DirecTV and TiVo will formalize agreement for video-on-demand (VoD) within 60 days that will use portion of hard drive in current combination receiver, DirecTV Global Digital Media Pres. Lawrence Chapman said. Meanwhile, DirecTV/AOLTV product has been postponed until later this year, marking 2nd time service debut was delayed.

Arianespace Flight 137 finally got off ground Jan. 10 as Eurasiasat 1 was launched into orbit from Kourou after 4 delays. Launch originally had been scheduled for Dec. 8.

U.S. Copyright Office started 6-month negotiation period for adjustment of royalty rates and terms for performance of copyrighted sound recordings by preexisting subscription services and satellite digital audio services. Negotiation period began Jan. 9 and those who want to participate must notify Copyright Office by Jan. 31.

Since 9th U.S. Appeals Court, San Francisco, ruling classifying cable modem service as telecom service are “nonbinding dicta,” FCC is free to embrace Cox’s position that it’s pure information service devoid of telecom service component, Cox told Commission in reply comments in open access inquiry. Explaining recent decision to stop paying franchise fees on cable modem service to local govts. in 9th Circuit jurisdiction, Cox said court decision meant it had no choice but to suspend payment and collection of fees pending further clarification of issue by FCC. Recognizing its decision would have adverse financial impact on some local franchise authorities, company said it was in discussion with local govts. “in hopes of reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution.” Referring to criticism by National Assn. of Telecom Officers & Advisers (NATOA) that Cox was refusing to pay franchise fees mandated under Title 6 after declining to contribute to universal service fund and failing to secure necessary state or local certificates required under Sec. 253, company said it continued to pay cable franchise fees on all services that had been deemed Title 6 cable services. It would have continued to pay franchise fees on cable modem services in 9th Circuit jurisdiction states but for Portland decision, Cox said, pointing out it was paying such fees in other states. As for USTA’s charge that Cox hadn’t shown any intent to make payments to universal service fund despite concluding data service was telecom service, company said its telephone subsidiaries in 9th Circuit states paid “significant portion” of revenues into state and federal universal funds. “Far from ‘reasoning’ that its cable services are telecommunications services, as USTA claims,” Cox has “vigorously” and “repeatedly” disputed such suggestion, company said, and not until FCC determines that cable Internet service should be subject to Title 2 common carrier requirements can Cox comply with them.

EchoStar said it would raise rates for 2 of its top packages. Monthly fee for America’s Top 50 increased 10% to $21.99 and America’s Top 100 package $1 to $30.99. Rate for premium America’s Top 150 package will be unchanged. Company said it had to raise rates because some channels had increased prices up to 40%. New rates become effective Feb. 1.

Responding to patent infringement suit filed against it by nCube Corp. earlier this week (CD Jan 9 p12), SeaChange International called charges “without merit” and said it would “vigorously defend its technology, products and customers.” SeaChange complained that it received “no notice” of nCube’s infringement claim before suit was filed. Interactive TV provider also said Del. jury had rejected similar nCube suit in late Sept., reaffirming validity of SeaChange’s MediaCluster technology patent.

Helgi Walker, aide to FCC Comr. Furchtgott-Roth, will move to White House as assoc. White House counsel and special asst., his office said. Walker, who specialized in mass media and cable issues, will be replaced by Ben Golant of FCC Cable Bureau.

Hearst-Argyle TV will take over management of WMUR-TV (Ch. 9, ABC) Manchester, N.H., under local management agreement, companies said. Deal is effective until Hearst-Argyle completes acquisition of station from Imes Communications.

Cox Communications has begun its first trial of broadband home security service in Las Vegas, using its high-speed cable lines and technology supplied by Security Broadband Corp. Cox said it hoped trial, which will test transmission of audio, video and alarm signals over cable plant, would lead to commercial product for residential and small-business cable subscribers. Security Broadband, backed by Adelphia, Charter, Comcast, Cox and other MSOs, said it aimed to introduce commercial service to consumers later this year.

News Corp. Chmn. Rupert Murdoch is trying to restore relations with Chinese officials by organizing media summit meeting in Shanghai later this year. He wants summit to coincide with gathering of regional leaders for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Murdoch’s goal is to offer his Star TV system throughout country.