Chris Forrester is one of the most experienced and highly regarded journalists in the field. His insight and analysis, particularly in the satellite and pay-TV arena, is highly prized. He has written for all the major business journals in the sector as well as several national newspapers.
Spanish free-to-air commercial TV remains in bad shape with advertising income still suffering badly from the economic downturn. A new report from investment bankers Morgan Stanley says that ad-income is down again since March, and unlikely to recover for some months. Indeed, Spain’s three leading commercial broadcasters, Mediaset MES (formerly Telecinco), Mediaset MS, and Antena […]
Last Friday June 17th another tedious Motion was submitted to the Delaware bankruptcy court in the long-running, never-ending saga that is “Worldspace Inc. Et al (Debtors)” and its chapter 11 proceedings. Worldspace was a would-be pay-radio operator which spent – and arguably wasted – billions in its attempt to match internationally what Sirius-XM had achieved […]
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK is about to embark on its longest-ever transmissions from sea. It takes the shape of a very real reality TV show during the ‘world’s most beautiful voyage’ aboard the Hurtigruten as it visits 34 ports along the Norwegian coast. NRK will install multiple cameras onboard the Hurtigruten ship, broadcasting and recording […]
Canadian satellite operator Telesat is up for sale. But there’s now a highly public dispute between two of its shareholders as to the sale price. Canada’s Public Sector Investment Board holds a 36 per cent stake in Telesat but has the majority of directors because of complex local ownership rules. It is holding out for […]
It seems everyone in the satellite business wants to cosy up to Qatar’s billions! A few weeks ago, Paris-based Eutelsat struck a “strategic alliance” to build a new satellite (from Space Systems/Loral). Now Luxembourg-based SES has signed a MoU with ictQatar covering the provision of joint satellite platforms, networks and services. The agreement was reached […]
A decision which will allow Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp to buy the 61 per cent of BSkyB that it does not already own is due any day now. The UK government is expected to give its approval to a take-over subject to the well-publicised decision to spin-off Sky News into a self-contained stand-alone business. The […]
A possible merger between the USA’s two satellite pay-TV giants DirecTV and Dish Network is a topic that we have already covered earlier this year. Now, however, we have the fresh knowledge that newly appointed Dish Network CEO Joe Clayton also agrees it is a possibility. This is not to say it will happen, of […]
The market’s view of SES’ May 12 results remains positive despite the potential inventory of more than 20 unsold transponders currently used to beam analogue channels to German viewers. There are also a few slippages in the upcoming six-satellite additions to the SES fleet this year. Indeed, investment bankers Morgan Stanley, in a note to […]
Sky Deutschland is Germany’s best-performing media stock this year, up 68 per cent, and helped by the consensus view that by about this time next year the company will have achieved its all-important target of 3 million subs and thus move into cashflow positive territory. HDTV has proven to be the cornerstone of Sky-D’s success, […]
‘These two arch rival should come together’ is the message contained in an investor’s note from Bernstein Research’s highly-regarded media analyst Craig Moffett. He suggests that DirecTV and Dish Network should merge into one operation. He adds that satellite TV’s real enemy is cable, ADSL and just about everyone else supplying or streaming content, and […]
Vialma launches classical music FAST channel
Study: US connected device usage increases
Research: Most games’ IP adaptations are animation
Licht out at CNN
UK plans local TV licence renewal
Carlson kicks-off on Twitter
Rival golf tours to merge
Don’t stall, start streaming – discover Cloud Video Kit
Study: Local US TV news 10x larger audience than SVoD