AT&T’s DirecTV and Charlie Ergen’s DISH Network have reportedly resumed talks regarding merging their DTH operations – and a deal could be close. The New York Post says it has learned that discussions are again taking place despite past anti-trust concerns that such discussions would never pass muster with the competition authorities. The Post says […]
Luxembourg-based M7 Group, owned by Canal+, has concluded a long-term agreement with Czech broadcaster TV Barrandov for the ASTRA 23.5 satellite distribution of TV Barrandov, Kino Barrandov and Barrandov Krimi. The TV Barrandov channels will broadcast as of today via the M7 platform at ASTRA 23.5 East with dedicated EPG positions in the line-up of […]
UK commercial public service broadcaster Channel 5 is to join Digital UK Ltd, the joint venture which facilitates the provision of Freeview and Freesat, alongside BBC, ITV and Channel 4. The four public service broadcasters have entered into a new Digital UK members’ agreement, marking the first time that the venture has been wholly owned […]
Eva Berneke is Eutelsat’s new Chief Executive Officer, with effect from January 1st 2022. She joins Eutelsat from KMD, the Danish IT and software company that is part of the NEC Group. During her tenure, she oversaw the transformation of KMD from a mainly government service provider to a modern, digital company competing in both the […]
Judge Keith Phillips, on December 16th, approved Intelsat’s plan for the settlement of much of its indebtedness prior to its May 2020 Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The bottom line is that the agreement reduces Intelsat’s old debts of about $16 billion by more than half thanks to the acceptance of the company’s new Plan of Reorganisation. […]
Dataxis has published its latest report on the Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) civil communications market. After years of significant growth, the decline in traditional video activity in the most developed countries is being sustained, resulting in a limited but steady decline in the turnover of FSS operators. The outlook for the future is equally becoming […]
The bankruptcy court in the Intelsat review and confirmation of its Exit Plan heard that a number of issues previously considered contentious have “been narrowed” according to Steven Serajeddini, a restructuring partner at Kirkland & Ellis, who are acting for Intelsat in the case. The court heard that the parties want to wrap the discussions […]
Last week, the news emerged that SES had dropped its massive $1.35 billion claim on rival Intelsat for “punitive damages” over the way Intelsat handled the negotiations with the FCC and the division of FCC ‘incentive’ payments over the C-Band Alliance. The removal of the claim allows Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy to proceed and cancels […]
December 10th saw a submission entered into Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy hearing which used the phrase ‘actio pauliana’, which translates as meaning ‘designed to protect creditors from fraudulent legal transactions’. The phrase was used by Luxembourg lawyer, Yann Hilpert, in his declaration to the court. He said that under Luxembourg law, an actio pauliana is […]
Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy court on December 9th heard detailed evidence from one of its reconstruction financial advisors. This was Day 4 of a probable 10-day legal process to see Intelsat’s exit from bankruptcy approved. However, the expert was challenged as to whether he had examined alternate methods to exit bankruptcy. Also, on December 9th, […]