SBCA ESTABLISHES INITIATIVES FOR YEAR 2000 AND ELECTS OFFICERS

-- Board of Directors Approves Legislative Platform, Year 2000 Budget, and Convention, Education, Public Relations, Research and Marketing Initiatives--

ALEXANDRIA, VA, November 18, 1999 – The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) Board of Directors held its annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Md., this week and dealt with a wide array of Association and industry business issues.  As the satellite TV legislation moves toward passage on Capitol Hill, the SBCA board reviewed possible final scenarios and their effects on the video marketplace.  SBCA’s planned efforts to coordinate the satellite industry’s response to the various rulemakings and studies that may result from the Satellite Home Viewer Act (SHVA) tops the Association’s legislative agenda for the year 2000.  Specifically, the SBCA plans to coordinate members’ efforts on issues including program exclusivity, retransmission consent and signal reception standard.  The board also reviewed other legislative and regulatory issues it anticipates being involved in during 2000. 

The board approved SBCA’s 2000 operating budget of $4 million and elected its year 2000 officers:   chairman - Tola Murphy-Baran, senior vice president, market development, NFL Enterprises; first vice chair, secretary - Christine Sheehan, senior vice president, market development, MTV Networks; second vice chair, treasurer - Stan Kozlowski, senior vice president, sales and marketing, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC); vice chair, retailer - Rik Hawkins, president, Starpath Communications; past chair - Stan E. Hubbard, director, Hubbard Broadcasting/ANC; chair emeritus - H. Taylor Howard, chief scientist, Chaparral Communications; and, SBCA President Chuck Hewitt.  Additionally, HBO Senior Vice President Vinnie Bauer will serve as a non-voting member of the finance committee.

“The SBCA’s year 2000 officers represent a broad spectrum of satellite industry segments and will continue to work to represent every industry segment to lawmakers in Washington and consumers across the nation,” noted Chairman Tola Murphy-Baran, NFL Enterprises. “Though Congress is about to pass a major satellite TV bill, the association’s legislative and regulatory agenda will remain center stage as it helps the FCC implement the law and retailers understand its implications. The SBCA will also continue to work with Congress on possible future satellite bills and with consumers to reinforce the tremendous value of home satellite TV.”  

The Association also moved to undertake in 2000 an expansion of its satellite retailer education program, including new regional and Training On-Demand programs.  The Board also approved plans for an Education Pavilion for the SBCA 2000 National Satellite Convention and Exposition where exhibiting member companies may conduct retailer training.  The Association committed to heightening its focus on consumer public relations with industry image campaigns and website resource development.  This expanded communications initiative also includes strategic, cross-platform executive meetings that will serve to increase the exchange of information among retailer and corporate members.

“I have every confidence that SBCA’s new board officers will handle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the association with the professionalism and dedication that propelled them into the senior positions they hold in their companies,” remarked Past Chair Stan

E. Hubbard, Hubbard Broadcasting/ANC.  “1999 witnessed many important events for the

satellite TV industry.  Chuck Hewitt continues to effectively and impressively navigate this rapidly growing and evolving industry toward its goals, and I’m sure the SBCA 2000 Board of Directors will benefit from Chuck’s knowledge and experience as the satellite TV industry prepares for accelerated growth in the year 2000.”

The SBCA Board of Directors will next meet Tuesday, July 18, 2000 in Las Vegas, Nev., in conjunction with the SBCA 2000 National Satellite Convention and Exposition.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the home satellite industry.  It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of entertainment, news, information, and educational programming.  The SBCA is composed of DBS service providers, programmers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies.