Hughes Communications, which provides broadband satellite network services, agreed to acquire privately-held Helius, Inc., which specializes in business-class data broadcasting solutions.

Hughes said the acquisition will combine the skills of Helius, a leader in providing business IPTV solutions for applications such as training, corporate communications, and digital signage, with its own extensive broadband networking experience and customer base. Hughes plans to deploy Helius' IP video technologies to enhance its existing HughesNet service offerings.

Helius is a portfolio company of Canopy Ventures. The acquisition is expected to be completed on or about February 4, 2008. Financial terms were not disclosed. Upon completion of the acquisition, Helius will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes and will operate closely with Hughes' North America and International enterprise businesses.

THX Launches Video Calibration Training for Installers and Dealers

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- CES 2008 -- THX Ltd. today announced that it is expanding its worldwide training and educational programs to include THX Certified Video System Calibration and Training. Professional dealers and installers who successfully pass the training course will be approved to offer THX Certified Video Calibration services to their customers. Classes will be offered regionally throughout the U.S. several times a year, beginning in January in Southern California.

THX Certified Video System Calibration and Training is the most in-depth and comprehensive calibration training available today. The curriculum, which is designed by THX video engineers, includes classroom instruction, two full days of hands-on calibration training and a comprehensive online exam.

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Car title lenders under the radar of predatory lending debate

Congress also banned payday lenders, car title lenders and tax refund anticipation loan companies from charging members of the military or their families more than 36 percent interest.

Jeff Smith, a lobbyist for Community Loans of America, one of the nation's largest car title and payday lenders, said car title loans aren't as problematic as payday loans because borrowers can't get more than one at a time unless they have multiple cars.

Angry shareholders gear up for battle

Most companies have agreed to meet, said Michael Garland, CtW Investment's director of value strategies. If the Washington D.C.-based group doesn't like what it hears, it will urge shareholders to withhold votes for the directors.

Withholding votes for directors has become an increasingly popular strategy, according to proxy experts. Many companies have adopted rules in recent years that require directors to win a majority of votes, said Patrick McGurn, special counsel at RiskMetrics, a proxy advisory firm based in Rockville, Md.