USDTV

Last updated
U.S. Digital Television, LLC (6/2003 - 7/2006)
USDigital Inc. (7/2006-5/2007)
Company typeSubsidiary corporation; formerly: LLC
IndustryBroadcasting
Founded Draper, Utah (June 2003 (2003-06))
FounderSteve Lindsley [1]
DefunctMay 2007 (2007-05)
FateBankrupt
Headquarters
Draper, Utah
,
USA
Area served
 Salt Lake City, Utah, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Dallas, Texas
Key people
Steven Lindsley (chairman and CEO) [2]
Products Digital television receivers/box devices
BrandsUSDIGITAL
Services Over-the-air pay TV
Parent USDTV (28.28%)
Hearst-Argyle
LIN Television Corp.
McGraw-Hill Ventures Inc.
News-USDTV Holdings Inc.
Telcom DTV LLC(09/2005-2006)

NexGen Telecom (9/2006-5/2007)
Website usdtv.com archived

USDTV, an acronym for U.S. Digital Television, was an over-the-air, pay television service in the United States. Based in Draper, Utah near Salt Lake City, it was founded in 2003 and started service there in 2004. [3] The company ceased operations March 12, 2007.

Contents

USDTV leased subchannel space from local TV stations for its subscription TV service. USDTV ended services in 2007. [4]

History

U.S. Digital Television was formed in June 2003 [1] and launched its service as a test in Salt Lake City near the end of 2003. On March 16, 2004, 1000 subscribers signed up with no advertising. US Digital also launched into the Albuquerque, New Mexico, market. At that time, the company expected to enter the Las Vegas market next and an additional 30 markets by the end of the year. [2] In the fourth quarter 2004, fifth-generation chips and ATSC tuners would be supplied by LG for USDTV tuners and would be available. [5] At the time, USDTV was marketed as "The Low Cost Alternative to Cable".

In September 2005, Hearst-Argyle Television, McGraw-Hill Companies, News Corp.'s Fox Television Stations, LIN TV, and Morgan-Murphy Stations broadcasters invested $26 million in the company. [6] [7] [8] Steven Lindsley indicated that the investing broadcasting companies did not think that the service would be able to compete against the cable companies, thus withdrawing support from USDTV. [8]

On July 6, 2006, in Delaware Bankruptcy Court, the company filed for Chapter 7. [3] While USDTV filed for liquidation bankruptcy, the company continued to operate in its four markets while two other companies were interested in purchasing its assets to continue the service. Investors at bankruptcy were USDTV (28.28%), and those with 12.35% each: Hearst-Argyle (split between HATV Investments Inc. and Hearst Broadcasting), LIN Television Corp., McGraw-Hill Ventures Inc., News-USDTV Holdings Inc. and Telcom DTV LLC. The company was placed under the control of a trustee, Alfred Thomas Giuliano. [3]

In September 2006, NexGen Telecom, an original investor, purchased the assets of the company for a reported $1 million cash. [8] [9] NexGen had a major loss in another investment in fourth quarter 2006 forcing them to curtail their ongoing investment in USDTV. When no new bridge funding could be found, US Digital ended services in March 2007. [9]

Services

USDTV served customers in and near Salt Lake City, Utah, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Dallas, Texas. [3]

The company used extra bandwidth on digital television stations to send channels to subscribers who had a special set-top box digital tuner provided by the company and an attic- or roof-mounted antenna [2] [4] which were available nationwide via Walmart and in the West by RC Willey furniture and electronics stores. The USDIGITAL brand boxes sold where the service was not available operated like an ordinary digital television tuner. Two technology companies, eWest and ServicePower, partnered to help clients install the equipment while self-installers would get two months free. [2]

The cost for the basic-tier service was $19.95 per month. USDTV also offered Starz! for an additional monthly fee. The basic tier started out with 11 cable channels: ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Discovery Channel, TLC, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, Home & Gardening Television, Fox News, and the Food Network. [2] By July 2003, the service had 30 channels. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDTN</span> TV station in Dayton, Ohio

WDTN is a television station in Dayton, Ohio, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which provides certain services to Springfield, Ohio–licensed WBDT, a de facto owned-and-operated station of The CW, under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Vaughan Media. The two stations share studios on South Dixie Drive in Moraine, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVTM-TV</span> TV station in Birmingham, Alabama

WVTM-TV is a television station in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, affiliated with NBC. Owned by Hearst Television, the station maintains studios and transmitter facilities atop Red Mountain, between Vulcan Trail and Valley View Drive in southeastern Birmingham, adjacent to the Vulcan Statue and next to the studios of Fox affiliate WBRC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tele-Communications Inc.</span> Defunct American cable television provider

Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) was a cable television provider in the United States, and for most of its history was controlled by Bob Magness and John Malone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KETV</span> ABC affiliate in Omaha, Nebraska

KETV is a television station in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, affiliated with ABC. The station is owned by Hearst Television, and has studios on 10th Street in the historic Burlington Station, which carries the nickname of 7 Burlington Station. Its transmitter is located on a "tower farm" near North 72nd Street and Crown Point Avenue in north-central Omaha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLWT</span> NBC affiliate in Cincinnati

WLWT is a television station in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Hearst Television. The station's studios are located on Young Street, and its transmitter is located on Chickasaw Street, both in the Mount Auburn neighborhood of Cincinnati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPTZ</span> NBC affiliate in Plattsburgh, New York

WPTZ is a television station licensed to Plattsburgh, New York, United States, serving as the NBC affiliate for the Burlington, Vermont–Plattsburgh, New York market. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside Montpelier, Vermont–licensed CW+ affiliate WNNE. WPTZ and WNNE share studios on Community Drive in South Burlington, Vermont, with a secondary studio and news bureau on Cornelia Street in Plattsburgh. Through a channel sharing agreement, the two stations transmit using WPTZ's spectrum from an antenna on Vermont's highest peak, Mount Mansfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WESH</span> TV station in Daytona Beach, Florida

WESH is a television station licensed to Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, serving the Orlando area as an affiliate of NBC. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside Clermont-licensed CW affiliate WKCF. The two stations share studios on North Wymore Road in Eatonville ; WESH's transmitter is located on Brown Road near Christmas, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KCSG</span> MeTV station in Cedar City, Utah

KCSG is a television station licensed to Cedar City, Utah, United States, airing programming from the classic television network MeTV. Owned and operated by network parent Weigel Broadcasting, the station maintains studios on West 1600 South Street in St. George, and its transmitter is located on Cedar Mountain, southeast of Cedar City. KCSG has a network of 11 broadcast translators that extend its over-the-air coverage throughout the state. It is also available on DirecTV, Dish Network, Galaxy 19, and cable systems throughout the geographically large Salt Lake City media market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTGS</span> TV station in Hardeeville, South Carolina

WTGS is a television station licensed to Hardeeville, South Carolina, United States, serving as the Fox affiliate for the Savannah, Georgia, area. Owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, WTGS maintains transmitter facilities on Fort Argyle Road/SR 204 in western unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia, while its studios are located in the Savannah Morning News building on Chatham Parkway in Savannah.

WPXL-TV is a television station in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, broadcasting the Ion Television network. It is owned and operated by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, and maintains offices on Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Cleary Avenue in Metairie; its transmitter is located off Paris Road near the Orleans–St. Bernard parish line.

High-definition television (HDTV) in the United States was introduced in 1998 and has since become increasingly popular and dominant in the television market. Hundreds of HD channels are available in millions of homes and businesses both terrestrially and via subscription services such as satellite, cable and IPTV. HDTV has quickly become the standard, with about 85% of all TVs used being HD as of 2018. In the US, the 720p and 1080i formats are used for linear channels, while 1080p is available on a limited basis, mainly for pay-per-view and video on demand content. Some networks have also began transmitting content at 1080p via ATSC 3.0 multiplex channels, with CBS and NBC affiliates being the main stations that transmit at 1080p.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPXT</span> TV station in Portland, Maine

WPXT is a television station in Portland, Maine, United States, affiliated with The CW. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside Poland Spring–licensed ABC affiliate WMTW. The two stations share studios on Ledgeview Drive in Westbrook; WPXT's transmitter is located in West Baldwin, Maine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMBC-TV</span> ABC affiliate in Kansas City, Missouri

KMBC-TV is a television station in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, affiliated with ABC. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside CW affiliate KCWE. The two stations share studios on Winchester Avenue in the Ridge-Winchester section of Kansas City, Missouri; KMBC-TV's transmitter is located in the city's Blue Valley section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNAC-TV</span> TV station in Providence, Rhode Island

WNAC-TV, branded on-air as Fox Providence, is a television station in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, affiliated with Fox and The CW. It is owned by Mission Broadcasting, which maintains a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Nexstar Media Group, owner of dual CBS/MyNetworkTV affiliate WPRI-TV, for the provision of certain services. The two stations share studios on Catamore Boulevard in East Providence, Rhode Island; WNAC-TV's transmitter is located on Homestead Avenue in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAPT</span> ABC affiliate in Jackson, Mississippi

WAPT is a television station in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, affiliated with ABC. The station is owned by Hearst Television and maintains studios and transmitter facilities on Channel 16 Way in southwest Jackson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSBW</span> TV station in Salinas, California

KSBW is a television station licensed to Salinas, California, United States, serving the Monterey Bay area as an affiliate of NBC and ABC. Owned by Hearst Television, the station has studios on John Street in downtown Salinas, and its transmitter is located on Fremont Peak in the Gabilan Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQCA</span> Dual CW/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Stockton, California

KQCA is a television station licensed to Stockton, California, United States, serving the Sacramento area as a dual affiliate of The CW and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside NBC affiliate KCRA-TV. The two stations share studios on Television Circle off D Street in downtown Sacramento; KQCA's transmitter is located in Walnut Grove, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHBS</span> ABC/CW affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas

KHBS is a television station licensed to Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States, affiliated with ABC and The CW Plus. It is simulcast full-time over satellite station KHOG-TV in Fayetteville. Owned by Hearst Television and jointly branded as "40/29", the two stations maintain studios on Ajax Avenue in Rogers. KHBS' transmitter is located on Cavanal Hill in northwestern Le Flore County, Oklahoma, while KHOG-TV's transmitter is based near Ed Edwards Road in rural northeastern Washington County, Arkansas, just southeast of the Fayetteville city limits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States broadcast television realignment</span> Events around the launches of The CW and MyNetworkTV

In January 2006, the United States' two "second-tier" television networks, UPN and The WB, announced they would both cease operations on September 15 and 17 respectively, and their operations would be transferred to a new joint-venture "fifth" network, The CW. Meanwhile, Fox Television Stations signed up with MyNetworkTV, a new "sixth" network owned by then-parent company News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMYV</span> MyNetworkTV affiliate in Greensboro, North Carolina

WMYV is a television station licensed to Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, serving the Piedmont Triad region as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Winston-Salem–licensed ABC affiliate WXLV-TV. The two stations share studios on Myer Lee Drive in Winston-Salem; WMYV's transmitter is located in Randleman.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wallace, Brice (July 18, 2006). "U.S. Digital Television is bankrupt". Deseret News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Metz, Cade (March 16, 2004). "Cable TV Without the Cable—or the Satellite". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis, LLC . Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Bankruptcy information on U.S. Digital Television". Deseret News. July 18, 2006. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  4. 1 2 LaGesse, David (October 2, 2007). "Digital Pioneer The Tube Is No More". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  5. ↑ "USDTV to team with LG on digital TV". EE Times. UBM Tech. July 21, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  6. ↑ "News Corp., Others Invest in U.S. Digital". Los Angeles Times. Bloomberg News. September 27, 2005. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  7. ↑ Angwin, Julia (September 26, 2005). "News Corp. Leads Digital TV Investor Group". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2014. Alt URL
  8. 1 2 3 Moss, Linda (November 24, 2006). "USDTV Emerges for Another Try". Multichannel News. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  9. 1 2 Kratz, Greg (March 6, 2007). "Money woes turn off USDTV". Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.