AST SpaceMobile, which is creating a satellite constellation to connect with ordinary smartphones, is borrowing $1 billion (€0.84bn) in new Convertible Senior Notes. AST, in a regulatory filing, said it “intends to use the net proceeds from each Registered Direct Offering, together with cash on hand, to enter into one or more separate, privately negotiated […]
Eutelsat has signed almost €1 billion in Export Credit Agency financing for the procurement of LEO satellites for its OneWeb constellation. The news comes just ahead of its latest quarterly (and half-yearly) results announcement due on February 13th. The financing will be provided by a pool of commercial banks, which will benefit from a French […]
South Africa’s public broadcaster SABC says it has no funds to adequately cover an upcoming local government election. The state’s Treasury has turned down a request from SABC for 120 million Rand (€6.2m) for dedicated funding. SABC is appealing to South African parliament’s Communications Committee to intervene. “Without funding, the SABC does not have the […]
The annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180 (€207) from April 1st as required by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, in line with inflation. The increase follows the methodology of calculating the licence fee in line with the consumer price index (CPI) until the end of the BBC Charter Period. The licene […]
Goalhanger has announced a partnership with The Chernin Group (TCG), a US based emerging media and sports investment firm founded by Peter Chernin. The partnership sees TCG making a minority investment and taking a seat on the Goalhanger board. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction is already completed. Founded in 2014, Goalhanger has […]
California-based satellite operator Viasat has used a UK subsidiary to borrow cash to finance the build of ViaSat-3 F1. The borrowing was structured on January 21st and announced on January 26th. The mechanics of the deal see UK registered Viasat Technologies (and with Viasat itself as a guarantor) enter into a Credit Agreement and using […]
Sky has confirmed plans for a major investment in an expanded Scottish office in Livingston, with a full planning application having been submitted. Sky says the development underscores its “long-term commitment to West Lothian and will support thousands of jobs and drive regional economic growth”. The proposals will extend the site by an additional 15 acres, taking it […]
SWISSto12, the aerospace company and manufacturer of advanced satellite systems and radio frequency (RF) products, has announced securing €73 million in financial support from ESA member states through the HummingSat ARTES partnership project. SWISSto12 says the funding will accelerate its development and industrialisation of HummingSat, as well as scaling up its manufacturing capacity and accelerating […]
Swerve TV, an independent programmer of live sports on FAST, has announced the close of its $2.5 million Series A financing round, led by entrepreneur Scott Galloway. Swerve TV operates Swerve Combat, a combat-sports FAST channel in the U.S., and Swerve Sports, a channel dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. Together, the channels deliver hundreds of […]
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) budget has risen by 7.6 per cent to a total of €8.26 billion. Of that total, some 56 per cent will be allocated to Earth Observation, Navigation & Connectivity and Secure Communications. ESA’s 3-year spending plans amount to €22.3 billion ($26.1bn) and represents an overall 31 per cent increases over […]