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- This article is about the American infomercial channel. For the educational television channel in Alberta, please see Access (TV channel).
Access Television Network (ATN) is a now defunct company based in Coral Gables, Florida which distributed infomercials and other paid programming through about 300 cable television systems and at one time aired in more than 35 million households. ATN's around-the-clock digital satellite feed was generally broadcast by cable systems on existing channels during the early morning hours when no regular programming is scheduled. In late 2002, ATN expanded with the purchase of Product Information Network, a similar 24-hour cable advertising network. ATN was founded by William Bernard in 1993. Bernard was forced out of ATN by the new CEO George H. Henry in 2001, in a deal to merge with another now defunct company, The Recovery Network (RNET). ATN had over 200 uniquer shareholders which included a venture capital firm Spectrum Equity Investors and the Hearst Family Fund. ATN bought out Spectrum Equity with a loan through Wells Fargo Foothill. This loan was in turn purchased by Gladstone Capital who is the current largest debt holder of ATN. ATN created two separate wholly owned subsidiaries, Pacific Media Direct LLC (PMD) and TGM Group LLC (TGM), both located in Coral Gables Florida, which is were their current CEO George Henry resides. PMD was created to pursue product development and marketing for a newly developed STD barrier cream known as Amari Cream. Amari was developed by two highly respected medical doctors, Craig Lichtblau and Jose Iparraguirre (CLJI Inc.) in Miami, FL who saw a dramatic rise in skin to skin transmissions of the Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2) in their patients. The doctors concluded through their research that the major contributing factor to these infections was the modern day grooming habits of people shaving and waxing their pubic area. The result was that skin to skin contact in the pubic region created micro-tears and abrasions which allowed transmission of Herpes and other viral STD's. The Amari compound provided a physical barrier that greatly reduced the likelihood of transmission of these viral STD's. Since PMD nor Amari generated any revenues, the venture was wholly funded by the revenues garnered from ATN's direct response/informercial business. Well over a million dollars in capital from ATN was devoted to the development and marketing of Amari Cream. Numerous Private Placement Offerings were developed by ATN's CEO in an attempt to infuse additional capital resources for the development of Amari. PMD, who held the exclusive worldwide marketing rights to Amari, attempted to secure a coveted FDA 510k medical device certification for Amari and submitted the necessary research and lab testing reports in filing with the FDA in December 2010. The filing was ultimately rejected by the FDA and the future status of Amari is unknown. In March 2012, CLJI filed suit against PMD for Breach of Contract. ATN's other wholly owned subsidiary, TGM Group LLC was started as an STD testing business using the website URL www.stdandhivtesting.com. The venture was mildly successful and was based on the model wherby consumers wishing to get discreet anonymous testing for STD's could contact would contact a live trained operator who would listen to the customers concerns and be able to recommend the proper testing and screening panels. The customer was then directed to a local lab where the appropriate tests were to be done. All the paperwork was done and sent to the labs prior to the customers arrival. The customer would then call back in 72 hours to find out their results. In early 2012 ATN ceased operations as it could no longer generate sufficient revenues to pay it's affiliates and satellite transponder obligations. References - Hoover's: Access Television Network
- LyngSat Address: Access Television Network
- PanAmSat: Galaxy 11
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