Satellite Bcstg. & Communications Assn. (SBCA) finished 1999 $127,000 in red after donations dipped and expenses rose slightly, according to 1999 Form 990 tax returns. Total revenue was $5.1 million, down from $5.3 million in 1999, but expenses edged up to $5.3 million from $5.28 million. Membership dues dipped to $2.1 million from $2.2 million, but still were over $1.6 million in 1998. Revenue from annual convention was $1.87 million, Sky Trends $350,000, Sky Forum $325,000. Pres. Charles Hewitt received $422,311 in salary plus $50,000 in benefits.

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft (R) appointed Cleveland transit executive Clarence Rogers to PUC seat of Craig Glazer, who resigned; if confirmed, Rogers’ terms would end in 2006… Changes at Global Crossing: Co-COO David Walsh promoted to COO and co-COO Gary Cohen named COO, Global Crossing Solutions; Wally Dawson, CEO, Atlantic Crossing, appointed exec. vp-Global Network; Wim Huisman, CEO, Europe, retires, Carl Grivner, COO, N. America, assumes his duties; James Demitrieus, ex-pres., IXnet, named COO, N. America. Promoted to exec. vps: Daniel Cohrs, CFO; James Gorton, gen. counsel; John Comparin, human resources; Joseph Perrone, finance… Stephen Knup, ex-Coopers & Lybrand, named pres.-COO, Superior TeleCom… John DuBois, ex-Redback Networks, appointed CEO, Nx Networks… Nextel’s Richard Lefave elected to Mi8 board.

FCC told Congress in report Tues. it wouldn’t make recommendations on specific measures to facilitate provision of local signals to subscribers in rural markets by direct-to-home (DTH) satellite and multichannel video programming operators because licensing process hadn’t been completed and it would be premature to make recommendations before licensing. Under requirement of Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act, Commission must inform Congress of ways its licensing and authorizations have helped provide local signals to satellite TV subscribers in remote areas.

CompTel said it was considering legislative campaign to urge structural separation on Bell companies in return for broadband LATA freedom. “This is not a wild-eyed theory,” CompTel Pres. Russell Frisby said at Tues. news briefing. Think of it as “return to the MFJ era,” he said, referring to Modified Final Judgment that laid ground rules for 1984 AT&T divestiture. Frisby said trade association hadn’t decided whether to recommend separation idea to Congress but idea would be to follow what Pa. PUC had required of Verizon -- separation of retail and wholesale operations. In return, Bells’ retail units would receive permission to offer data services across LATA lines without gaining Sec. 271 approval from FCC, Frisby said: “My sense is there are some people on the Hill who would be interested.”

Telemonde and Global Crossing renegotiated $52 million agreement over transatlantic capacity. In Dec. 29 SEC filing, Telemonde said it issued 5 million shares of convertible preferred stock at 1 cent par value to Global Crossing and agreed to purchase $8 million in services from company in next 5 years. In exchange, Global Crossing released Telemonde from outstanding commitment to buy almost $43 million of transatlantic capacity. Just under $12 million of Telemonde debt is rescheduled, at 7% interest, with final payment due Nov. 2002.

AT&T followed lead of Cox in seeking waiver of franchise fees on cable-delivered Internet services, in letters to franchise authorities within jurisdiction of 9th U.S. Appeals Court, San Francisco. Waiver would be in effect until regulatory uncertainty about classification of service was resolved, MSO said. However, responding to requests from several local franchise authorities (LFAs) and National Assn. of Telecom Officers & Advisers, AT&T has extended time for cities to respond to its request to Feb. 15 from Jan. 1, 2001.

Capitol Bcstg.-backed AccessDTV said it was starting DTV-to- PC service at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. AccessDTV offers package of hardware, software and services to allow DTV to be displayed on PC monitors, including universal analog/digital tuner card, antenna to receive broadcast DTV signals, DTV video card, software including on-screen remote control, interactive program guide, personal video recorder-like functionality. Package allows PC (at least 300 MHz) to output DTV and AC-3 digital audio, company said. Pricing hasn’t been set, but it’s expected to be under $500 for one-time purchase, with option of smaller upfront fee combined with monthly subscription. DTV broadcaster Capitol is minority investor, with rest coming from what company called “techno-angels.” It’s currently raising additional financing. First hardware is expected to be in consumer hands by end of March and AccessDTV has deals with several unnamed suppliers. “Most people could tune DTV broadcasts today, but they simply don’t have the right equipment,” COO Doug Leech said: “AccessDTV enables PC users to experience… DTV interactively and affordably.”

Sea Launch Commander and Odyssey Launch Platform are headed toward equator to launch Boeing 702 model XM-1 satellite, dubbed Roll. Launch window for first of 2 Sea Launch missions for XM Satellite Radio opens at 5:35 p.m. ET Jan. 8. Launch will take place from open sea 3,000 miles from Long Beach, Cal.

Cablevision Systems reportedly has placed its Rainbow Media Holdings programming group up for sale after first planning to spin off unit as separate tracking stock. N.Y. Times said Cablevision, which had been considering move for weeks (CD Dec 22 p6), already had contacted USA Networks, NBC, Comcast and Liberty Media Group, 4 most likely suitors. Cablevision reportedly is seeking $5-$6 billion for Rainbow. Companies have until Jan. 16 to submit bids. Move came as UBS Warburg downgraded rating on Cablevision stock to buy from strong buy Tues. because Rainbow sale would “remove a major catalyst for the stock.”

Motorola said Fri. it will unveil its iRadio satellite car radio system at Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas Convention Center this week. New car radio system is one of many digital radios that companies are planning to compete with XM and Sirius Satellite Radio for customers, industry officials said. IRadio, developed by Motorola Telematics Unit is expected to offer satellite services and interact with Internet through digital cellular networks which are primarily used for voice calls. Company is hoping to integrate iRadio with satellite navigation systems and emergency service products that are standard in many cars and trucks. CES is being used to showcase prototype with hopes of attracting manufacturer of car audio products, firm said. Motorola believes “right company” could have products ready for introduction to marketplace in one year, spokesman said.