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.
There are reports that Intelsat’s I-33 satellite is suffering another problem. What has been confirmed is that the satellite, launched in August 2016, has ‘lost’ about 3.5 years of its planned life in orbit. Intelsat is making a $78 million insurance claim because of the overall issues. CEO Stephen Spengler in September 2016 said that […]
PT Telkom of Indonesia suffered a satellite malfunction on August 25th on its Telkom-1 satellite. It is not entirely clear whether there’s a problem with the Lockheed Martin-built satellite, launched in 1999, or some sort of operator error. However, PT Telkom is talking of making an insurance claim and thus seemingly accepting that the problem […]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX makes regular headlines for its rocket launches – and impressive landings – but there’s every prospect that Musk’s next major venture extends beyond Tesla cars, Hyperloop trains, and even journeys to Mars, with his plans to build two truly massive satellite constellations for global broadband coverage. Plan 1 is for a total […]
The Wall Street Journal report that Apple is going to invest $1 billion annually on original TV content and in an attempt to climb aboard the perceived success of Netflix and Amazon, has raised more questions than answers. The fact that Amazon is increasingly moving into the slam-dunk guaranteed success of sports exclusivity is a […]
Thailand’s Bangkok Post newspaper is reporting that the country’s government is seeking – at least – partial control of the upcoming Thaicom-9 craft. Thaicom-9 is due for launch in 2019 to the 119.5 degrees East orbital slot. “State telecom enterprise CAT Telecom will probably be assigned to partly operate and manage the state satellite,” Deputy […]
Denmark is an important European market, but – along with its Scandinavian neighbours – tends to be overlooked. Now, equity analysts at investment bank Exane-BNP/Paribas have taken a close look as part of its STAMP (Survey of Telecom & Media Preferences) examination of the country, and in particular viewing habits and preferences. And the news […]
Last week it emerged that the Bank of New York Mellon was just one of many investors which had raised their holdings in Intelsat, which – if its share price is any guide – is seeing a degree of optimistic buoyancy that has been absent for some time. The optimism is a new feeling, given […]
Charlie Ergen, co-founder and chairman/CEO of DISH Network (and the separate Echostar satellite business), talking to equity analysts following on from DISH Network’s quarterly trading results (see separate story), said that DiSH “wanted to become a connectivity company”. Ergen had been asked whether the recent rumours naming DISH along with Softbank and cellular operator Sprint, […]
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 […]
Research: Nordic streaming growth offsets traditional TV decline
Forecast: Global D2C revenue set for $370m surge
Crunchyroll now on Whale TV
Accedo, Magine Pro merging SaaS businesses
Four industry veterans elected to ATSC Board
United Group delivers strong organic growth in Q3
AST ups flight plan on SpaceX
Paddy Power extends World Darts Championship sponsorship
Survey: Home Alone named UK’s favourite Xmas film
Czech Television implements LiveU OB project