DirecTV to Close Broadcast Center, Readies NDS-based Receiver
DirecTV will close its Miami broadcast center that handled its service in Central and S. America by 2nd quarter, eliminating 100 jobs as operations are combined with a similar facility in Long Beach, Cal. At the same time, retailers reported DirecTV has cut the required forecast for purchases of combo satellite receiver/TiVo PVR to 3 months from 6 as it readies delivery its first device based on the NDS PVR platform.
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The shutdown of the Miami center was “part of the process of reducing costs,” a spokesman said. At the same time, about 30 jobs will be added to the Long Beach operation. The number of workers currently employed there wasn’t immediately available. DirecTV’s U.S. facility will remain in Marina Del Ray, Cal.
DirecTV Latin America, which has 1.5 million subscribers, emerged from bankruptcy protection last year and bought parent News Corp.’s stake in its Sky Latin America service.
A DirecTV spokesman declined comment on retailer reports of a reduction in the forecast requirement for the TiVo combo products but acknowledged the company will focus on the NDS-based receivers. DirecTV has said it expects to ship the new device this month. DirecTV’s agreement with TiVo runs through 2007. “Once our PVR hits the market, that’s what we're going to focus our marketing, advertising and sales on,” the spokesman said. “So it’s a matter of managing what we and retailers have in inventory for the TiVo boxes and then making the transition to selling the new PVR.”
Meanwhile, Boeing said Tues. that it had completed the on-orbit delivery of the SpaceWay F1 satellite to DirecTV, which is expected to use it to deliver local HD channels in 12 markets starting in Nov. The satellite is at 103 degrees W. A 2nd satellite, SpaceWay F2, is scheduled to launch to 99 degrees W in early Nov. SpaceWay F2’s launch was delayed from June. The Boeing 702 satellites, equipped with spot-beam technology, will deliver 1,500 local and 150 national HD channels and other advanced programming services by 2007, DirecTV officials have said.