SBCA RECOGNIZES WOO H. PAIK AND STAN E. HUBBARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO SATELLITE INDUSTRY

NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 17, 1999 - The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) announced its annual Arthur C. Clarke Award and annual Chairman’s Award at the semi-annual satellite/ financial SkyFORUM symposium.

SBCA Chair Emeritus Taylor Howard, considered to be the founding father of the Direct-to-Home satellite industry, presented the Arthur C. Clarke Award to Dr. Woo H. Paik, senior executive vice president and chief technology officer, LG Electronics. The Award recognizes someone who has contributed to the development of technology and/or new applications furthering the strength of the satellite industry.

Dr. Paik is among a select group of scientists who have revolutionized satellite communications and digital television. At General Instrument’s Communications Division, Dr. Paik led the team that developed digital television technology, building two complete digital HDTV systems. In 1991, he developed a working prototype of a multichannel National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) satellite system. The system has since been commercialized and is now deployed in today’s satellite systems.

Stan Hubbard To Be Presented With SBCA Chairman’s Award

The SBCA announced it would award its Chairman’s Award to Stanley E. Hubbard, who served as president and CEO of U.S. Satellite Broadcasting (USSB) prior to its merger with DIRECTV in May, and who currently serves as director of Hubbard Broadcasting. The Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions and leadership to the satellite industry and the SBCA, will be presented at the Association’s November board of directors meeting in Baltimore.

Mr. Hubbard guided the launch of USSB, which, in partnership with DIRECTV, started the nation’s first Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service in 1994. Mr. Hubbard served as chairman of SBCA in 1998 and 1999.

"Both Stan and Woo have made great contributions to today’s satellite industry, revolutionizing satellite broadcasting through their leadership and technological expertise," said Chuck Hewitt, president of the SBCA. "The SBCA is honored to name them as recipients of the Chairman’s Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award."

The semi-annual SkyFORUM satellite/ financial symposium was held Sept. 16 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The program included one-on-one interviews with satellite industry executives: Charlie Ergen, chairman and CEO, EchoStar Communications Corp.; Eddy Hartenstein, president, DIRECTV; Mark Pagon, president, chairman and CEO, Pegasus Communications Corp.; and Bob Phillips, CEO, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), along with panel discussions focusing on the multiple dwelling unit (MDU) market, finance and interactive services.

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.