PBS launched two major new content offerings -- NerdTV, an entirely downloadable weekly series focused on technology, and an array of downloadable podcasts from some of the network's signature programs. NerdTV, featuring technology columnist Robert X. Cringely's interviews with tech sector personalities, will be distributed under a Creative Commons license, allowing viewers to redistribute the one-hour shows or edit their own non-commercial versions. PBS also has formally launched an array of portable podcasts, which allow subscribers to automatically download audio content from the Internet and listen to it either on their computers or through MP3 players. PBS will initially make six shows available, including such staples as "NOVA" and "Newshour with Jim Lehrer." All of the new offerings are available through the PBS.org web site.
The satellite communications industry is experiencing a transformative moment. What was once the exclusive domain of government agencies and deep-pocketed corporations is rapidly becoming accessible to everyone. This democratization of space-based connectivity represents a significant technological achievement and a fundamental shift in our understanding of global communications infrastructure. The dramatic acceleration in satellite system deployment tells a compelling story. Satellite Broadband Market Development With over 160 launches recorded by August 2025 alone, we're witnessing an unprecedented build-out of orbital infrastructure. This surge is driven by three converging factors: Plummeting launch costs through reusable rocket technology, the miniaturization of satellites enabling bulk launches, and intensifying commercial competition among private companies and nations alike. The result is a space ecosystem that looks radically different from even a decade ago, with approxi...