According to an NSR study, the global economic crisis did little to slow down the worldwide commercial satellite capacity leasing market. NSR estimates the industry picked up over $400 million in new leasing revenues in 2009, reaching $9.7 billion as of the end of the year. Further, results so far in 2010 indicate the sector […]
SES World Skies has signed a capacity agreement with Vizada Networks for reliable telecommunications network back-up across Africa’s Sub Saharan region. A full 36 MHz transponder aboard SES World Skies’ NSS-5 satellite is delivering GSM backhaul restoration service, supporting a leading African telecom provider’s voice network in the event of a terrestrial outage. It is […]
Canada’s Telesat has confirmed it is looking at a possible IPO, as well as evaluating other potential options for the company. Indeed, either way, it looks like another handsome pay day is in the offing for CEO Dan Goldberg who has considerable experience of migrating satellite operators to a ‘next level’ owner. For example Goldberg […]
UK digital satellite platform Sky has reached its target of 10 million TV customers, equivalent to 36 per cent of households in the UK and Ireland. BSkyB set the target in August 2004, since when a further 2.6 million customers have subscribed. Sky TV now reaches more than 25 million people. Around a third of […]
On Oct 29 Eutelsat declared its W3B satellite – launched a day earlier – as a “total loss”. The satellite operator was expected to deliberately de-orbit the satellite into the Pacific Ocean within hours. Now it has emerged that the satellite is to be maintained in orbit. The satellite is now expected to orbit for […]
It has been revealed BBC director-general Mark Thompson had to apologise to the BBC Trust for signing the open letter criticising News Corp’s bid for Sky and asking the UK government to intervene (as they now have). The BBC Trust “expressed concern” about whether it was “appropriate” for Thompson to sign the controversial letter which […]
Eutelsat Communications has confirmed that Nilesat, the Egyptian satellite company, has signed a 10-year contract for five transponders at the 7° West orbital position. The capacity will be activated in the first phase on Eutelsat’s Atlantic Bird 4A satellite, and subsequently transferred to Atlantic Bird 7 which is scheduled for launch and deployment at 7° […]
Platform ‘n’, the leading DTH service in Poland, has brought more viewing choice to its subscribers with the addition of AXN HD, a new channel featuring the AXN experience in high-definition. The news—announced today by Platform ‘n’ Chief Operating Officer Christian Anting—represents the operator’s continued commitment to expand its high-definition offerings. Owned by Sony Entertainment […]
US satellite broadcaster Dish Network reported total revenue of $3.21 billion for the quarter ended September 30th, 2010, a 10.9 per cent increase compared with $2.89 billion for the corresponding period in 2009. Net income attributable to common shareholders totalled $245 million for the quarter compared with $81 million during the corresponding period in 2009. […]
By any measure Paris-based Eutelsat’s latest numbers (for its Q1 to Sept 30) are impressive. Overall revenues are up 12.9 per cent to €285.6 million, while all its divisional metrics are also in extremely positive territory. Video is up 8.1 per cent, Data and value-added revenues are up 23.5 per cent and Eutelsat’s “multi-usage” division […]