News & Opinion

  ENGLEWOOD, CO—Sept. 30, 2013 -- Vivendi and EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ: SATS) announced today that EchoStar Technologies LLC and Vivendi subsidiary GVT have entered into negotiations to form a joint venture for pay TV services in Brazil. GVT and EchoStar aim to position their future joint venture as a leader in the fast growing Brazilian pay TV market which would also benefit from the expected higher demand driven by two key global events to be held in the country: FIFA World Cup in 2014 and Olympic Games in 2016. The joint venture would be headquartered in Brazil, managed by GVT, and would benefit from GVT´s strong market position and state-of-the-art IP network combined with EchoStar´s expertise in satellite and video technology and its Brazilian licenses. The objective is to offer a national service based on IPTV and a unique high power satellite to provide leading edge features, quality and reliability to consumers. The deal is subject to execution of definitive agreements and all corporate and governmental approvals. About GVT GVT is the leading alternative telecommunications operator in Brazil. Active in all fixed-line telecommunications, in high-speed broadband services and in pay-television, it fully controls its optical fiber networks, the most modern in Brazil. GVT today operates in 146 Brazilian cities all over the country and most recently entered the residential market of Sao Paulo, the country’s biggest city. Its pay television services were launched in 2012, using a hybrid technology that combines the broadcast of satellite television channels, several of them in high definition, with interactive services provided through its terrestrial network; more than 500,000 households have subscribed to the service to date. The company was founded in 2000 and is a wholly-owned Vivendi subsidiary since 2010. In 2012, GVT had revenues of €1.7 billion and an EBITDA of €740 million. About EchoStar EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite operations and video delivery solutions. EchoStar’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Hughes, is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband services, delivering network technologies and managed services for enterprise and government customers in more than 100 countries. Headquartered in Englewood, CO, with additional business units world-wide, EchoStar is a multiple Emmy award-winning company that has pioneered advancements in the set-top box and satellite industries for nearly 30 years, consistently delivering value for customers, partners and investors through innovation and outstanding quality. EchoStar’s contribution to video technology continues to have a major influence on the way consumers view, receive and manage TV programming. EchoStar’s consumer solutions include HughesNet®, North America’s #1 high-speed satellite Internet service, Sling Media's Slingbox® products, and EchoStar’s line of set-top box products for the free-to-air satellite and terrestrial markets. About Vivendi Vivendi groups together are leaders in content and media. Canal+ Group is the French leader in pay TV, and also operates in French-speaking Africa, Poland and Vietnam; its subsidiary StudioCanal is a leading European player in production, acquisition, distribution and international film sales. Universal Music Group is the world leader in music; it recently strengthened and diversified its position with the acquisition of EMI Recorded Music. In telecommunications, Vivendi owns GVT, the leading alternative broadband operator in Brazil, and SFR, a French leader in telecoms. www.vivendi.com Important Disclaimers Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy, plans and outlook of Vivendi, including the impact of certain transactions. Although Vivendi believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including but not limited to the risks related to antitrust and other regulatory approvals as well as any other approvals which may be required in connection with certain transactions and the risks described in the documents Vivendi filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (French securities regulator), which are also available in English on Vivendi's website (www.vivendi.com). Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by Vivendi with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers at www.amf-france.org, or directly from Vivendi. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Vivendi disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ONE World Sports will carry five exclusive soccer matches from Japan’s J.League and the Chinese Super League. Plus, a tantalizing clash of top European club teams: reigning UEFA Champions League champions, Bayern Munich, take on English powerhouse Manchester City. When:            Saturday and Sunday on global-sports network ONE World Sports. Saturday, Oct. 5 Time (EDT) Event Competition 6 a.m. (Live) Ventforet Kofu vs. Yokohama F-Marinos J.League 8 a.m. (Delayed) Shonan Bellmare vs. Nagoya Grampus J.League 10 a.m. (Delayed) Urawa Reds vs. Omiya Ardija J.League 12 p.m. (Delayed) Liaoning Whowin vs. Beijing Guoan Chinese Super League 7 p.m. (Delayed) Manchester City vs. Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League Sunday, Oct. 6 Time (EDT) Event Competition 4 a.m. (Live) Shandong Luneng vs. Guangzhou Evergrande Chinese Super League Where: ONE World Sports is available via DISH Network, Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Mediacom Communications and Google Fiber.

Boston—The majority of companies using content marketing rely on social media to distribute that information, according to a report from Unisphere Research, a division of Information Today, and sponsored by Skyword, a provider of a content production platform. According to the report, “Content Marketing Gets Social: 2013 Survey on Content Marketing Trends,” 71% of respondents reported publishing content to their websites and then promoting it socially, 21% did not use social media, and 8% did not know or were unsure. Those using social media were most likely to use Facebook (84%), followed by Twitter (79%) and LinkedIn (64%); they reported that the highest level of engagement came from Facebook (55%), Twitter (45%) and LinkedIn (39%). Socially promoted content leads targets to the company website (89% of respondents), while 44% of marketers drive traffic to a company blog. Less than one-quarter of respondents (23%) reported outsourcing any aspect of social media marketing. Fifty-seven percent reported that the portion of their marketing budget allocated to social media marketing was less than 5% or nothing at all. Conducted in August, the email survey garnered 217 respondents from among the readership base of Information Today's CRM and EContent magazines. See more at:

Applications Now Being Accepted for the Fierce Innovation Awards 2013 Now in its second year, the Fierce Innovation Awards program seeks to recognize the top technology innovations across the wireless, wireline and advanced TV and video network sectors of the telecom industry. The publishers of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom & FierceCable are offering an unparalleled opportunity for the companies developing inspiring and high-potential products to have those services reviewed by industry decision-makers. There is no better way to judge the best new network innovations than to put judgment in the hands of the network operators who would deploy these technologies.  Fierce has lined up an all-star list of executives from operators of all types to determine which innovations are most ready for prime time. We’re looking for innovative products and services that effectively solve critical challenges for service providers, give them the best opportunity for cost savings and new and enhanced revenue, and have the greatest potential for easy, rapid and widespread adoption. Winners will receive industry-wide recognition during a live Webcast as well as extensive exposure to the more than 300,000 readers of our telecom suite of publications, including FierceWireless, FierceTelecom & FierceCable. Think your product or solution has what it takes? Apply Today!

Only on ONE World Sports this weekend, catch live soccer action from Japan’s J.League, Korea’s K League Classic and the Chinese Super League. And in an important NASL clash, see the league-leading NY Cosmos take on the No. 2 Tampa Bay Rowdies. Also this weekend, you can watch a Barclays Premier League match pitting Swansea vs. Arsenal. And see the Yomiuri Giants take on the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in a battle of the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League. The Carp are enjoying their best season in 16 years, having just clinched a place in the NPB playoffs. When:             ONE World Sports, the global sports network, will carry all of this world-class action this Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, Sept. 28 Time (EDT) Event Competition 12 a.m. (Live) Vegalta Sendai vs. Yokohama F. Marinos J.League 3 a.m. (Live) Incheon vs. Pohang K League Classic 9:30 a.m. (Delayed) Kashima Antlers vs. Oita Trinita J.League 11:30 a.m. (Delayed) Omiya Ardija vs. FC Tokyo J.League 1:30 p.m. (Delayed) Guangzhou Evergrande vs. Hangzhou Greentown Chinese Super League 3:30 p.m. (Delayed) Jiangsu Sainty vs. Liaoning Whowin Chinese Super League Sunday, Sept. 29 Time (EDT) Event Competition 1 a.m. (Live) Yomiuri Giants vs. Hiroshima Toyo Carp Nippon Professional Baseball 5 p.m. (Live) NY Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies North American Soccer League 7 p.m. (Delayed) Swansea vs. Arsenal Barclays Premier League Where: ONE World Sports is available via DISH Network, Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Mediacom Communications and Google Fiber.

Connected World Magazine Announces the 2014 CW 100 Carol Stream, Ill. – Sept. 24, 2013 - When it comes to finding the right partners to build the ideal M2M solution, one can be overwhelmed with numerous questions like: what is the right platform service for my needs; which partners will help create a flawless M2M solution; or which network options will I benefit from the most? This is exactly where Connected World magazine's CW 100 comes in, identifying the very best technology providers that can help answer these questions, and assisting to create successful M2M solutions. Today, Connected World magazine announces the 2014 CW 100. For the past 11 years, the CW 100 has proven to be the definitive list of the top companies that are demonstrating significant market traction and pursuing game-changing technologies in connectivity as determined by the editors of Connected World. "The CW 100 does not just simply list the industry's top 100 technology providers, it gives corporate adopters the opportunity to assemble a value chain that will lead to successful M2M solutions," says Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Connected World magazine. "This is the resource to help you and your company launch the right M2M plan in 2014." Companies that have been selected to be on the CW 100 have established the top products, services, and commitment to enable connectivity. The 2014 CW 100 consists of the following companies: Accenture Aeris Communications Inc. Airbiquity Inc. AirStrip Technologies Alcatel-Lucent Alien Technology Amdocs Inc. Apple Inc. Arkessa ARM Holdings AT&T Inc. Atmel Corp. Axeda Corp. Bell Canada BlackBerry Broadcom Corp. Bug Labs CalAmp Corp. CETECOM Cisco Systems Inc. connectBlue Connected Development CradlePoint Inc. Cycle30 Inc. DataOnline LLC Deutsche Telekom Digi Intl. Inc. Echelon Corp. Elster Group Ericsson Esprida Corp. Eurotech Fargo Telecom Group FreeScale Semiconductor Inc. FreightWatch Intl. Gemalto General Electric Co. Geotab Inc. Globalstar Good Technology Google Hewlett-Packard Co. Honeywell Intl. Inc. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. IBM Corp. ILS Technology Inilex Inc. Inmarsat Intel Corp. Iridium Communications Inc. Itron Inc. Jasper Wireless Inc. Jazz Wireless Data Kontron KORE Telematics Landis+Gyr Linear Technology (Dust) M2M DataSmart Machine-to-Machine Intelligence (M2Mi) Corp. Maingate Marvell Technology Group Mesh Systems Microsoft Mocana Corp. Multi-Tech Systems Inc. NetComm Wireless Ltd. Novatel Wireless Inc. NXP Semiconductors Omnilink Systems Inc. OnAsset Intelligence Inc. Oracle Orange SA ORBCOMM Quake Global Qualcomm Inc. RACO Wireless Red Bend Software Redpine Signals Rogers Communications Inc. Sierra Wireless Inc. SkyWave Mobile Communications Sprint Synchronoss Technologies Inc. Systech Corp. Telefónica O2 Telenor Connexion AB (Telenor) Telit Wireless Solutions Inc. Tendril Texas Instruments Inc. ThingWorx T-Mobile USA Inc. Trimble Navigation Ltd. u-blox AG UIEvolution Inc. Verizon Wireless Vodafone Group PLC Wireless Logic Group Ltd. Wyless Inc. Xirgo Technologies ZTE Corp. "Every successful M2M solution must begin with a solid foundation," says Mike Carrozzo, chief editor, Connected World magazine. "The CW 100 gives corporate adopters the exact tools to build just that, all with the confidence to make the right business decisions that will lead to success ." To find out more about the 2014 CW 100, including extended profiles for companies, be sure to pick up either the print or digital version of Connected World magazine’s Oct/Nov issue, or visit our Website. This listing will also be included as a part of Connected World magazine's 2014 Sourcebook. In order to reserve yours, please place an order online. About Connected World magazine Connected World is the business and technology publication that provides the intelligence industry titans need and the guidance consumers crave. It’s all about M2M. www.connectedworldmag.com

No matter how much you love your job (and we all do, right?) everyone has taxing moments at work. You know, those days when you're on a deadline, your email unexpectedly stops working and you drop your iPhone into a bowl of soup by accident.Those days. Since yelling at an innocent bystander or crawling under your desk are unprofessional, and you never want to appear that way, it's crucial to develop some relaxation rituals that are fast, effective and discreet. For example, when we get overwhelmed, one thing we can do is a practice called Sama Vritti or "Equal Breathing"). Inhale for four counts through the nose and exhale for a count of four, trying to repeat the cycle around 10 times. It's an easy way to not only bring your heart rate down, but also to create a small moment in a hectic day that's just for you. Others meditate at lunch. It's amazingly effective in creating a positive perspective. With that in mind, we did some informal research on de-stressing techniques, and came up with this handy list: Take a walk Even if you only have time to a stroll around the block, this forces you to leave your desk and get some fresh air. Plus, even minimal exercise releases endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Find a green space Even if you're office is in a corporate park, there has to be a patch of grass or some trees nearby. Our New York offices are right near South Street Seaport, and watching boats float down the East River is a great way to remind ourselves that first, the world does not revolve around us and, secondly, life will go on. Laugh Yes, I know it can be difficult when you're right in the middle of a huge project and eight people are calling you at the same time, but try and crack a smile. Researchers from the University of Kansas found that even faking a smile improves your mood. If you can, take a minute to check out a funny Mashable slideshow or Buzzfeed list and laugh a little. Do one thing If you are experiencing heart palpitations about the 15 urgent things that need to be handled by noon, just pick one and get to it. Sometimes the fear of the workload is worse than the workload itself. On the other hand we are not working in life-or-death scenarios in the way that first-responders or those in other professions do. If you can't get everything finished, everyone will be okay.

ScreenPlays Magazine’s September issue highlights Amdocs and their new, modular customer experience solution – CES 9 as an ideal cable operator solution. The article says that, “Cable operators have reached a moment of truth where technology-driven shifts in market demand combined with unacceptable levels of customer satisfaction require new approaches to running their businesses. The demand for truly personalized services, the encroachment of over-the-top players on cable operators’ traditional turf, the advent of broadband-delivered home automation and security services, the push for unbundling of cable programming – all these pressures call for a  fundamental rethinking of the traditional cable operator business model. Until now, growth in cable was about adding content and building new service silos, which necessarily put the focus on managing relationships with content suppliers and expanding network capacity and functionalities. These are still important components of operations, but the defining characteristics of what it will take to compete successfully in an era of unbounded customer choice are to be found in the IT domain, where the challenge is to transform customer experience from the anonymity of today’s bundled one-size-fits-all templates to unprecedented levels of personalization and convenience.” Read more here:

Penthera, a privately-held software firm that has developed a platform that elegantly delivers TV shows and movies to mobile devices for offline playback, today announced it has selected our firm to lead its communications program. Led by the cable industry pioneer Michael Willner and an executive team of the most recignized leaders in the industry, Penthera is an exciting new software company. Penthera solves one of the most frustrating TV Everywhere problems – how to efficiently move large video files to consumers‘ mobile devices for offline viewing. TV Everywhere actually ISN’T everywhere: consumers on the go need a high-speed, consistent Internet connection to stream content. To actually be everywhere, there must be an untethered, on-the-go option. Many critical functions must be addressed simultaneously at the uplink, head-end and mobile device to make that happen. Bandwidth utilization and content windowing are just some of the issues Penthera’s software expertly addresses. “Bob Gold & Associates is widely recognized in the cable TV industry for its award-winning work for programmers, distributors and suppliers,” said Michael Willner, president & CEO of Penthera. “We’re confident they will serve as an invaluable partner.” Penthera’s software engine, Cache & CarryTM, works with both Android and iOS devices and is the first of its kind that is designed specifically for cable operators and TV network programmers to ensure a competitive advantage by offering an alternative to streaming video.