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 […]

Jeremy Hunt, the beleaguered Culture Secretary, is hanging on after his day-long appearance before Leveson. There have been many descriptions of Hunt, none flattering, as he seeks to dig himself out of the many holes he so thoughtlessly jumped into. The most accurate one is that he is PM David Cameron’s human shield; given Cameron […]

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. […]

I can truthfully testify that trying to listen to the Leveson Inquiry while doing anything else is a recipe for doing both things poorly. The testimony and, more disappointingly, the questioning is soporific in the extreme. Mr Jay QC, counsel for the Inquiry, has mostly been given the benefit of the doubt – surely he’s […]

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 […]