Sources: Cnn selling off sat trucks

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2017/4/9/sources-cnn-selling-off-sat-trucks

A number of sources are telling FTVLive that CNN is selling off all their Satellite Trucks.

Sources say that the used to be cable news network is selling off the trucks to satellite company PSSI and then will use PSSI to sub out their live shots.

One source says the sale of the trucks has something to do with trying to clear obstacles for for the AT&T buying Time Warner.

Not sure what that is all about, but it appears that CNN is selling off their live fleet.

Stay tuned....

Well thats an interesting move here.

 

[TheBigA]

Not an uncommon thing. That way they're not responsible for maintaining them. More efficient to have a company that specializes in this kind of thing than owning them outright.

 

[TVCOOL]

Maybe CNN is closing down.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

It's pretty clear what's going on. Time-Warner/CNN owns the license to these satellite up-links, and opponents of the Time-Warner AT&T merger are pushing the FCC to review the merger on these grounds.

If Time-Warner sells the trucks and the licenses that go with them, there is nothing for the FCC to review. This is also why they sold WPCH-TV to Meredith a few months ago.

 

[TheBigA]

In my experience, the FCC review is far less rigorous than the DOJ. AT&T already owns DirecTV, so they have massive space on the satellite.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Or perhaps Skype and other video streaming technology has progressed to the point
where these trucks are becoming obsolete?

 

[TheBigA]

Or perhaps Skype and other video streaming technology has progressed to the point
where these trucks are becoming obsolete?

Two very different things. If they're going to broadcast from a remote location, satellite is still the most efficient means of transmission. Skype and streaming requires a landline of some sort. That's possible for guests who participate for their home, but not for correspondents reporting from the scene of a flood or other disaster.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

It is possible to broadcast video over LTE wireless service. That's how storm chasers tend to get their video back to The Weather Channel. But yes, for reliable high quality video a satellite truck is still the best option.