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.
Aerospace giant Airbus has relaunched its high-altitude Platform Station business (HAPS) with a new name, Aalto, and is targeting high-altitude surveillance, 5G and direct-to-device connectivity. The company is expected to seek outside investment for the programme which will then be spun-off as a separate business. Zephyr/Aalto, using very high-flying solar-electric drones, will initially be 100 […]
A report from investment bank Jefferies says that it is “cautious” on Australia’s overall media sector. “Visibility is poor, linear TV would continue to show weakness, and while Broadcaster Video-on-Demand (BVoD) will provide an offset, content costs are rising. OML Media is our top pick in the sector as it is recovering to pre-Covid levels,” […]
SES has filed its response to Intelsat’s bankruptcy court, arguing that when the two parties signed the 2018 [C-band] Consortium Agreement SES and Intelsat not only agreed to share equally in any proceeds resulting from clearing the C-Band, but they also agreed to share equally in expenses incurred in connection with their efforts – whether […]
In December 2022, pay-TV operator Viaplay and rival Telia entered into a partnership in Sweden. Further news emerged on January 18th with Viaplay and Bell Media’s Crave streaming service agreeing a distribution agreement for Viaplay Select in Canada. Ahead of the Canadian deal, a report from investment bank Berenberg, said the Telia news “was a […]
A comprehensive eport from investment bank Exane/BNPP says it expects the Video Games sector to “rebound in 2023 helped by stronger line up of new games and better availability of new-generation consoles.” The bank reminds clients that 2022 proved to be a “corrective year” for the games sector, where the industry overall suffered a 10 […]
Michael Nathanson, senior analyst at MoffettNathanson (MN), is on record as welcoming the return to Disney of Bob Iger. MN promptly upgraded its advice to clients on Disney last November (to ‘Outperform’) following Iger’s re-appointment. But MN’s latest study lists in some detail the tasks ahead for Iger. “Iger’s return will force Disney to have […]
SES’s share price is currently at about €6.60, itself an improvement on typical prices of nearer €6.18. But a report from analysts at Berenberg Bank recommends clients ‘BUY’ SES and gives a target share price of €9.20. Good as this sounds (for investors) the new target price is lower than the bank’s previous guidance (which […]
Investment bank Jefferies, in a major review of US Media & entertainment, offers a wide variety of advice to clients including a downgrade (to ‘Hold’) for music streaming service Spotify and Roku (to ‘Underperform’) but with an upgrade (to ‘Buy’) for Netflix. The bank’s report doesn’t shy away from the risks for Netflix and the […]
Satellite operator SES has borrowed €300 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). SES is currently in the middle of a considerable capital-intensive satellite building programme. The full terms of the loan are not revealed but are likely to be highly competitive and are reportedly for seven years. The cash will go towards the procurement […]
Virgin Orbit has reported that its Cosmic Girl launch from Cornwall on January 9th “ultimately fell short of reaching its target orbit”. The company admitted that the effort was not a moment to remember. Investors shared the sentiment and sent Virgin Orbit Holdings share price on the Nasdaq exchange crashing down 22 per cent on […]
SkyShowtime launches on United Group platforms
Report: Older audiences regularly watching influencer content
The Celebrity Traitors Final attracts 15m viewers
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
Telefónica, DAZN score La Liga rights
Ofcom: “BBC should play to its strengths”
Australia: Content quota for streamers becomes law