Reported this morning in the SKYReport:
USDTV: Another Option for DTV Service
For less than $20 per month, U.S. Digital Television offers around 30 channels of all digital content- both local and HDTV broadcasts from 12 leading cable networks. And now with a new agreement inked to fund financial and strategic support, the service is expanding its "over-the-air" alternative and giving consumers another option when it comes to pay TV.
USDTV announced that it signed a $25.75 million funding agreement with an investment group including Fox Television Stations, Inc., Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., McGraw-Hill Broadcasting, LIN TV Corp., Morgan-Murphy Stations and Telcom DTV, LLC. The pact will assist with USDTV's plans to change the way consumers get their pay TV.
"We are pleased with the wide range of industry leaders supporting USDTV's efforts to provide consumers with a new choice for digital television," said Steve Lindsley, CEO of USDTV. "The vision and strategic strength of our new investors significantly enhance our ability to change the competitive landscape of the subscription TV industry."
Consumers receive the USDTV service through a VHF/UHF antenna connected to a proprietary USDTV set-top box producing digital quality pictures and sound on standard TVs. USDTV is able to broadcast its service by leasing spectrum from its television station partners in each market.
"We believe broadcasters will unite around the USDTV initiative and reaffirm their leadership role in the communities they serve," said Gary Chapman, chairman/president/CEO, LIN TV.
The USDTV service, including USDTV compatible set-top boxes, will be available directly from USDTV and through national and local retailers. The service is currently being tested in three pilot markets: Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and Las Vegas, with other markets expected to launch in the coming months. Planned technology upgrades include the introduction of video on-demand (VOD) content and digital video recording (DVR) services.
USDTV: Another Option for DTV Service
For less than $20 per month, U.S. Digital Television offers around 30 channels of all digital content- both local and HDTV broadcasts from 12 leading cable networks. And now with a new agreement inked to fund financial and strategic support, the service is expanding its "over-the-air" alternative and giving consumers another option when it comes to pay TV.
USDTV announced that it signed a $25.75 million funding agreement with an investment group including Fox Television Stations, Inc., Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., McGraw-Hill Broadcasting, LIN TV Corp., Morgan-Murphy Stations and Telcom DTV, LLC. The pact will assist with USDTV's plans to change the way consumers get their pay TV.
"We are pleased with the wide range of industry leaders supporting USDTV's efforts to provide consumers with a new choice for digital television," said Steve Lindsley, CEO of USDTV. "The vision and strategic strength of our new investors significantly enhance our ability to change the competitive landscape of the subscription TV industry."
Consumers receive the USDTV service through a VHF/UHF antenna connected to a proprietary USDTV set-top box producing digital quality pictures and sound on standard TVs. USDTV is able to broadcast its service by leasing spectrum from its television station partners in each market.
"We believe broadcasters will unite around the USDTV initiative and reaffirm their leadership role in the communities they serve," said Gary Chapman, chairman/president/CEO, LIN TV.
The USDTV service, including USDTV compatible set-top boxes, will be available directly from USDTV and through national and local retailers. The service is currently being tested in three pilot markets: Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and Las Vegas, with other markets expected to launch in the coming months. Planned technology upgrades include the introduction of video on-demand (VOD) content and digital video recording (DVR) services.
