Comtech Telecommunications Corp.today reported net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014  of  US $85.5 million compared to US$ 74.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The period-over-period increase reflects higher sales in the Company's telecommunications transmission and RF microwave amplifiers segments, partially offset by lower sales in its mobile data communications segment.

An astronaut holding the world’s record for the most spacewalks during a single mission, a private company planning to reach mars, aerospace industry titans alongside startup ventures, key military and NASA space officials, and thousands of engineers and executives are all planning to visit the Long Beach Convention Center April 1-3, 2014 for what is shaping up to be the biggest commercial space confab ever to hit the Los Angeles region,

HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite operator, reported 201.4 million euros in revenues in 2013, a increase of  0.57% from 2012. Excluding the adverse exchange rate effect, this increase would have been 4.35%, mainly due to the increased sales results from markets outside of Spain.  

The Latin American market accounted for 55.6% of revenues per space capacity (+2.4% from 2012), while Europe and North Africa represented 44.4% (-2.2% from 2012). In 2008, before the economic crisis, these percentages were 31.5% and 68.5%, respectively.

In 2013 ABI Research estimates one out of every ten pay TV households had access to applications on the set-top box – applications include news and information services, service provider specific apps, OTT video, games, and music services. By 2019 nearly 40% of pay TV households should have access to similar services and features. Video will remain the focus for entertainment applications - consumers’ penchant for OTT video underscores the importance of video and how operator application libraries will evolve.

This month’s column provides updated information about the GVF MENASAT @ CABSAT 2014 – Satellite Interference Summit, which will take place at the Dubai International Conference & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), in Meeting Room Al-Ain F (above Halls 1 and 2), on 12th and 13th March.

Satellite imaging company DigitalGlobe, Inc. reported today fourth quarter 2013 revenues of  US $169.7 million, a 35% increase compared with the same period last  year. Net income for the fourth quarter was US$ 15.1 million, with net income available to common  shareholders of US$ 13.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted share.

Fourth quarter 2013 EBITDA was US$ 73.5 million, driving an EBITDA margin of 43%. Excluding US$ 9.2 million of restructuring and  integration costs related to the combination with GeoEye yields Adjusted EBITDA of US$ 82.7 million, a  margin of 49%. 

The Walt Disney Company announced that  they are acquiring Maker Studios, the leading network of online video content on YouTube. Maker Studios shareholders will receive total consideration of US$ 500 million, and a performance-linked earn-out of up to US$450 million if the strong performance targets are met, according to the company.

With more than 55,000 channels, 380 million subscribers and 5.5 billion views per month on YouTube, Maker is one of the top online video networks for Millennials.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, Telesat reported consolidated  revenues of CDN$ 897 million, an increase of approximately 6% (CDN$ 51 million)  compared to 2012. When adjusted for foreign exchange rate changes, revenue  increased by 5% (CDN$ 43 million) compared to 2012. The increase was mainly due  to revenue earned on the Nimiq 6 and Anik G1 satellites which entered into  commercial service in June 2012 and May 2013, respectively. The increase was  partially offset by a decrease in revenue earned on Nimiq 1 and Nimiq 2. 
 

EchoStar Corporation today reported total revenue of US$ 808 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 compared to US$ 786 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Total revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013 was US $3.282 billion compared to US $3.122 billion for the corresponding period in 2012.

Airbus Defence and Space (formerly Astrium)  has won a contract with SES for the design and construction of the latest addition to its fleet, the SES-10 satellite which will be covering the Americas. The new satellite will be based on the Eurostar E3000 platform and will be equipped with a dual chemical and electrical propulsion system.