CBS NEWS’ “THE EARLY SHOW” ANCHOR HARRY SMITH TO KEYNOTE AT SBCA’S FALL 2003 SKYFORUM IN NEW YORK

ALEXANDRIA, Va., October 15, 2003 – The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association announced today that Harry Smith, news anchor of “The Early Show” on CBS, will provide the afternoon keynote address during the fall 2003 SkyFORUM. SkyFORUM will be held on Thursday, October 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Smith’s 20-minute remarks will begin at 1:10 p.m.

Smith joined CBS News in 1986 as a Dallas-based reporter and was named a correspondent in March 1987, reporting primarily for the “CBS Evening News.” In October 2002, he was named an anchor of “The Early Show,” while still remaining the host of A&E’s “Biography” series, which he has done since 1999.

In February 2003, Smith reported from Baghdad and Kuwait on the eve of the war with Iraq. He has also been a regular contributor to the “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather,” where his “Travels with Harry,” offered a weekly report on unique American people and places off the beaten track.  Smith also served as substitute anchor and occasional correspondent for “CBS News Sunday Morning” and anchored and contributed to CBS News documentaries and “48 Hours,” the network’s primetime news magazine. 

“We are fortunate to have Harry Smith address the fall SkyFORUM,” said Clay Mowry, president of Arianespace, Inc. and SkyTRENDS chairman. “His insights into current headlines and important news events will complement the day’s program of executive interviews and panel discussions on the satellite industry.”

The fall SkyFORUM program will also include executive interviews and presentations, live demonstrations of emerging products and services, analyst predictions, and panel discussions on satellite radio, the global marketplace, international programming, and more.

SkyFORUM was developed to create a higher awareness of the satellite industry among the financial and investment communities, and the media. SkyTRENDS is the SBCA’s market research, data collection and reporting program for the satellite services industry. SkyTRENDS is a committee of the SBCA and is directed by SBCA’s SkyTRENDS partners with assistance from Media Business Corp. 

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry.  It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive, and broadband services.  The SBCA is comprised of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies that make up the satellite services industry. SBCA oversees the industry’s National Standards and Testing Program (NSTP), a self-regulating training and testing curriculum for installation professionals. Additional information can be found at www.sbca.com.