DIRECTV Latin America, WorldDirect, Intelsat and SkyVision

DIRECTV Latin America said it is participating in a program along with the Inter-American Development Bank and Microsoft called Piedra, Papel y Tijera (Rock, Paper and Scissors). The initiative is aimed at transforming the physical infrastructure of schools and educational centers throughout Latin America.

PROGRAMMING - DIRECTV added TV Nanny, a Russian children's channel, to its WorldDirect programming platform. TV Nanny provides educational programming aimed at teaching children the values and traditions of Russian culture.

INTERNATIONAL - Intelsat said SkyVision has signed a multi-year, multi-transponder contract for capacity on the Intelsat 601 satellite. The contract will provide SkyVision with the ability to deploy standard and customized IP service platforms for customers in Africa.