anybody listen to the webcast of Cititgroup Conference

[hdtvtechno]

http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/citigroup/emt-2006/55112199.cfm

any mention of HD ?

 

[shappyss]

im listening now... nothing interesting yet, ill post some notes when its done

 

[shappyss]

Nothing really new but interesting discussion

talk about cable triple-play package they believe they are competitive with in the short term
in the long term they are looking into WifiMAx because telcos are going to become competitors.
NDS vs. Tivo- they needed to be able to control software for VOD and they didnt want a thirdparty in the middle, they want a "Directv Experience" not a "Tivo Experience"
they beileve new drvs have been successful and are still adding on new features

national hd...They offer what they think the consumer wants. “High end programming”. will add HD content this year- mostly locals 36 by end of Q1 56. by end of year
early 07 new sats will allow all locals and 150 nationals.........they will have enough HD to get through 06
****new boxes will capable to offer sat, off-air, and broadband content.
7-800,000 HD customers current HD customers on mpeg-2, they [Directv] will pay the bill for mpeg-4 transition. New orders will get MPEG-4 for most parts of country. By end of month no more MPEG-2 boxes will be installed
the current mpeg-2 will keep what they have if they like for about 2 years before they are looking to turn off MPEG-2
switch to lease plan starting March, affects their taxes somehow for the company to save money

Will new broadband be integrated into new boxes?
The boxes since 2005 have the abitility to connect to broaband and now just needs updated software.
They can do it through any broadband not only after they release their brodband

Saturation of Subscribers?
believe they can reach at least 20 million. Dont want low qualitly subscribers. Took steps to reduce this. Credit policies, terminated thrid party deals, and compensations and consewuences.
They want to grow with profitable subcribers

microsoft agreement- Microsoft media center as whole home solution. X box can be used as directv recievers
They will have their own version (HMC) by end of 2006 also will have features but not as robust as microsofts product

 

[lee78221]

Nothing really new but interesting discussion
talk about cable triple-play package they believe they are competitive with in the short term
in the long term they are looking into WifiMAx because telcos are going to become competitors.
NDS vs. Tivo- they needed to be able to control software for VOD and they didnt want a thirdparty in the middle, they want a "Directv Experience" not a "Tivo Experience"
they beileve new drvs have been successful and are still adding on new features
national hd...They offer what they think the consumer wants. “High end programming”. will add HD content this year- mostly locals 36 by end of Q1 56. by end of year
early 07 new sats will allow all locals and 150 nationals.........they will have enough HD to get through 06
****new boxes will capable to offer sat, off-air, and broadband content.
7-800,000 HD customers current HD customers on mpeg-2, they will pay the bill for mpeg-4 transition. New orders will get MPEG-4 for most parts of country. By end of month no more MPEG-2 boxes will be installed
the current mpeg-2 will keep what they have if they like for about 2 years before they are looking to turn off MPEG-2
switch to lease plan starting March, affects their taxes somehow for the company to save money
Will new broadband be integrated into new boxes?
The boxes since 2005 have the abitility to connect to broaband and now just needs updated software.
They can do it through any broadband not only after they release their brodband
Saturation of Subscribers?
believe they can reach at least 20 million. Dont want low qualitly subscribers. Took steps to reduce this. Credit policies, terminated thrid party deals, and compensations and consewuences.
They want to grow with profitable subcribers
microsoft agreement- Microsoft media center as whole home solution. X box can be used as directv recievers
They will have their own version (HMC) by end of 2006 also will have features but not as robust as microsofts product

they will pay the bill for mpeg-4 transition
They as in us are thay as in DIRECTV?

 

[shappyss]

sorry for my notes. Directv will pay the bill. No specific mention of details or of it being free but probably be similar to E*.

 

[CPanther95]

D*'s plan will not be like E*'s because there won't be any motivation for existing subs to upgrade. They will have to offer an outright swap in order to upgrade those subs.

 

[RIRWIN1983]

"Saturation of Subscribers?
believe they can reach at least 20 million. Dont want low qualitly subscribers. Took steps to reduce this. Credit policies, terminated thrid party deals, and compensations and consewuences.
They want to grow with profitable subcribers "

So the fact that i had to pay a 200 deposit means they dident want my money/service?

 

[shappyss]

"Saturation of Subscribers?
believe they can reach at least 20 million. Dont want low qualitly subscribers. Took steps to reduce this. Credit policies, terminated thrid party deals, and compensations and consewuences.
They want to grow with profitable subcribers "
So the fact that i had to pay a 200 deposit means they dident want my money/service?

keep in mind the webcast was more for investors from a financial standpoint.

by being able to pay the 200 dollar deposit indicates to D* that you are more likely to pay your bill and keep the service longer so they can make a profit. With free installs and recievers it costs them a lot if u cancel in two months.

 

[hdtvtechno]

Thank you shappyss for the recap.