Hubbard's Secret Satellite Weapon

HUBBARD'S SECRET SATELLITE WEAPON
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins]
Why has Hubbard Broadcasting been an active buyer of video programming lately? The Hubbards have a little-known deal granting them slots for three channels on DirecTV and the potential to reach its 16 million subscribers -- and the deal expires soon. Securities filings show that, when DirecTV bought USSB, the satellite TV service Hubbard controlled, in 1999, the deal included a special agreement to carry the Hubbards’ All News Channel (which ultimately folded in 2002), as well as two additional channels to be developed later. With the deal expiring this year, the company has had to move quickly. So when Ovation’s investment banker, Lazard Freres, approached the company about the channel, Hubbard’s son, Stanley E. Hubbard II, pounced, agreeing to buy in and use the DirecTV rights as leverage to secure carriage.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6368381?display=Breaking+News