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.
The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) is a truly wonderful organisation. Its self-proclaimed role is to work to promote competition for the benefit of consumers. Its decision on January 23rd to “provisionally find that the Fox/Sky deal is not in the public interest” seems wholly contrary to that mission statement. With the world – and […]
A major report from equity analysts at Exane/BNP-Paribas examines prospects for Europe’s two major satellite operators. The report does not make happy reading for investors. Lead satellite analyst at the bank, Sami Kassab, reminds investors that over the next two weeks three new satellites will go into orbit, two from SES and one from Eutelsat. […]
Serial media entrepreneurs Jeff Sagansky and Harry Sloan have raised $325 million in their new Platinum Eagle Acquisition fund designed to take advantage of what they say is a particularly compelling time for the industry. The fund will be listed on the NASDAQ exchange (trading as EAGLU). The IPO prospectus says the fund will be […]
Arianespace has contracted orders for ten of the current Ariane 5-ECA rockets. They will be in use from its French Guiana launch site from 2020 once the existing stock (ordered back in 2013) has been used. This batch of contracts will bridge the gap while the next-generation Ariane 6 rockets start coming on stream during […]
On January 7th, a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX apparently failed to launch a top-secret US government ‘Zuma’ spy satellite. However, SpaceX’s president Gwynne Shotwell firmly denies the loss was a Falcon 9 problem. In a Tweet on January 9th she said: “For clarity, after a review of all data to date, Falcon 9 did […]
A month or so from now Europe’s two giant satellite operators will unveil their latest results. Eutelsat’s half-year figures will emerge on February 16th, while SES will publish its full year numbers on February 23rd. However, equity advisors at investment bank Deutsche Bank have already compiled a ‘state of the industry’ report, and say that […]
Washington DC-based satellite builder Orbital-ATK has won a second order for one of its Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV). Intelsat has ordered the second craft, often called ‘space tugs’ for their ability to rescue and service existing satellites in orbit. The order is a major commitment by Intelsat and indicates their confidence in the overall benefits […]
The news from consultancy Ovum that the OTT players Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google (FANG) will take almost two-thirds all new TV and video revenue in 2018, at least as far as the US is concerned, comes as little surprise. Amazon and Netflix will take 69 per cent of OTT subscription revenue, while Google and […]
A major report from investment bank Exane/BNPP and which looks at Europe’s two satellite giants, SES and Eutelsat, says that both operators are suffering because of weak video demand during the current quarter-year. Moreover, the report says it remains “concerned” by the lack of more rapid take-up of UHD channels. The bank tracks demand for […]
The July 2016 demonstrations across Turkey, and which resulted in mass arrests of demonstrators, has now seen Turksat start legal proceedings against the opposition Gulenist party, and its leader Fetullah Gülen. 162 suspects, many already in custody, are named in the action. Turksat is claiming $1.8 million in damages. Turksat’s headquarters in Ankara were hit […]
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