AST Space Mobile has just one satellite currently in orbit which itself something of a test prototype for a planned global satellite-based ‘direct-to-cellular’ service. AST’s follow-up BlueWalker 3 satellites are expected to be ready for launch in batches of five craft starting in July or August (according to the company) and continuing in batches throughout […]
Deutsche Bank’s (DB) advice to clients holding Eutelsat shares is to ‘SELL’ their stock. Its previous advice was to ‘HOLD’ their shares. DB now says its preferred satellites company within its coverage is Luxembourg-based SES which it rates ‘BUY’. DB says it is concerned over operational delays which it says are weighing on its OneWeb […]
North American streaming music and pay-radio operator SiriusXM, controlled by John Malone’s Liberty Media, has attracted an extra investment stake from Deutsche Bank AG. SiriusXM, as well as beaming hundreds of radio channels to the US and Canada, also offers subscribers its Pandora music streaming service. Deutsche Bank has increased it holding in SiriusXM by […]
DirecTV is raising $3.1 billion (€2.6bn) of so-called ‘junk bonds’ (Senior Secured Notes) to help in its split from AT&T, according to an announcement from AT&T. The offer is for a 6-year period and the bonds will be priced on July 22nd and will come from DirecTV Entertainment Holdings. The cash will be used to […]
Satellite operator SES has borrowed €150 million by way of new 1.625 per cent Notes. While the sum involved is modest by usual standards, CFO Sandeep Jalan says it further strengthens the operator’s liquidity and “at the lowest yield ever achieved by SES. The successful conclusion of this bond offering reflects the market’s view of […]
Venture Capital fund Seraphim, which describes itself as the world’s first space VC fund, is planning a London float and is working with banks. The plan, reported initially by Sky News, said that Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan were working with Seraphim on its initial public offering (IPO). Details could be confirmed within the next […]
French commercial networks TF1 and M6 are in exclusive merger negotiations. The intention is to create a French media group which offers TV and radio as well as digital choices and content production. If approved by the authorities, the proposal would create France’s largest broadcasting group. Analysts at investment bank Exane/BNPP note that the new […]
Discovery’s share price has risen and fallen dramatically over the past few months. As recently as mid-March its share price was an impressive $77, and an all-time high. But within 10 days of that date the value had slumped to $41. April 7th saw a very slight recovery to $43.39 and prompted a report from […]
Italian broadcaster Mediaset’s delivered better-than-expected Q3 results with its Italian revenue beating the market’s consensus by some 3 per cent. No Full Year 2o20 guidance was provided, but the trend appears to be supportive. Its core financials for Q3 saw group revenue rise by 2 per cent year on year to €556 million. Breaking down […]
German broadcasting giant ProSieben, speaking at Deutsche Bank’s 2020 European TMT Conference, confirmed that Q2 this year was “tough” in terms of ad-revenues, although July (down 20 per cent) and August (“slightly positive”) could indicate a return to better times for the final 4 months of the year. Deputy Group CFO Ralf Gierig, addressing the […]