DISH Network Officially Buys TerreStar
Today, a bankruptcy judge approved DISH Network's bid of $1.375 billion to purchase TerreStar Network. Judge Sean Lane made the ruling Thursday at a U.S Bankruptcy Court in New York City. This deal marks the third time DISH has acquired a bankrupt company in 2011. They previously purchased Blockbuster for $320 million and DBSD North America for $1.4 billion.
DISH Network was the only company that actually placed a bid to purchase TerreStar. Industry experts thought that a few other companies would place bids as well, but no one appeared on the day of the auction.
TerreStar Network, made famous for trying to manufacture the first satellite Smartphone, filed for Chapter 11 last October. This bankruptcy came with a plan calling for large companies to pay more than $850 million of TerreStar's debt in exchange for nearly all of the equity in the company. After this acquisition, DISH Network will own almost all of the company's equity.
The deal is still subject to regulatory approval and will likely not be finalized for a few months. DISH Network has to agree to pay off TerreStar's debt beforehand and a legal shift of assets needs to be agreed upon by both parties.
DISH Network To Offer Movies for 99 Cents
DISH Network announced today that they will be offering some of the year's biggest movies for only 99 cents on DISH Cinema in celebration of July 4th. From July 1 through July 7th, DISH Network customers will be able to watch 5 movies in high definition or standard definition for just one dollar.
Two of the movies--"Sucker Punch" and "Hall Pass"--will be available nearly one month before they are available on Netflix and Redbox. The other movies that will be available include the Academy Award nominated "True Grit", romantic comedy "Just Go With it" and alien-action thriller "Battle: Los Angeles".
DISH Cinema gives customers instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows. It is one of the most innovative services of its kind and often lets customers watch movies the same day that they are released on DVD and nearly a month before they can be rented through other services. And the picture quality of the movies streamed on DISH Cinema is truly unparalleled. Customers can enjoy movies with a resolution of 1080p, comparable to the quality of watching a Blu-Ray disc.
Customers can order movies by turning to DISH Network channels 501-558 or by visiting them on the web at www.DISHCinema.com.
Dish Network Close to Acquiring TerreStar
DISH Network is now one step closer to acquiring bankrupt TerreStar Networks, a wireless communications company based out of Virginia. DISH Network gave the "stalking horse" bid of $1.375 billion on June 15, which still remains the only offer on the table.
Numerous companies were expected to make bids in the auction-style courtroom bankruptcy process. Many people expected Terrestar's senior bondholders and MetroPCS Communications to make bids, but all companies failed to make bids when the bidding started.
A final auction is planned for this Thursday. While it is unlikely, it is possible that another bid could come in between now and the auction. If no other bids are received, TerreStar would likely cancel the auction and DISH Network will be declared the winner. A final hearing to finalize the purchase is planned for July 7th.
TerreStar, which is known for trying to market a satellite Smartphone, filed for bankruptcy last October. They currently have a debt of more than $1 billion. DISH Network is likely seeking to purchase the company because of its 20 megahertz of spectrum.
If the deal ends up going through, it would be the third major acquisition for DISH Network in 2011. CEO Charles Ergen bought DBSD North American for $1.4 billion in March as well as bankrupt video rental giant Blockbuster for $320 million in May.
Watch TV Anywhere With a FREE Sling Adapter
DISH Network customers now have the ability to take television with them wherever they go-- all for FREE! With exclusive Sling technology from DISH, customers can watch TV wherever they go right on their computer or mobile device. And for a limited time, DISH Network customers are able to get their own Sling Adapter at absolutely no cost.
With a Sling Adapter, you can watch all of the same programming that you watch on your TV at home for no additional monthly cost. Watch all of your favorite channels and everything that is on your DVR wherever you want--at the office, on the road or even sitting in traffic. The Sling Adapter works on any web-enabled computer or iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android or BlackBerry phone.
To get your FREE Sling Adapter, you must be a current DISH Network customer. You must initially pay $99 up-front to get your device. Then you simply need to install the Sling technology and create an Online ID at www.dish.com/getslingadapterreward. Then submit a request online to get a $99 prepaid card as a rebate and your device becomes FREE!
No other provider offers a true mobile experience everywhere you go. Take advantage of DISH's exclusive Sling Technology and begin enjoying your all of your favorite programming like never before.
Not Bringing the Funny: Fall Comedies Look Like Lame Rehashes
It's hard to get a good comedy off the ground. Most television comedies don't do well their first season because it takes a while for the audience to get to know the characters, their personalities, and the show's unique sense of humor. But that doesn't mean networks should stop trying. Although there are a couple of comedies coming this fall that look promising, the rest look either mildly funny at best, or seem downright terrible. Let's jump into the highlights and work our way down.
The Good
ABC's Suburgatory is about a teenage girl and her single father (Jeremy Sisto) who move to the suburbs to have a fresh start. At first glance it looks like a mish mash of Juno's smart banter and Glee's glossy absurdness--in a good way. And high school is always fertile ground for comedy that wants to examine the absurdity and falseness of everyday suburban life. Although it's not a new premise, the real test will be in this show's execution. This one could be worth the watch.
In The New Girl, Fox has enlisted the help of Zooey Deschanel to lead what looks to be a fun and fresh take on 20-something singles comedies. Although some of the setup for the show and its characters seem fairly stock, in the end it is Deschanel's bubbly/quirky performance that will be the saving grace of this show. If the writers can truly take advantage of her innate cute nerdiness, this could be a hit for Deschanel and FOX.
Has Potential
A handful of other upcoming fall comedies look like they might have what it takes to be hits, but could also fail miserably. The jury is out on these until they fall.
Bent and Free Agents, both on NBC, are comedies that are playing off the people-just-out-of-bad-relationships-trying-to-put-their-lives-back-together trope. But that's not a bad thing. Both have some good star power (Amanda Peet and Hank Azaria, respectively), and look like they could have some potential, if the writers can keep their star players from becoming too cliche.
Up All Night (NBC) stars Will Arnett and Christina Applegate--a good start--and capitalizes on the comedy gold of new parenthood. Just because of the comedy star power of this show, it might be worth a look. Of course, Arnett's Running Wilde with costar Keri Russell also looked promising last season, and that didn't turn out well.
Lastly, Apartment 23 (ABC) looks like it might be fun to follow the escapades of two feuding 20-something female roommates and James VanDerBeek playing himself. But can they keep it fresh and not bitchy? We'll wait and see.
The Bad
Let's all agree that the live audience sitcom is dead. Seinfeld, Friends, and Will and Grace were all good, but their time has passed. The Office, Modern Family, 30 Rock, and others are smarter and more creative, and we've moved on. But that won't prevent the networks from trying to force these shows down our throats again.
Here's a quick rundown:
I Hate My Teenage Daughter--shrill, indulgent moms fight with their teenage daughters. Hilarity ensues.
Work It--Two men pretend to be women to get jobs in this tough economy. Cross-dressing hilarity ensues.
Are Your There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea--Slutty, obnoxious, 20-something girls work in a bar and rent an apartment with a quirky roommate. Predictable drunken hilarity ensues.
Whitney--Relationship comedy about a quirky, funny girl and her quirky, funny boyfriend. Awkward relationship hilarity ensues.
Man Up!--Three men trying to be real men in our emasculating modern world. Whiney oafish hilarity ensues.
Last Man Standing--Tim Allen returns to TV with a show that looks almost exactly like Home Improvement. Overacting and clichéd man jokes ensue. No hilarity here.
