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.
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 […]
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 […]
Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle rolls out in US
Vivendi H1 boosted by Lagardère, Canal+
Liberty Global Q2 revenue up 1.4%
Canal+ launches in Hungary
Ofcom publishes draft guidance on transparency reporting
Vodafone profits hit €9bn
US video game actors strike
ACE hails Vietnam anti-piracy actions
UK Media Department ministerial briefs confirmed
The Mediapro Studio acquires Fresco Film