Status: Active File Date: 3/29/2006 3:08:57 PM Type: Domestic Corporation Corp Number: E0235652006-0 Qualifying State: NV List of Officers Due: 3/31/2007 Managed By: Expiration Date:
President - ANDREA L MCCARTHY Address 1: 488 WELLINGTON STREET WEST Address 2: SUITE 204 City: TORONTO State: ON Zip Code: M5V 1E3 Country: CAN Status: Active
I see the American and British flags; however, I do not get an active link for the ability to subscribe. Has the company issued a statement mentioning it had agreed to terms with providers in the U.S. or U.K.? Please advise.
Disclosure: I hold about 10,000,000 shares of BKMP as one of my "lottery" tickets.
North American Sports Network's (NASN) advertising sales in North America are supported by Trajectory Sports & Media Group LLC. NASN operates a 24-hour sports channel that offers European viewers a rich diet of the major U.S. sports leagues, including NFL, CFL, NBA, NCAA and NASCAR. The company is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is distributed on the BSkyB satellite platform in the United Kingdom. It also is available via cable television throughout the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Iceland. The NASN website is located at www.nasn.com/.
January 30, 2006 - We recently announced that Trajectory Sports has been retained by The Fight Network (www.thefightnetwork.com) to assist them with the launch of their channel in the United States and other markets. Based in Canada, The Fight Network will be utilizing the expertise our team has developed launching non-broadcast channels in the U.S. and elsewhere.
NEWS CORP'S BSKYB FLYING HIGH Wednesday, February 1 2006 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The News Corp-controlled BSkyB satellite service headed by Rupert Murdoch's son James, today (Wednesday) reported an 8.9 percent boost in second-quarter profit to $238 million, as it noted that it signed up more subscribers during the quarter than it had in any other quarter for the past three years. The number of subscribers opting out of the service (the "churn" rate) declined to 10.6 percent from 11.7 percent.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRITISH SATELLITE SERVICE TO BEAM MOVIES TO PC'S Wednesday, January 11 2006 News Corp-controlled BSkyB, the U.K./Ireland home-satellite service, has launched a new service allowing subscribers to download movies and sports programs via the Internet. Some 200 movies are included in the initial package, including recent films like Spider-Man 2 and The Day After Tomorrow and classic films like Alien and Dr. Strangelove. Subscribers will have the choice of watching the movies on their personal computers or on mobile phones but will not be able to transfer (more)
ANOTHER SURPRISE EXIT AT NEWS CORP Friday, December 16 2005 Three months after Lachlan Murdoch, the son of News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch, surprised the industry by suddenly quitting his father's media empire and moving to Australia, Richard Freudenstein, the COO of Murdoch's BSkyB satellite service in the U.K. has also quit the company and announced plans to move to Australia. Freudenstein was regarded as the most likely successor to BSkyB CEO James Murdoch if the younger Murdoch was elevated to a more senior position (more)
[url= http://www.showbizdata.com/contacts/picknews.cfm/40590/NEWS_CORP'S_BSKYB_FLYING_ ]http://www.showbizdata.com/contacts/picknews.cfm/40590/NEWS_CORP'S_BSKYB_FLYING _ [/url] HIGH
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The Fight Network (TFN) is North America's first and only 24-hour television channel dedicated exclusively to boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and other combatant styles along with top-notch "fight theme" movies, documentaries, and television series. It gives viewers an uninterrupted front row view of hard-hitting action, news and entertainment from around the fight world. The network is a cross-platform media company with brand interest in television, radio, broadband and wireless. TFN launched its Canadian service in September 2005, after being granted a Canadian Category 2 broadcast license to operate a twenty-four hour specialty channel in early 2004. For more information visit www.thefightnetwork.com.
Richard Stone, President of Trajectory Sports & Media Group, LLC
January 30, 2006 - We recently announced that Trajectory Sports has been retained by The Fight Network (www.thefightnetwork.com) to assist them with the launch of their channel in the United States and other markets. Based in Canada, The Fight Network will be utilizing the expertise our team has developed launching non-broadcast channels in the U.S. and elsewhere.
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Blackout Media Corp. Clarifies Convertible Debenture
TORONTO, May 26, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Blackout Media Corp. (PINKSHEETS: BKMP) is pleased to inform its shareholders that it has worked out an arrangement with the holders of the convertible debenture that there will be NO more conversions of the debenture to common stock for the next 18 months, in addition to the moratorium on the conversion the company at its option can repay the debenture at any time during the next 18 months without any penalties or bonuses of common stock and the final terms of the negotiation was the debenture can be converted, at the option of the debenture holders, into a long-term loan to the company payable in five years with a 10% interest rate on the loan.
"We are very pleased that we could work out these very favorable terms on the convertible debenture and that this stops the dilution of the common stock. Now we can focus on the business and building shareholder value for the long term," stated Sandy Winick, President of Blackout. "We are optimistic that we will be able during the next 18 months to either retire the debenture or have the holders convert the debenture into a long-term loan," he added.
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No Par Share Count: 0 Capital Amount: $ 20,000.00 Par Share Count: 200,000,000.00 Par Share Value: $ 0.0001
THE FIGHT NETWORK RADIO INC.
President - ANDREA L MCCARTHY Address 1: 488 WELLINGTON STREET WEST Address 2: SUITE 204 City: TORONTO State: ON Zip Code: M5V 1E3 Country: CAN Status: Active
Business Entity Information
Status: Active File Date: 3/29/2006 3:08:57 PM Type: Domestic Corporation Corp Number: E0235652006-0 Qualifying State: NV List of Officers Due: 3/31/2007 Managed By: Expiration Date:
- AND The Wagering Network - TWN TORONTO--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 25, 2006 -- Blackout Media (Other OTC:BKMP.PK - News) announced today that it has completed its purchase of a 20% stake in another new specialty digital network called The Wagering Network - TWN, through Blackout Communications Inc. for an undisclosed amount of stock and cash
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STRONG mover today...congrats to those who were smart/patient enough to grab at bottom. (wish it was me)
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Blackout Media Corp.’s The Fight Network Goes Mobile! Friday May 26, 4:00 pm ET
24-Hour Sports Channel Rolls Out News Service for Mobile Telephones
TORONTO--(MARKET WIRE)--May 26, 2006 -- Blackout Media Corp.'s (Other OTC:BKMP.PK - News), The Fight Network(TM), North America's first and only 24-hour combatant sports channel, has launched FIGHT MOBILE -- a mobile telephone service that offers the latest news, insight, interviews and features on boxing, wrestling, the mixed martial arts and other combatant forms. ADVERTISEMENT
FIGHT MOBILE is now available in the United States on Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0 network. Other first-tier carriers are preparing to launch the U.S. service in the near future, while Canadian national and regional carriers are in discussions to add FIGHT MOBILE to their mobile content. When fully deployed, FIGHT MOBILE has the potential of reaching over 220,000,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million) cell phones in North America.
"We put a lot of time and attention into building this application," said Mike Garrow President of The Fight Network. "We wanted FIGHT MOBILE to be the most important single source of news for all fight fans. I want to express our appreciation to our partners at Setanta Mobile and Trajectory Sports for their expertise in producing and managing mobile sports content internationally. They have been, and will continue to be, instrumental in translating The Fight Network to the mobile medium worldwide."
Features currently offered through FIGHT MOBILE's WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) programming include Headline News, Ring Results, Profiles & Interviews, World Rankings, Event Listings, Ringside Plus, Round-by-Round coverage, Trivia and Contests, Training Tips and Fight Babes. These features apply to the boxing, wrestling and the mixed martial arts.
"Fight sports are one of the most popular sports genre worldwide, and we are pleased to be producing this international mobile program in association with The Fight Network. We have had a very positive response to the program, because it is compelling content for our Mobile Network partners in North America and around the world," said Anthony Dillistone, the Executive Director of Setanta Mobile for Asia and the Americas. "Being the first ones in this market puts The Fight Network miles ahead of the competition."
FIGHT MOBILE also plans to move into the European and Asian markets via Setanta Mobile's strong relationships with mobile network operators in these markets. This can increase the potential cell phones with access to FIGHT MOBILE to over 500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million).
The worldwide mobile phone market presently serves approximately 2,000,000,000 (Two billion) users, with this number projected to double to 4,000,000,000 (Four billion) in the next two years, according to published research reports. It is Fight Network's goal, in partnership with Setanta Mobile and Trajectory Sports, to be on over 1,000,000,000 (One Billion) mobile telephone handsets worldwide within the next few years.
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Trajectory Sports & Media Group works closely with Setanta to develop wireless sports opportunities using SMS, WAP, MMS, as well as video and 3G applications. Sports and network partners include the Canadian Football League, the NHL Vancouver Canucks, Vodafone, Verizon Wireless, Cingular, Sprint, Telus Mobility and China Unicom. Trajectory also sells commercial advertising and sponsorship for Setanta's portfolio of networks including Setanta Sport UK, Setanta Sport Ireland and other properties. Trajectory Sports acts as Setana Media's U.S. partner for Txt2Win contests and other consumer initiatives. Additional information is available at www.setanta.com/.
FIGHT MOBILE also plans to move into the European and Asian markets via Setanta Mobile's strong relationships with mobile network operators in these markets. This can increase the potential cell phones with access to FIGHT MOBILE to over 500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million).
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GOTPOS FROM ANOTHER BOARD!!-------------------------------BKMP let us not forget per ********** short was 700 million not long ago,and probably now 1,5 billion due to the huge volumes and news lately.So if the short is 1,5 billion now and MMs are upside down lol.Imagine what will happen if they start covering along with the buyers coming in due to the news out with Verizon?Volcano ready for erruption fellow traders.Then if more huge news with a contract with a U.S carrier comes,that is been long waiting for months,ahhh ohhhhh MMs will be in deep.If I was them I would be covering like a Dog as fast as I could before it got handed to me.LOL You have to realize=When there is a big short position in a stock,and some huge news comes like on BKMP on Friday,and see a 3 billion shares traded,you bet your butt,that more short was created huge time.Then the Verizon news after market,ahhhh ohhhhhhh Imagine????????MMs where shorting hugely because they were counting on the CD holder.But now they got busted,as there will be no more CD for 18 months.Man what a nightmare, and a great move by company.Toast in the making for MMs.Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Only a Stupid Ass will short a stock below .001.Unreal. Remember what happend to USXP?Why did it go from .0004 to .045?Because the short was over 1 billion,and when it was posted on RB,buyers walked in,along with news,and the huge cover had began.The rest is history. I see BKMP next to do the same Imo.Will see
Posts: 1307 | From: Calgary AB Canada | Registered: Apr 2006
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NEW DD: Verizon Applauds California Assembly Committee Vote in Favor of Video Choice Friday May 26, 3:03 pm ET Appropriations Committee Approves Bill That Would Open Local Cable TV Markets to Competition, Lower Prices for Consumers
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Assembly Committee on Appropriations on Thursday approved Assembly Bill 2987, which would overhaul the state's outdated cable franchising process and pave the way for new competitors such as Verizon to offer consumers a choice in video programming, better technology and lower prices. At the same time, the bill, authored by Speaker Fabian Nunez and Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, guarantees that local communities will continue to receive franchise fees consistent with those paid by incumbent cable companies. The full Assembly is expected to vote on the bill by Friday, June 2. The following statement can be attributed to Verizon West Region President Tim McCallion: "Chairwoman Judy Chu and her fellow committee members have demonstrated great leadership in approving this bill. AB 2987 will bring the much needed benefits of choice and competition to California's consumers. Cable prices have risen 86 percent over the past 10 years, according to the FCC, yet in markets where Verizon has launched its fiber-optic-based FiOS TV service, cable prices have dropped between 28 and 42 percent. Verizon has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its new fiber-optic network in California, creating over 1,000 new jobs, but plans to expand the availability of FiOS TV have been delayed by inefficient local franchise negotiations that have lasted up to a year or more in some communities. The current system is broken and AB2987 is the solution."
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - News), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.
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Understanding the 'Generation Wireless' Demographic Parents foot the bill, but Generation Wireless set to consume new services Published: March 20, 2006
A majority-57%-of teens age 13-17 now have a cellphone, but that's far below the 80% of adults 18-plus who own a phone. Still, for a glimpse of the future, look no further than Generation Wireless.
'They're crazy for mobile' says Mark Donovan of M:Metrics. Cellphone users age 13-17 are connected to their phones by ear, eye and touch like no other age group. They are far more likely than other demographic groups to use a broad range of cellphone data services, and they will be first in line to try emerging offerings like cellphone TV.
"They're crazy for mobile," said Mark Donovan, VP-senior analyst with M:Metrics, a research firm that tracks wireless content and applications. "They see [a phone] as this little digital communicator that they can take with them wherever they go."
Their young-adult peers-age 18-24-are more likely than younger teens to snap cellphone pictures and buy ringtones, according to M:Metrics data. But for most wireless content and features, young users are the biggest enthusiasts.
Generation Wireless has been a digital demo from birth, growing up after the dawn of cellular (the first U.S. service went live in 1983) and with the Internet (the first major Web browser debuted in 1993).
Getting a cellphone is a rite of passage for teens. Just 12% of kids age 8-12 have a wireless phone, but that jumps to nearly half-49%-for ages 13-15, according to a Harris Interactive youth survey last year. By age 18-21, cellphone penetration (81%) is in line with the average for all adults (80%).
The top reason teens cite for getting a cellphone is safety, according to Telephia, a market research firm. That's not surprising: Parents decide when the kids go wireless. "Parents love kids to have mobile phones," said Glen LeBlanc, research director for wireless services at NPD Group. "It's an electronic leash."
Parents pick their children's wireless service in about two-thirds (68%) of cases, Telephia said. Family plans are the standard; 62% of teens age 13-17 are on a family plan for wireless, according to NPD's Mobile Consumer Track. NPD said another 15% of teens use a prepaid phone-such as TracFone, Virgin, Boost or T-Mobile To Go-that effectively caps their use.
parents set limits
Most of the time, mom and dad foot the bill for wireless. That gives parents more reason to set limits on data features, such as text messaging, which carry tolls. "I have to believe that in households across the nation, there are ongoing negotiations about what's appropriate to do with your cellphone," said M:Metrics' Mr. Donovan.
But there's no denying that the biggest users of premium wireless features-messaging, game downloads, photo services, sports information, entertainment news-are young consumers having fun at someone else's expense. Among kids age 13-17-the heaviest overall users of such services-just 18% pay for their cell service, said Mr. LeBlanc. Among the second heaviest users-18-24-38% pay the bills.
Teens age 13-17 are three times as likely as the average cellphone owner to use their phones to access shopping guides and content from men's and women's magazines, according to M:Metrics. They use phone features to get restaurant and movie info at more than twice the national average.
Higher bills could be ahead as young cellphone users show the most interest in emerging services. For those age 13-17, about 17% say they are somewhat or very likely to subscribe to a live TV service, according to M:Metrics; 13.4% of cell users age 18-24 expect to do so. Interest falls sharply for older age groups.
Will young consumers pull back from wireless when they have to pay? Not likely. Cellphones are central to a generation that stays connected at all times to friends, family and the world. "It's going to be amazing to watch these people grow up," said Mr. Donovan. "It's going to be a mix of ruling the world and playing videogames." Not necessarily in that order.
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Quarter Highlighted by Continued Industry-Leading Wireless, Broadband and Data Results
FIRST-QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated Results
Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 56 cents, or 60 cents per share before special items (non-GAAP measure) Reported revenues of $22.7 billion, up 25.1 percent from first quarter 2005; operating income of $3.9 billion, up 14.0 percent from first quarter 2005 $6.1 billion cash flow from operating activities; $0.4 billion in share repurchases
Wireless
1.7 million net customer additions, up 2.9 percent from first quarter 2005; 53.0 million total customers, up 16.7 percent from first quarter 2005 Continued industry record-setting low churn (customer turnover) of 1.18 percent, retail postpaid churn of 0.92 percent Total revenues up 18.8 percent from first quarter 2005; EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) of 44.5 percent; data ARPU up 79 percent from first quarter 2005
Wireline
541,000 net new broadband connections (DSL and FiOS data customers) in first quarter 2006; 5.7 million total broadband connections, up 47.1 percent from first quarter 2005 6.3 million consumer and small business accounts enrolled in Verizon Freedom service packages, up from 4.7 million in first quarter 2005 Data revenues of $3.9 billion in the quarter, up 89.7 percent from first quarter 2005, including results from Verizon Business domestic and global operations Integration of the former MCI ahead of plan, resulting in first-quarter synergies exceeding expectations in network traffic migration, systems integration and workforce reductions Notes: Reclassifications of prior-period amounts have been made to reflect comparable results excluding Verizon’s Hawaii wireline and directory operations, which were sold in the second quarter 2005. See the schedules accompanying this news release and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for the non-GAAP financial measures included in this announcement.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) today reported strong financial and operational results for the first quarter 2006. Verizon Wireless continued to lead the industry in profitable growth and customer loyalty, and Verizon’s wireline business sustained industry-leading levels of broadband customer growth and, after the completion of the MCI, Inc. merger, greatly expanded its global presence in business and government markets.
For the first quarter 2006, Verizon reported earnings of $1.6 billion, or 56 cents per diluted share, compared with $1.8 billion, or 63 cents per share, in the first quarter 2005. Reported earnings in the first quarter 2006 reflect 4 cents per share in special items for employee relocations and merger integration costs, the early extinguishment of debt, and the cumulative effect of an accounting change. Before these special items (non-GAAP), Verizon’s earnings were 60 cents per share in the first quarter 2006.
Consolidated operating revenues in the first quarter 2006 were $22.7 billion, a 25.1 percent increase compared with the first quarter 2005; consolidated total operating expenses were $18.9 billion, a 27.6 percent increase compared with the first quarter 2005; and consolidated operating income was $3.9 billion, a 14.0 percent increase compared with the first quarter 2005. Reported results include MCI subsequent to the close of the merger on Jan. 6, 2006.
On a pro-forma basis (non-GAAP), comparing first quarter 2006 with first quarter 2005, adjusted earnings per share decreased 3.3 percent, adjusted operating revenues increased 3.1 percent and adjusted operating income increased 13.5 percent. Adjusted operating income margins would have been 17.2 percent in first quarter 2006, compared with 15.6 percent in first quarter 2005. Pro-forma adjusted information presents the combined operating results of Verizon and the former MCI on a comparable basis.
‘Driving Revenue Growth’
“Our financial performance in the first quarter was on target, and we are focused on driving revenue growth in each of our business segments,” said Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon chairman and CEO. “Our goal is simple: Given the quality of our superior networks and customer service, we expect Verizon Wireless and our wireline segment -- Verizon Telecom and Verizon Business -- to lead the industry, not necessarily in size but in profitable growth.
“Verizon Wireless is already there, and this quarter it has once again enhanced its position as the industry leader in terms of network reliability and customer loyalty. Verizon Telecom is taking the necessary steps to ramp up revenue growth from fiber-based FiOS data and TV services, and Verizon Business is already seeing revenue growth in strategic IP-based business services.
“This quarter also demonstrates Verizon’s continued focus on delivering increased value to shareowners as well as to customers. We have repurchased shares, and we are divesting operations that are not core to our strategy of building network-based businesses that create new markets and drive profitable growth.”
Wireless Continues to Surpass Own and Industry Records
Verizon Wireless continued to surpass performance milestones previously set by the company and the industry with record net customer additions and profitability for a first quarter, and an all-time industry low churn among major carriers.
This was the 15th consecutive quarter of double-digit, year-over-year revenue growth. It was also the eighth consecutive quarter that the company added more than 1.5 million customers, the fifth consecutive quarter with EBITDA margins above 40 percent and the 13th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in gross customer additions.
Verizon Wireless added 1.7 million net new customers in the first quarter 2006, for a total of 53.0 million customers nationwide, representing a 16.7 percent increase from the first quarter last year. At the end of the first quarter 2006, the company was the fastest growing in the industry in terms of customers, adding a net of 7.6 million new customers in the past 12 months.
Verizon Wireless continued to set new records for the company and the industry for low customer churn, a key measure of customer loyalty. For the first quarter 2006, total churn was a record-low 1.18 percent, and churn among the company’s retail postpaid customers was 0.92 percent, another record.
Verizon Wireless revenues grew 18.8 percent to $8.8 billion in the first quarter 2006, driven by continued strong customer growth and demand for data services. At $872 million, wireless data revenues accounted for nearly 11.5 percent of total wireless service revenues in the quarter.
Wireless operating income margins were 24.0 percent in the quarter, reflecting the company’s ability to maintain industry-leading cost efficiency even as it added the most retail customers.
Wireless EBITDA margins were 44.5 percent. (EBITDA -- or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization -- is a non-GAAP measure that adds depreciation and amortization to operating income; EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by wireless service revenues.)
Robust Wireline Broadband Growth
Verizon’s wireline business added 541,000 net broadband connections in the first quarter. Verizon now has 5.7 million wireline broadband connections, which includes both DSL and FiOS, Verizon’s next-generation, fiber-optic-based service. Verizon has added nearly 1.2 million net wireline broadband connections over the past six months and 1.8 million net broadband connections over the past year, a growth rate of 47.1 percent comparing the first quarter 2006 with the first quarter 2005.
Strong sales of Verizon Freedom packages, which offer local wireline services with various combinations of long-distance and Internet access, were instrumental in retaining retail wireline customers. More than 6.3 million Verizon Freedom packages were in service to mass market (residential and small business) customers by the end of the first quarter 2006, an increase of 1.6 million since the end of the first quarter 2005 and 0.8 million since year-end 2005.
Following the MCI merger, Verizon’s wireline business segment includes both Verizon Telecom and Verizon Business operations. Total wireline operating revenues were $12.5 billion in the first quarter 2006, an increase of 33.3 percent compared with the first quarter 2005 on an adjusted basis (non-GAAP) -- excluding revenues from operations sold in 2005. Total wireline operating expenses were $11.4 billion in the first quarter 2006, a 40.6 percent increase compared with the first quarter 2005 on the same basis.
Successful Launch of Verizon Business
The MCI integration is on plan, and Verizon Business is ahead of plan to achieve the $550 million target in merger synergies this year. Approximately $50 million in merger synergies were realized in the first quarter 2006, and this is expected to ramp up to total $150 million by the end of the second quarter. A total of $400 million in synergies is expected in the second half of the year. Synergies include reducing the workforce by approximately 3,500 in 2006, and to date the company is about a third of the way toward this target.
Network traffic migration and systems integration plans are ahead of plan, including the migration of more than 80 percent of the voice traffic from the legacy Verizon Global Network Services network and 68 percent of all IP (Internet protocol) traffic onto the Verizon Business network. Systems integration includes consolidation of systems for the unit’s sales force and product catalogs.
Since its launch in January, Verizon Business has rolled out a steady stream of new products and services that demonstrate immediate benefits for large business and government customers. For example, simultaneous with its formal market entry, Verizon Business unveiled integrated wireless and wireline offerings designed to enhance workforce mobility and provide reliable backup for customer data networks.
Verizon Business has capitalized on this initial momentum by expanding Verizon’s Ethernet access services in key cities in the U.S., Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and integrating these services with Private IP, the business unit’s fastest-growing service.
Strong Cash Flow, Share Repurchases
Cash Flows from Operating Activities were $6.1 billion in the first quarter 2006, compared with $3.9 billion in the first quarter 2005, primarily due to lower external distributions from the Verizon Wireless partnership, lower pension contributions in the first quarter 2006 and the absence of the tax payments that were made in the first quarter 2005 related to 2004 asset sales.
First-quarter capital expenditures were $4.1 billion in 2006, including an increase in wireline investment primarily driven by the inclusion of MCI, compared with $3.6 billion in 2005.
Total debt increased to $43.1 billion, compared with $39.0 billion at year-end 2005, primarily due to the assumption of MCI debt. Verizon either redeemed or refinanced the MCI debt in the first quarter 2006, resulting in an expected $190 million in interest expense savings in 2006.
In the first quarter 2006, Verizon repurchased 11.6 million shares at a cost of $0.4 billion. As previously announced, the company has a target of $1 billion in share repurchases in 2006.
Business Segment Highlights
Following are first-quarter 2006 highlights for Verizon’s business segments.
Wireless:
Verizon Wireless again added the most retail customers in the industry during the first quarter. Retail net additions were 1.6 million of the company’s 1.7 million total net additions, an increase of 3.1 percent over first quarter of 2005. The company now has 50.7 million retail customers of a total 53.0 million customers. Service revenues (which do not include taxes and regulatory fees) increased 16.0 percent to $7.6 billion for the first quarter 2006. Average monthly service revenue per customer (ARPU) was $48.67, down 0.7 percent from the similar period in 2005. Verizon Wireless continued to set the industry standard for cost efficiency, delivering the lowest cash expense. Cash expense per customer declined 6.6 percent year-over-year to $26.99 per month, the second-lowest quarterly level in the company’s history. Data services revenues more than doubled year-over-year, contributing $872 million. In the first quarter, 11.5 percent of service revenues came from data services, up from 6.3 percent the previous year. Data ARPU increased 79 percent from first quarter 2005. The company now has 26.1 million data customers -- a 47 percent increase compared with first quarter 2005. Verizon Wireless continued to increase the popularity of its national 3G EV-DO high-speed network, adding more broadband services and devices for both business and consumers. At the end of the first quarter, 6.2 million customers had broadband-capable devices. For business, the company introduced a pay-as-you-go option for BroadbandAccess, which lets customers sign on for 24-hour sessions from laptops embedded with EV-DO capabilities; Field Force Manager, a location-based service for small and medium-sized businesses to map the location of field workers, dispatch jobs and receive reports; and GlobalEmail for e-mail access in more than 50 countries. GlobalEmail is currently available on the Samsung i830, which allows international travelers to keep one phone and one phone number to stay connected via calls and e-mail. Other new business devices included Palm’s Treo 700, the first Windows Mobile-based Treo smartphone, and additional laptops and PDAs with EV-DO embedded capabilities. For consumers, the company launched broadband V CAST Music in January, and already has expanded its library to 1 million songs from artists at major music labels and at independent providers. V CAST Music is the world’s most comprehensive mobile music service, allowing customers to download music over the air, to transfer their existing digital music collection from the PC to their wireless phones, and to identify a song title and artist by holding their phone near music that’s playing and launching identity software. The company now has three V CAST music-enabled phones. The company also launched VZ Navigator, with audible turn-by-turn instructions, mapping and the ability to find more than 14 million points of interest. Get It Now services continued to grow to an industry-leading 9.6 billion text messages exchanged during the first quarter; more than 171 million picture and video messages exchanged; and nearly 45 million downloads of games, exclusive content, ringtones and ringback tones. During the first quarter, the company continued to expand and diversify its distribution channels by making its prepaid service available at Wal-Mart locations nationwide. Customers now can purchase Verizon Wireless service and equipment at 2,100 Verizon Wireless Communications stores, including stores in Circuit City and BJ’s, and from 12,000 additional retail locations, including Verizon Wireless agents throughout the U.S. and national retailers such as Best Buy and Costco. Wireline:
By the end of the first quarter, the company was selling FiOS fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband data services in 15 states, passing a total of 3.6 million homes and businesses. In markets where Verizon has been selling FiOS data services for at least six months, the average penetration rate was 9 percent at the six-month mark in each market, well on the way toward achieving the company’s goal of 30 percent penetration in five years. Earnings dilution from FiOS was 6 cents per share in the first quarter 2006. Verizon has franchises covering more than 1 million households in nine states for FiOS video services. The company has begun selling FiOS TV in select markets in seven of these states. In Florida, Texas and Virginia markets where Verizon has been selling FiOS TV for at least four months, Verizon’s penetration levels range from 9 percent to 12 percent, already halfway towards the company’s goal of from 20 percent to 25 percent penetration in five years. Verizon launched FiOS TV in Keller, Texas, in September 2005 and has 24 percent penetration there. Approximately 80 percent of FiOS video customers are “triple play” customers -- receiving wireline, Internet access and TV services from Verizon. Verizon now has 415,000 customers who receive a Verizon DirecTV bundle, up 66,000 from year-end 2005. Data revenues, which totaled $3.9 billion in the first quarter, now make up approximately 30 percent of Verizon’s overall wireline revenues. Total switched access lines in service were 48.0 million at the end of the first quarter 2006, a 6.9 percent decline compared with the first quarter 2005. Among Verizon residential retail customers, gains in wireline broadband connections more than offset losses in traditional access lines for the second consecutive quarter. Verizon Business aggressively interconnected the Verizon and MCI enterprise networks, resulting in the largest ultra-long haul network in the U.S. and the world’s largest wholly-owned, facilities-based, global network. This expanded reach provides the ability to manage Verizon Business’ global network in a cost-effective manner with high service quality. In addition to new enterprise wireless data services, Verizon Business offerings during the quarter included an extension of its next-generation suite of Internet telephony services, the addition of VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) to its contact center service suite, the unveiling of a new remote IP application management service, the introduction of industry-leading service-level commitments for its Managed IP PBX (private branch exchange) services, and a new set of “application aware” network tools to help businesses improve the performance of their IP networks and associated business applications. Verizon Business secured substantial new business as well as completing additional agreements with existing customers. New agreements include helping B/E Aerospace, the world’s leading manufacturer of cabin interior products for commercial aircraft and business jets, to transition from a traditional data environment to an advanced IP communications system using Verizon Business Private IP. In addition, B/E Aerospace will rely on Verizon Business for Dedicated Internet, CPE (customer premises equipment), Net Conferencing and advanced voice services. Fiserv, Inc., a leading provider of information management systems and services to the financial and health benefits industries, added Verizon Ethernet access to its nationwide Private IP networking capabilities. Internationally, Verizon Business’ new customers include Leaf International, a confectionery producer, and Crystal Group, one of the biggest garment manufacturers in Hong Kong. Leaf International contracted for communications infrastructure and services across 28 sites in Europe, including Verizon Business Private IP as well as Internet access and voice. Crystal Group selected Verizon Business based on Verizon’s global coverage and flexibility. Longstanding customers who renewed business or signed new contracts include Acer and IBM. Information Services and International:
In December 2005, Verizon announced that it is exploring divesting Verizon Information Services (VIS) through a spin-off, sale or other strategic transaction. However, since this process is still ongoing, VIS’ results of operations, financial position and cash flows remain in continuing operations. In April 2006, Verizon announced that definitive agreements were reached to sell its Verizon International interests in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Since Verizon committed to the divestitures after the end of the first quarter 2006, the operations are included in the International segment as continuing operations for the first quarter 2006.
VIS’ first-quarter operating revenues were $837 million compared with $881 million in the first quarter of 2005, a 5.0 percent decline, primarily driven by reductions in domestic print advertising revenue. In the first quarter, VIS’ domestic online directory and search service, SuperPages.com, achieved revenue growth of 7.1 percent compared with the first quarter of 2005, and Internet yellow pages searches increased 81.8 percent over the same period. Verizon International’s first-quarter revenues of $697 million represented an increase of 34.8 percent from the first quarter 2005. The increase primarily reflected the impact from the sale of directory publishing rights in Puerto Rico. Verizon International’s first-quarter segment income was $439 million, compared with $351 million in the first quarter 2005. This increase of $88 million, or 25.1 percent, was primarily driven by the sale of directory publishing rights in Puerto Rico.
NOTE: This news release contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: materially adverse changes in economic and industry conditions and labor matters, including workforce levels and labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact, in the markets served by us or by companies in which we have substantial investments; material changes in available technology; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations; the final results of federal and state regulatory proceedings concerning our provision of retail and wholesale services and judicial review of those results; the effects of competition in our markets; the timing, scope and financial impacts of our deployment of fiber-to-the-premises broadband technology; the ability of Verizon Wireless to continue to obtain sufficient spectrum resources; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; the timing of the closings of the sales of our Latin American and Caribbean properties; and the extent and timing of our ability to obtain revenue enhancements and cost savings following our business combination with MCI, Inc.
Posts: 1307 | From: Calgary AB Canada | Registered: Apr 2006
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The CBC is doing its first ever television segment on Mixed Martial Arts this Sunday, May 28th. It's a 30 minute segment mainly profiling Georges St-Pierre and David Loiseau in their fights at UFC 58: USA vs Canada.
The latter portion of the segment will feature an interview with yours truly, Marco Antico, speaking about the impediments of legalizing MMA in Ontario and a rebuttal from the Ontario Athletic Commissioner, Ken Hayashi.
The news program will be part of CBC News Sunday. It will air in the morning at 10am and then repeat in the evening at 10pm. An extended 60 minute version is also planned for the summer time.
It is encouraging to see a highly respectable news agency such as the CBC do a feature on MMA and it was truly my pleasure to be involved with this project. Raising the public's awareness on this issue is very important in achieving our ultimate goal. Therefore, please feel free to pass this information along to anyone you know who may be interested.
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Quote Increment Pilot Program change and delay until Tuesday February 21st
New York, NY, February 14, 2006 –- Pink Sheets’ quote increment pilot test (announced: http://www.pinksheets.com/about/pr_020106.jsp) is being delayed until Next Tuesday, February 21st. We are also only going to run the quote increment test in securities under $1.00 at first. The above changes are to suit operational issues of our customers.
The test will begin on February 21st in securities with symbols starting with the letters A through D. The quote tick sizes we plan to use are as follows:
For quote prices above $1, a quote tick size of 0.01 For quote prices at or below $1 but above $.10, a quote tick size of 0.005 For quote prices at or below $.10 but above $0.001 a quote tick size of 0.0005 For quote prices at or below $0.001 a quote tick size of 0.0001
The above increments will only be implemented in securities exclusively quoted in the Pink Sheets with symbols starting with the letters A-D. The increments will only apply to quotations; there will be no tick sizes, increments or other restrictions in Pink Link. Pink Link Order and execution messages will still be up to 4 decimal place precision.
This update will require no changes to broker-dealer systems. Pink Sheets Electronic Quotation System will automatically round down any bid price or round up any ask price to the nearest increment for any quote submitted that is not at an increment.
Posts: 1307 | From: Calgary AB Canada | Registered: Apr 2006
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Blackout Media Corp.'s (PINKSHEETS: BKMP) The Fight Network Inc. announces today that it has secured the rights to present Coralles vs. Castillo 3 on Pay-Per-View in Canada for Saturday June 3rd on Viewers Choice as part of Fight Network, "Fight Night PPV Series." Fight Network will also air on its own channel Coralles vs. Castillo one and two, leading up to the third encounter between these formidable rivals set for June 3rd.
"Boxing fans around the world know this fight is going to be something special," said Brian Sobie Sr. VP of Programming for The Fight Network. "Which is why we are very excited to be the ones to deliver this epic trilogy exclusively in Canada in what promises to be a can't miss event," he added.
Fight Network will begin to air Coralles vs. Castillos 1 and 2 beginning May 28th which will be followed by Fight Network in-depth news coverage of the third fight from Las Vegas beginning June 2nd with Fight Network's own host Ryan Bennett and boxing experts Doug Fisher and Steve Kim from maxboxing.com.
On Saturday June 3rd the world's most talented and courageous lightweights will collide in their eagerly awaited rubber match for Corrales' World Boxing Council (WBC) title at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coralles vs. Castillos available in Canada on Viewers Choice Pay View Presented by The Fight Network. The event will be priced in Canada at $24.99
Then on June 4th tune back into Fight Network for a complete analysis breakdown of the entire card from Las Vegas.
Fighters History courtesy of Showtime Championship Boxing:
Diego "Chico" Corrales (40-3, 33 KOs) won the historic first bout against Castillo -- and the near-unanimous 2005 Fight of the Year -- when he dramatically rallied from the brink of defeat to register a memorable 10th-round TKO to unify the title and capture the WBC lightweight belt on May 7, 2005.
Jose Luis Castillo (54-7-1, 47 KOs) won the brief, but brutal sequel on Oct. 8, also at Thomas & Mack, with an impressive and sudden fourth-round knockout. Despite losing the rematch, Corrales came away with both his world title belts because Castillo failed to make the 135-pound limit and one of his camp members was caught trying to tamper with the scale at the weigh-in.
"I feel fine. My rib is fine," Corrales said. "I would be lying if I said I was not thinking about Castillo and whether he can make 135 pounds, but I have to prepare as if he will make the weight easily and be at full strength.
"What has happened in the past is history. We have each won once. Now, it comes down to who wins on June 3. I respect Castillo and I think he respects me, but it is time to get down to business one more time. This is what boxing is all about. I cannot wait for June 3.''
Said Castillo: "I said after our last fight that if they wanted to make this like the 'Rocky' movie series, I did not care. I will fight Corrales five or six times. I am not worried about the weight, or making the weight. It won't be easy, but I will do it.
"Corrales comes forward and wants to fight. I love his style. On June 3, we will give the fans another great fight.''
Corrales, of Sacramento, Calif., captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 135-pound crown with a 10th-round TKO over defending champion Acelino Freitas Aug. 7, 2004, on SHOWTIME. A two-time world champion at 130 pounds, Corrales won the vacant WBO belt with a 12-round split decision over Joel Casamayor March 6, 2004, on SHOWTIME. Corrales won his first world title with a seventh-round TKO over defending IBF champion Robert Garcia Oct. 23, 1999, on SHOWTIME.
Castillo, of Sonora, Mexico, won the WBC 135-pound belt the first time with a 12-round majority decision over Steve Johnston on June 17, 2000. Following three successful defenses, he lost the title and a subsequent rematch to unbeaten Floyd Mayweather in April and December of 2002. Castillo regained the WBC belt with a 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Lazcano on June 5, 2004. Castillo is coming off an easy 12-round unanimous decision over Rolando Reyes, who replaced Corrales, on Feb. 4.
Posts: 1307 | From: Calgary AB Canada | Registered: Apr 2006
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Reality Check Needed In This Pure Pump Thread.
Whats the OS and AS these days on this? 10-15 Billion Shares? BKMP is one of the most worthless stocks that one can possibly buy. Toilet paper has essentially more worth.
Sandy Winnick is a crook. If you own shares and get a pop due to the help of the paid pump teams on this worthless pos...look at it as a golden opportunity to get out.
Posts: 604 | Registered: Aug 2005
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THE SHOW The "Sound Off" radio show is the only daily MMA Radio show and it can be heard Monday through Friday at 9am PST/Noon EST. The purpose of the Sound Off Radio show on MMA Weekly Radio is to have you, the hard core fan, actually "sound off" about topics in our great sport of mixed martial arts. Many of you post on forums like the Underground or SoundOff Forum, but sometimes you have to wait around for people to post a comment about your thread, or sometimes people won't respond at all.
On the SoundOff Radio Show, you will be able to talk with the host as well as thousands of hard core fans by just calling the show. In addition, some of the best fighters in the world today will be by to talk about upcoming fights, their views on the state of MMA, as well as many other things that you will only get on MMAWeekly Radio.
THE HOST The host of MMAWeekly Radio is professional broadcaster Ryan Bennett. Bennett currently works at the NBC in Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo, CA, doing the 6pm and 11pm sportscasts on the nightly news. As many of you know, he is a HUGE fan of mixed martial arts.
He loved boxing as a kid and was known to lace up the gloves and get after it with some amateurs in the area. After he found out he didn't have a career in boxing, he watched a video that would change his life dramatically.
Downstairs in a friend's basement while going to college, he watched UFC 2 on pay per view. After watching Pat Smith destroy Scott Morris and seeing a small guy named Royce Gracie make every big fighter tap, he was hooked into the sport of mixed martial arts.
Now, years later, he has worked as a broadcaster for the world's premier MMA organizations like the UFC, K-1, the IFC, the WEC and Rumble on the Rock. Ryan is also a columnist for many premiere publications like Fightscene Magazine, Boxing Insider and of course web sites like MMAWeekly.com. He is now the host of "SoundOff" and will be hosting the show everyday.
If you need to get in touch with Ryan, email him at ryanbennett*mmaweekly.com. The show is heard daily at 12 Noon Eastern/9am Pacific.
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Fightnetwork 2006 BDA nomination NYC June 20-22
FIGHT NETWORK NOMINATED FOR 2006 BDA NORTH AMERICAN DESIGN AWARD
Toronto, Ontario, Canada – May 19th, 2006 - The Fight Network Inc, is pleased to announce that its channel on-air network ID has been selected as a finalist for the BDA North American Design Awards.
“We are delighted to be a part of this nomination with our design partners Systematic Design,” said Mike Garrow President of The Fight Network. “Dennis Tan and his entire team understood right from the get-go what The Fight Network wanted to achieve with our on-air look when we launched the channel last fall, the end result grabbed consumers’ attention and now it has also garnered a 2006 BDA nomination from their peers as well. Our congratulation goes out to Dennis and his entire crew,” he added.
The BDA North American Design Awards will be held in New York City from June 20-22 and is part of the Promax& BDA International Conference.
Promax International is the association for promotion and marketing executives in electronic media.
Broadcast Designers’ Association (BDA) is the organization for professionals who work in motion graphics.
More about The Fight Network: The Fight Network is a cross-platform media company with interest in television, radio, print and online content offerings. The Fight Network is the first and only all combatant sports and entertainment channel that delivers the very best in boxing, pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, and other combatant styles, along with top-notch "fight theme" movies documentaries and news 24 hours a day. For more details on The Fight Network please visit: www.thefightnetwork.com
More about Systematic Design: Systematic Design is an award-winning studio specializing in broadcast design.
From concept development to final on-air implementation, we're involved with each stage of design on every project. We create a full spectrum of broadcast design products such as network branding, station IDs, show openings, promos and commercials.
Systematic Design clients include such media networks as ABC Sports, CBS, ESPN, NBA, Global TV, The Fight Network and The Wall Street Journal. For more company details go to: www.systematicdesign.net Safe Harbor Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- URL: www.thefightnetwork.com / www.liveaudiowrestling.com / www.mmaweekly.com
For more information, contact: Stephen Murdoch OEB International C/O The Fight Network Inc. (905) 682-7203 ex 22 Fax: (905) 682-7481 E-mail: smurdoch*oeb.com
Promax/BDA is the worldwide association of entertainment marketers, promoters and designers, representing more than 500 television stations and all major broadcast and cable networks from the U. S. as well as more than 3,000 individual members in 70 countries. The association provides members with education, recognition and interaction through conferences, award competitions and publications as well as networking opportunities
Richard Stone, President of Trajectory Sports & Media Group, LLC
January 30, 2006 - We recently announced that Trajectory Sports has been retained by The Fight Network (www.thefightnetwork.com) to assist them with the launch of their channel in the United States and other markets. Based in Canada, The Fight Network will be utilizing the expertise our team has developed launching non-broadcast channels in the U.S. and elsewhere
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