* Narad adds manufacturing guru

Switched broadband specialist Narad Networks has appointed John Brennan to vice president of manufacturing.

Brennan is late of NetSilicon, and has held manufacturing slots at Leaf Systems Inc., Whistler Corp. and M/A-Com Inc.

“John’s hands-on experience in managing manufacturing, supply chain operations, quality assurance and sales operations, all while cutting costs and increasing revenues, will be critical as we continue to grow the business,” said Narad CEO Michael Collette, in a release.

* SkyStream streams into China

Sichuan Cable TV has selected headend gear from SkyStream to support digital cable services in three major cities in Sichuan Province, China’s most heavily populated province.

Under the deal, the operator will tap SkyStream’s Mediaplex-20 and iPlex video headend systems for service into Yi Bin, Pan Zhi Hua and Cheng Du.

Sichuan is migrating from analog cable to digital over the next 10 years to meet government TV transition plans.