said it would continue to explore strategic alternatives for its remaining Rainbow DBS-related assets, including programming, equipment and spectrum.

-from nytimes.com