Business

LodgeNet files for Ch. 11, plans sale

January 28, 2013 2:07 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

LodgeNet Interactive says it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a plan to sell itself to investment firm Colony Capital for $60 million. The Sioux Falls, S.D., company said it will form a partnership with pay-TV provider DirecTV.

Audio pioneer Stefan Kudelski dies

January 28, 2013 2:03 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Kudelski invented the first portable professional recorder, the Nagra. Kudelski led the company until 1991, when his son André succeeded him as chairman and CEO. The elder Kudelski held a seat on the board of directors of Kudelski until 2006, and since had served as its honorary chairman.

Loudness correction in compressed streams

January 28, 2013 9:10 am | by RGB Networks | White Papers | Comments

The CALM Act requires video service providers (VSPs) to meet specific audio leveling standards. This paper reviews a best-of-breed solution that enables VSPs to solve loudness problems and avoid penalties, without compromising the audio experience.

U-verse remains a growth driver in Q4

January 25, 2013 3:04 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

AT&T reported a net gain of 192,000 U-verse TV subscribers for a total of 4.5 million TV customers, and a net gain of 609,000 high-speed Internet subscribers, to reach a total of 7.7 million. The company said its combined total of TV and broadband U-verse subscribers was 8 million.

Rogers queues up home automation in Newfoundland, New Brunswick

January 25, 2013 3:01 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Rogers said its home automation and home security platform, which is called Smart Home Monitoring, would be available soon in Newfoundland and New Brunswick. Rogers said the service would be available over the coming months after it gains licensing approvals.

Cablevision stirs in Watch Disney offerings to TV Everywhere mix

January 25, 2013 2:56 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Cablevision has added video from Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior for authenticated customers of its Optimum TV to Go service. Cablevision customers who receive the networks as part of their monthly video service can now stream these channels live or view popular shows in on-demand.

Verizon, AT&T agree to spectrum deal

January 25, 2013 2:53 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Verizon Wireless said that it will sell 39 lower 700 MHz B-block licenses to AT&T in exchange for a payment of $1.9 billion and the transfer by AT&T to Verizon Wireless of AWS (10 MHz) licenses in certain western markets, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Fresno, Calif., and Portland, Ore.

Miranda Technologies acquires Softel

January 25, 2013 2:51 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Miranda Technologies said it has acquired Softel, a provider of captioning, subtitling, audio and video description, interactivity, and other video technologies. The value of the deal was not disclosed. Miranda was purchased by Belden last year.

Belkin to buy Linksys router maker from Cisco

January 25, 2013 2:48 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Belkin, a maker of smartphone cases and computing accessories, said that it is buying the home networking business unit of Cisco, including the Linksys router brand. Privately held Belkin did not disclose the purchase price, nor did Cisco Systems. The deal is expected to close in March.

Videotron names Charlebois VP of HR, service excellence

January 25, 2013 2:46 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Alain Charlebois has taken over the role of vice president of human resources and service excellence after Normand Vachon retired from the position after eight years. Charlebois was previously senior manager of human resources, corporate development and training at Videotron.

Samsung’s Q4 profits jump 76% on Galaxy sales

January 25, 2013 2:40 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

A doubling of profits from Samsung's Galaxy line of smartphones boosted the company's overall fourth quarter profits by nearly 76 percent over the previous quarter. Samsung recorded net profits for the fourth quarter of $6.6 billion, a 76 percent surge from $3.72 billion during the same period last year.

Comcast picks Lancope for network visibility, security

January 24, 2013 2:02 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Comcast has signed on with Lancope to give it deeper insight into data center issues and to block network attacks. Comcast is using Lancope’s StealthWatch System to perform traffic analysis on its backbone, enable DDoS detection at its service delivery layer, and troubleshoot at its data center and enterprise layers.

Cable One ups TV Everywhere with Synacor, bows guarantee program

January 24, 2013 1:56 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Cable One has added more TV Everywhere content via an expanded agreement with Synacor, and it also announced a new 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee program. Cable One signed on early last year with Synacor for its first crack at TV Everywhere services and a new customer Web portal.

DTS, RGB collaborate on quality audio

January 24, 2013 1:53 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

DTS and RGB Networks said they will integrate the former’s audio solutions into the latter’s multi-screen IP video delivery products. The result is a product that video distributors can use to control program and advertising sound levels in conformance with the CALM Act.

Metaswitch gives voice to Global Xpress

January 24, 2013 1:51 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Inmarsat will use VoIP equipment from Metaswitch to provide the telephony element of its Global Xpress worldwide communication service. Metaswitch is supplying Inmarsat with its Universal Media Gateways, MetaSphere server, MetaView system and Perimeta session border controllers.