Qatar’s first satellite, a joint-venture with Eutelsat, is having its final checks prior to launch on August 29. Es’Hail Sat’s CEO is Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari and has in the past spoken of a half-dozen satellites in his overall plan. He has now confirmed that a second satellite, Sohail-2 will be built and launched by […]
In the wake of US DTH satellite pay-TV operators DirecTV and Dish reporting subscriber numbers for the second quarter of 2013, analysis from SNL Kagan unit Multimedia Research Group suggests that subscriber declines are not necessarily hurting set-top box suppliers. According to Michelle Abraham, Senior Research Analyst at SNL Kagan,
Renowned billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company is taking share positions in both the USA’s giant DTH operators. He already owns a seven per cent stake in DirecTV, worth more than $2 billion. But he also owns a far more modest stake in Charlie Ergen’s Dish Network, of just 550,000 shares and worth $24 […]
Amid a plunge in subscribers for cable, and now satellite providers, IPTV was the only segment of the U.S. pay-TV market to achieve growth in the second quarter, according to a new report from information and analytics provider IHS. The US IPTV providers – represented by AT&T Uverse, Verizon FiOS and others – boasted a […]
The gas and oil rich state of Qatar is involved in a joint-venture satellite with Eutelsat, which is now fuelled up and ready to launch. Dubbed Eutelsat 25B/Es’Hail-1, the satellite is intended to occupy the 25.5 degrees East orbital slot. The problem is that Arabsat already occupies the adjacent 26 degrees East position. The new […]
Media protection, multiscreen and revenue assurance solutions specialist Irdeto has confirmed that My-HD, a leading satellite pay-TV platform in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA), has selected its Media Protection to secure the launch of over 30 premium HD channels via Arabsat to the region. My-HD partnered with Arabsat in March 2013 to launch […]
With the start of the English Premier League football season just over 48 hours away, BT and Virgin Media have agreed a a three year deal to ensure millions of Virgin Media TV customers can enjoy full access to the BT Sport TV channels. The agreement, which significantly boosts the number of homes that can […]
Singapore Telecom has decided not to sell its Optus Satellite division despite considerable interest from the market. The company said in statement that it had conducted a full strategic review of its options and had decided “[it is] committed to growing and investing n the satellite business”. It seems that despite the interest from players […]
India telco giant Reliance Communications is merging its Reliance Digital TV operation with rival Sun Direct. Reliance will hold a 26 per cent stake in the new DTH entity, but will then itself exit the DTH business. As part of an agreement to be unveiled in the next day or so, it is understood that […]
Shortly after publicly calling for retransmission reform in the light of its ongoing dispute with Raycom Media, pay-TV provider DISH has now reached agreement with the broadcaster regarding the continued retransmission of Raycom TV stations in 36 markets. A statement issued late on August 10 said that service to DISH customers in the affected markets […]