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.

KE PADRE Radio

by Monty Dent on March 18, 2009

KE PADRE has chosen Clear Channel Satellite to be their satellite provider for Spanish Regional Mexican hits. KE PADRE includes Spanish language artist of Mexican and Latin America decent. A spiced mixture of music for the last fifteen years, Ranchera, Grupera, Nortena, Banda, Cumbia, Duranguense, and adult Spanish hits categories.

KE PADRE targets the 25-54 year old audience; however the strong growth is amongst the 18-49 year old audience.

For more information on how to get in contact with KE PADRE, you can contact Robert Traw at roberttraw@clearchannel.com

Is Starguide Going Away?

by Monty Dent on January 16, 2009

Clear Channel Satellite operates the Starguide, X-Digital (XDS) and Comstream audio platforms from the Network Operation Center in Denver. We will continue to run these systems for years to come, this is due to the high demand of our customer base.

Premiere Radio Network started on the Starguide Platform back in 2000 and had contracted their satellite space segment through Clear Channel Satellite. When the X-Digital platform came out, it was the perfect match for what Premiere Radio wanted to achieve. In late 2008, Premiere started replacing their Starguide Receivers in the field with the New XDS receiver so that they can be online with the XDS in Q1 of 2009. The ownership of the Premiere Starguide receivers that are out in the field will be transferred over to Clear Channel Satellite to support both current and future needs of both divisions.

The acquisition of Premiere receivers by CCS has opened up some large opportunities for Radio Networks, Affiliates and CCS to expand into new markets.

Space Segment on AMC-21 Caribbean Ku Band Beam

by Jennifer McNally on December 16, 2008

Clear Channel Satellite has expanded their satellite coverage, with a large Caribbean beam. AMC-21, located at 125® W.L., offers Ku Band service to Anguilla, Barbuda, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Belize, Panama, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, St. Vincent, El Salvador, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, French West Indies, Turks and Caicos Islands, Grenada, Virgin Islands, Guatemala and Guyana.

“This has open the door to some great opportunities”, said Monty Dent, sales manager for CCS. “With the coverage that AMC-21 provides, it allows us to go further south while maintaining a footprint in parts of the United States.”

For more information on the coverage area, check out AMC-21.

Clear Channel Satellite Celebrates 20 Years of Service

by Monty Dent on December 05, 2008

1988
National Supervisory Network Ltd, adopted a new Ku band VSAT technology to implement a broadcast radio transmitter data acquisition system. At the same time, National Supervisory Network engineers began experimenting with the transmission of ADPCM compressed digital audio over their early low speed BPSK digital VSAT network. Non-real time results were acceptable, but a real-time method of transmitting CD quality audio over the VSAT’s relatively low data rates was not available at that time.

1992
The National Supervisory Network, adopted the new name NSN Network Services

1993
NSN Network Services installed the first MPEG digital audio network in the USA. Within 3 years, NSN and ComStream had sold and installed over 300 MPEG digital VSAT audio networks, with thousands of low-cost integrated receiver/MPEG decoders worldwide. Most of these new mini and micro networks are used by broadcasters who previously would not have been able to afford networking at all, yet today originate daily programming and production from various sites across the country and around the world with ease.

1997
Jacor acquires NSN Network Services and its assets for $11 million.

1999
Clear Channel Communications acquires Jacor Communications for $4.4 billion in stock, including NSN Network Services

NSN Network Services expands the data services internationally and implements the first disaster recovery services on a new IP, two-way delivery platform.

2000
NSN Network Services began transmission of programming for Premiere Radio Networks on Satcom 5. NSN’s SuperCarrier provides the first improvement of radio network delivery in almost twenty years. Utilizing advances in technology, the service offers real-time audio, text and IP delivery, as well as sophisticated store-and-forward audio/data delay devices in the receiver.

2001
NSN Network Services adopted the new name of Clear Channel Satellite Services Inc.

2003
Clear Channel Satellite Services implements the first DVB/RCS platform that supports first responders, remote connectivity and recovery services.

2004
Clear Channel Satellite patents the name XtremeSat. XtremeSat represents the entire DVB/RCS platform used by Clear Channel Satellite and its end users.

2006
Clear Channel Satellite moves its operations into a new, 19,200 sq ft, State of The Art facility that has the ability for expansion while meeting the needs of the Colocation industry.

2007
Clear Channel Satellite adds the X-Digital Hub Platform to their audio distribution system. X-Digital is the first true IP broadcast delivery platform for delivery of audio, video and data to the affiliate stations incorporating store and forward technology as well as spot insertions from the local receiver.

In conjunction with Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO), Clear Channel Satellite deploys the XtremeSat DVB/RCS platform to support the day to day operations of CCO’s Digital LED billboard project. The XtremeSat platform makes it possible to remotely manage and monitor the content displayed on billboards.

2008
DVB S-2 Carrier technology is added to the XtremeSat DVB/RCS System reducing the occupied bandwidth of the satellite carrier by 30%.

Clear Channel Satellite celebrates 20 years of sales and service.

Live reports from the Republican Headquarters via Satellite.

by Monty Dent on November 07, 2008

During Election Night, Clear Channel Satellite provided an audio backhaul, via satellite, from the Colorado Republican Headquarters. The satellite equipment consisted of a .98 Meter, auto acquire AVL antenna with a TracStar controller, Tiernan Audio Encoder DAC, Paradise Datacom L-Band Satellite Modem and a 6 Watt L-Band Ku BUC. The client was able to broadcast their show live, from inside the headquarters, in a high quality audio bandwidth setting directly to the satellite trailer. From the satellite trailer, it was downlinked to the Network Operation Center in Englewood, Colorado, where it was turned around and put on the Starguide platform on AMC-8. Affiliates were able to receive a clear, crisp audio broadcast from their satellite receiver that could not be achieved on a POTS line connection or internet streaming connection.

Clear Channel Satellite supports, "Coats for Colorado"

by Monty Dent on October 22, 2008

Clear Channel Satellite has been collecting coats for the 2008 campaign, “Coats for Colorado”. The employees brought in coats that were in good condition, but could benefit others in need.

Mission:
Coats for Colorado works to provide warm winter coats at no cost to Coloradoans of all ages.

Community Impact:
Coats for Colorado are the State’s largest coat drive and possibly the biggest in the United States. Coats for Colorado have provided well over 1,580,000 coats to Colorado citizens, including over 86,000 alone during its 2007 campaign.

Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets

by Monty Dent on October 10, 2008

Clear Channel Satellite is proud to announce they are the satellite providers for the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets. The program is being provided by the new flagship, Mile High Sports Radio 1510AM.

Hurricane Ike

by Monty Dent on September 12, 2008

As Texas is preparing for Hurricane “Ike” to hit later today, so has Clear Channel Satellite, which is located almost 1000 miles away from the storm. Clear Channel Satellite has been answering calls from first responders, TV crews, businesses and radio stations who are preparing for the worst. Since communication is a very important part before and after the storm, people are making sure they will have VoIP, Data and Internet connectivity.

The Network Operation Center at Clear Channel Satellite has been preparing for hurricanes before the season even started. “I have never worked with a more dedicated group of people. The employees genuinely care about the customers and have been working around the clock to make sure the people dealing with the disaster, have connectivity.” said Jennifer McNally.

Clear Channel Satellite Offers Flyaway Package

by Jennifer McNally on July 14, 2008

Clear Channel Satellite is promoting the XtremeSat XSM-7504 audio flyaway program delivery package.

Mobile applications include remotes, emergency services, Webcasting and trade shows. Fixed uses include remote offices, digital signage and disaster recovery.

The package can auto-seek its target satellite via an enhanced controller using an on-board GPS-enabled logic driver, which controls the unit’s azimuth and elevation location drives.

On power-up, the system auto-seeks the target satellite autonomously and locks in the user’s accompanying audio codec. A promotions staffer, the company says, could in a pinch get a remote on the air via satellite without engineering’s intervention or assistance.

The system folds down into a stowage position and is capable of being shipped via air freight or truck. It was shown during this convention season packaged in an optional ATA-rated and weatherproof shipping container. The system requires no on-site licensed operator.

The package exhibited at the spring NAB is priced at $27,500; leasing options are available.

Clear Channel Satellite is based in Englewood, Colo., near Denver.

Music of Your Life chooses Clear Channel Satellite as their satellite provider

by Jennifer McNally on March 04, 2008

Clear Channel Satellite has added Music of Your Life on the X-Digital Platform. Music of Your Life is a unique blend music that will uplift your spirit and will give you hours of listening enjoyment. Music of Your Life plays some of the great artists such as Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Ella Fitzgerald, ABBA.

Music of Your Life hit the radio landscape in 1978, created and developed by music executive Al Ham. In 1996, Kerry Fink, and his wife, Tammy Fink, joined with Al Ham and Music Of Your Life caught on like wildfire, catching the ear of millions of listeners hungry to hear 20th century classics.

At the approach of the millennium, Music Of Your Life has built upon these classics, moving beyond “Big Band” to the present Adult Pop Standards (“APS”) – providing fresh material for those who have always loved the form, and reaching a new generation coming home to the timeless sound.

XtremeSat Tested By Avaya

by Monty Dent on February 11, 2008

The Clear Channel Satellite XtremeSat product was tested in great detail at the Avaya Solution & Interoperability Test Lab. The XtremeSat was tested with the Avaya Mobile Communication System (MCS), which is a compact, highly mobile full featured communication system designed for rapid deployment in disaster stricken or remote areas where other systems may have been damage or do not exist. Avaya MCS can be connected to traditional and no-traditional networking facilities in a variety of ways. Using the internet access provided by XtremeSat, an IPsec VPN tunnel can be established between Avaya Mobile Communication System and a main site to provide secure voice communication between the sites.

The VPN application test consisted of the Avaya VPN remote phones, Avaya C363T-PWR Converged Stackable Switch and the EMS 2000 Series satellite interactive terminal

Conclusion: The Clear Channel Satellite XtremeSat passed compliance testing.

2,000 foot TV Tower falls

by Monty Dent on January 14, 2008

Clear Channel Satellite was able to help KATV in Little Rock, AR work towards getting back on the air after a 2,000 foot television tower collapsed.

A 2,000-foot television tower that was once the second-tallest structure in the world collapsed Friday while workers were restringing guy wires, knocking two Little Rock-area television stations off the air.

One person suffered a minor injury when the tower collapsed in a field about 20 miles south of Little Rock, said Randy Dixon, new director at ABC affiliate KATV.