Search expanding for missing DJ Rick Steele

by Monty Dent on July 07, 2010

Cherry Creek Radio in Montrose, CO put out the word for listeners to join a foot search for KBNG-FM “103.7 The Blast” morning host Rick Steele, who has been missing since Thursday Evening (7/1). Authorities used search dogs throughout the holiday weekend, but did not find the 48-year-old DJ.

Steele failed to show up for work Friday morning and it was determined that a friend saw him pull out of his driveway about 7:00 pm Thursday in his Ford pickup truck. Co-workers located the truck near Highway 50 east of Montrose, unlocked, with one of Steele’s two dogs inside. That’s when the local sheriff’s office became involved in the search.

Steele’s other dog was later found wandering along a road in the area, but there has yet been no sign of him. A land and water search by the Montrose county Sheriff’s Posse along the South Canal, including K9 units, was unsuccessful.

“Investigators and Posse members believe Steele somehow wound up in the high, swiftly moving canal waters either as the result of a fall or in trying to rescue a dog that fell in. All calls to Steele since Friday morning have gone immediately to voicemail. No personal items of Steele’s were found and there is no indication of foul play,” Cherry Creek Radio Montrose said on its website.

The Sheriff’s office has now removed restrictions on allowing people into the area and a public search was being organized by friends of Steele, using Cherry Creek Radio to put out the word, for Monday evening. The radio stations, however, are urging volunteers to “PLEASE put your own safety first when searching for Rick…the last thing anyone wants is another disappearance or injury.”

Courtesy of RBR.com

SES's AMC-11 in the Clear Now

by Monty Dent on June 04, 2010

PARIS — The world’s two largest commercial satellite fleet operators have negotiated the passage of an out-of-control satellite owned by one of them though the orbital neighborhood of the other with no loss of signals to the latter company’s customers. In what they described as perhaps their finest hour of engineering, Intelsat and SES successfully performed a series of hide-and-seek maneuvers 36,000 kilometers above the equator the weekend of May 30-June 1 to avoid what could have been major interference for the cable television customers of SES’s AMC-11 satellite caused by the wayward Galaxy 15 spacecraft. In June 2 interviews, officials from the two companies attributed their success in avoiding a disaster to the pinpoint precision of a large Intelsat antenna and some deft satellite positioning by SES. “We observed exactly what we expected to observe, when we expected to observe it,” said Alan Young, chief technology officer for SES World Skies, the division of Luxembourg-based SES that manages AMC-11. During the peak interference threat period starting late in the evening Eastern time May 30, SES guided AMC-11 to within 0.2 degrees of Intelsat’s encroaching Galaxy 15 satellite — 10 times closer than what is considered optimal to avoid interference — as the two satellites crossed paths.

source: Space News

SES WORLD SKIES Readies Orbital Manoeuvre to Avoid Interference from Troubled Intelsat Satellite

by Monty Dent on May 24, 2010

SES WORLD SKIES, announced plans for an intricate set of orbital manoeuvres later this month aimed at steering its AMC-11 satellite and its customers clear of interference from Intelsat’s troubled Galaxy 15 spacecraft, referred to in recent media coverage as the “Zombie” satellite. “A team of our best engineers and scientists is working around the clock to ensure the success of this unprecedented mission.” As the stray satellite nears AMC-11’s orbital location at 131 degrees west, SES WORLD SKIES plans to have AMC-11 match the eastward drift of Galaxy 15 in order to maintain a minimum separation between the two satellites. This synchronized drift is designed to protect AMC-11 services from interference caused by Galaxy 15. At the same time, SES WORLD SKIES will move its new SES-1 satellite to the opposite side of Galaxy 15, thereby enabling some customers, including cable television networks, to leapfrog their broadcasts over interference caused by the wandering spacecraft. Customers will either be able to maintain services on AMC-11 during its drift, or repoint antennas to SES-1 in order to best protect their services. For those customers who will stay on AMC-11 throughout the mission, their television programming will be delivered over a large 19-meter antenna capable of minimizing potential disruptions. SES WORLD SKIES expects to initiate the synchronized eastwards drift of AMC-11 on May 25, and estimates that the risk of interference will end on June 7 when Galaxy 15 exits the area about 22,000 miles above the earth’s surface. “This extraordinary technical initiative underscores our commitment to finding innovative solutions to minimize the impact of an unexpected event like this on our customers,” said Alan Young, Chief Technology Officer for SES WORLD SKIES. “A team of our best engineers and scientists is working around the clock to ensure the success of this unprecedented mission.” Young also noted that the company has been in regular close contact with its customers in order to brief them on the operation and prepare them for the necessary manoeuvres.

article provided by Talk Satellite

ILS Proton Successfully Launches SES-1 for SES

by Monty Dent on April 29, 2010

International Launch Services (ILS), successfully carried the SES-1 satellite directly into geostationary orbit today on an ILS Proton for SES WORLD SKIES, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG). This was the third ILS Proton launch and the fifth overall Proton launch this year. The SES-1 satellite was also the 22 consecutive successful Proton launch in 21 months.

The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Cosmodrome at 5:19 p.m. today local time (7:19 a.m. EDT, 11:19 GMT). After an eight-hour, 58-minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the SES-1 satellite directly into geostationary orbit.

This was the 356 launch for Proton since its inaugural flight in 1965, and the 59 ILS Proton launch overall. The Proton Breeze M launch vehicle was developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, one of the pillars of the Russian space industry and the majority shareholder in ILS.

The SES-1 satellite was built on Orbital’s space-proven Star 2.4 platform and will replace SES’ existing AMC-2 and AMC-4 satellites at the orbital position of 101 degrees West. SES-1 is an integral part of SES’ satellite replacement program over North America. The spacecraft carries 24 C-band transponders as well as 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity each and has been designed to have a minimum expected service time of 15 years.

Frank McKenna, ILS President said, “With our long term partners, SES, this is our 17th mission together, dating back to the inaugural commercial launch of ILS Proton with SES’s Astra 1F fourteen years ago. ILS is pleased to again provide to SES outstanding value, and on-time direct-into-GSO delivery of SES-1 to serve millions of North American customers with new services. We thank the teams of ILS, Khrunichev, SES and Orbital for their dedication to this important mission which kicks off SES’s comprehensive replacement program over North America.”

Rob Bednarek, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES said, “The successful, on-time launch on ILS Proton of SES-1 marks a very significant event for our North American customers. SES-1 will provide uninterrupted replacement capacity for SES WORLD SKIES, providing TV programming into every cable network in America. This is the first of five SES missions on ILS Proton in the next 18 months. We look forward to our future launches with ILS and the same quality and schedule assurance that we have come to count on for the continued expansion and replacement of our satellite fleet.”

“Timeless Cool” officially launches on X-Digital

by Monty Dent on January 27, 2010

The new Timeless Cool format, delivered on AMC-8 (by Clear Channel Satellite) and received on X-Digital, began airing immediately on southwest Florida affiliates, WMYR (Ft. Myers) & WCNZ (Naples-San Marco).

Scott Gilreath, President of Radio Affiliate Services & Syndication (RASS) who is syndicating the format nationally says “the balance of artists, like Michael Buble and Diane Krall who get limited or no airplay, help to balance the appeal to a younger adult demo allowing Timeless Cool to offer a “wider variety” than existing formats and voids excessive repeats of music found on other radio stations. Since the announcement was made on New Year’s Eve that Timeless Cool would be available for national syndication, response has been strong from broadcasters wanting to do something “different” in 2010. Broadcasters in over 30 markets have expressed interest for both AM and FM stations. Whether they need a format to replace another providers product or they’re just tired of being “another flavor of oldies, AC or country, etc.” duplicated in their marketplace, broadcasters are reacting positively to Timeless Cool.”

“Timeless Cool is the first new radio format since the 80’s, created and targeted to Adults 35-54. A new and truly unique music mix balanced with classic and contemporary timeless vocals featuring artists and songs carefully selected to produce a blend that is not shared or replicated with any existing formats in any market. The “stand-alone” quality of Timeless Cool builds loyalty, passion, and time spent listening among both listeners and advertisers,” said Rob Moore, GM/PD of Timeless Cool Music.

The host line-up: Lara Scott is hosting Mornings (6am-12p). She has worked in Portland, San Francisco and the last 12 years in Los Angeles for both KYSR/Star 98.7 and KFSH/95.9. Her voice has been heard on programs for BRAVO, VH-1, and WE, the Olympic Encore on Universal Sports, national commercials, in-flight programming for Delta Radio and Air Force 1 and she is host of the internationally syndicated World Chart Show. In 2008, Lara won the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which was presented to her by Michael W. Smith on behalf of President George W. Bush. Mike Stoudt, from 104.7 The FISH (Atlanta) is hosting Afternoons (12pm-6pm). Janet Planet, who has been with the Timeless Cool format since its inception will continue hosting Evenings (6pm-12am).

Oklahoma News Network (ONN) using X-Digital System

by Monty Dent on November 10, 2009

CENTENNIAL, Colorado, – Clear Channel Satellite, a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc., announced today the addition of Oklahoma News Network to the X-Digital system. The X-Digital XDS-PRO4 and XDS-PRO1 satellite receiver allows live broadcasts, store & forward, copy split–spot insertion, addressability and time shift delay. Both XDS-PRO4 and XDS-PRO1 gives radio networks ability to provide local, regional or nationwide spot insertions for their advertisers.

Oklahoma News Network had been using the International Datacasting – SR260/QFR satellite receivers before making the transition to the X-Digital XDS-PRO4. “Our News, Agriculture, and Sports Networks have been delivering great On-Air products to over 150 affiliates for over 4 decades”, said Derrick Nance, Director of Sales for ONN. “Our investment in X-Digital Systems is another way we are committed in providing the best products and service to your station for several decades to come!” The ONN provides content for Oklahoma News Network, Oklahoma Agrinet, Voice of Southwest Agriculture, Ag Producers Radio Network and Sports Distribution Network. Derrick went on to say, “Affiliates will see the benefits like: Store & Forward and File Delivery, Live Audio Record/Playback (Time Shifting), Complete Automation, Automated Affidavit System, plus numerous other features that makes X-Digital the #1 choice of the largest broadcast networks in the world.”

“We had been searching for a reasonably priced replacement for our aging satellite system that would allow us to utilize store and forward technology, X-Digital was the obvious solution.” said Jim Poling, Regional Engineering Manager for Clear Channel Communications.

“One of the nice features of the X-Digital system, it gives the network full control of the content that goes out and to which affiliate they want it to go to,” said Monty Dent, Sales Manager for Clear Channel Satellite. “The affiliates also have the ability to set up their own schedule programs within the receiver and play them back when it works best for their market.”

About Oklahoma News Network.
The Oklahoma News Network has approximately 200+ affiliates with coverage in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico with the Oklahoma Agrinet, Voice of Southwest Agriculture, Ag Producers Radio Network and Sports Distribution.

About X-Digital Systems, Inc.
X-Digital Systems, Inc. (XDS) designs, manufactures satellite and terrestrial multimedia communication systems. Specializing in advanced systems for wireless and wired applications, X-Digital equipment features patent pending technology designed to deliver the reliability, flexibility, automation and quality needed for broadcasters worldwide to deliver next- generation, digital over public and private networks. X-Digital is a privately held, employee-owned company headquartered in San Diego, CA with sales offices in Tokyo, Japan. For more information on the company or its products please visit
X-Digital Systems, Inc at www.xdigital.com

About Clear Channel Satellite
Clear Channel Satellite is a leader in satellite communications for radio networks, television stations, government agencies, large corporations, small to medium size companies and schools. Clear Channel Satellite provides turnkey solutions with a well devised customer service department to support customers’ needs. Its new, state-of-the-art facility is located near Denver, Colorado with geographical redundancy and is manned 24/7/365. The large data center facility is one of the few with redundant connectivity solutions by both fiber and satellite in the US. For more information, please visit www.clearchannelsatellite.com.

Clear Channel Satellite is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. a leading global Media and Entertainment Company. More information on the parent company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.

Tiernan Comstream ABR202A

by Monty Dent on November 03, 2009

Clear Channel Satellite is once again has ready-to-ship stock of the ABR202A Satellite receivers.

BearCom expands their services.

by Monty Dent on October 12, 2009

Clear Channel Satellite has teamed up with a leader in wireless technology, BearCom. BearCom has expanded their wireless services by adding satellite communication to their portfolio; this gives them a complete, communication platform that meets the needs of remote offices and first responders.
BearCom provides a broad line of high-performance wireless communications products, services, and complete mobility solutions. Their partners include major manufacturers and industry innovators such as Motorola, Icom, Sprint Nextel, Sony, Firetide, Avaya, Telex, Positron, Raytheon JPS, Honeywell, OTTO, Zetron, and more.

BearCom sells, rents, and services two-way radios, cellular phones, smart phones, mobile broadband cards, automated license plate recognition systems, radio dispatch systems, radio interoperability systems, IP media servers and gateways, IP video surveillance cameras, mesh broadband networks, point-to-point transport systems, remote call boxes, and emergency communications solutions.

BearCom has received a number of awards and accolades over the past 27 years for innovation, customer service, and industry leadership.
BearCom was the recipient of Motorola’s 2006 Pinnacle of Customer Excellence Award. One of Motorola’s most prestigious honors, the award is given to only one channel partner each year. The winner is the partner that best demonstrates its dedication to going above and beyond the expectations of customer advocacy and applying the best customer processes and practices in the industry.

Some of the specific areas that Motorola analyzes during the selection process for the Pinnacle of Customer Excellence Award include customer care and loyalty, customer retention strategies, formalized customer procedures/practices/warranties, dedicated communications conduits to and from customers, regular surveys and customer perception captures, and formal customer referral programs.

It is Motorola’s belief that the customer always comes first, and the Pinnacle of Customer Excellence Award is the company’s way of recognizing those channel partners that embody the same belief. Many dealers apply for this award and usually comment that even if they do not win, they benefit from the application and auditing procedures, which are designed to improve their individual business performance.

BearCom was one of more than 850 Motorola dealers across the nations that were eligible to compete for the award in 2006. The finalists were reviewed by a team of independent consultants before the winner was selected. The award was presented to BearCom in late March at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

CCSS X-Digital Carrier Expansion

by Monty Dent on September 11, 2009

On 09/09/2009 Clear Channel Satellite expanded their X-Digital Satellite carrier to twice the size of what it was previously set at. “The expansion went flawless”, said Byron Miller.

Expand Networks Selected by Clear Channel Satellite to Provide Optimized Managed Services

by Monty Dent on September 08, 2009

ROSELAND, NJ—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Expand Networks www.expand.com, the leader in optimizing WANs for branch office consolidation and virtualization, today announced that Clear Channel Satellite, a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc., and the leader in satellite communications for both government and large enterprises, has enhanced its managed service offering based on Expand’s WAN optimization technology. Incorporating Expand Networks’ Virtual Accelerator for service scalability, the optimized service, XtremeSat Plus, will enable Clear Channel Satellite to offer high-speed application delivery to both existing and new customers.

Offered as a truly managed service, the XtremeSat Plus service takes away the complexity of managing technology enhancements, upgrades and management costs for the customer. The monthly or quarterly pricing structure means that customers do not need to worry about the upfront costs of deploying the solution which offers increased improvements in IT resource and efficiencies while reducing IT costs and therefore saving on CapEx.

Neil Rickard, VP of Service Provider Strategy, Gartner, comments, “We have seen heightened interest amongst service providers for optimizing their offering to better manage the flow of traffic over satellite links, across all of The Americas.”

A major reason for Clear Channel Satellite choosing Expand Networks’ Virtual Accelerator (VACC) solution was its ability to be deployed within the existing virtualized IT infrastructure at the datacentre, running on Clear Channel Satellite’s existing server platforms, therefore eradicating additional IT cost and complexity. Furthermore, the VACC enables Clear Channel Satellite to easily scale its services on-demand by simply adding additional instances of its VACC onto the existing server platform at the datacenter, whilst offering flexible deployment options of physical or virtual appliances at the remote sites.

According to Monty Dent, Sales Manager at Clear Channel Satellite, the addition of Expand Networks’ high speed application delivery will address the specific needs of today’s performance driven, cost-conscious public and private organizations. He explains, “With its ability to dramatically improve application performance, this new enhancement option enables more organizations, users and applications to take advantage of our extensive and powerful satellite reach. The enhanced service delivers increased levels of performance across all business critical applications, ensuring enhanced user productivity at lower costs than previously achievable without optimization.”

Expand’s WAN optimization technology, with integrated Space Communication Protocol Standard (SCPS) technology, mitigates the effect of low bandwidth and high latency obstacles that can traditionally impede the speed and performance of applications over satellite links. Combining SCPS with compression, byte-level caching and layer 7 QoS, Expand’s technology can accelerate critical productivity tools and business applications across ClearChannel’s satellite environments by over 700%. The enhanced XtremeSat service, available now, is helping improve end user productivity at price points that rival traditional “land-based” connections.

Dent explains the benefits of the service, “Any location that can receive satellite reception can now realize high speed application delivery at reasonable costs, enabling and extending other key corporate initiatives to all remote branches. For example, Clear Channel Satellite customers can now implement cost-saving projects like virtualization and branch-office consolidation previously reserved for only terrestrial connectivity.”

“By offering WAN optimization as part of a managed service, customers can extend their communications investment to optimize the productivity benefits at reduced CapEx costs,” comments Andrew Mullen, VP Sales, Americas at Expand Networks. “As demand for optimum satellite performance rises, this is a compelling virtual proposition for service providers operating in this competitive marketplace. It’s not just about superior application performance alone, but coupling this with service investments that make sound economic sense for organizations looking to lower IT support costs.

Mullen concludes, “As a proven technology, Expand’s WAN optimization is adding clear value to Clear Channel Satellite’s managed services. By increase service levels, managed service providers can help organizations to increase efficiency whilst reducing complexity now and into the future, without the need for large upfront investment.”

Clear Channel Satellite Services Announces the Addition of "The Allen Hunt Show" to It's Radio Network Distribution Line Up

by Monty Dent on August 27, 2009

DENVER—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Clear Channel Satellite Services, a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc, announced today the addition of “The Allen Hunt Show” to their radio network distribution line up. The program will be distributed via satellite, AMC-8 transponder 21, using the Starguide satellite system. The primary satellite uplink is located in Centennial, Colorado, with a geographical redundancy located in San Antonio, Texas.

“With our rapid growth and expansion to a weeknight presence,” said Phil Tower, General Manager of The Allen Hunt Show, “The Allen Hunt show needed a provider that was responsive to our needs, and especially able to offer us and our numerous affiliates a high level of service and reliability. We found that with Clear Channel Satellite Services."

About The Allen Hunt Show

The Allen Hunt Show is about faith and life. According to Gallup, 85% of Americans consider their faith “important” or “fairly important” to their lives. The Allen Hunt Show takes on real life issues, with real life people, to see how faith can have a real impact. The Allen Hunt Show is where real life and faith come together. The weekend show is currently syndicated in over 90 markets and starting September 7, 2009, will be making the switch to Monday – Friday live. For more information, contact Bob Bucci or Steve Downes at 203-431-0790. You can also visit the website (www.allenhuntshow.com).

About Clear Channel Satellite Services

Clear Channel Satellite Services is a leader in satellite communications for radio networks, television stations, government agencies, large corporations, small- to medium-size companies and schools. Clear Channel Satellite Services provides turnkey solutions with a well devised customer service department to support customers’ needs. Its new, state-of-the-art facility is located near Denver, Colorado, with geographical redundancy and is manned 24/7/365. The large data center facility is one of the few with redundant connectivity solutions by both fiber and satellite in the U.S. For more information, please visit (www.clearchannelsatellite.com).

Clear Channel Satellite Adds Kentucky News Network (KNN) to the X-Digital System

by Monty Dent on June 16, 2009

CENTENNIAL, Colo.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Clear Channel Satellite, a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc., announced today the addition of Kentucky News Network to the X-Digital system. The X-Digital XDS-PRO4 satellite receiver allows live broadcasts, store and forward, copy split–spot insertion, live audio record/playback (Time Shifting) and addressability. The XDS-PRO4 gives radio networks ability to provide local, regional or nationwide spot insertions for their advertisers.

Kentucky News Network (KNN) had been using the International Datacasting – SR260/QFR satellite receivers before making the transition to the X-Digital XDS-PRO4. “The XDS platform allows us to meet all requests with one flexible system. Program selection, time shifting, and copy split functionality were all musts in our consideration for a new platform – all of which are offered by XDS. We feel confident this upgrade will last us for many years,” said Nathan Butler, KNN & Total Traffic Director of Operations and Director of Affiliate Relations. “We are also very pleased to be operating through the Clear Channel Satellite; the CCSS NOC has the latest upgrades to uplink our content, as well as the security and reliability we demand.”

“We had been searching for a reasonably priced replacement for our aging satellite system that would allow us to utilize store and forward technology, X-Digital was the obvious solution,” said Jim Poling, Regional Engineering Manager for Clear Channel Communications.

About Kentucky News Network

The Kentucky News Network has over 85 full-time affiliates with coverage in every county of Kentucky. We provide News, Sports, and Agricultural programming to our affiliates via the state’s only all digital satellite distribution system. In addition to serving our affiliates with content, we also distribute Programming for the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University through IMG Communications, University of Louisville though Nelligan Sports Marketing, The Lexington Legends, Horse Racing Radio Network, High School Sweet 16 Radio Network, and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. www.kentuckynewsnetwork.com

About X-Digital Systems, Inc.

X-Digital Systems, Inc. (XDS) designs and manufactures satellite and terrestrial multimedia communication systems. Specializing in advanced systems for wireless and wired applications, X-Digital equipment features patent-pending technology designed to deliver the reliability, flexibility, automation and quality needed for broadcasters worldwide to deliver next-generation digital over public and private networks. X-Digital is a privately held, employee-owned company headquartered in San Diego, Calif. with sales offices in Tokyo, Japan. For more information on the company or its products, please visit X-Digital Systems, Inc. at www.xdigital.com.

About Clear Channel Satellite

Clear Channel Satellite is a leader in satellite communications for radio networks, television stations, government agencies, large corporations, small- to medium-size companies and schools. Clear Channel Satellite provides turnkey solutions with a well devised customer service department to support customers’ needs. Its new, state-of-the-art facility is located near Denver, Colo. with geographical redundancy and is manned 24/7/365. The large data center facility is one of the few with redundant connectivity solutions by both fiber and satellite in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.clearchannelsatellite.com.

Clear Channel Satellite is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. a leading global Media and Entertainment Company. More information on the parent company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.

Clear Channel Satellite Adds Virginia News Network to the X-Digital System.

by Monty Dent on May 28, 2009

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Clear Channel Satellite, a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc., announced today the addition of Virginia News Network to the X-Digital system. The X-Digital XDS-PRO4 satellite receiver allows live broadcasts, store & forward, copy split–spot insertion, live audio record/playback (Time Shifting) and addressability. The XDS-PRO4 gives radio networks ability to provide local, regional or nationwide spot insertions for their advertisers.

Virginia News Network had been using the International Datacasting – SR260/QFR satellite receivers before making the transition to the X-Digital XDS-PRO4. “We now have the ability to monitor the health of our affiliate’s receivers” said Mike Fleming, Market Engineering Manager. “It’s also going to give us the ability to localize network spots using the store and forward features.”

“We had been searching for a reasonably priced replacement for our aging satellite system that would allow us to utilize store and forward technology, X-Digital was the obvious solution.” said Jim Poling, Regional Engineering Manager for Clear Channel Communications.

About X-Digital Systems, Inc.

X-Digital Systems, Inc. (XDS) designs, manufactures satellite and terrestrial multimedia communication systems. Specializing in advanced systems for wireless and wired applications, X-Digital equipment features patent pending technology designed to deliver the reliability, flexibility, automation and quality needed for broadcasters worldwide to deliver next- generation, digital over public and private networks. X-Digital is a privately held, employee-owned company headquartered in San Diego, CA with sales offices in Tokyo, Japan. For more information on the company or its products please visit

X-Digital Systems, Inc at www.xdigital.com

About Clear Channel Satellite

Clear Channel Satellite is a leader in satellite communications for radio networks, television stations, government agencies, large corporations, small to medium size companies and schools. Clear Channel Satellite provides turnkey solutions with a well devised customer service department to support customers’ needs. Its new, state-of-the-art facility is located near Denver, Colorado with geographical redundancy and is manned 24/7/365. The large data center facility is one of the few with redundant connectivity solutions by both fiber and satellite in the US. For more information, please visit www.clearchannelsatellite.com.

Clear Channel Satellite is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. a leading global Media and Entertainment Company. More information on the parent company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.

Negma Announces Second Data Center Location

by Monty Dent on May 21, 2009

Las Colinas – Irving, TX (June, 2009) – (www.negma.net) Negma Business Solutions, Inc., a leading international internet provider, data center operator and managed services company, is proud to announce a joint Partnership with Clear Channel Satellite’s Data Center located in Englewood, CO. and Comprehensive Communication Services, LLC located in Rockwall, TX. This new partnership gives Negma the expansion that it needs to offer a second location outside the state of Texas and expands on our services available to our customers to allow us to provide Hosted Disaster Recovery Dial Tone and Hosted Mass Notification Services.

Clear Channel Satellite offers a Class A data center facility in Englewood, CO and has been the home to thousands of Clear Channel Satellite customers. Their secure state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot facility includes multi-homed data connectivity by fiber and satellite. Their systems are backed up by a 750 KVA Diesel Generator and a 10,000 amp DC Power Plant. Clear Channel Satellite’s 24×7x365 Network Operations Center is well known for their engineering expertise and unparalleled customer service.

Comprehensive Communication Services is a Dallas based company that focuses on providing communication solutions for disaster recovery and business continuity. They are a prime contractor for Fortune 500 companies including AT&T and Avaya, Inc. and have a large base of customers including the New York National Guard, City of La Porte Texas, Texas Department of Transportation, Avaya’s Federal Solutions Team, Houston ISD, and many more.

These partnerships enhance Negma’s position as an industry leader with a large and growing customer-base and a comprehensive portfolio of products and offerings. The corporate presence for Negma will continue to be operated in the DFW location inside Irving, TX.

“This is a strategically significant move for Negma, as we continue to scale our business partnerships and relationships, aggressive facility expansions and consistent organic growth,” said Karim Naguib, president and chief executive officer of Negma. “With this partnership, we expand our offerings for Disaster Recovery solutions and expand the delivery of Managed Services business and move forward with a strong commitment, focusing on growth and exceeding customer expectations. The partnership also adds further depth to our growing business continuity and IT compliance solutions and strengthens our services capability.”

The partnership with the Clear Channel Satellite Data Center facility is in keeping with Negma’s newly announced strategy on expansion. The intent is to expand by attaining and partnering with other colocation/datacenters in the continental USA with loyal customer bases who can benefit from the economies of scale that Negma can provide for their operations. Negma’s practice of building a personal relationship with each of their clients has earned them a reputation for providing superior customer satisfaction.

About Negma
Negma is a data center operator firm that provides managed colocation, enterprise services, web hosting, redundant connectivity and a wide range of managed services from its enterprise-class data center in the DFW metropolitan area. They provide a local solution for outsourcing data center services that lowers costs, and maximizes internal resources while allowing an organization to keep its valuable information technology assets in close proximity. The company has a well-earned reputation for partnering with its clients to provide cost-efficient technology solutions that achieve success through innovation, communication and successful collaboration. For more information, please visit www.negma.net.

About Clear Channel Satellite Services
Clear Channel Satellite Services is a leader in satellite communications for radio networks, television stations, government agencies, large corporations, small to medium size companies and schools. Clear Channel Satellite Services provides turnkey solutions with a well devised customer service department to support customers’ needs. Its new, state-of-the-art facility is located near Denver, Colorado with geographical redundancy and is manned 24/7/365. The large data center facility is one of the few with redundant connectivity solutions by both fiber and satellite in the US. For more information, please visit www.clearchannelsatellite.com.

About Comprehensive Communication Services
Comprehensive is one of the few companies in the United States that provides a complete portfolio of communication solutions for disaster response and business continuity. Their solutions include not only the Hosted Dial Tone and Hosted Mass Notification Service they will now be collocating at the Negma Irving Data Center, but they also manufacture mobile communication platforms at their Forney, TX location. They provide communication hardware and services from Avaya, Raytheon, Motorola, AT&T, and Clear Channel Satellite. For more information, please visit www.comprehensivecom.net.

Hughes Signs Clear Channel Satellite as Reseller

by Monty Dent on April 29, 2009

Germantown, Md., April 21, 2009—Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced that it has signed Clear Channel Satellite as an authorized reseller of HughesNet broadband satellite solutions in the U.S. Clear Channel Satellite is a leading provider of satellite communications for radio networks, TV stations, and corporate applications that include VoIP, video, digital signage, and data communications. Clear Channel will utilize the nationwide HughesNet broadband service to enhance its out-of-home advertising offerings and digital billboard connectivity, as well as to expand its distance learning solutions.

“We are excited to become a HughesNet reseller,” said Don Harms, president of Clear Channel Satellite. “HughesNet brings us an innovative suite of services that address the full scope of our customers’ needs. From single-site access to private mesh networks to multicast content distribution, HughesNet enables us to offer unique and cost-effective solutions that will improve the value we bring to our customers, while enhancing our revenue opportunities.”

Clear Channel Satellite will have access to the full range of HughesNet satellite broadband services, including high-speed Internet access; VPNs; dedicated, private mesh networks; and broadband backup to guard customers against costly landline failures. As a HughesNet reseller, Clear Channel Satellite will be able to deliver business solutions on a scalable and easy-to-deploy basis, while retaining a high level of flexibility to customize and manage the services to meet the unique needs of their end customers.

“Clear Channel Satellite has a strong track record of providing high-performance satellite-based solutions to the media and advertising verticals, as well as to businesses of all sizes,” said Sam Baumel, Hughes assistant vice president of channel sales. “We’re excited they’ve joined our growing reseller family, and look forward to providing our innovative products and services for them to deliver the best possible communications solutions and value proposition to their customers.”

“HughesNet has opened the opportunity door even wider for us, allowing us to service all our enterprise clients. Our focus is on finding the right solution for each client—both equipment and service,” said Monty Dent, Clear Channel director of sales.

About Clear Channel Satellite
Clear Channel Satellite is a leader in satellite communications for radio networks, television stations, government agencies, large corporations, small to medium size companies and schools. Clear Channel Satellites provides turnkey solutions with a well devised customer service department to support customers’ satellite needs. Its new, state-of-the-art facility is located near Denver, Colorado with geographical redundancy that is manned 24/7/365. For more information, please visit www.clearchannelsatellite.com.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.9 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com.