--- Forwarded Message from Beth Secrist <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Mon, 01 Oct 2001 09:50:45 -0400
>From: Beth Secrist <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>Organization: University of Tennessee
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum     <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6305.2 Scola or Dish TV? (!)
>References: <[log in to unmask]>

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Just to clarify the situation with Dish TV. Dish TV works solely as a
distributor for much of the language programming -- especially for the
"à la carte" language packages. It is up to each individual distributor
to determine their "educational" or other special rates negotiated with
the company's programs they are distributing. For example, RAI
(Italian), TV5 and I believe the Russian programming have educational
rates. But Rede Globo (Brazil) has yet to establish such a rate (at
least as of a few months ago). So it is largely out of Dish TV's hands
and that would probably explain the variety of answers to what appears
to be a simple question.

For example, Global Connections has negotiated the rights with the
Italian government to distribute RAI International programming. Their
contract for distribution rights lasts 5 years. They, in turn, negotiate
with Dish on how to distribute their programming (as part of which
package, which satellite position, etc.). Global Connections determines
the price, not Dish. Global Connections is also the one responsible for
determining (with the collaboration of RAI) how and at what price to
distribute programming. And some distribution rights are not exclusive
to Global Connections. Anyone watching soccer will see Italian football
games on Fox sports (broadcast on Telemundo) contemporaneously with RAI
International. Global Connections did not receive exclusive rights to
broadcast those matches. So, it really gets complicated!

We receive both RAI and TV5 for $100 year subscription for each package
from Dish network.

Beth Secrist, Director
Language Resource Center
Dept. of Modern Foreign Langs. & Lits.
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN  37996
(865)974-6494; [log in to unmask]