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.
SpaceX has generated some $1.9 billion of fresh funding during August, and according to reports, is still looking to raise more cash. The initial target was to raise $2.066 billion. The cash-raising exercise follows on from SpaceX raising $346 million in May. The news comes as Musk achieves 4th position as the world’s richest person […]
SpaceX entered the record books a few more times on August 18th with the launch of its 11th Starlink mission. It carried 58 of its own broadband Starlink satellites on board plus 3 small satellites for imaging client Planet. In total this means that Planet has now lofted 21 ‘next-generation’ craft into orbit aboard US, […]
Thomas Rabe, CEO/chairman of Bertelsmann, has shared his view that there’s a strong case and a need for consolidation amongst streaming platforms. His comments prompted a note to clients from a couple of investment banks. Exane/BNPP asked: “Does this give RTL the impetus to be the European broadcasting champion?” The bank adds: “As a reminder, […]
There are already well over 500 working Starlink satellites in orbit from Elon Musk’s SpaceX operation. SpaceX has launched almost 600 satellites but some have inevitably failed in orbit. Starlink’s existing ‘friends and family’ beta tests will be expanded once SpaceX places another 240 or so satellites into orbit. This will need another four rocket […]
Intelsat filed for Chapter 11 reorganisation on May 13th, and more details are now emerging as to how it hopes it can restructure its debts and financial obligations. Bankruptcy protection means it does not have to pay interest on its unsecured debts, and a saving of some $102 million each month. But it has to […]
Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of Viasat, says his company’s plans to launch the ‘next generation’ Viasat-3 iteration of its satellites fleet are being affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Nevertheless, a recent cash-raising exercise gives Viasat some extra opportunities. “The Covid pandemic is definitely creating some issues for us to overcome, but we continue to […]
Commercial geostationary satellites are staying in orbit longer than ever, and well beyond their original design lives. A study from Roger Rusch, president of research firm TelAstra, In essence, Rusch says that while ten years ago in 2009 there were an average of 15 per cent of satellites with extended lives in orbit, today the […]
Giles Thorne, an equity analyst at investment bank Jefferies, said the SES results prompted a review of the satellite company’s prospects. Jefferies now rates SES a “Buy” with a share price target of €16 (they ae currently around €6.30). SES CEO Steve Collar had reminded analysts on the results call that SES is now carrying […]
A report from investment bank Berenberg says it is impressed by Eutelsat’s recent financial results and in particular the cash flow being generated by the satellite company. It recommends Eutelsat as a “Buy” to its clients, but also admit that in its past recommendations the bank has been “far from successful”. “That is not to […]
Satellite operator SES will issue its Q2 and half-year numbers on August 7th and a note to clients from investment bank Exane/BNPP warns that the impact of Covid-19 is likely to impact the operator, especially its Mobility division. The bank says that expectations of the operator’s Mobility revenues amongst observing banks is extremely wide, ranging […]
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Apple TV+ drops the +
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