воскресенье, 26 февраля 2012 г.

Researchers from Pomona College Provide Details of New Studies and Findings in the Area of Pediatrics.(Report)

"This study explored the interactive effects of dispositional threat orientation, type of message, and having children on reactions to a message about exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics. The study used a 2 (message: Fear Arousal or Plain)x2 (parenting status: child or no child)x2 (threat orientation: high or low) mixed factorial design," researchers in Claremont, United States report.

"Adults (N = 200) recruited via the Internet completed measures of threat orientations, reported whether they were a parent, and read either a low or high fear-arousal message about the risks of BPA exposure. They then completed measures of reactions to the message (perceived susceptibility to BPA effects, negative emotions, and behavioural intentions to engage in protection). Depending on threat orientations, the fear arousal version of the message and parenthood had strikingly different effects, ranging from no effect (for those high in a control-based approach) to prompting change (for those low in a control-based approach) to counterproductive (for those high in an optimistic denial approach)," wrote S.C. Thompson and colleagues, Pomona College.

The researchers concluded: "That considering individual differences and their interactions with situational factors could improve both the predictive ability of threat protection theories and the delivery of messages intended to change behaviour."

Thompson and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Health Psychology (Reactions to a health threat: Dispositional threat orientations and message characteristics. British Journal of Health Psychology, 2011;16(Part 2):344-358).

For additional information, contact S.C. Thompson, Pomona College, Dept. of Psychology, 647 N College Way, Claremont, CA 91711, United States.

Publisher contact information for the British Journal of Health Psychology is: Wiley-Blackwell, Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden 02148, MA, USA.

Keywords: City:Claremont, State:California, Country:United States, Region:North and Central America, Pediatrics, Psychology

This article was prepared by Pediatrics Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Pediatrics Week via NewsRx.com.

Loop21 Announces More Senior Additions to its Editorial Team.

Former Managing Editor of Vibe Magazine and former News Manager for AOL Black Voices join Loop21.

LOS ANGELES, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Just weeks before a major re-launch, Loop21.com, a leading African-American web site for economic and political news, today announced the addition of Chloe Hilliard as Editorial Director and Abena Agyeman-Fisher as Senior News Editor.

"We are delighted to be joined by these two accomplished professionals," said Darrell Williams, founder & publisher of Loop21.com. "Chloe and Abena share our vision and mission to deliver a premium product to our loyal audience that serves to inform and entertain, presented in a voice that is authentic and candid."

"I'm very excited about joining the Loop21 family," says Chloe Hilliard. "Now is an exciting time for internet journalism. As part of the new Loop21.com, I'm looking forward to delivering not your typical 'urban' online content."

Abena Agyeman-Fisher echoed those sentiments, "I am very excited about joining Loop21.com. Their vision and knowledge captured my attention early on and ultimately sealed my decision to join the team. I look forward to working with such a dynamic and enthusiastic group and can only say to other sites in the Internet space, Watch out!"

Chloe Hilliard, Editorial Director has been a culture/entertainment journalist for over 10 years, writing for The Village Voice, Essence, Vibe, King, and The Source. Prior to joining Loop21.com as Editorial Director, Chloe served as the Managing Editor/Social Media Manager for VIBE, a leading urban entertainment magazine and website. She also was a staff writer for The Village Voice, America's largest weekly newspaper. There, she chronicled lesbian thugs, BET's transformation and eminent domain in Brooklyn. Chloe has also served as News Editor at The Source. For her expertise on Hip Hop culture she's appeared on CNN Headline News, ABC News, Our World with Black Enterprise and C-Span.

Abena Agyeman-Fisher, Senior News Editor is an editor and journalist who most recently worked for AOL as the News Manager of Black Voices. Previously, she worked for the New York Times Company as an Associate Health Editor and as a Web Editor at the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Abena, a Spelman College graduate, has been published in The Source, Vibe, Vibe Vixen, New Jersey's The Star-Ledger, About.com, BlackVoices.com, Jane and Upscale Magazines.

About Loop21.com

Loop21.com is the premier online destination for in-depth analysis of economic and political news presented from the minority perspective. Loop21.com not only highlights problems, but also offers insights and solutions, plus provides a platform where everyone is invited to join the conversation. The site is an alternative to mainstream media with a mission to lead the discussion on economic progress for people of color. For more information go to www.Loop21.com.

SOURCE Loop21.com

суббота, 25 февраля 2012 г.

New study examines impact of new media on eating habits.

A new study by Rochester Institute of Technology is one of the first to analyze how new-media technology, including the Internet and smartphones, are changing college students' eating habits and their relationship to food. Findings indicate that individuals are more likely to have meals while sitting at the computer than at the kitchen table, and that they use social media as the main avenue to obtain recipe and nutritional information.

"I sought to investigate how the explosion of new media is changing traditional notions of meals and how this is transforming human interaction," notes Madeline Varno, a senior communications major at RIT and principle author of the study. "As opposed to their parents or grandparents, college students do not see meals as a central activity in and of itself, either for enjoyment or communication. In fact none of the respondents I interviewed even had a kitchen table."

Varno conducted an extensive survey of college students at RIT, which assessed how meals were prepared and eaten, how students interacted with others during meals and how they obtained information about nutrition, potential food choices and recipes. It also assessed the importance of meals in students' social lives.

"Eating is now just one of several activities being multitasked at once, all of which generally involve computers and smartphones, including surfing the Web, communicating with friends via Facebook and doing homework," she continues. "This does not mean that students are any less social; in fact, they are often interacting with more people than if they were sitting in a dining room, but the method of that socialization is now directly connected to new media."

Varno also found that people were more likely to ask friends on Facebook or Twitter about recipes than consult a cookbook and often used social media to assess the relevance and validity of food and nutrition information.

"While some respondents expressed concern at the sheer volume of food information available online, they also indicated that the use of Facebook and Twitter to quickly validate data made them feel more informed about making the right choices," Varno adds.

Varno hopes her results will lead to additional studies with larger sample sizes that could further assess how new media is changing eating habits among the broader population.

Keywords: Diet and Nutrition, Rochester Institute of Technology, Technology.

This article was prepared by Computer Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Computer Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.

Knology Announces Closing of Sunflower Acquisition.

WEST POINT, Ga. -- Knology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KNOL) today closed its previously-announced acquisition of Sunflower Broadband ("Sunflower"), a provider of video, voice and data services to residential and business customers in Douglas County, Lawrence, Kansas and the surrounding area for $165 million cash.

In connection with the acquisition, Knology has entered into a $770 million first lien credit facility with proceeds used to partially fund the acquisition purchase price, refinance the company's existing credit facility, and pay related transaction costs. Knology also used approximately $48 million of cash on hand to partially fund the transaction. The new $770 million credit agreement includes a $50 million revolving credit facility, a $175 million term A loan and a $545 million term B loan. The revolving credit facility is not being used in connection with the acquisition or refinancing. The term A loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 4% and has a term of five years with annual amortization of $8.8 million, $8.8 million, $17.5 million and $26.3 million in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, with the balance due at maturity. The term B loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 4%, with a LIBOR floor of 1.5%, and has a term of six years with 1% principal amortization annually with the balance due at maturity.

"This is an exciting transaction for our company," said Rodger L. Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Knology, Inc. "Sunflower is a very successful, customer-focused business that will expand Knology's footprint and add meaningful scale to our existing operations. We welcome the Sunflower team to Knology and are excited about our future together."

M. Todd Holt, Knology's President and Chief Financial Officer, added, "Sunflower has achieved excellent customer penetration and attractive EBITDA and free cash flow results, and this acquisition complements our continued focus on organic growth, including the high ROI edge-out investments. We were able to successfully access the credit markets to fund the transaction and refinance our debt in a manner that allows us significant flexibility to continue to grow our business and extend our maturities. In addition, we used some cash on the balance sheet to partially fund the transaction in order to maintain manageable leverage and a solid free cash flow profile, while at the same time keeping our liquidity position very strong."

Credit Suisse and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey acted as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners for the credit facility. SunTrust Robinson Humphrey acted as financial advisor to Knology with the respect to the acquisition of Sunflower and RBC Daniels acted as financial advisor to Sunflower.

About Knology

Knology Inc., headquartered in West Point, Georgia, is a leading provider of interactive communications and entertainment services in the Southeast and in the upper Midwest and Kansas regions. Knology serves both residential and business customers with one of the most technologically advanced broadband networks in the country. Innovative offerings include over 200 channels of digital cable TV, local and long distance digital telephone service with the latest enhanced voice messaging features, and high-speed Internet access, which enables consumers to quickly download video, audio and graphic files using a cable modem. Knology's fiber-based business products include iPlex, which delivers Ethernet connections to an IP-PBX using Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) technology, Passive Optical Network (PON), which supplies IP architecture with segmented voice and data bandwidth, and Managed Integrated Network Solutions (MATRIX), an integrated IP-based technology which converges data and voice. For more information, please visit www.knology.com.

Information about Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. In addition, our revenues and earnings and our ability to achieve our planned business objectives are subject to a number of factors that make estimates of future operating results uncertain, including, without limitation, (1) that we will not retain or grow our customer base, (2) that we will fail to be competitive with existing and new competitors, (3) that we will not adequately respond to technological developments that impact our industry and markets, (4) that needed financing will not be available to us if and as needed, (5) that a significant change in the growth rate of the overall U.S. economy will occur such that there is a material impact on consumer and corporate spending, (6) that we may have difficulties integrating acquired businesses, or that the cost of such integration will be greater than we expect, and (7) that some other unforeseen difficulties occur, as well as those risks set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and our other filings with the SEC. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements included herein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about future results or events are based upon information available to us as of today's date, and we do not assume any obligation to update any of these statements, except as required by law.

Operators en Español.(Comcast Corp.)(Cox Communications Inc.)(Time Warner Cable Inc.)

Staff

A Comprehensive Look at Hispanic Offerings From Cable and Satellite Operators

Several operators have been beefing up their Hispanic packages over the past year, with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, RCN and others all reporting significant growth in the amount of the Spanish- and English-language content available to Hispanic customers.

The following is a rundown of the Hispanic offerings of the top 15 pay TV providers. Channel counts and pricing may vary from system to system. The list also highlights the least expensive, entry-level packages, many of which can be combined with other tiers or much-larger lineups of digital and pay TV channels.

Comcast

Basic subscribers : 23.9 million

Digital subscribers : 17.5 million

High-speed Internet subscribers : 15.3 million

Phone subscribers : 7.0 million

Contacts : Derek Harrar, senior vice president and general manager of video services; Diana Kerekes, vice president of video content; David Jensen, vice president of international programming; Kim Taylor, senior director of video and multicultural marketing; Mauro Panzera, senior director of multicultural marketing; Radame Rodriquez, director of Spanish-language content acquisition, (215) 665-1700.

Hispanic packages : "CableLatino" (around 25 Spanish-language channels, limited basic channels, music channels, a digital set-top box and video-on-demand in Spanish for $20 to $30, with typical pricing around $25). MSO has signed deals with about 80 programmers. Systems customize local lineups to reflect their demographics. A variety of more-expensive packages are available, with larger lineups of 50 to 60 Spanish-language channels offered in all-digital systems.

Spanish VOD, HSI and bundles : Offers more than 300 free Spanish-language VOD choices at any time, in addition to dual English/Spanish audio feeds on select films; has an extensive Comcast Latino Spanish-language portal, in partnership with Terra.com; offers a number of bundles specifically for Hispanic subscribers; and has launched special international calling plans, including "Mexico 100" for $4.95, "Latin America 100" for $9.95 and "Worldwide 300" for $14.99.

Major Hispanic markets : Passes more than 4 million Hispanic subscribers, serving such large Hispanic DMAs as Miami; Houston; Chicago; Boston; San Francisco; Denver; Atlanta; Philadelphia; and Albuquerque, N.M.

Recent and future moves : Comcast, which was the first cable operator to devote significant resources to the Hispanic market, rolled out lower-cost Hispanic tiers in 2003 and has since revamped offerings and beefed up both linear-channels and free Spanish-language VOD. In the last year, the MSO has dramatically increased its Spanish-language VOD content to about 300 choices, up from 100 a year ago, and continues to add linear channels, most recently adding TuTv's five channels and Mexicanal to some of its systems. As part of an aggressive analog reclamation effort to free up bandwidth, Comcast has launched the larger "Nuevo CableLatino" package with 50 to 60 Spanish-language channels priced at $24.99 in Boston and $29.99 in Chicago, and has plans to soon make that package available to some additional markets, primarily on the West Coast. Bundles specifically targeted to Hispanics have been available since October 2006 and during the last year, Comcast has also beefed up the long-distance calling plans listed above.

DirecTV

Subscribers : 18.3 million

Contact : John de Armas, vice president, WorldDirect, DirecTV, (212) 205-0500

Hispanic packages : Lowest priced offering is "Óptimo Más" (more than 50 Spanish-language channels, local broadcasters, secondary audio programming feeds and English-language channels for a total of over 150 channels for $44.99; currently promoted at $29.99 for first year.)

Spanish VOD, HSI and bundles : Spanish-language on-demand content includes Spanish-language versions of new release titles, Bloomberg On Demand, PBS Kids Sprout, Nickelodeon and MTV Tr3s on demand; bundled packages are sold with telco partners around the country, including Qwest Communications International, AT&T and Verizon Communications.

Major Hispanic markets : Has a national footprint; offers local broadcasters, including Spanish broadcasters in many markets.

Recent and future moves : In 2007, the company relaunched its Hispanic offering "DirecTV Más" with a new name and revamped channel lineup. The package now includes seven exclusive channels and programming from every Spanish-speaking country in Latin America, as well as Spain. DirecTV has been aggressively using such celebrities as Oscar de la Hoya and Andres Garcia to promote the service and in 2008 was a top-five advertiser in U.S. Spanish-language media. Besides the current discounts for Óptimo Más, DirecTV is running promotions for its other packages: "Óptimo Más plus DVR" (150 English and Spanish channels and the DVR service for $34.99 for the first 12 months); "Más Ultra" (170 channels in English and Spanish for $39.99 for the first 12 months); and "Lo Máximo" (more than 275 channels and all premium-movie channels for $59.99 for the first five months.) In terms of new programming, the satellite provider continues to look for high-quality, exclusive Spanish-language content.

Dish Network

Subscribers : 13.6 million

Hispanic packages : Entry-level packages include "DishMexico" (more than 20 Spanish-language channels, six Latin music services, English-language channels and local broadcasters for a total of more than 55 services for $19.95) and "DishLatino Clásico" (more than 32 Spanish-language services, local broadcast stations, six Latin music services and English-language channels for a total of more than 105 services, regularly priced at $29.99 and currently available for $19.99 to new customers for the first 12 months). A variety of other tiers with more Spanish and English channels also are available.

Contact : Ruben Mendiola, general manager of programming for DishLatino (ruben.mendiola@dishnetwork.com ), (303) 723-1194; Jose Romero, manager of marketing for DishLatino, (jose.romero@echostar.com ), (720) 514-6164.

Spanish VOD, HSI and bundles : Offers Spanish-language movies and television shows to subscribers who have set-top boxes capable of getting on-demand content; telco partners bundle Dish's video packages with their phone and digital-subscriber-line offerings; has extensive Spanish-language pages for its online DishLatino offers.

Major Hispanic markets : National footprint; offers local broadcast stations in most markets.

Recent and future moves: Satellite-TV company Dish was the first provider to seriously target the Hispanic market, viewing the effort as a way to distinguish itself from DirecTV and cable. Despite increased competition, it remains the market leader. Over the last year, the satellite provider has continued to add new channels to its various Hispanic packages, including such services as Bandamax, CBeebies, Pasiones and TeleAmazonas and is planning to add more Spanish-language services this year. In November of 2008, it launched a new entry-level package, DishMexico, and is currently offering $10 off its other Hispanic tiers, promoting "DishLatino Plus" (more than 110 Spanish and English services) at the discounted price of $24.99 for the first 12 months; "DishLatino Dos" (for more than 200 channels) for $32.99; and "DishLatino Max" (more than 230 channels) for $42.99 in the first year. In February of 2009 it also began including local broadcasters in the price of its Hispanic packages and has been adding Spanish language VOD to its offerings.

Time Warner Cable

Basic subscribers : 13.0 million

Digital subscribers : 8.8 million

High-speed data subscribers : 9.0 million

Voice subscribers : 4.1 million

Contact : William Ortiz, senior director of corporate target marketing, (212)-364-8372

Hispanic packages : Offers several packages, but the lead one is "El Paquetazo" (more than 50 Spanish-language channels, over 100 English-language channels, a digital box and access to VOD for $37.95 in Los Angeles).

Hispanic VOD, HSI and bundles : Hispanic offerings include Spanish-language movies, kids' fare and other programming; broadband service has extensive Spanish-language pages; offers triple-play packages that are marketed to Hispanics; its "International OnePrice" calling plan offers 1,000 free minutes to more than 100 countries, including many in Latin America, for $19.95.

Major Hispanic markets : New York, New Jersey, San Diego, Los Angeles and other Southern California operations; Texas; and the Carolinas. Overall, it serves DMAs where 47% of all U.S. Hispanics reside.

Recent and future moves : The New York system rolled out a low-cost "DTV en Español" entry-level package in early 2003. In the summer of 2005, TWC launched a rebranded "Nuestra Tele" package, which was subsequently launched in divisions that serve its largest Hispanic markets. Lineups, pricing and brands vary by system but its main Hispanic package is now El Paquetazo. First launched in 2008 in Los Angeles, with a greatly expanded number of Spanish and English channels, the El Paquetazo was launched in May of 2009 in New York systems with around 40 Spanish-language services and over 80 English language channels for $34.95. In September, El Paquetazo will launch in Texas, making it available in the MSO's top three Hispanic markets. Besides the larger channel lineup in El Paquetazo, the MSO is planning to add more Spanish-language VOD by the end of the year. In its marketing efforts, which won a number of awards over the last year, the operator has paid particularly close attention to marketing bundled services. More than half of new Hispanic customers take a bundle.

Cox Communications

Basic subscribers : More than 5 million

Digital subscribers : More than 3 million

High-speed Internet subscribers : 4 million

Phone subscribers : 2.5 million

Contact : Tony Maldonado, vice president of acquisition and marketing and sciences

Hispanic packages : "Paquete Latino" (up to 35 Spanish-language networks and 10 to 15 channels of English-language local broadcast stations and basic services for about $28 to $34), designed so local systems can customize the lineup and pricing.

Hispanic VOD, HSI and bundles : Cox Digital Cable offers Paquete Latino subscribers a variety of English and Spanish-language movies, music and other TV programming. Atlanta-based Cox also offers a variety of bundles and calling plans, including the "Simply Worldwide" plan for $1.99 a month that has low rates to 14 Latin American countries.

Major Hispanic markets : Include Arizona, Southern California and Las Vegas.

Recent and future moves : As part of a completely revamped Hispanic strategy, Cox launched the Paquete Latino package and a Spanish-language Web site in 2004. As a result of its Hispanic push, the MSO's Hispanic customers now make up a higher proportion of its customers than they do of the general population, with bundled services proving to be particularly attractive -- more than 67% of Cox's Hispanic customers now take two or more services. While the MSO has no immediate plans to add more linear Spanish-language services, it increased the amount of Spanish-language on demand programming by about 50% in the last year and plans to add significantly more VOD content over the next year. As part of a greater focus on multilingual Hispanics, the MSO will add more English-language services to Paquete Latino and will pay more attention to multilingual Hispanics in its overall marketing.

Charter Communications

Basic subscribers : 4.9 million

Digital subscribers : 3.2 million

High-speed Internet subscribers : 3.0 million

Phone subscribers : 1.5 million

Contact : Pattie Eliason, senior director of marketing, (626) 430-3568

Hispanic packages : "Charter Latino" (digital box, access to VOD where available, local broadcast channels and as many as 24 Spanish-language networks for $29.99).

Hispanic VOD, HSI and Bundles : Some Spanish VOD content, as well as secondary audio feeds for pay-per-view; Spanish-language Web site charterlatino.com ; offers a wide variety of general-market bundles and has a long-distance calling plan that gives subscribers 250 minutes to over 100 countries for an additional $20.

Major Hispanic markets : Los Angeles; Ft. Worth, Texas; Reno, Nev.; and other markets with rapidly-growing Hispanic communities.

Recent and future plans : In August 2004, St. Louis-based Charter began the soft launch of a low-cost Charter Latino tier in some markets, and since then has added more Spanish-language programming as it rolled out Charter Latino in its main Hispanic markets. In 2009, it hired an ad agency to help develop branded messaging for the Hispanic community; marketing efforts use a variety of media, direct mail and local events and sponsorships to target Hispanics, with bundles an important focus.

Cablevision Systems

Basic subscribers : 3.1 million

Digital subscribers : 2.9 million

High-speed Internet subscribers : 2.5 million

Phone Subscribers : 2 million

Contact : James Moore, director of international video product management, (516) 803-4417, Jmoore5@cablevision.com

Hispanic Packages: "iO en Español" (over 35 Spanish-language channels, and a free Spanish-language VOD service starting at $6.95 a month for subscribers to Family Cable, which varies in price but costs $49.95 in some parts of the footprint; iO en Español package costs $14.95 a month when purchased with broadcast basic tier, which in many communities results in a total entry-level package of under $30.)

Hispanic VOD, HSI and bundles : More than 20 hours of Spanish-language VOD programming a month; has a Spanish-language Web portal for its "Optimum Online" Internet service (www.optimum.net/latino ); markets a variety of bundles for video, Internet and phone; offers flat-rate plans for unlimited local and long-distance calling within the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada; also offers "Optimum Voice World Call," which offers up to 250 minutes of calling anywhere in the world, including up to 30 minutes of calls to Cuba, for $19.95.

Major Hispanic markets : Greater New York City area, including parts of Brooklyn, the Bronx, New Jersey and Long Island.

Recent and future plans : The Bethpage, N.Y.-based MSO expanded the availability of iO en Español, along with other international services, to its entire footprint in 2006. In 2007, it added a number of new Hispanic-targeted networks, including VeneMovies, V-me, Telemicro, Ecuavisa Internacional, Caracol TV Internacional, WAPA America, and Latelenovela Network. In January 2008, it added Dominican View and in 2009, the operator launched Telemundo HD.

Verizon FiOS TV

Basic video subscribers : 2.5 million

High-speed data subscribers : 9.1 million

Mobile : 87.7 million retail customers

Phone subscribers : 34.3 million U.S. wireline access lines

Contact : Bill Binford, Verizon Communications director of programming, (212) 406-6706

Hispanic packages : "Spanish-Language Package" (27 Spanish-language channels, including Univision and Galavision, for $11.99 per month.) The more popular option is "La Conexion" (including 25 Spanish-language channels, over 35 English-language channels and local broadcasters for a total of over 140 channels for $39.99).

Spanish VOD, HSD and bundles : Offers a variety of Spanish-language VOD movies and television programming; La Conexion and the Spanish-Language Package can be bundled with Verizon's other services.

Major Hispanic markets : New York, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, California and other markets.

Recent and future moves : Hispanic markets have always been an important part of the New York-based telco's strategy and FiOS TV has offered large Hispanic offerings since launch. After concentrating on rolling out its services and building penetration, it has beefed up its Hispanic marketing and in the last year has added two Spanish-language channels to its Spanish-Language Package.

Bright House Networks

Total customers : 2.4 million

Contact : N/A

Hispanic packages : "Nuestros Canales" (up to 19 Spanish-language channels and five Latino music services for $2.99 to $3.99, in addition to the digital package of over 300 channels that includes local broadcasters).

Hispanic VOD, HSI and bundles : "Español Movies on Demand" and "International Movies on Demand" include both free and pay-per-view Spanish-language content; Tampa Bay, Fla., and Central Florida divisions offer "Lo Mejor On Demand," with more than 50 hours of programming from Univision, Galavision and Telefutura; "Road Runner en Español" high-speed data service offered on most systems has extensive Spanish-language pages for Hispanic customers; Hispanic-targeted "Mi Mexico" and "Latin American Call Plans" offered by the Tampa Bay Division.

Major Hispanic markets : Florida

Recent and future moves : In recent years, the MSO has added Spanish-language channels and VOD content and plans to add more in the fall of 2009. Lo Mejor on Demand -- already available in Tampa -- was launched in Central Florida in July of 2009. In September, the Central Florida division launched Nosotros on Demand, including content from ESPN Deportes, CNN en Español, Fox Sports en Español and WAPA America, as well as informational and educational fare. Bright House continues to offer local news channels Central Florida News 13 en Español and Central Florida News 13 en Español On Demand.

AT&T U-verse TV

Basic video subscribers : 1.6 million U-verse TV customers; 3.8 million total video customers from both U-verse TV and satellite-TV partnerships.

High-speed Internet subscribers : 16.9 million

Voice : 52.4 million switched-access lines.

Contacts : Dan York, executive vice president content and programming, AT&T Converged Services; Rob Thun, senior vice president of content; Emma Bracket, director of content, (210) 821-4105.

Hispanic programming packages : All U-verse TV customers have access to "Paquete Español" (22 Spanish-language channels featuring Spanish-language novelas, movies, news, sports, children's programming, talk shows, etc. for $15 a month on top of any U-verse TV programming tier); also offers "U200 Latino" (includes the 22 channels in Paquete Español, plus local broadcast channels and a wide array of English-language channels; more than 250 total channels for $74).

Spanish VOD, high-speed internet and bundles : The "U-verse On Demand" library with thousands of hours of free and paid On Demand titles includes a robust selection of original Spanish movies, children's programs and events and Spanish versions of popular new releases; offers a variety of bundles, as well as low-cost international calling plans.

Major Hispanic markets : Los Angeles; Houston; Dallas-Fort Worth; San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose; Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif.; San Diego; Chicago; Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Austin, Texas; Fresno, Calif.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Detroit-Ann Arbor, Mich., and Atlanta, as well as such recently launched markets as El Paso and Corpus Christi, Texas; Orlando, Fla.; Monterey-Salinas, Calif.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Odessa-Midland, Texas; and Charlotte, N.C.

Recent and future moves : To better meet the demands of the bilingual Hispanic market, AT&T in 2009 introduced U200 Latino, offering a much wider array of English-language channels. U200 Latino is currently included as one of the options in its "Buy Two, Get One Free" offer, which allows customers who bundle U200 Latino with either AT&T Mobility wireless service ("Nation 450" or above) or U-verse Voice Unlimited to receive U-verse High Speed Internet Pro free for six months, a $30-per-month discount. The telco has also beefed up its Spanish-language VOD as part of an overall expansion of its on-demand offerings and looks to add more Spanish-language HDTV programming as it becomes available. AT&T has also offered several promotions for Paquete Español this year and currently is offering new U-verse TV customers one free month of Paquete Español.

Mediacom Communications

Basic subscribers : 1.3 million

Digital subscribers : 658,000

High-speed Internet subscribers : 754,000

Phone subscribers : 267,000

Contact : Italia Commisso Weinand, senior vice president of programming and human resources, (845) 695-2600

Hispanic packages : "Canales" (generally includes 12 Spanish-language channels for $5.95 on digital systems); customers must pay for an analog package (which often includes some Hispanic broadcasters) and the digital box in addition to the Canales tiers.

Spanish VOD, HSI and bundles : None to date.

Major Hispanic markets : Nogales, Ariz., is the largest, plus a number of relatively small Hispanic communities.

Recent and future moves : In late April of this year, Mediacom added, De Película, De Película Classico, Bandamax, Telehit, V-Me, Mexicanal, EWTN Español, and Sorpresa to the Hispanic lineup in Nogales, Ariz., its largest Hispanic market. It continues to look for relevant content that could be added to the package.

Suddenlink Communications

Basic subscribers : 1.3 million

Contact : Mary Meier, senior vice president of marketing, (314) 965-2020

Hispanic packages : "Conexion Única" (includes over 30 Spanish-language channels for $21, in the West Texas markets; it is priced at $29.99 or $37.95 with HBO in most of the other markets).

Spanish VOD, HSI and bundles : Offers some Spanish VOD; has offered some bundles with high-speed Internet and video targeting Hispanics; has inexpensive international calling rates.

Major Hispanic markets : Texas is the largest; Conexion Única is now offered in 47 markets, including areas in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Oklahoma and North Carolina that have rapidly growing Hispanic communities.

Recent and future moves : The company's footprint includes some major Hispanic markets, particularly in Texas where it is the No. 3 operator. In summer of 2006, it rebranded the Hispanic package as Conexion Única and has since launched campaigns on Spanish-language radio and TV to promote Conexion Unica and other offerings. This year, the MSO introduced VOD in more territories and is planning to add more Spanish-language VOD in markets where that makes sense. It also continues to expand the number of HD channels and boost speeds of its most popular high-speed Internet offerings.

Insight COMMUNICATIONS

Basic subscribers : 720,100

Digital subscribers : 483,400

High-speed Internet subscribers : 481,500

Phone subscribers : 306,200

Contacts : Melani Griffith, senior vice president of programming and video services, (917) 286-2300; Jennifer Lescott, director, programming and video services, (917) 286-2300

Hispanic package : "Insight Para Tí" (average of 25 channels, five English-language and 20 Spanish-language, for $10 per month).

Hispanic VOD, HSi and bundles : Carries over 70 hours of Hispanic-targeted content on demand.

Major Hispanic markets : Serves some fast-growing Hispanic markets, such as Lexington, Ky., but generally operates in communities with relatively small Hispanic populations.

Recent and future moves : Over the last year, the MSO has boosted the total Hispanic VOD offering to more than 70 hours, with content from such programmers as MTV Tr3s, Sprout, and FearNet.

Cable One

Basic subscribers : 692,076

Digital subscribers : 227,840

High-speed data subscribers : 386,472

Phone subscribers : 100,208

Contacts : Jerry McKenna, vice president of strategic marketing, (602) 364-6000.

Hispanic programming packages : "Digital Español" (a digital box, nine Spanish-language networks and two networks with SAP feeds, for $3 on top of digital cable service); "Cable One en Español" includes the Hispanic tier and standard cable for $53 per month.

Recent and future moves : Cable One continues to examine its Hispanic packages but has not made any major changes to its offerings in the last year.

RCN

Video revenue-generating units : 368,000

Data RGUs : 307,000

Voice RGUs : 236,000

Contact : Richard Ramlall, senior vice president of strategic external affairs and programming, (703) 434-8200

Hispanic Packages : Three main packages: "El Paqueton" (over 30 Spanish-language channels, over 100 English-language standard definition channels, and up to 16 HD channels, as well as English and Spanish-language VOD for $35); "MiVision Lite" (same 30, plus Spanish-language video networks included in El Paqueton and VOD for $12 in addition to the cost of their regular English-language digital package); "MiVision Plus" (39 Spanish-language channels, including such services as GolTV and ESPN Deportes that are not included in MiVision Lite and VOD for $22.95 on top of an English-language digital package.)

Spanish VOD, HSI and bundles : Offers a significant amount of Spanish-language, movies, kids, music, sports and other programming on demand; video offerings can be bundled with data and phone offerings; offers a Global Saver international calling plan with 250 minutes to 68 countries for $9.95.

Major Hispanic markets : New York; Boston; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago.

Recent and future moves : In September 2006, RCN rolled out a radically revamped Hispanic package, which more than doubled its Spanish-language channels. This year, following an aggressive analog bandwidth-reclamation project, RCN has dramatically expanded its Hispanic offerings, launching MiVision Lite and MiVision Plus in July and El Paqueton in August. This year, RCN has also beefed up its Spanish-language VOD lineup and is planning to add additional linear and on-demand Spanish-language content by the end of the year. Based on its ongoing research into Hispanic customers, which it characterizes as an affluent and sophisticated group that speaks both Spanish and English at home, the MSO has included a significant amount of both English content and high-definition programming in its packages. Looking forward it is also interested in adding sports, soccer, novelas, news channels and general-entertainment Spanish-language programming. RCN has cut a deal with TiVo to roll out boxes that will allow consumers to access online content and it hopes to use that feature to expand the range of its Spanish-language content.

SOURCE: Multichannel News research. Information collected by George Winslow. Subscriber counts are the most recent available and are generally for the end of the second quarter of 2009. Pricing, channel counts, packages and promotions were current as of the start of September 2009.

Wandering WiFi Provides Ardent Health With Secure Wi-Fi for Patients.

ATLANTA -- Wandering WiFi, a leader in providing secure public and private wireless technology solutions, announced today that Ardent Health Services has successfully gone live with Wandering WiFi's wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) service in six hospitals located in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Ardent is offering free Wi-Fi Internet access for all its patients and visitors.

"Free Wi-Fi service sets us a part from our competition. Patients and visitors want to stay in touch, and Wandering WiFi offers us a secure way of delivering that service within HIPAA guidelines," said Kevin Gwin, vice president of communications for Ardent Health Services. "Hospitals are becoming more like nice hotels, and this service adds value and a higher level of comfort. The response has been amazing. Once we launched, reactions were immediate and extremely positive."

Wandering WiFi's product portfolio includes HotSpot solutions and AirWatch, a wireless network and mobile device management platform. The HotSpot solutions offer Ardent and other businesses the opportunity for customized branding, usage controls, bandwidth management content filtering and reduced legal liability by forcing acceptance of terms and conditions. Wandering WiFi also offers superior security and technical support with instant VPN access and 24/7/365 system monitoring.

"HIPAA regulations require that healthcare facilities make privacy and security a top priority, and Wandering WiFi is pleased to offer Ardent a solution that provides its customers a valuable service without compromising patient privacy," said John Marshall, CEO of Wandering WiFi. "We partnered with Ardent to segregate their existing wireless infrastructure and rapidly deploy a cost-effective solution. Internal IT staff did not have the bandwidth to support visiting doctors, patients and guests, so our primary focus was to increase customer service while taking the burden off Ardent's team."

About Wandering WiFi

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Wandering WiFi is one of the leading providers of wireless infrastructure solutions with over 500 customers in the U.S., including airports, hospitals, grocery chains, hotels, retail stores and corporate offices. The company was founded in 2003 by former employees of Manhattan Associates (NASDAQ: MANH), a corporate pioneer that first began using and installing wireless networks for the logistics and distribution industry in 1990. Wandering WiFi's product portfolio includes HotSpot solutions and AirWatch, a wireless network and mobile device management platform. Wandering WiFi provides software and services to thousands of locations and millions of users to meet the needs of employees, partners, vendors and guests. For more information, please visit www.wanderingwifi.com or www.air-watch.com.

Featured Stock: QED Connect, Inc. - Receives $1.90 Price Target.

M2 PRESSWIRE-6 December 2007-LiquidStockReport.com: Featured Stock: QED Connect, Inc. - Receives $1.90 Price Target(C)1994-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:06122007

Stocks to Watch: QED Connect, Inc. (PinkSheets: QEDC) , ECOtality, Inc. (OTC BB:ETLY) , Cheetah Oil and Gas Ltd. (OTC BB:COGL) , Sutura, Inc. (OTC BB:SUTU) , ERF Wireless (OTC BB:ERFW)

Featured Stock: QED Connect, Inc.

(PinkSheets: QEDC) Current Price (0.25) www.LiquidStockReport.com

QED Connect Provides K-12 School Districts with Technology Tools for CIPA Compliance

- Omni Manager Addresses Internet Filtering Requirements of Children's Internet Protection Act -

NASHUA, NH - December 5, 2007 - QED Connect, Inc., (otc: QEDC) an innovative software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider for the information security market, provides K-12 school districts the technology tools for compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a federal law addressing Internet access to offensive content on school and library computers. QED's flagship Omni Manager is a hosted application that enables school staff to filter, monitor and report on Internet use against a database of over 30 million categorized threats, as well as create and modify new policies in real time.

CIPA imposes requirements on schools and libraries that receive funding support for Internet access or internal connections from the "E-rate" program - a program that makes certain technology more affordable for eligible schools and libraries. They must have an Internet safety policy in place which includes technology protection measures to block or filter Internet access to content that: (a) is obscene, (b) is child pornography, or (c) is harmful to minors, on computers that are accessed by minors.

"The Internet is a vital part of learning in today's schools, yet its use presents risks for students, challenges for schools and concerns for parents," said Tom Makmann, Chairman and CEO of QED Connect. "Omni Manager creates a safer Internet environment. Using our filtering technology, even non-technical employees can establish Internet policies to govern exactly which web sites students can and cannot access. Inappropriate or harmful web sites will be blocked, and auditable reports can be produced on all network activity."

About QED Connect, Inc.

QED Connect, Inc. is an information security Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider that gives organizations visibility, management and control of activity on all their computers, laptops and wireless devices. The company's popular SaaS, Omni Manager, is a web-hosted software application completely maintained and operated by QED. Customers do not install any software on their end, yet they obtain the benefits of packaged, commercially licensed software without the complexity and high cost.

Omni Manager is an affordable way to monitor and manage how employees are using company computers and the Internet at any time, from any location in the world This solves the problems created by today's virtual' work environment of branch offices, remote workers and traveling employees. Omni Manager offers all the essential security applications in one subscription-based service, including e-mail and Internet filtering and blocking, antivirus, instant messaging control, asset tracking, application usage monitoring and policy management. ROI is delivered in the form of improved employee productivity, cost savings and operational efficiencies. For more information, visit www.qedconnect.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "future," "may," "will," "would," "should," "plan," "projected," "intend," and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of QED Connect, Inc., (the Company) to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company's future operating results are dependent upon many factors, including but not limited to the Company's ability to: (i) obtain sufficient capital or a strategic business arrangement to fund its expansion plans; (ii) build the management and human resources and infrastructure necessary to support the growth of its business; (iii) competitive factors and developments beyond the Company's control; and (iv) other risk factors.

For an in-depth analyst report, please visit : www.LiquidStockReport.com

ECOtality, Inc.

(OTC BB:ETLY) Current Price (0.22) www.LiquidStockReport.com SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Dec 5--ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB: ETLY - News), a renewable energy company that acquires and commercially advances clean electric technologies and applications, announced that the Company will host a shareholder update call on Wednesday, December 12th, 2007. Jonathan Read, President and CEO of ECOtality, Barry Baer, CFO of ECOtality, Don Karner, President and CEO of eTec, and Darrel Musick, President and CEO of Innergy Power, will host the conference call with the financial community at 4:30 p.m. (EST). The call will discuss the Company's recent acquisitions and provide an update on general business developments. ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB:ETLY - News), headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a technology innovator that leverages global R&D resources to develop and commercialize renewable energy technologies, specifically aimed at addressing today's global energy challenges. Through strategic partnerships, ECOtality applies scientific knowledge and creates proprietary green energy technologies.

Cheetah Oil and Gas Ltd.

(OTC BB:COGL.OB) Current Price (0.27) www.LiquidStockReport.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA---Dec 5, 2007 -- Cheetah Oil and Gas Ltd. (OTC BB:COGL.OB - News) (the "Company") announced recently that it had completed a farmin transaction with Invicta Oil & Gas ("Invicta") (CDNX:IGG.V - News) whereby Invicta has acquired shares in the Company's British Columbia subsidiary Cheetah B.C. Cheetah B.C. holds petroleum prospecting and retention licenses in approximately 8.4 million acres of land in Paupua New Guinea. Cheetah B.C. holds petroleum prospecting and retention licenses in approximately 8.4 million acres of land in Paupua New Guinea.In consideration for acquiring a 90% interest in Cheetah B.C., Invicta has agreed to settle approximately $15 million in liabilities and will contribute a further $10 million in additional capital to Cheetah B.C. on or before December 31st 2008 which will be applied to further exploration and development work on Cheetah's licenses in Papua New Guinea.

Sutura, Inc.

(OTC BB:SUTU) Current Price (0.09) www.LiquidStockReport.com FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA----Dec 4, 2007 -- Sutura, Inc. ("Sutura") (OTC BB:SUTU.OB - News), a California-based medical device company, announced today that it has settled a patent infringement lawsuit it had against Abbott Laboratories. The settlement provides for a cross license of the Hathaway patents, licensed to Abbott by Indiana University, and the Sutura Nobles patents. In addition, Abbott has agreed to pay Sutura $23 million as part of the settlement agreement. Sutura , Inc. (www.suturaus.com) is a medical device company that has developed a line of innovative, minimally invasive, vascular suturing devices to suture the puncture created in arteries during open surgery and catheter-based procedures. The Company's line of SuperStitch medical devices provide sutured closure of the arteriotomy site utilizing the existing catheter sheath introducer or cannula during fluoroscopically guided procedures and directly through the open arteriotomy during open surgical procedures. Within the United States the 8F & 6F SuperStitch devices are available for use in performing vascular stitching in general surgery, including endoscopic procedures. It is not intended for blind closure of an arteriotomy site. The SuperStitch 8F & 6F is approved in the European Union and CE marked with the indication for use as follows: The SuperStitch is indicated for use in performing vascular stitching in general surgery, including endoscopic procedures. In the EU there is no requirement for the use of fluoroscopic guidance. Sutura's headquarters are in Fountain Valley, California. "Sutura " and "SuperStitch " are registered trademarks of Sutura, Inc.

ERF Wireless (OTC BB:ERFW) Current Price (1.01) www.LiquidStockReport.com LEAGUE CITY, Texas--Dec 5--ERF Wireless (OTCBB:ERFW - News), a provider of enterprise-class wireless and broadband products and services, and Latens Systems, the leading provider of software security solutions for Pay-TV & IPTV, today announced a working collaboration that will see the two companies cooperate closely to provide advanced, secure fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) systems for projects in the international marketplace. ERF Wireless Inc. is a fully reporting public corporation located in League City, Texas, and is the parent company of ERF Enterprise Network Services. The company specializes in providing wireless and broadband product and service solutions to enterprise, commercial and residential clients on a regional, national, and international basis. Its principals have been in the wireless broadband, network integration, triple-play FTTH, IPTV and content delivery business for more than twenty years. For more information, please visit our website at www.erfwireless.com or call 281-538-2101.

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