--- Forwarded Message from Carine Ullom <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 15:22:39 -0400
>From: Carine Ullom <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum                          <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Info about DW-TV
>References: <[log in to unmask]>

Hello,
I've been in lengthy correspondence with Greg Fitzgerald, in US Marketing Distribution, DW-TV (re: the
recent Deutsche Welle fiasco many of us experienced).  He was the one who responded when I called (and
left a message, the only option) the 1-800 # given on their web site for inquiries about this situation.
I can't seem to find the page again (I think they changed the text to read "Contact our Technical Advisory
Service" rather than the number.  Anyway, it is 1-800-779-0477.
With his permission, I'm forwarding his explanation of how this came to pass and what we should do to get
back "online."  I'm curious how he knows that 95 % of their broadcasters were able to make the switch
prior to Sept. 14.  He must be referring only to those broadcasters for which they had records.

HOW IT HAPPENED
DW signed the contract with General Electric back in the summer of 1996 with service to begin on the GE-1
satellite on September 15, 1996. Unfortunately, no one was thinking about the German elections in 2002 at
the time and that the expiration of the contract for would fall 8 days before the elections.
About 95 percent of our broadcasters were able to make the switch prior to our September 14 move to
Digital.  We began offering the digital service in July.   We sent out notices to our partner stations
beginning in May and June and have been on a campaign to make sure that everyone switched before the Sept.
14 shutdown.   We emailed, faxed, called and mailed everyone on our existing database asking for a renewal
of their license agreements. (NOTE: He also told me on the phone that a notice was broadcast on the
station occassionally for 3 weeks prior to the shut-off, in an attempt to reach "backyard users" whom they
don't have in a database of broadcasters).  Any partner that didn't respond after a few tries, we
considered no longer an active DW user. We're not sure how St. Lawrence fell off our radar screen.  We
don't have anything for the university in our cable database.  This may have been to our move 3 years ago
to clean up our database. It is either due to this, or perhaps there never was a license agreement.

WHAT TO DO NOW
1) Get a digital decoder, if you don't already have one.  Greg says that a good quality consumer model
will work for our purposes... He recommends the Pansat 2100 and has a "local dealer" who will
pre-configure them...

Regarding the receiver, as I mentioned in our phone conversation, we have a local dealer who will take
orders for the Pansat 2100 receivers. The receivers will be shipped to his shop, where he will hook them
up to a dish and configure them for DW-TV and radio and then ship to the customer.  Cost is $279 plus $15
shipping.  It takes about 2 weeks to order, configure and re-ship the units.  These units are also
available at most satellite dealers at about the same price, though you'll need to do your own
configuring. (NOTE: Configuration details are available in the press release (see below).
To purchase from the "local dealer" (NOTE: I have my doubts/thoughts about who this local dealer is.)...
...you can fax me a purchase order to  253 369 8621.

 Sound Advantage Inc.  is the company that is the vendor, but use my address:
  61 Nicholas Road
  Suite B-1
  Framingham, MA  01701

2) Sign license agreement (get one from Greg) so you're in their database for future reference.

The press release regarding this is online at:
http://dw-world.de/english/0,3367,3294_A_604899_1_A,00.html

Contact information for Greg:
Greg Fitzgerald
US Marketing Distribution
Deutsche Welle Radio and TV
61 Nicholas Road  B-1
Framingham, MA  01701
Ph: 508 877-1300
Fax: 253 369 8621
Email: [log in to unmask]

Hope this helps some,

Best,
Carine

--
Carine Ullom
Director, Language Resource Center/
Instructional Technology Specialist
Department of Modern Languages & Literatures
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
[log in to unmask]
315-229-5857 (tel)
315-229-5989 (fax)