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 re-use of rockets for launching commercial (and government) satellites is now “self-evident” says a report from Northern Sky Research (NSR), and benefitting both the launch company and the satellite industry. NSR says that SpaceX is gaining a 50 per cent cost-reduction on its re-used (“flight proven”) rockets, and as demonstrated in April when satellite […]
The USA’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is at risk according to Paula Kerger, President of the non-commercial organisation. Kerger, speaking at a TV critics even on July 30th, said her not-for-profit broadcasting operation was at risk because of a looming threat of government funding being pulled. The PBS stations depend on public donations and a […]
The past few days have seen some extraordinary valuations put on Netflix by Wall Street investors and their advisers following on from a surprisingly good set of results from the streaming company on July 17th. Morgan Stanley, for example, is happy to place a target price of $210 per share, while other investment banks talk […]
Discovery Communications is reportedly in talks with Scripps Networks International about merging their broadcasting assets. While the discussions are far from confirmed, analysts at MoffettNathanson Research (MNR) issued a timely note to investors that examined the potential benefits. MNR says: “Given the mix shift to skinny vMVPD sports and news bundles, declining viewership trends and […]
On July 28th, both of Europe’s major satellite operators unveil their results. SES will reveal its half-year numbers and Eutelsat its full-year figures. The event has prompted equity analyst Sami Kassab at Exane/BNP-Paribas to examine the prospects for the two companies. Kassab makes it clear that he currently favours Eutelsat over SES. He says: “We see […]
The French-backed ‘4-Ever’ research and development project has come to an end. Its nine core partners include Orange, France Télévisions, Globecast and ATEME, and the focus was very much on 4K/Ultra HD transmission and in particular how UHD could advance with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and higher frame rates. The research project, under the leadership of […]
A complaint has been lodged at the European Court of Justice by Eutelsat, ViaSat of California and Panasonic Aviation alleging that Inmarsat is violating is abusing its licence by passing off a terrestrial network as a satellite system. The Inmarsat system itself will provide connectivity for passengers on aircraft and as part of Inmarsat’s European […]
David Elstein, chairman of openDemocracy.net and a former head of programming at BSkyB, has written a powerful – and 5,000-word – analysis piece for openDemocracy and examining the possible outcome of the Fox bid for Sky, and paying particular attention to the prospects for Sky News. The UK’s Culture Secretary, Karen Bradley has set this […]
There are near-daily stories in the UK national press as to who might be the new CEO at commercial broadcaster ITV. Meanwhile, the share price remains under pressure, and a new report to investors from equity analysts at Exane/BNP-Paribas sums up the problems the new CEO will have to address. The bank reminds investors that […]
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The next phase of loyalty and rewards in streaming services