California-based U.S. satellite TV giant DirecTV, sold $3 billion of 5-, 10- and 30-year notes, according to a report from Bloomberg earlier this week.

DirecTV offered $1.2 billion of 3.55 percent five-year notes which yield 120 basis points more than similar-maturity Treasuries, $1.3 billion of 5.2 percent 10-year debt that pays 150 basis points more than benchmarks, and $500 million of 6.35 percent 30-year obligations at a 167 basis-point spread according to Bloomberg.

For those interested, a basis point is 0.01 percentage point.

This is the first time DirecTV has issued corporate bonds says Bloomberg. The company may use some of the proceeds for a $3.5 billion share buyback aimed by the end of the year.

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Perhaps one of the most sought after technologies available to television viewers today has also become one of the most contentious pieces as well. DVR technology was developed by a small company named TiVo back in 1999. When it was first attempting to market its new design TiVo took a prototype to Dish Network.

The story goes that Dish actually kept the prototype and integrated that technology into a DVR system of its own. This technology which allows television users to both store and retrieve videos in a digital format has since become wildly popular. It has become so popular in fact that many people equate the name of the company, TiVo, with the equipment itself. People will ask if another is going to “TiVo” a show.

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After aggressive subscription and package cuts, Dish Network has added just shy of 250,000 new subscribers.  While the new customers is a plus, Dish was still marred by a 17.5% drop in net income when compared to a year ago.  While the share difference of a year ago was eight cents less, it was still eight cents more than analysts had been forecasting for the fourth quarter.  As a result, revenue for the company rose ever so slightly by 1.4% to $2.96B, just slightly ahead of what was projected.

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A welcomed increase in the value of shares of Dish Network Corp. comes just in time. This has taken place thanks to an upgrade by a Collins Stewart analyst. The reason given for the boost is that the stocks now include much of the cost of the expensive court defeat from the company’s ongoing battle with TiVo Inc.

This ongoing dispute has seen yet another battle lost by Dish when a federal appeals court helped TiVo to collect more than $300 million in damages, interest, and contempt sanctions from the company. Dish of course has said that it intends to appeal the court’s decision.

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First and foremost, keep in mind that Tellus, Bell ExpressVu, and Dish Network Satellite receivers are each made by EchoStar. The instructions for syncing your remote and system will be the same.

Before you begin programming your Harmony One remote you will need the remote address for your system. On the front of the receiver you will find a System Info button. Press it and it will say either UHF/IR or just IR and have a number.

The good news is that if the display says IR and the address listed is anything besides 1 then you can simply confirm the IR code in the Harmony software. You can do this by going to Devices>Your Receiver>Settings>Confirm IR> You can then follow the onscreen instructions. This should allow it to work just fine.

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Many fans were outraged during Sunday’s Oscars ceremony when they realized two of their most beloved actresses were left out of the In Memoriam package during the show.

Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur, who both passed away in 2009, were left out of the telecast.

Some fans took to Twitter to show their anger and disappointment over a move many find “disrespectful” and “disgusting”. @Carla_Baron noted, “Not adding Farrah Fawcett to the tribute is embarrassing & shocking, what’s worse is it wasn’t an oversight, but deliberate.” While @JohnPayson said, “Farrah Fawcett left out!! What a bunch of crap….” Many considered it a “fail” on the part of the Academy.

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At 88, Betty White might just be having her best year ever.

Betty White has definitely become Hollywood’s “it” girl and now she’s even been booked to appear on Saturday Night Live. NBC has yet to officially confirm but a source close to the show says that White signed on a couple of weeks ago. Reportedly, right now, the plan is for former SNL star Molly Shannon will host the show with White in May.

At Elton John’s post-Oscar party Sunday night, White confirmed she would be appearing on the show, but didn’t give any details about her role.

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As I wrote earlier this week, TiVo was set to give a press conference on their new features.  Well, people are raving about it.  The result was the infamous “how did I ever watch TV without this?”  CEO Tom Rodgers said that the new top-box is not only a new cable box, but is also a movie box, web box, and music box.  TiVo Premiere is ingeniously set up after  months of tweaking, allowing users to access “millions of pieces of content” in an organized and user-friendly fashion.

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When looking for a remote for your DirecTV system there are many things to keep in mind. You will find that the most important issue is how well it functions. Below are the pros and cons to the Harmony 880 remote. This will help you decide whether or not it is the right one for you.

Pros:
·       Backlit for easy viewing in low light situations.
·       Screen is customizable. This allows you to add in your own pictures or others that appeal to you.
·       A charging cradle means that there are no more batteries to buy. This is a great way to save money.
·       This remote features large and customizable macros. Whether you want to turn off the lights, turn on the AC, or open your drapes it can all be done with a simple push of the button.
·       Simple to program. With its massive database your remote enabled device is probably already loaded. Even if it is not a call to customer service can easily get you a new macro that will work.

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The quirky Nickelodeon kids fave Yo Gabba Gabba! starts its third season this week and this season is jam packed with a line up of guest stars that will have Dave and Jay tuning in, with envy.

“Weird Al” Yankovic, Sarah Silverman, Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, Anthony Bourdain, Of Montreal, Weezer, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, Mos Def, the Black Kids and Mates of State are all scheduled to make appearances on the show in season three.

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