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.
There are many thousands of UK residents who – at least so far – have been forbidden to have satellite dishes because of restrictive covenants on their homes or apartments. People living in so called ‘conservation areas’ and listed buildings are particularly limited in what they may fix to their homes. Those restrictions may now […]
It was a question from an analyst that prompted a rare note of indignation from BSkyB’s normally calm and collected CEO Jeremy Darroch. Asked whether BSkyB would continue to monitor the make-up of its board of directors, Darroch said it was quite ludicrous to suggest that News Corp was not a entity to hold a […]
BSkyB’s board meeting this week might have a few extra items on its agenda, not least whether Chairman James Murdoch should carry on sitting at the head of the table. But as far as its financial numbers are concerned (due to be released early on Friday morning), it is very much “business as usual” which […]
Just days after announcing its first long-term contract to start pay-radio transmissions over Italy, Solaris Mobile has been awarded its operating licence for Spain. The licence covers both S-band satellite transmissions as well as matching ground transmissions. This latest European licence authorisation brings to twelve the total number of Mobile satellite service licences awarded to […]
Iran and France are involved in a major disagreement over the 25.5/26 degrees East satellite orbital slot and which threatens the launch of a Eutelsat-backed $300 million satellite. The dispute involves the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which has somehow to find a judgement of Solomon to keep two important parties happy. At the heart of […]
Worldspace, the bankrupt pay-radio broadcaster, is to be re-born for Indian subscribers. Worldspace’s former Indian CEO M Sebastian is behind the formation of Timbre Media, which is seeking to launch a DTH, broadband/web and cellular music service for Indian subscribers “within weeks”. Moreover, Sebastian says they have been in touch with the new owners of […]
Eutelsat on July 4 announced that the Italian Space Agency would be cooperating with Eutelsat and its broadband distribution arm SkyLogic to boost connectivity throughout Italy by using Eutelsat’s new Ka-band satellite. The Agency is planning the progressive use of 550 Mbps of KA-SAT capacity across 10 spot-beams that together provide full coverage of Italian […]
EchoStar co-founder Charlie Ergen is famously careful with his cash, actions which have helped the former poker player to build his net worth to some $7 billion and a position as the 51st richest American (according to Forbes). But suddenly he is on a spending spree. In April this year (via sister company Dish Network) […]
Middle East satellite operator Nilesat has had a long history with problem TV channels: for example, there were the ones selling expensive ‘medical’ solutions to male impotence, or the ones ‘guaranteeing’ huge cash prizes to lucky quiz winners. Nilesat’s latest problems are a couple of channels (Wisal and Safa TV) that beam out sectarianism and […]
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 […]
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