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.
It seems that EchoStar-17, a satellite built by Space Systems/Loral, has been cleared for launch by Arianespace on July 5. The satellite was held back while awaiting a report on the problems that occurred with a Sea Launch/Energia rocket launch on May 31st ago, and which resulted in the Intelsat – 19 satellite not being […]
The New York Times reported June 8 that Comcast – still digesting its giant purchase of NBC – is now looking for another meal, and has BSkyB in its sights. Despite a very firm denial from Comcast’s CFO Michael Angelakis, who stated that the report was total speculation and inaccurate, the bid rumour sent BSkyB’s […]
There’s another suggestion floating around from DTH satellite giant DirecTV that a merger with rival Dish Network is a logical next step for the broadcasting pair. DirecTV’s CEO Mike White, speaking at a media conference in New York June 1st, said that there’s a lot to be said for a merger. He stated: “There is […]
Phil Kent, Turner Broadcasting’s CEO, speaking at Nomura Bank’s Media & Telecom Summit in New York, has admitted to analysts that he was “very unhappy” at CNN’s recent ratings slump. CNN’s primetime numbers hit a 20-year ‘low’ in May. Kent said CNN had plans in hand to improve the quality of its broadcasts and boost […]
The May 25th launch success of the Elon Musk-backed SpaceX Falcon rocket has resulted in a very prompt commercial order from Intelsat. Musk is perhaps better known as the co-founder of PayPal and the cash behind the all-electric Tesla car. However, the Falcon rocket system is now being claimed – by Musk – as the […]
Kenya’s Wananchi Group, a pay-TV operator which trades as Zuku, is suing Uganda’s state-backed Luganda channel (which airs as Bukedde TV) alleging that Luganda is not trading fairly. The dispute comes about because Luganda, which broadcasts free to air across Uganda, has signed an “exclusive” contract with MultiChoice Uganda to carry its signals by satellite. […]
In one respect the headline is not new. The fact that Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES will not adopt arch-rival Eutelsat’s adventurous Ka-band strategy has been known for some time. But what is new is the determination that SES president Romain Bausch now re-states the SES message. Addressing investors and analysts this week Bausch stated bluntly […]
Would-be global pay-radio broadcaster Worldspace is finally entering full Chapter-7 bankruptcy. The company, such as it is, has just $9,975 left in its bank account. Worldspace’s main assets (two ailing satellites and a ground spare) were sold to its founder, Noah Samara, following its entry into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008. Since then a […]
Luxembourg-based SES Astra is preparing to launch Ultra-HDTV channels in “two to three years”. This is much earlier than previously anticipated. The news emerged from an analysts briefing and is to be further explained this coming week when SES holds its Investors Day in London on May 22. Specifically, SES president/CEO Romain Bausch told analysts […]
Malaysia’s Measat satellite operator is suing Intelsat for some $29 million in a Californian court. Measat is alleging breach of contract and collusion over the handling of the launch of a Measat satellite in 2009. The writ’s details, contained in Case Number VC12-03702 (MEASAT Satellite Systems BHD against Intelsat Corp) – concerns damage done to […]
Research: 20% of US adults get news from TikTok
Spain: RTVE, FORTA launch DVB-I pilot
Research: CTV HomeScreen ads capture attention faster
Paramount appoints Trump regulator
IAB lowers US ad spend projections
Study: US Hispanics watch more genres, co-view more often
Kenya: MultiChoice’s DStv subscribers evaporate
Report: 41% surge in DDoS attack volumes
Starlink readies India launch
Cross-border content access in the digital entertainment era