Dominion Video Satellite is switching its Christian and family-friendly satellite TV service to a broadband IPTV service. The company is calling the changes to its Sky Angel service "dramatic improvements" and notes that it will be cheaper – but subscribers will also have to subscribe to a broadband service and use an IPTV set-top box to connect their TV to the Internet.
"We want to assure all of our subscribers and our family of employees, dealers and programmers that it is our intention to ultimately deliver a better and more reliable television service and a more diverse range of Christian and family-friendly programming. With the loss of a satellite transponder last spring, and as our satellite continues to age, it has become increasingly evident that Sky Angel must embrace new, cost-effective technology opportunities that will enable us to further our vision to deliver the Gospel around the world. We have been testing the IPTV technology, and we are very impressed with the quality of picture and delivery. We believe it will be a major step forward for Sky Angel and for all those who support the Sky Angel mission," said Dominion CEO Rob Johnson.
Sky Angel doesn't own its own satellite, but has transponder space on an EchoStar satellite. EchoStar has now filed with the FCC to acquire Sky Angel's satellite licenses.
