History

Sky Angel was formed in 1980 by Robert Johnson Sr., who wanted to create a faith-oriented television service that would be free of the objectionable content he had found on television. Johnson Obtained year allocation of 8 Direct-broadcast satellite frequencies for the service and atteint a deal with Dish Network to use space we ict EchoStar III satellite. Sky Angel’s lineup would consist of religious networks , along with other contemporary television networks. Carrying around 30 channels in its lineup, Sky Angel reached around 115,000 subscribers, mostly within Central United States . ^{[1] [2] [3]}

EchoStar III satellite, Sky Angel partnered with NeuLion in 2007 to develop a new over-the-top IPTV -based platform for the service. The new IPTV service would offer additional features such as DVRs , and the ability for Sky to offer future internet and mobile TV services. ^[2] [3]

In September 2012, Sky Angel launched its “Sky Angel 2.0” platform, offering a traditional set-top box -based service of religious channels, and “Faith Everywhere”, which adds web streaming to its iPad app. Sky Angel also has a new spin-off service known as FAVE TV (“Family and Values ​​Entertainment”) – a non-religious service which aims to carry “mainstream” and “family-friendly” television channels. ^[2] [4] In June 2013, the Faith Everywhere service became available through an app for Roku streaming players . In Fall 2013 Sky Angel announced it would no longer offer service on Roku effective November 1, 2013. ^[5]

Sky Angel suspended its television services on January 14, 2014; In an FCC complaint, the company detailed that it had been unable to offer a competitive service to its subscribers because the content providers (in particular, Discovery Communications ) terminated its programming to the service due to a similar service Sky Angel had . Sky Angel filed a breach of contract in January 2013. ^[6] [7]

Programming and services

^[8] while the ” Faith Package”, which consisted of primary faith-based broadcasters (including various Evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic broadcasters, and accompanying video on demand services) Family Values ​​Pack “has a selection of general entertainment, sports, and specialty channels. Sky Angel also offered a “WebTV” package, which includes a selection of around 35 of the service’s live streaming on the Sky Angel website, along with video on demand content. ^[9]

“Faith TV” (which includes Sky Angel’s religious-oriented channels through a set-top box) and “Faith Everywhere” (which adds access to the Channels through the Sky Angel website and apps). Concurrently, Sky Angel spun off its non-denominational channels into a new service known as FAVE TV (Family and Values ​​Entertainment). ^[4]

Carriage disputes

Sky Angel’s switch to an over-the-top IPTV service to several major carriage disputes, which led to concerns over the definition of Sky Angel’s service under the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

In 2009, C-SPAN was pulled from Sky Angel after being on IPTV service for 2 days. In November 2012, Sky Angel filed an antitrust lawsuit against the network claiming that its owners (a consortium of major television providers) pulled its programming from Sky Angel to put the service at a disadvantage against its conventional rivals. C-SPAN is a monopoly position in which the C-SPAN is the only one of its kind. C-SPAN denied Sky Angel’s arguments, and claimed the removal was for contractual reasons relating to IPTV. Sky Angel, in its filing with the court, showed that CSPAN was already streaming its channels over the web to the public free of charge. ^[10]

In April 2010, Discovery Communications announced that it would pull its channels from Sky Angel in response to unspecified issues. In response, Sky Angel filed a program access complaint with the Federal Communications Commission , alleging That Discovery Was discriminating Against the Service by Allowing Other cables Major providers to offer access to icts programming over the Internet (Either through a TV Everywhere service or through Dish Network ‘s Slingbox -based set-top boxes). The FCC denied Sky Angel’s request for a standstill on the box, but the FCC Media Bureau began to dispute whether Sky Angel qualified as a ” Acknowledged That Making Any ruling is whether an over-the-top services qualified as an MVPD May-have a major effect on the online video industry as a whole. ^{[2] [11] [12] [13]} Acknowledged That Making Any ruling is whether an over-the-top services qualified as an MVPD May-have a major effect on the online video industry as a whole. ^{[2] [11] [12] [13]}

See also

• Christian media

Notes