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.
EchoStar co-founder Charlie Ergen is famously careful with his cash, actions which have helped the former poker player to build his net worth to some $7 billion and a position as the 51st richest American (according to Forbes). But suddenly he is on a spending spree. In April this year (via sister company Dish Network) […]
Middle East satellite operator Nilesat has had a long history with problem TV channels: for example, there were the ones selling expensive ‘medical’ solutions to male impotence, or the ones ‘guaranteeing’ huge cash prizes to lucky quiz winners. Nilesat’s latest problems are a couple of channels (Wisal and Safa TV) that beam out sectarianism and […]
Spanish free-to-air commercial TV remains in bad shape with advertising income still suffering badly from the economic downturn. A new report from investment bankers Morgan Stanley says that ad-income is down again since March, and unlikely to recover for some months. Indeed, Spain’s three leading commercial broadcasters, Mediaset MES (formerly Telecinco), Mediaset MS, and Antena […]
Last Friday June 17th another tedious Motion was submitted to the Delaware bankruptcy court in the long-running, never-ending saga that is “Worldspace Inc. Et al (Debtors)” and its chapter 11 proceedings. Worldspace was a would-be pay-radio operator which spent – and arguably wasted – billions in its attempt to match internationally what Sirius-XM had achieved […]
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK is about to embark on its longest-ever transmissions from sea. It takes the shape of a very real reality TV show during the ‘world’s most beautiful voyage’ aboard the Hurtigruten as it visits 34 ports along the Norwegian coast. NRK will install multiple cameras onboard the Hurtigruten ship, broadcasting and recording […]
Canadian satellite operator Telesat is up for sale. But there’s now a highly public dispute between two of its shareholders as to the sale price. Canada’s Public Sector Investment Board holds a 36 per cent stake in Telesat but has the majority of directors because of complex local ownership rules. It is holding out for […]
It seems everyone in the satellite business wants to cosy up to Qatar’s billions! A few weeks ago, Paris-based Eutelsat struck a “strategic alliance” to build a new satellite (from Space Systems/Loral). Now Luxembourg-based SES has signed a MoU with ictQatar covering the provision of joint satellite platforms, networks and services. The agreement was reached […]
A decision which will allow Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp to buy the 61 per cent of BSkyB that it does not already own is due any day now. The UK government is expected to give its approval to a take-over subject to the well-publicised decision to spin-off Sky News into a self-contained stand-alone business. The […]
A possible merger between the USA’s two satellite pay-TV giants DirecTV and Dish Network is a topic that we have already covered earlier this year. Now, however, we have the fresh knowledge that newly appointed Dish Network CEO Joe Clayton also agrees it is a possibility. This is not to say it will happen, of […]
The market’s view of SES’ May 12 results remains positive despite the potential inventory of more than 20 unsold transponders currently used to beam analogue channels to German viewers. There are also a few slippages in the upcoming six-satellite additions to the SES fleet this year. Indeed, investment bankers Morgan Stanley, in a note to […]
Rouge named Eutelsat CFO
Data: Streaming subscriptions reach 91% of US internet homes
MPs express concern over BBC editorial standards
Canal+ Brand & Communication Department reorganises
Italy: FiberCop, FMC GlobalSat develop terrestrial-satellite solutions
TiVo report: UK app viewing of broadcaster TV surpasses over-the-air
Orange TV suffers major outage across Spain
Google ends Movies Anywhere partnership
Looper Insights launches Sports Visibility Tracker
CODA writes to OpenAI on Sora 2 rights protection