IP Democracy: Portable DirecTV Unit Fills a Niche

This is one of those great stories that might not have emerged from the cacophony of CES but for the interest of a single important reporter. The New York Times’ Lorne Manly has this piece today about a new device, called Sat-Go, that satellite TV company DirecTV is unveiling at the trade show today.

It’s a 25-lb. portable satellite and TV system that subscribers can take with them on camping trips, to tailgate parties, or anywhere that multichannel video reception is not possible. Sat-Go will cost around $1,000 to $1,300 per unit (which, contrary to the article’s characterization, doesn’t strike me as that expensive compared to what the unit will do).

That’s not the interesting part, however. Sat-Go was the brainchild of a colorful, veteran TV show producer and TV junkie named Rick Rosner, who, when frustrated with having to take his DirecTV satellite dish with him to remote locations, harangued DirecTV into building the portable device. The headstrong guy, who actually sounds delightful, even became a pain to DirecTV engineers as they designed Sat-Go, pestering them with his deep interest in the unit’s design.

Sat-Go will be sold, at least initially, at Cabela’s, a hunting and fishing store, and via unusual marketing outlets, such as RV Magazine.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on January 8, 2007 11:02 AM to IP Democracy