"The continued upward swing in our subscriber growth is very exciting," noted Hewitt. "At this rate, we fully expect to surpass the 10 million mark this year. We're still a very young industry, and growth like this is the best possible evidence we could hope for that Americans are responding to, and increasingly opting for, the video delivery method that offers the most viewing choice, the highest-quality pictures and sound and the best service."

Evie Haskell, managing director of SkyTRENDS/Media Business Corp., also announced some encouraging statistics for the DTH industry. According to Haskell, the subscription and retail DTH satellite services in the U.S. grew by 32 percent in 1997, and as of Jan. 1, 1998, there were 29 states in which satellite TV penetration topped 10 percent of the population.

In a panel discussion Wall Street analyst Hoyt Davidson of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, reflected the financial industry's growing optimism towards satellite TV, noting: "We're very encouraged by the first quarter growth of DBS subscribership and the growth of the entire DTH sector. With such promising numbers, we're very bullish on the satellite TV business."

Also encouraging for the DTH industry was a report from research firm the Yankee Group, which recently conducted a survey of home dish owners. Bruce Leichtman, director, Media and Entertainment Strategies, noted: "In our survey of satellite TV viewers, we discovered that 88 percent rated their satellite service as either 'excellent' or 'above average.' This number reflects a level of consumer satisfaction that is rarely achieved, and is a strong indication of the DTH industry's overall vitality."

In another major announcement, Hewitt unveiled plans for two cross-membership segment committees to develop and implement an industry-wide certification and standards program. The program's goal is to implement a retailer training and testing program that will certify satellite retailers to install and service satellite products.

SkyFORUM attendees enjoyed a luncheon speech by Christie A. Hefner, chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises Inc., three panel discussions featuring leading DTH providers, programming executives and Wall Street analysts, as well as one-on-one interview discussions with the top executives of all major DBS companies.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the home satellite television industry.

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.