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Community Private Cable TV
Apartments, Condos,
Hi-Rise Buildings,
Senior
Living, Hotels, Motels, Hospitals, Institutions, RV Parks, and
more.
Give your property a Total Broadband Solution with
Digital TV and Hi-Speed Internet services, all in your control!*
Why Private Cable?
Over the years, public cable companies brought us to believe that
franchised cable was the only game in town. For over a decade, they were
correct!
So it goes for older technology! Today, we have what is called
Private Cable, which has proven to be a very profitable alternative
for communities to franchised cable. This is just the start of a new era
in desirable cable TV service, one that satisfies the needs of the
subscriber.
Rural areas were, of course, the first to take advantage of Private
Cable systems, since franchised cable had no desire to extend its lines
out into these areas. As time passed, Private Cable also became
attractive to property owners in urban areas who were outraged at the
fees being assessed for the poor performance and service provided by
their local cable company, and for the lack of control over this
monopoly.
Today Private Cable stands its own. The signal comes direct to the
property and is totally in its control. The signal quality and
dependability is well above what is typical for franchised cable.
Private Cable creates a new self funding revenue center and tenant
rental control for property owners that was never available before.
Above all, it has evolved into a highly sought after, salable asset for
the property. Just think…attracting new and keeping existing tenants
while adding asset value to your property through a self funded
income…Private Cable TV, the way to go!
Franchised cable not only views Private Cable systems as a threat to
their subscriber base, but also as an obstacle to further rate increases
due to competition. Today, if the cable company chooses to use their
power as a monopoly to overcharge for installation, or to assess
unreasonable rate increases, the property owner needs only to pick up
the telephone and call for his own system.
Signal
Quality: One of the most frequent reasons for cable outages and poor signal
quality are the problems involved in signal distribution. A franchised cable
company utilizes the same equipment that a Private Cable system does. The
difference is how far the signal must travel to reach the last subscriber on the
line. With franchised cable, there are literally hundreds of miles of cable and
amplifiers that are used to carry the signal to all parts of their franchise. It
is within this network of cable and amplifiers that most of the problems occur.
Water and condensation within unprotected lines causes signal quality to be
destroyed, a single vehicle accident into a power pole or a single blown
amplifier can shut down an entire city. To learn more about HDTV reception
please see:
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With a Private Cable system the reach of the signal is limited only
to your property. In most cases the majority of the cable is protected
within the interior walls of the multi-dwelling units themselves or in
the underground distribution.
A New Revenue
Center: For basically the same cost as including microwave ovens in your
units, you will be placing yourself in a position to recover costs and generate
additional, self funded, income in a very short period of time. The best yet,
you will attract and keep a lot of very happy tenants.
The Process: The whole process requires interactive
communications in a joint effort between ASTROvision and your complex, in
order to achieve the custom services and results that you require. To determine
the best combination for your needs and to serve you better in this first stage,
it is necessary to obtain (see 'Commercial Private Cable Customer Profile'):
- channel line up information that is
currently viewed and the cost structure (a public cable guide or cost
brochure is helpful). Also, a list of your desired and preferred
programming, if known (example: USA, Discovery, ESPN, CNN, etc.; include
needed or desirable channels and channels not now available, in order of
preference);
- quantity of units and character of
the community (that is, condos, townhouses, mobile homes, apartments;
number of buildings, etc.);
- a site plan or sketch of the
property and/or floor plan of the building, if possible, to calculate
distances and structures on the premises (if an installed cable
'as-built plan' is available, preferably to scale, this would also be
most useful);
- acknowledgment as to who owns the
buried cable, if any, between any multiple buildings, not accessible by
public streets, to be serviced (if you have public cable and you have
paid for the supply and installation of the cable, then you own it);
- last, a quick tour through your
complex and input of your requirements to be considered before
performing our no-obligation preliminary concept, so that we may design
a system to your needs (this can be accomplished at a later date prior
to formalizing the engineering plan and formal proposal).
Our objective is to put together a package of equipment and
programming for consideration as your own 'private cable system' thereby
creating a desirable asset on your property with an income after expenses.
 Conceptual
Design: Please take into account there are a number of means and
options to perform the requested service. A Master Antenna TV system (MATV)
would serve your local 'off air' channels, utilizing one or more
commercial Yagi type antennas, usually mounted on a roof or tower. A
Satellite Master Antenna TV system (SMATV) would normally include MATV,
which may already exist on the property, combined with a desirable
selection of premium sports, news, family, children, special interest
and movie programming obtained with only one mounted satellite dish.
Effective as of December 27, 2001, in our region, local ABC, NBC, CBS,
FOX, PBS(2), UNI, UPN, WB and TFT channels are available as a reasonably
priced option.
Foreign Broadcast or other niche' programming services
may be an option to your channel line-up.
You may add additional community ‘bulletin
board’ service channels for information and announcements and to solicit
local merchant revenue; closed circuit TV security; create income by
serving adjacent properties (acting as a ‘hub’); and hi-speed internet
access. This combination allows you to be self-sufficient and creates
your own cable company!
If You
build great services, residents will come!
Scope of Work to be Performed:
Any proposed construction
would normally include the distribution wiring (usually already provided), along
with the necessary channel antennas and indoor electronics consisting of new,
strictly commercial, deluxe standard grade components.
Benefits of the Proposed Concept:
All ASTROvision
engineered systems are compatible and expandable to meet your future
requirements. The proposed cable distribution has anticipated growth potential.
The quantity of viewable channels is configured to grow with the property,
utilizing high-grade components, and provides quality reception for all users.
A number of desirable benefits, not normally available in another
source of reception or other service provider, may include:
-
Total control of quality, quantity and character make-up of desired
programming channels;
-
Turbo-internet for high speed access via satellite transmission,
DSL, or T1;
-
Pay-Per-View services for movies on demand;
-
Supervised control over subscriber maintenance access and service;
-
Closed circuit TV for safety, security, live event community functions,
education and observation;
-
VCR viewing of promotional, entertainment and informative
programming;
-
Character generated premises or remote control bulletin board
information, announcements, activities, solicited local merchant revenue
through advertisement and other creative uses;
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Amenity and Asset to the complex;
-
Uniform and Safe system configuration to maintain a better Esthetics
and Low Maintenance profile;
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on your entertainment center and stereo TV;
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Obtain FM music and local radio channels;
-
Receive programming services not otherwise available on franchised
cable;
-
Improve viewable channel quantity and quality; and,
-
Control user performance. (Many owners are delighted in the ability
to control delinquent rents, unpaid maintenance fees, and the like.
Since no one wants to be without TV, the owners have real control
through the supply of service and distribution to each subscriber. The
property simply ‘bulk’ purchases the programming for the complex.)
-
This type of solution can be constructed to provide a minimum
of selected channels for all residents in order to save money while
obtaining desirable programming, and allowing for a higher tier of total
DirecTV programming for those
who just want it all.
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Overall, the design will mean real value, improving the integrity of
the system, while allowing the option to make a profit or to save money,
dependent on your needs. No other service or amenity offers you such
a total value, and most of all– creates a self-capitalized revenue
stream!
This system has commercial worth and possibilities to feed adjacent
properties. This service would allow for distribution to a greater volume of
recipients thereby sharing the expenses or creating additional revenue income
for your complex.
Comparison Projections:
ASTROvision normally offers
optional ways to perform the same requirements. Although the specifications and
sometimes, the character of the equipment change, the intent is to provide
reasonable and useful solutions to your application.
An Example:
Assuming at today’s rates this sample
package would cost you between $2.00 and $3.00 per basic subscriber per month.
The premiums, HBO/Cinemax would cost you somewhere between $6.00 to $6.80 per
subscriber per month. Click here for the current, printable:
Sell this package to your tenants with a substantial markup, and
generate a new revenue center. Sell it at 10% over cost and have a cost
recoverable amenity. Or, use it strictly as an amenity, giving the basic
package away free to your tenants and promote the fact that your
property offers "Free Cable TV", to generate all-time highs in occupancy
rates.
- It’s not a 32-channel line-up, but Private Cable systems do not have
to compete on that basis. The reason cable companies have large channel
line-ups is because they must hit every demographic group within their
franchise. Apartment complexes, on the other hand, tend to have distinct
demographic groups, which choose to live in any given multi-housing
development. They may be older adults, young married with children, or
university students. Just as an older adult community would have little
interest in MTV, you couldn’t live without it in a complex, which
catered to university students. The point is that with Private Cable, a
property need only cater to the needs of its own tenants. As a result,
Private Cable can satisfy those needs without offering everything that
is available from satellite. The potential line-up would provide quality
programming with more choice. It needn’t be more TV, just better TV!
The bitter irony here is that due to favorable pricing structures
enjoyed by the franchised cable, your local cable operator is probably
buying these signals at substantially lower cost. This is important
because it will allow you to understand why your Private Cable system is
a salable commodity. With franchised cable operators receiving an
average of $23.00 per basic subscriber in fees and paying only for a
small fraction of this to the programmers who provide the signal. It is
obvious that the delivery of entertainment programming is a very
profitable business.
- A Saleable Asset:
Let’s do a little arithmetic. Let’s
suppose that you are operating a Private Cable system in three of your
apartment complexes and have 150 units in each property. Your are
utilizing the channel line-up mentioned earlier and your basic package
is costing you $3.00 per subscriber per month. The premiums average
$6.00 per subscriber per month, and you are charging $10.00 for your
basic tier with $10.00 for a premium channel.
450 total
units passed x 65% usage for basic =
293 basic subscriber
450 total units passed x 30% usage for premiums = 135
premium subs
- (a normal expected average penetration for basic service would
be between 70% to 80%)
- REVENUE
293 subscribers x $10 for basic cable
x 12 months =
$35,160 per year
135 subscribers x $10 for a premium service
x 12 months =
$16,200/yr
-
Total annual revenue = $51,360.00
- Total annual
fees = $20,268.00
-
Total Gross Profit = $31,092.00
- (if you were financing your investment, the
programming profit received would recover the costs for this asset)
- We have no way of knowing how much less franchised cable operators
pay for their programming but we do know that they charge a great deal
more than the $10 rate we used above. Even with this conservative
appraisal of revenue and cost, it is easy to see why cable is anxious to
serve your tenants. This is why your Private Cable system represents
such a valuable item once it is up and running.
Expected Costs:
Costs for construction are set by the amount
of programming channels. This figure ultimately determines the number of
antennas, indoor electronics processing equipment, and distribution
wiring necessary to make it all work. Your property layout determines
the extent of variables and the amount of actual work performed.
Financing and/or leasing is normally available for these projects.
ASTROvision will be happy to assist you in these matters. If you
would rather ASTROvision be the sole or joint owner and operator,
instead of yourself or association; consideration may be given in this
area as well.
- The Bottom Line:
I hope that this information will help
provide you with the tools necessary to make a informed decision
regarding your alternative, before allowing franchised cable onto
your property. Once you enter into a binding contract with the local
cable operator, your choices become limited. If you have
franchised cable already, there is still help providing you follow some
advice and take appropriate steps to remove them from the property.
ASTROvision Technologies can ‘over build’ onto your property where
cable delivery in exterior to the buildings.
The question posed by the evolution of Private Cable is a simple
one. Why should a property owner lose control, and allow the Cable
Company access to his tenants without deriving any benefit for himself,
his tenants, or his property? The Answer Is He Shouldn’t!!
ASTROvision Technologies offers ‘Turnkey’ design and
construction capabilities with ‘in-house’ field service and support. Our
concerns are in behalf of our customers, not stockholders! We work with
you from the ground floor, including your financing needs, and if
preferred can perform as an ‘owner-operator’ on your property.
ASTROvision Technologies can show you how to update your present
system into a ‘Network’ for closed circuit TV surveillance, to utilize a
VCR for specialized promotions and entertainment, to perform in-house
character generated announcements and information, and to provide Turbo
Internet service. Furthermore, ASTROvision Technologies can
promote your services to nearby properties and show you how to solicit
merchant paid advertisement for additional revenue! You can become
your own Cable TV Company!
I hope the above fulfills your request for preliminary
basic information. All that would remain in order to create a custom
plan would be to call on me at your convenience. I want to take this
opportunity for allowing ASTROvision to be considered in serving
your needs to be self sufficient, while obtaining a valuable asset, and
receiving quality, controllable programming at reasonable cost. It has
been a pleasure to help you this far and look forward to being of
service in the near future. Please take advantage of this opportunity by
calling us any time, or filling out the 'Commercial Private Cable
Profile' Form under 'Contact Us' or use the link below. If you have
multiple buildings on the property or need the diversity of hundreds of
channels, you may want to consider our MDU option, Community
Multi-Dwellings.
Take advantage of our No Obligation request and submit the
necessary information TODAY!
ASTROvision Technologies is commercially
authorized and
certified by DirecTV,
using "cutting edge
technology", to install the new DSS mini-dish
now.....
with only one needed to serve the entire property!
Your choice..... either be your own exclusive cable company, or
combine it with your existing 'house' antenna system or public cable TV
system!
ASTROvision has "partnerships" available for joint ventures, as
well as our ownership for return rental income to your property...CALL
or E-MAIL for DETAILS.
NO OBLIGATION - NO CHARGE
proposal request for qualifying properties.
Just fill out all the information in our form to see if you qualify.
The only catch.......... you must have a real requirement and willing
to communicate with our staff concerning the necessary information, on
your behalf, to develop a plan and to review the current status of any
submitted solutions. ( we also want your feedback ).
ASTROvision offers custom leasing plans for all your equipment needs!
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