Cablevision Bird Ready to Launch

[Gregg Lengling]

The next launch for U.S. satellite TV
could put a bird into orbit for a
cable company.

Lockheed Martin and its Commercial Space
Systems division said they are gearing up
for the launch of a spacecraft for Cablevision
and its Rainbow DBS endeavor. The satellite's
future parking spot at 61.5 degrees, a DBS
orbital location the cable operator shares
with EchoStar, were once part of last-minute
discussions surrounding the failed merger
between EchoStar and DirecTV.

Lockheed Martin said the high-power A2100
satellite built for Cablevision/Rainbow DBS
is scheduled to launch in the first half of
the year aboard an Atlas V rocket. According
to the launch forecast on Space.com, the
Atlas rocket is expected to carry Rainbow-1
from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on
May 8.

Cablevision spokesperson Charlie Schueler
said the company plans to go ahead with its
DBS business, "but at this time we don't
have much more to report."

The Cablevision satellite and its 61.5-degree
DBS spectrum were part of last-minute discussions
between the MSO, EchoStar and regulators.
When the proposed EchoStar/DirecTV combination
ran into trouble in Washington, D.C., the
satellite TV company offered to divest its
DBS spectrum at 61.5 degrees and give the
orbital location and a satellite to Cablevision's
DBS endeavor in order to win regulatory
approval for the deal.

Cablevision's DBS dreams worry some on Wall
Street. Last week, Merrill Lynch analyst
Jessica Reif said that, in her opinion, the
best outcome for the Rainbow DBS business "is
an outright sale to EchoStar for $300-$500
million."