CASPER
New member
EchoStar Eyes Cable Opportunities
With the satellite services and technology side of the business split off from the core DISH DBS assets, EchoStar is looking to score deals with the cable incumbent.
That's easier said than done for the 10-month-old spin-off. "We have work to do to bridge the gap (with cable)," said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies, at the Key Issues Series held at the Cable Center in Denver Friday.
During the panel discussion, Jackson admitted the company has battled a "trust issue" with cable. (Also, he said there was some "arm-twisting" of CEO Charlie Ergen to sign the company on as a member of CableLabs, the cable industry's technology arm). Nonetheless, EchoStar is part of cable's tru2way interactive platform, and Jackson promised the company will "work real hard to get that (cable) business."
A big endeavor for EchoStar, and its Sling Media unit, is work on a centralized device for distribution of content throughout the home and elsewhere. Product development at EchoStar also is focused on better user interfaces for technology utilized by consumers and a stronger search process for content.
The lingering issue, however, is addressing content rights, Jackson and other panelists said during the discussion.
"We have to get the content guys to embrace new technology," Jackson said. "It's all tied in together. But we need to work together."
Content owners want to monetarily slice and dice the various multiplatform streams being offered to consumers. Peter Stern of Time Warner Cable said consumers "want to watch content on the largest, most convenient screen with the best available resolution at any given time," whether it's a big TV, computer monitor or a mobile device. Stern stressed that "we can only charge customers once for the content."
The Key Issues series was part of the Cable Days festivities last week in Denver.
With the satellite services and technology side of the business split off from the core DISH DBS assets, EchoStar is looking to score deals with the cable incumbent.
That's easier said than done for the 10-month-old spin-off. "We have work to do to bridge the gap (with cable)," said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies, at the Key Issues Series held at the Cable Center in Denver Friday.
During the panel discussion, Jackson admitted the company has battled a "trust issue" with cable. (Also, he said there was some "arm-twisting" of CEO Charlie Ergen to sign the company on as a member of CableLabs, the cable industry's technology arm). Nonetheless, EchoStar is part of cable's tru2way interactive platform, and Jackson promised the company will "work real hard to get that (cable) business."
A big endeavor for EchoStar, and its Sling Media unit, is work on a centralized device for distribution of content throughout the home and elsewhere. Product development at EchoStar also is focused on better user interfaces for technology utilized by consumers and a stronger search process for content.
The lingering issue, however, is addressing content rights, Jackson and other panelists said during the discussion.
"We have to get the content guys to embrace new technology," Jackson said. "It's all tied in together. But we need to work together."
Content owners want to monetarily slice and dice the various multiplatform streams being offered to consumers. Peter Stern of Time Warner Cable said consumers "want to watch content on the largest, most convenient screen with the best available resolution at any given time," whether it's a big TV, computer monitor or a mobile device. Stern stressed that "we can only charge customers once for the content."
The Key Issues series was part of the Cable Days festivities last week in Denver.
