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.
First, kudos for Comcast/Sky for integrating the comprehensive functionality of a modern TV system, but some major black marks for failing to make the sets simply attractive. In my opinion the Sky Glass TVs are a tad expensive: a 65” 4K model will cost a thumping £1049 if bought on a standalone basis. The integration […]
Patrick Drahi might not have William Shatner in his portfolio of headline-grabbing assets, and rich as he is, Drahi certainly cannot compete with the likes of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos in terms of cash-at-hand. But few will be surprised if Drahi doesn’t now come up with a Plan B to acquire Eutelsat. Certainly his […]
The bid for Eutelsat by businessman Patrick Drahi, rejected by the satellite company, might well trigger other bidders to enter the picture. Sami Kassab, equity analyst at investment bank Exane/BNPP, poses some interesting suggestions as to potential rival bidders to Drahi. Kassab argues that the key to anyone’s success in the validation of the bid […]
Investment bank Jefferies has adjusted its financial model for satellite operator Eutelsat currently in the middle of a potential takeover by telecoms entrepreneur Patrick Drahi. Jefferies reiterates its ‘BUY’ advice to clients although adjusts downward its share price target of €15.50 (from €18.00) although the operator’s share price has been somewhat overtaken since the Drahi […]
Eutelsat shareholders had a prosperous day on September 30th when the company’s share price rose dramatically by an initial 15.6 per cent (to €11.97), just below Patrick Drahi’s reported €12 bid. Eutelsat confirmed receipt of the bid, and rejected the approach. This suggests either Drahi doesn’t have the backing of state-backed BPI or else – […]
Judge Keith Phillips, presiding over Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reconstruction, has rejected the call for an independent examiner to be brought in. The request was made by a small group of equity shareholders to investigate claims of potential mismanagement and other ways to bring in more money for creditors that they say the company has […]
A large set of documents have been sent to all parties involved in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reconstruction of Intelsat. Back on September 7th the bankruptcy court handling Intelsat’s affairs issued an order that the Confirmation Hearing on Intelsat’s ‘Disclosure Statement’ and latest ‘Plan of Reorganisation’ from bankruptcy will commence on November 8th. The documents […]
Investment bank Berenberg has issued two timely reports on Europe’s pair of major satellite operators ahead of their results. The analysis was good news for Luxembourg-based SES but less rosy for Paris-based Eutelsat. For SES the overwhelming positive news was the operator’s share of the FCC’s ‘incentive’ payments for freeing up C-band frequencies over the […]
It’s always lively at Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy court. On September 24th, for example, there were 17 separate filings laid before the court. However, a key problem could be partially resolved on September 29th, when Intelsat’s bankruptcy court will be asked to appoint an external examiner to investigate the potential claims against Intelsat and the […]
Analysts at investment bank Berenberg, while admitting that the John Malone-controlled suite of businesses under the Liberty Global banner represents a “complex case” to analyse, nevertheless – and it says with its eyes wide open – believes that Liberty’s prospects are solid. Berenberg is raising its advice on Liberty Global to ‘BUY’ (from ‘HOLD’) and […]
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