DIRECTV a Video Symphony

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

DIRECTV a Video Symphony DIRECTV A Video Symphony ANNU A L REPO R T 2 0 0 9 DIRECTV orchestrates a rich medley of services Company Information Board of Directors Elected Officers for its more than 18.5 million customers in the U.S. NEIL R. AUSTRIAN MICHAEL D. WHITE Private Investor President and Chairman, Nominating and Chief Executive Officer Corporate Governance Committee Compensation Committee BRUCE B. CHURCHILL Audit Committee Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer of DIRECTV RALPH F. BOYD, JR. Latin America, LLC and Executive Vice President / President – New Ventures Community Relations, Freddie Mac PATRICK T. DOYLE Chairman, Audit Committee Executive Vice President and Nominating and Corporate Chief Financial Officer Governance Committee LARRY D. HUNTER On Demand CHASE CAREY Executive Vice President, Legal, Deputy Chairman, President and Chief Human Resources and Administration, and Operating Officer, General Counsel News Corporation MICHAEL W. PALKOVIC PAUL A. GOULD Executive Vice President – Operations Managing Director, Allen & Company, LLC ROMULO C. PONTUAL Nominating and Corporate Executive Vice President and Governance Committee Chief Technology Officer Compensation Committee J. WILLIAM LITTLE CHARLES R. LEE Senior Vice President and Treasurer Retired Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, JOHN F. MURPHY Verizon Communications, Inc. Senior Vice President, Chairman, Compensation Committee Controller and Chief Accounting Officer Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee JANET L. WILLIAMSON Corporate Secretary PETER A. LUND Private Investor and Former President And Chief Executive Officer, CBS, Inc. Compensation Committee Corporate Information Audit Committee Corporate Office GREGORY B. MAFFEI 2230 East Imperial Highway President and Chief Executive Officer, El Segundo, CA 90245-0956 Liberty Media Corporation (310) 964-5000 JOHN C. MALONE Company Information Chairman, DIRECTV Media Relations Chairman, (212) 205-0882 Liberty Media Corporation and Investor Relations Liberty Global, Inc. (310) 964-0808 directv.com NANCY S. NEWCOMB NASDAQ ticker symbol: DTV Retired Senior Corporate Mobility Officer, Citigroup, Inc. Transfer Agent and Registrar Audit Committee Computershare Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee P.O Box 43078 Providence, RI 02940-3078 HAIM SABAN Computershare.com Chairman and Chief (877) 498-8904 Executive Officer, Saban Capital Group, Inc. Independent Registered Public Compensation Committee Accounting Firm Deloitte & Touche LLP MICHAEL D. WHITE 350 South Grand Avenue President and Chief Suite 200 Executive Officer, Los Angeles, CA 90071-2462 DIRECTV DIRECTV orchestrates a rich medley of services for its more than 18.5 million customers in the U.S. Connectivity Exclusive/Unique Programming ANNUAL REPORT 1 And in Latin America, over 6.5 million customers enjoy a perfect harmony of services. Exclusive Sports Compelling Entertainment 2 DIRECTV ANNUAL REPORT 3 And in Latin America, over 6.5 million customers enjoy a perfect harmony of services. HD & DVR Exclusive Sports Leadership ANNUAL REPORT 3 Financial Highlights Years Ended December 31, 2009 2008 2007 (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Revenues $21,565 $19,693 $17,246 Operating profit $2,673 $2,695 $2,486 Depreciation and amortization expense 2,640 2,320 1,684 Operating profit before depreciation and amortization1 $5,313 $5,015 $4,170 Amounts attributable to DIRECTV common shareholders: Income from continuing operations $942 $1,515 $1,434 Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – 6 17 Net income $942 $1,521 $1,451 Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share: Income from continuing operations $0.95 $1.36 $1.20 Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes – 0.01 0.01 Net income $0.95 $1.37 $1.21 Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions) 992 1,114 1,202 Cash flow information Net cash provided by operating activities $4,431 $3,910 $3,645 Net cash used in investing activities (2,194) (2,388) (2,822) Net cash used in financing activities (1,637) (600) (2,239) Free cash flow Net cash provided by operating activities $4,431 $3,910 $3,645 Less: Cash paid for property, equipment and satellites (2,071) (2,229) (2,692) Free cash flow 2 $2,360 $1,681 $953 (1) Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption “Depreciation and amortization expense” to “Operating profit.” This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. For further discussion of operating profit before depreciation and amortization, see Summary Data in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in DIRECTV’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, included in this Annual Report. (2) Free cash flow, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP, can be calculated by deducting amounts under the captions “Cash paid for property and equipment” and “Cash paid for satellites” from “Net cash provided by operating activities” from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This financial measure should be used in conjunction with other GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. For further discussion of operating profit before depreciation and amortization, see Summary Data in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in DIRECTV’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, included in this Annual Report. Pre-SAC Margin, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, is calculated for DIRECTV U.S. by adding amounts under the captions “Subscriber acquisition costs” and “Depreciation and amortization expense” to “Operating Profit” from DIRECTV U.S.’ segment operating results and subtracting “subscriber leased equipment - upgrade and retention” as discussed in Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. This financial measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. For further discussion of Pre-SAC Margin, see the Reconciliation of Pre-SAC margin to Operating Profit at the back of this annual report. 4 DIRECTV A Message to Shareholders Michael D. White President and Chief Executive Officer Our 2009 Report comes at a time of significant momentum DRIVING RETURNS FROM A STRONG BASE in terms of our operating performance and free cash flow growth, Our full-year results confirm that 2009 was an extremely strong strengthening our position at the leading edge of the television year for both our U.S. and Latin American businesses giving us experience. It’s also a time of transition, as this marks my first letter a great base to build on in 2010 and beyond. to DIRECTV shareholders. As someone who’s been looking into n In the U.S., despite an increasingly competitive industry and the every corner of this company since coming onboard as CEO in continued impact of the economic downturn, DIRECTV added January, I’m convinced that DIRECTV brings the total package: the most net subscribers in four years. a video symphony highlighted by an advantaged technology platform delivering distinctive content done with a twist, and n We grew our Pre-SAC margin by more than a point and drove industry-leading customer service backed up by the best brand capital expenditures down about 15% – and we did both while in the business. It also doesn’t hurt to bring a strong balance significantly improving our call center and installer network’s sheet to today’s competitive market with the power to generate performance. significant amounts of free cash flow. n In 2009, DIRECTV once again posted the highest customer service In some ways, DIRECTV’s strengths come as no surprise. The fact rating in the ASCI – the American Customer Satisfaction Index is, long before I ever imagined becoming CEO at DIRECTV, I was – beating all major cable companies for the 9th consecutive year. a DIRECTV customer. What I wanted was a service that used the latest technology to bring me and my family the hot new shows, hit movies n In Latin America, our performance was even more impressive, and big games – with superior sound and picture, and outstanding as we established new records for most key metrics including customer service at a competitive price. As I soon found out, DIRECTV net additions, revenues and operating profit before depreciation delivered. But I also knew that as a consumer, I had choices when it and amortization. came to home entertainment. That customer perspective is one I’m n All told, these achievements drove industry-leading results at going to work hard to keep as a means of testing how well we’re the consolidated DIRECTV level, including nearly 10% revenue delivering the DIRECTV experience in the future. growth and 40% free cash flow growth. The reasons for DIRECTV’s success are hardly a secret: It’s a terrific product delivered by a talented team of people. No new n On top of all of that, we completed the merger with Liberty CEO taking the helm could ask for a stronger foundation. In the Entertainment and repurchased another $1.7 billion of stock, 5 ½ years that Chase Carey led DIRECTV, the company added bringing the total buyback to nearly $10 billion in the past four over 11 million subscribers in the U.S. and Latin America, more years, reducing our shares outstanding by a third. than doubling revenues while generating over $5 billion of free The strengths we’ve shown will prove critical, especially now.
Recommended publications
  • Viasat and SKY Brasil Announce Partnership to Expand the Distribution and Availability of Viasat's High-Quality Satellite Internet Service to More Homes Across Brazil
    Viasat and SKY Brasil Announce Partnership to Expand the Distribution and Availability of Viasat's High-Quality Satellite Internet Service to More Homes across Brazil January 12, 2021 SÃO PAULO, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, and SKY Brasil (SKY), the largest satellite pay TV operator in Brazil, announced today a partnership to increase the availability of fast, reliable satellite internet across Brazil. Through this agreement, SKY will sell, install and provide on-site technical service for Viasat's high-speed internet service. Viasat gains a strong Brazilian distribution partner with proven local expertise, and will help train SKY's vast network of distributors, resellers and installers on its internet service offerings. In October 2020, Viasat became the first satellite Internet Service Provider (ISP) to offer high-speed broadband connectivity across 100% of Brazil. Viasat's residential internet service for Brazil uses Telebras' SGDC-1 satellite bandwidth to provide satellite broadband service. "SKY is present in all cities within Brazil, offering services that adapt to the daily life and different consumer needs and profiles of Brazilians. We are specialists in offering excellent service and technical support with an unbeatable distribution network that delivers great value and a highly- differentiated service that can be seen in our business results on a national scale. We look forward to working with Viasat. This partnership is in line with SKY's objective, which is ensuring all Brazilians have access to information and entertainment," said Sérgio Ribeiro, chief operations officer at SKY Brasil. "This partnership reinforces SKY's strategy of leveraging its vast distribution network to offer Home Services and Home Automation to increase the comforts of home, while ensuring all Brazilians have access to the best home services they require," added SKY President, Estanislau Bassols.
    [Show full text]
  • Latin America: Mobile Deals Spur M&A Activity
    4 Global Media and Communications Quarterly Autumn Issue 2012 Latin America: Mobile Deals Spur M&A Activity The Latin American telecommunications market In December 2011, Sky Brasil (a Brazil-based has witnessed several substantial developments subsidiary of DirecTV), announced the purchase of in the past twelve months, particularly in the areas Acom Comunicações, a Brazilian television and of wireless and 4G. In particular, rising demand for internet company, for US$55 million. Completion of more widespread access to 4G and other wireless the acquisition is still pending, subject to antitrust and services has driven consolidation activity in the Latin communications regulatory approvals. This deal is part telecoms market. This article briefly describes some of Sky Brasil’s overall strategy to enhance its new 4G developments and representative transactions of the operations and to expand its services to other parts of past 12 months in Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, and Haiti. Brazil. By acquiring Acom Comunicações, Sky Brasil will acquire new 4G wireless spectrum in ten states As the economy of Brazil continues to expand, internet covering fifty major municipalities, to complement use and access continues to be a significant focus the airwaves it acquired in the June auction. of activity. Online commerce in Brazil has increased 21% since 2011 (to approximately US$18.7 billion), Outside of Brazil, other recent investments have and the forecast is for internet penetration to increase demonstrated a trend towards greater industry by the end of 2012 to over 86 million people, or 42% consolidation. In Mexico, Televisa recently completed of the population. As the demand for internet access a deal to acquire a 50% stake in Grupo Iusacell, a grows, the government is focusing increasing efforts Mexican mobile operator.
    [Show full text]
  • AT&T Privacy Policy
    EFFECTIVE JUNE 16, 2021 AT&T Privacy Policy Your information and your privacy are important — to you and to us. This policy explains how we use your information and how we keep it safe. Most importantly, it explains the choices you can make at any time about how your information is used. When this Policy applies This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) covers the information generated when you use or subscribe to AT&T products, services, apps, websites or networks to which this policy is linked. In the policy, we call them “Products or Services” for short. They include voice, data, video, entertainment, advertising, internet and other products, services and apps. This Policy applies to you and anyone who uses our Products or Services under your account, except where we identify for you that separate AT&T privacy policies or terms and conditions apply. You are responsible for making sure all users under your account understand and agree to this Policy. See below for a description of special circumstances where this Policy may not apply or may apply in addition to other policies. Here are special circumstances where this Policy may not apply, or may apply in addition to other policies: Some of our Products or Services – for example the AT&T TV app and our FirstNet service – may be covered by their own privacy policies or additional privacy terms and conditions. Some of our affiliates – such as WarnerMedia companies and Cricket – have their own privacy policies that apply to data they collect from products, services and apps they provide. Any data collected subject to this Policy that is shared with those affiliates will still be protected consistent with this Policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean Alicia Bárcena Executive Secretary
    2010 Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean Alicia Bárcena Executive Secretary Antonio Prado Deputy Executive Secretary Mario Cimoli Chief Division of Production, Productivity and Management Ricardo Pérez Chief Documents and Publications Division Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2010 is the latest edition of a series issued annually by the Unit on Investment and Corporate Strategies of the ECLAC Division of Production, Productivity and Management. It was prepared by Álvaro Calderón, Mario Castillo, René A. Hernández, Jorge Mario Martínez Piva, Wilson Peres, Miguel Pérez Ludeña and Sebastián Vergara, with assistance from Martha Cordero, Lucía Masip Naranjo, Juan Pérez, Álex Rodríguez, Indira Romero and Kelvin Sergeant. Contributions were received as well from Eduardo Alonso and Enrique Dussel Peters, consultants. Comments and suggestions were also provided by staff of the ECLAC subregional headquarters in Mexico, including Hugo Beteta, Director, and Juan Carlos Moreno-Brid, Juan Alberto Fuentes, Claudia Schatan, Willy Zapata, Rodolfo Minzer and Ramón Padilla. ECLAC wishes to express its appreciation for the contribution received from the executives and officials of the firms and other institutions consulted during the preparation of this publication. Chapters IV and V were prepared within the framework of the project “Inclusive political dialogue and exchange of experiences”, carried out jointly by ECLAC and the Alliance for the Information Society (@lis 2) with financing from the European
    [Show full text]
  • Periodistas Y Magnates
    Una investigación del Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPyS) Periodistas y Magnates Estructura y concentración de las industrias culturales en América Latina Guillermo Mastrini y Martín Becerra (Directores) Equipo de investigación: Andrés D’Alessandro (Argentina); Oscar Ordoñez y Raúl Peñaranda (Bolivia); James Görgen (Brasil); Carlos Eduardo Huertas (Colombia), Claudia Lagos (Chile); Gabriela López (México); Carolina De Andrea, Adriana León y Jenny Cabrera (Perú); Alexandra Dans (Uruguay); Andrés Cañizáles (Venezuela) Este trabajo se realizó gracias a los aportes de la Fundación Ford y el Instituto Prensa y Sociedad. La publicación fue posible gracias al Open Society Institute. © De esta edición, Prometeo Libros, 2006 Av. Corrientes 1916 (C1045AAO), Buenos Aires Tel.: (54-11) 4952-4486/8923 / Fax: (54-11) 4953-1165 e-mail: [email protected] http.www.prometeolibros.com Diseño y diagramación: Colaboración en el cuidado de los textos: ISBN: 987-XXXXXXXXXX Hecho el depósito que marca la ley 11.723 Prohibida su reproducción total o parcial Derechos reservados Índice Introducción ........................................................................................................... 27 Marco Teórico y Metodológico ....................................................... 37 Argentina .................................................................................... 77 Bolivia ...................................................................................... 107 Brasil .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Case 20-32299-KLP Doc 208 Filed 06/01/20 Entered 06/01/20 16
    Case 20-32299-KLP Doc 208 Filed 06/01/20 Entered 06/01/20 16:57:32 Desc Main Document Page 1 of 137 Case 20-32299-KLP Doc 208 Filed 06/01/20 Entered 06/01/20 16:57:32 Desc Main Document Page 2 of 137 Exhibit A Case 20-32299-KLP Doc 208 Filed 06/01/20 Entered 06/01/20 16:57:32 Desc Main Document Page 3 of 137 Exhibit A1 Served via Overnight Mail Name Attention Address 1 Address 2 City State Zip Country Aastha Broadcasting Network Limited Attn: Legal Unit213 MezzanineFl Morya LandMark1 Off Link Road, Andheri (West) Mumbai 400053 IN Abs Global LTD Attn: Legal O'Hara House 3 Bermudiana Road Hamilton HM08 BM Abs-Cbn Global Limited Attn: Legal Mother Ignacia Quezon City Manila PH Aditya Jain S/O Sudhir Kumar Jain Attn: Legal 12, Printing Press Area behind Punjab Kesari Wazirpur Delhi 110035 IN AdminNacinl TelecomunicacionUruguay Complejo Torre De Telecomuniciones Guatemala 1075. Nivel 22 HojaDeEntrada 1000007292 5000009660 Montevideo CP 11800 UY Advert Bereau Company Limited Attn: Legal East Legon Ars Obojo Road Asafoatse Accra GH Africa Digital Network Limited c/o Nation Media Group Nation Centre 7th Floor Kimathi St PO Box 28753-00100 Nairobi KE Africa Media Group Limited Attn: Legal Jamhuri/Zaramo Streets Dar Es Salaam TZ Africa Mobile Network Communication Attn: Legal 2 Jide Close, Idimu Council Alimosho Lagos NG Africa Mobile Networks Cameroon Attn: Legal 131Rue1221 Entree Des Hydrocarbures Derriere Star Land Hotel Bonapriso-Douala Douala CM Africa Mobile Networks Cameroon Attn: Legal BP12153 Bonapriso Douala CM Africa Mobile Networks Gb,
    [Show full text]
  • Arianespace a Lancé Avec Succès Les Satellites SKY Brasil-1 Pour AT&T
    Communiqué de presse 17-07 Kourou, le 14 février 2017 Arianespace a lancé avec succès les satellites SKY Brasil-1 pour AT&T/DIRECTV et Telkom 3S pour Telkom Indonesia dans le cadre d’un contrat clé en mains signé avec Thales Alenia Space. Le lancement a eu lieu le mardi 14 février à 18h39 (heure de Kourou) depuis le Centre spatial guyanais, port spatial de l’Europe, en présence de Christophe Sirugue, Secrétaire d’Etat en charge de l’industrie. Deuxième lancement de l’année 2017, le premier avec Ariane 5, VA235 signe le 77e succès d’affilée du lanceur lourd. AVEC CETTE MISSION AU SERVICE DE DEUX GRANDS OPERATEURS REGIONAUX, ARIANESPACE CONFIRME SA POSITION DE SERVICE DE LANCEMENT DE REFERENCE POUR L’AMERIQUE LATINE ET POUR L’ASIE Après SKY Mexico-1 et DIRECTV 15 lancés ensemble par une Ariane 5 en mai 2015, SKY Brasil-1 est le 10e satellite mis en orbite par Arianespace pour le compte d’AT&T/DIRECTV, l’un des leaders mondiaux pour l’offre de pro- grammes de télévision numérique de divertissement. Via sa filiale DIRECTV Latin America, l’opérateur diffuse ses services à plus de 12,5 millions d'abonnés principalement au Venezuela, en Argentine, au Chili, en Colombie et au Brésil. SKY Brasil-1, satellite de Télédiffusion Directe à Haute Définition, couvrira le Brésil et le nord de l’océan atlan- tique. Telkom 3S est le 3e satellite à être lancé par Arianespace pour Telkom Indonesia, ici dans le cadre d’un contrat clé en mains avec Thales Alenia Space.
    [Show full text]
  • The Streaming Wars in the Global Periphery: a Glimpse from Brazil
    PRODUCTIONS / MARKETS / STRATEGIES THE STREAMING WARS IN THE GLOBAL PERIPHERY: A GLIMPSE FROM BRAZIL MELINA MEIMARIDIS, DANIELA MAZUR, DANIEL RIOS Name Melina Meimaridis the expression “streaming wars.” This research Academic centre Federal Fluminense University, Brazil offers a glimpse of Brazil’s audiovisual industry and E-mail address [email protected] tries to understand how American streaming companies are penetrating this market and how the local media Name Daniela Mazur conglomerates are reacting. In order to maintain their Academic centre Federal Fluminense University, Brazil dominance in the region, free-to-air networks, pay-tv E-mail address [email protected] networks, and Brazilian telecommunication companies are using different strategies, either creating their own Name Daniel Rios platforms or partnering with pre-established ones in favor Academic centre Federal Fluminense University, Brazil of strengthening themselves. Given Brazil’s particular E-mail address [email protected] television organization, based largely on a few broadcast networks, local media conglomerates have fostered a KEYWORDS mutualistic relationship with their streaming platforms. Internet-distributed television; Globoplay; The largest national streaming company, Globoplay, has Brazilian television; local; Netflix. stood out in the local market: not only making TV Globo’s productions available but also producing original content and offering foreign series exclusively. Because traditional ABSTRACT television consumption is deeply rooted in the country, Considering the current proliferation of video several different strategies are required if TV Globo aims streaming platforms as a worldwide phenomenon, this to transform viewers into Globoplay subscribers. The article analyzes how countries in the global periphery are Brazilian case study reveals nuances and strategies from adapting to this effervescent scenario, characterized by a media industry in the global periphery.
    [Show full text]
  • OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Brazil 2020 Brazil 2020 Brazil of Review Broadcasting and Telecommunication OECD
    OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of azil 2020 Br OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Brazil 2020 OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Brazil 2020 This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of OECD member countries. This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law. Please cite this publication as: OECD (2020), OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Brazil 2020, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/30ab8568-en. ISBN 978-92-64-31744-4 (print) ISBN 978-92-64-93255-5 (pdf) Photo credits: Cover © Sarunyu_foto/Shutterstock; © ElenVD/Shutterstock. Corrigenda to publications may be found on line at: www.oecd.org/about/publishing/corrigenda.htm. © OECD 2020 The use of this work, whether digital or print, is governed by the Terms and Conditions to be found at http://www.oecd.org/termsandconditions. FOREWORD 3 Foreword The OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) carried out this study under the auspices of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) and the Working Party of Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy (WPCISP).
    [Show full text]
  • AT&T Selling Vrio Operations to Grupo Werthein
    News Release AT&T SELLING VRIO OPERATIONS TO GRUPO WERTHEIN DALLAS, July 21, 2021 – Grupo Werthein and AT&T* (NYSE:T) announced today that Grupo Werthein has reached an agreement to acquire AT&T’s Vrio Corp. business unit. Grupo Werthein is a private holding company that has been doing business in LaJn America and internaJonally for more than 100 years and has extensive experience in telecommunicaJons, finance, insurance, agribusiness and real estate. Grupo Werthein has agreed to acquire, subject to customary closing condiJons, 100% of the equity in Vrio, a leading digital entertainment services company with 10.3 million subscribers across 11 countries in LaJn America and the Caribbean.2 Vrio provides live and on-demand video services via DIRECTV LaJn America, SKY Brasil and DIRECTV GO. Vrio’s best-in-class entertainment includes world-class sporJng events, internaJonal content and exclusive programming. Vrio offers services in Brazil through the SKY brand and in ArgenJna, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay through the DIRECTV brand. DIRECTV GO is an over-the-top (OTT) subscripJon service that offers online access to a variety of live and on-demand programming in ArgenJna, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. “Our vision of the future is to maximize these leading entertainment brands in LaJn America, maintaining their leadership and increasing their value proposiJon by invesJng in technology and content aligned with the viewing habits of each one of the subscribers, including the next generaJon of consumers,” said Dario Werthein, shareholder, Grupo Werthein. Vrio’s infrastructure includes satellites and state-of-the-art broadcast centers that carry 4K video formats.
    [Show full text]
  • Broadcasting of Sports Content in Brazil
    143 Broadcasting of Sports Content in Brazil: Relevant Discussions from a Competition Law Perspective Ricardo Ferreira Pastore, Felipe Zolezi Pelussi and Raíssa Leite de Freitas Paixão* Competition in the market for the broadcasting of sports content has been a matter of concern for the Brazilian antitrust authority (Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica or CADE)) for the past two decades. Overall, during this period, CADE has undertaken investigations into negotiations between football leagues, content producers, channel programmers and pay-TV operators for the licensing of the transmission rights of major sports events, as well as reviewed relevant merger cases affecting these negotiations and other aspects of the market. Furthermore, CADE has more recently started to discuss to what extent – if any – over-the-top (OTT) platforms are able to compete with traditional players in the pay-TV industry, such as programmers of sports channels and pay-TV operators. As the authors argue in this article, these discussions put into perspective CADE’s primary concerns related to the broadcasting of sports content – namely, access to sports content and how this content is delivered to end consumers. * Ricardo Ferreira Pastore LLM, Stanford Law School, is a partner at Pereira Neto | Macedo Advogados; Felipe Zolezi Pelussi LLB, University of São Paulo Law School, is an associate at the same firm; and Raíssa Leite de Freitas Paixão is a trainee at the firm and a law student at FGV-SP. The authors would like to thank Daniel Favoretto Rocha for his support and assistance with the research of the precedents discussed in this article.
    [Show full text]
  • DTH in Latin America
    Regional focus believes the fact that Latin America has a more DTH in Latin America youthful demographic profile than many other The World Cup and Olympic Games will drive much TV more established TV growth in Latin America, but the region has much more markets will drive more going for it than those two events. Dave Adams reports demand for more on how the main satellite operators are responding to interactive TV services over the next decade. these developments This is a reasonable, broad summary of what t’s probably fair to say that for many years Regional trends, local dynamics is happening across LatAm, but of course the Latin America was not a top priority for Satellite will be important not just because it can picture is complicated. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia many in the international TV industry, be the best way to get TV signals to households in and almost certainly Argentina, despite adverse distracted instead by the bright lights of the some regions, but also because of the growth in economic and political factors in play at present, long established TV markets in Europe, demand for video and other media distribution will all be important, complex and quite different North America and Asia; and by other services, driven by greater smartphone markets in their own right within this picture. emerging markets elsewhere. penetration. Dolores Martos, vice-president sales “This is a region which is very much in our But in recent years that has changed. TV for Latin America and the Caribbean at SES, focus,” says Steven Soenens, vice-president, Iservices are evolving and gathering new viewers quickly across the region.
    [Show full text]