Focus: Broadcasting

[Satellite Today – 2-28-08] XM Satellite Radio posted a 20 percent increase in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2007 as well as an 18 percent increase in subscribers for the year, the company announced Feb. 28.     XM posted $308 million in revenue for the fourth quarter, compared to $257 million for the fourth...

[Satellite Today – 2-28-08] Arqiva will help BET International launch its new European Sky channel, Arqiva announced Feb. 28.     The five-year broadcast agreement will make BET accessible to more than 8.8 million digital satellite homes throughout Europe. The service originates from BET’s Washington, D.C. studios and connects to Arqiva’s facilities in the United Kingdom...

[Satellite Today – 2-27-08] RaySat Antenna Systems LLC (RAS) was awarded a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license for its StealthRay antenna system, the company announced Feb. 26.     On February 15, RAS received multiple LMSS network licenses that allow RAS to operate the StealthRay on seven satellites in the continental U.S. Initially, these licenses...

[Satellite News – 2-26-08] While fixed satellite services operators remain intent on expanding their core video markets, opportunities for new services dominated the conversation at SATELLITE 2008’s opening general session, “Expanding Market Growth and Driving Applications.”     One of the discussions focused on the potential for providing broadband services and particularly the role of dedicated...

[Satellite Today – 2-26-08] Intelsat Ltd., Sea Tel Inc. and iDirect Inc. have teamed to provide a product enhancement of Intelsat’s Network Broadband Global Maritime service, Intelsat announced Feb. 26.     The integrated solution combines Sea Tel’s 2.4-meter global maritime antenna with iDirect’s automatic beam switching technology and global network management features. As a marine...

[Satellite Today – 2-26-08] The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the transfer of control of DirecTV to Liberty Media Corp., DirecTV announced Feb. 26.     Liberty Media will exchange its 16.3 percent stake in News Corp. for News Corp.’s 38.5 percent stake in DirecTV Group Inc. along with $550 million in cash and...

[Satellite Today – 2-25-08] – Intelsat Ltd. and SisLink have formed a strategic alliance to launch a high-definition (HD)-ready automated video delivery service for satellite newsgathering users in the United States, the companies announced Feb. 25.     The strategic alliance will blend Intelsat’s space and ground infrastructure with SisLink’s uPodT system to support Web-based scheduling...

[Satellite Today – 2-21-08] SkyPort Global Communications signed an agreement to deliver satellite connectivity and support to Drillsite Broadcast Co.’s video broadcast operations, SkyPort announced Feb. 21.     Drillsite provides video feeds to the computer screens of supervisors and investors who remotely monitor rig operations and instruments.     Under this agreement, SkyPort and Drillsite will...

[Satellite News – 2-19-08] In 2007, there were some interesting financial dynamics within the satellite industry. BC Partners struck a deal to acquire Intelsat. Abertis, a Spanish infrastructure company, was prepared to invest heavily to acquire strong stakes in European satellite operators, Eutelsat and Hispasat. In the field of MSS, many players believe this is...

[Satellite News – 2-19-08] The satellite industry is very much a global industry. In 2007, there were numerous interesting developments around the world. In Africa, Nigcomsat launched a satellite. In the Middle East, Yahsat emerged. Every region of the world has its own dynamics, but there are interesting satellite stories to be found in each...