The Global VSAT Forum (GVF) and the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) announced they will be jointly hosting a series of sessions, courtesy of SES, at IBC. These sessions are aimed at all those involved with Satellite Transmissions, RF Systems, Uplinking and Satellite News Gathering. With the theme, Safeguarding Your Transmission Operation, these sessions will offer practical advice to broadcasters, operators, and manufacturers alike.

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (AsiaSat) today announced its 2014 interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2014. 1st half 2014 revenues was  HK$ 694 million, down 10% compared to the same period last year primarily due to a July 2013 agreement with a major customer which resulted in a significant extension of the contract.

IBC Content Everywhere is a new series of global events that acknowledge that IP-connected smartphones, tablets and personal computers are altering the way that we produce and consume media. The events will cover rich media production, devices, apps, digital marketing, social media, content personalisation, big data, cloud services, second screens, investment and much more. And they are truly global, the initial three events spanning Europe, MENA and LATAM, with the latter two taking place in Dubai in January 2015 and Sao Paulo later the same year.

The 2nd quarter 2014 showed about a 5% growth in set-top box revenues from a key set of major OEMs according to ABI Research. Most manufacturers saw similar sales, with ARRIS a clear winner, growing about 60% year-over-year to US$ 711 million (pro-forma based on the combined ARRIS-Motorola from the start of 2013). Cisco, however, was a clear loser, falling 30% to US$ 332 million, while Humax saw substantial revenue growth of 30%.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.  today reported its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.Revenues for the second quarter increased to US$ 54.1 million compared to US$ 50.9 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Non-GAAP operating income was US$ 1.5 million, compared to operating income of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2014. GAAP operating loss was $0.5 million compared to a loss of US$ 1.5 million in the first quarter of 2014

Gilat reaffirms 2014 objectives for annual revenues of $240-$245 million and EBITDA margin levels of approximately 9%

Telstra, one of the largest telecommunications and information services companies in the world, and Ooyala, a leader in video streaming and analytics, today announced they have reached a definitive agreement for Telstra to acquire Ooyala. The US$ 270 million investment increases Telstra's ownership in Ooyala from 23 per cent (fully diluted) to 98 per cent and is in addition to the US$61 million previously invested in Ooyala over the past two years. 

Intelsat S.A. today reported total revenue of US$ 615.7 million and net income attributable to Intelsat S.A. of US$ 66.8 million, or $0.53 per common share on a diluted basis, for the three months ended June 30, 2014.  The company reported adjusted net income per diluted common share1 of $0.76 for the quarter.

Intelsat S.A. reported EBITDA, or earnings before net interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, of US$ 485.5 million, or 79 percent of revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA of US$ 490.4 million, or 80 percent of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2014.

ITU today announced a call for innovations, a global hunt for the innovators, makers or entrepreneurs who are using technologies such as 3D printing or advanced robotics, or working within fields such as bio-mimicry, which uses technological innovations to imitate nature in order to solve problems – those who can make a real difference in a rapidly evolving and changing world. The call was launched in conjunction with innovation partner Ars Electronica. Selected innovations will be showcased at the upcoming ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha this December.

ABS has expanded its presence in Johannesburg, South Africa and formed a new Sales liaison office to support its growing business in the Africa continent.

This new office will house the sales and technical members of the Africa team, which will work alongside the regional Middle East office based in Dubai. ABS Africa will be responsible for business development, local sales liaison services and customer support throughout this region, according to the company.

CommunicAsia2014, EnterpriseIT2014 and BroadcastAsia2014, Asia’s most established ICT, broadcast and digital multimedia trade events,  took attendees on a revolutionary journey with the most hi-tech technologies that will power the future in a smarter and more connected living environment, while also providing a glimpse into the latest state-of-the-art solutions in digital entertainment.