Advanced Television

DTH/Satellite

Sky Deutschland still struggling

Sky Deutschland (formerly Premiere) lost 7,000 subscribers during the second quarter of the year and reported losses of over E360m. The pay-TV operator ended June with 2.364 subs against 2.371 at the end of the previous quarter. While the operator attracted 23,000 monthly contract customers, it lost 30,000 Flex subscribers during that time, overall churn […]

August 14, 2009

Showtime, Orbit confirm merger

The pay-TV merger between Showtime Arabia and rival Orbit has concluded. The deal was announced last month, although no official valuation was given. Showtime Arabia had reportedly bought out its Viacom minority partner in its Gulf-DTH operation. Kipco, an investment vehicle ultimately controlled by the Kuwait royal family which already controlled 75.3% of Gulf-DTH.

August 14, 2009

Intelsat re-signs TV

Intelsat reported results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009 with revenue of $642.5 million and a net loss of $32.7 million for the three months. The company reported EBITDAi, of $522.4 million. "Intelsat's record Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2009 surpassed the $500 million level for the first […]

August 14, 2009

EchoStar profits fall as subs pick up

EchoStar and its spin-off Dish Network declared their half-yearly results with profits down but subscription numbers up. EchoStar Corp, which operates the satellites more than doubled its profits in Q2 earning $101.8m (against $47.8m the same period last year). But the company's revenues fell 21% to $383m from $483.3m. The company blamed lower set-top box […]

August 12, 2009

EchoStar profits fall as subs pick up

EchoStar and its spin-off Dish Network declared their half-yearly results with profits down but subscription numbers up. EchoStar Corp, which operates the satellites more than doubled its profits in Q2 earning $101.8m (against $47.8m the same period last year). But the company's revenues fell 21% to $383m from $483.3m. The company blamed lower set-top box […]

August 12, 2009

SES profit up

European satellite giant SES has reported a 10 per cent rise in first-half core profit (EBITDA) to E607 million. The company repeated it saw revenue growth of 3-4 per cent on a like-for-like basis and an EBITDA margin for its infrastructure business of above 82 per cent.

August 3, 2009

RAI, Mediaset channels on Sky after Tivù Sat launch

By Branislav Pekic Italian public broadcaster RAI will continue to make available its three main TV channels (Rai Uno, Rai Due and Rai Tre) via Sky, even after the launch of the Tivù Sat DTH platform on July 31. Speaking during the presentation of Tivù Sat in Rome, the deputy director general of RAI, Giancarlo […]

July 29, 2009

Satellite sector revenue grows 11%

Euroconsult has reported that growth in the fixed satellite market has remained strong despite the adverse economic environment. According to Euroconsult the sector grew in terms of both transponder demand (+9 per cent) and overall revenues (+10.7 per cent) representing a peak in the current decade. Digital entertainment and emerging digital markets remain the primary […]

July 24, 2009

GlobeCast inks deal with Eutelsat to expand TVR capacity

GlobeCast, content management and delivery specialist, and Eutelsat Communications have announced the signature of a new contract at Eutelsat’s specialist video neighbourhood for central European digital TV markets at 16 degrees East. The new contract for one transponder will be used by GlobeCast to broadcast channels produced by TVR, Romania’s national public broadcaster. It doubles […]

July 24, 2009

Digital Plus loses 148,000 subs in a year

From David Del Valle in Madrid The future of the Spain’s largest pay-TV platform, Digital Plus, looks in doubt as subscriber numbers fall. The company, owned by Sogecable, controlled in turn by Prisa Group, lost 148,000 subscribers in the last 12 months with 70,000 of them in the second quarter of the year. The platform […]

July 20, 2009