EXPRESSVU DELAYS LAUNCH
By Adnews Staff
Expressvu Inc., the direct-to-home satellite television company based in Mississauga, Ont., says it will not be able to start its service on its planned launch date of Sept. 1. Expressvu expects the delay will last only two weeks, but the possibility remains it could be as much as two months. Its search for an ad agency is on indefinite hold, as it deals with more pressing problems. Twaits & Company Marketing & Communications of Toronto is coordinating the agency search, and will do some of the initial creative for the launch, as well as handling cross promotions. Environics Communications of Toronto handles public relations. Expressvu says it cannot get its hands on enough premium satellite space because it is being sandbagged by Expressvu's competitors, the cable business. Expressvu says the cable companies have persuaded broadcasters not to use new compression technology that would free up more space on the satellites. CEO Ted Boyle says in a release, "Expressvu had lined up Ku-band transponders capable of beaming over 100 channels to every single Canadian home starting on Sept. 1. Unfortunately, it appears that the cable industry has persuaded programmers now using this space to stay put, directly resulting in a delay in the introduction of TV competition...The situation we're in right now is like having a hotel reservation, and then being told at the front desk that there's no room because the guests using your room refuse to check out." Canada's biggest cable firm, Rogers Communications, says broadcasters don't have faith in the reliability of the compression technology. Industry rumors say Expressvu is unable to produce enough digital set-top boxes and 60-centimeter dishes in time for the scheduled launch date, but Boyle denies this. With the delay, Expressvu's head start on another satellite company, Power DirecTV Inc. of Toronto, will be reduced.