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.
Satellite operator SES used IBC to unveil its new logo, and told press and conference delegates that it was now carrying 5,905 channels and radio networks and that more than 2400 were being transmitted over Europe. SES is claiming the world’s top spot for HDTV channels, with 1,071 now on air around the globe. (although […]
SES has struck up another of its special relationship agreements. This time it is Russia’s Gazprom and its Gazprom Space Systems division. SES now has a “strategic partnership” with the giant Russian company to provide new satellite capacity to serve the fast-growing Russian market. The deal was announced at the Euroconsult Paris satellite conference. […]
Last week’s Vivendi results were close to the market’s expectations, although there was subsequently some changes to guidance during the post-results analysts’ calls. For example, Vivendi’s Activision-Blizzard games division saw its guidance raised substantially, with the potential of even further progress. Vivendi is a much diversified business, especially in the telecoms sector, and while the […]
On Friday evening (Aug 26) Google boss Eric Schmidt delivered the annual MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival. He confirmed that Google TV would launch in Europe early next year with the UK “among the top priorities”. One cautionary comment came from Stewart Purvis, a former CEO at ITN and now professor of […]
Telesat of Canada launched its Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sol 2 satellite on May 21st. While the launch appeared successful one of the satellite’s solar panels failed to open. The craft, built by Space Systems/Loral has been given a very limited life in orbit, and can only handle about half of its planned channels. The satellite […]
Pace is the world’s largest supplier of set-top box technology, having taken the top spot from rival Motorola a year or so ago. A story in Investors Chronicle also suggests that Pace’s market share could be threatened by the Google purchase. This past week has seen Pace’s FTSE London-listed share price recover somewhat from 92p […]
The BBC’s popular music radio station Radio 1 is again available for Sirius-XM listeners PROVIDED they are close to a computer or streaming service. The station will not be actually available on the Sirius-XM satellite or terrestrial repeater system other than for a few special events through the year. The BBC station rejoins the Sirius-XM […]
US DBS leader DirecTV is spending $100 million a week buying in its own shares. As at June 30 it had $3.4 billion of authorised cash available to buy back its shares, and according to ratings agency Fitch, it expects DirecTV’s capital allocation strategy will continue to focus on its share repurchase programme while managing […]
For some time now the signs for pay-TV growth have not been good. So-called ‘cord cutters’ who favour NetFlix, YouTube or other OTT suppliers seem to be getting the blame for pay-TV’s decline in subscribers. The Washington Post newspaper headlined the decline to a “toxic mix” of circumstances which have led to a net loss […]
The BBC’s Radio 1 has been dropped from the Sirius-XM pay-radio bouquet. Sirius has made no comment but it is understood that it was not that popular, although one source quoted the BBC saying they had ended their partnership with Sirius-XM. However, there is now a campaign from loyal US and Canadian listeners to […]
Stonepeak takes 49% stake in Cellnex Nordics
Ofcom to probe Fox / GB News
Channel 4 app relaunches on Freesat
Report: IBC 2023 was about modularity, not Gen AI
Data: 5G to surpass 4G LTE
Eutelsat adds LSE listing
Sky Sports News FTA on 25th birthday
Telco trade bodies call for GIA changes
EC calls for digital transition collective action
Netherlands: F1 TV Pro on Viaplay