CASPER
New member
SkyFILES: 2009 Commitments
by Michael Hopkins
A few weeks ago I wrote about wasted opportunities … not only things I missed out on during the past year but also the lost opportunities in the multiplatform sector.
After that column, someone suggested that - as an alternative - I should list my resolutions for the coming year.
I never made resolutions in the past. Nonetheless, I cannot pass up a challenge. Of course, my goals include more mountain biking. That's easy.
Other resolutions include more trips with the kids to the neighborhood park. Maybe I will get back into skiing or learn snowboarding. I conquered one of Colorado's 14ers last summer … maybe I will climb another big mountain. Most importantly, I'm committing to less grumpiness during the dark winter months and putting an end to my annual countdown to springtime riding.
As for resolutions for the multiplatform business, here's the following:
*Despite the economic challenges, and despite the competitive onslaught from cable and telco video, and despite the fact that most on Wall Street are dissing the small dish and putting their bets on cable, I hope there's no quit among the nation's satellite TV platforms. DISH may be down and out. Some suggest DIRECTV cannot keep its HDTV momentum going forever. Here's hoping that in 2009 DBS can rise again as a feisty - and nasty - competitor.
*The multiplatform business can make a resolution to ensure the nation's transition to digital TV in February is a smooth and steady process … because I don't think the government is up to the job.
*If regulators are on top of things, I would suggest to a new administration at the FCC to focus not on items like net neutrality or TV violence and indecency (issues that could be at the top of the new administration's agenda). Instead, regulators should ensure that broadband is available to every citizen, from rural residents to those who live in the inner core of the nation's biggest cities. That's an admirable goal. And satellite can become a critical part of that effort.
by Michael Hopkins
A few weeks ago I wrote about wasted opportunities … not only things I missed out on during the past year but also the lost opportunities in the multiplatform sector.
After that column, someone suggested that - as an alternative - I should list my resolutions for the coming year.
I never made resolutions in the past. Nonetheless, I cannot pass up a challenge. Of course, my goals include more mountain biking. That's easy.
Other resolutions include more trips with the kids to the neighborhood park. Maybe I will get back into skiing or learn snowboarding. I conquered one of Colorado's 14ers last summer … maybe I will climb another big mountain. Most importantly, I'm committing to less grumpiness during the dark winter months and putting an end to my annual countdown to springtime riding.
As for resolutions for the multiplatform business, here's the following:
*Despite the economic challenges, and despite the competitive onslaught from cable and telco video, and despite the fact that most on Wall Street are dissing the small dish and putting their bets on cable, I hope there's no quit among the nation's satellite TV platforms. DISH may be down and out. Some suggest DIRECTV cannot keep its HDTV momentum going forever. Here's hoping that in 2009 DBS can rise again as a feisty - and nasty - competitor.
*The multiplatform business can make a resolution to ensure the nation's transition to digital TV in February is a smooth and steady process … because I don't think the government is up to the job.
*If regulators are on top of things, I would suggest to a new administration at the FCC to focus not on items like net neutrality or TV violence and indecency (issues that could be at the top of the new administration's agenda). Instead, regulators should ensure that broadband is available to every citizen, from rural residents to those who live in the inner core of the nation's biggest cities. That's an admirable goal. And satellite can become a critical part of that effort.
