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.
Back in July the Bermuda and Hong Kong-based satellite operator ABS cancelled a satellite order with Boeing citing problems that Boeing had in obtaining financing for the deal from the US Export-Import Bank. The bank’s ability to lend or underwrite projects is currently on hold pending the renewal of its Charter to Operate which expired […]
International Launch Services (ILS) has a new CEO, and his first move is to cut prices for its Proton rocket launches. Appointed just a week ago, Kirk Pysher took over from Phil Slack. Mr Pysher inherits something of a challenge in that the value of Russia’s rouble has tumbled by some 30 percent against the […]
Just at the moment the ‘big three’ satellite operators (Intelsat, SES and Eutelsat) are suffering depressed share prices amid concerns that delayed launches and commoditised revenues pose a threat to future prospects. “Not so” argues a major, 95-page, report from equity analysts Jefferies, who say that the industry is going through a “quantum leap” in […]
The news that FashionOne has now launched in Europe as well as over North America and South America on SES satellites ups the total number of Ultra-HD channels either on air or shortly to launch over Europe . New York-based Fashion 4K is now transmitting from SES’s 19.2 degrees slot reaching 116 million potential homes – […]
A September 1st report from equity analysts at investment banker Jefferies suggests that pay-TV operator Sky is now “heavily” dependent on its profit growth by activity in Germany and Italy. Indeed, the bank is concerned that despite Sky bringing forward its annual price hike from September to June its revenue growth remained slow. Jefferies takes […]
The waiting is Déjà Vu all over again. We now know that satellite operator SES has reserved five channels for 4K/UHD launches. We know that Sky Deutschland has reserved 4K capacity. We know that SES has signed up a German shopping channel (pearl.tv) for transmission in 4K. We know that a major new general entertainment […]
Russia is establishing a new TV channel for the Ukraine and Turkey, ‘Millet’ (“Nation”) will go on air in November. Initially, it will broadcast a 24-hour analogue terrestrial service but then go “international” on satellite. Zaur Smirnov, the head of the Crimea government’s committee for nationalities and deportees, as reported by BBC Monitoring and Russian […]
Tensions between the ‘West’ and Iran are easing, with the Iranian government seemingly ready to do business now that the tough economic restrictions on Iran are re-opening the country for trade. But any opening up does not – seemingly – include the BBC’s local transmissions to the country. On August 20th it was reported that […]
The clock is running out again for Dish Network viewers to the 150 or so stations owned by Sinclair Broadcasting. Last weekend, an August 15th deadline for discussions between Dish and Sinclair expired, but the two agreed to an extension for to permit negotiations to continue. However, prospects do not look good. Baton Rouge’s WBRZ, […]
Former vice-president Al Gore is suing Al Jazeera Americas (AJA) over what he alleges are missing payments in AJA’s purchase of Current TV where he was a director. When Current TV was sold to AJA the merger agreement provided for $75 million of the sale’s proceeds to be held in an escrow account for a […]
Survey: Home Alone named UK’s favourite Xmas film
SkyShowtime launches on United Group platforms
Report: Older audiences regularly watching influencer content
The Celebrity Traitors Final attracts 15m viewers
Spain: Orange, Vodafone add new TV channels 
Analysis: Repeat Xmas ads top consumer testing
Channel 4 appoints Nash as Director of Brand & Content Marketing
DocuBox launches Polish version
Karlén named EVP and CEO Viaplay Group Sweden
Report: Larger TV size sales continue to grow