Advanced Television

SkyPerfect JSAT rethinks satellite business

September 4, 2019

Japan’s SkyPerfect JSAT is both a DTH broadcast platform and satellite operator.

The problem is that it has lost more than a half-million TV subscribers over the past few years. Today’s total, according to the company’s Annual Report, is 3.25 million subscribers as at March 31st. This financial year SkyPerfect expects to lose another 66,000 subs.

JSAT says that while it welcomed the growth from 4K and 8K transmissions but that the public’s shift to online streaming was damaging and escalating in intensity.

The satellite operator said it was anticipating an increase in demand in satellite capacity orders from the Asia-Pacific region, and quoted data from Northern Sky Research which suggests that industry-wide revenues from Asia-Pacific will rise from 2017’s $200 million to $1 billion by 2022. JSAT says that this number could grow to $2.5 billion by 2027.

Meanwhile, JSAT is looking to win new business from the Energy market including wind-turbines, as well as cellular backhaul.

The company is also working with US-based Elefante Group on high-flying stratospheric airships.

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