NSR's just released Wireless Backhaul via Satellite, 7th Edition report finds the industry at the cusp of an evolutionary step.

The Hispasat Group closed fiscal year 2012 with revenues of €200.3 million (US$265.29 million), representing a 6.85 percent increase over 2011, €196.6 million (US$260.47 million) of which were derived from leasing space capacity.

At the General Meeting of Hispasat shareholders, the company reported that €98.8 million (US$130.90 million) were generated from the 30° West orbital position (Hispasat 1C, 1D and 1E satellites), while the 61° West position (Amazonas 1 and 2 satellites) generated revenue of €97.8 million (US$129.57 million).

Based on forecasts for 97 countries, global pay TV revenues [subscription fees and on-demand movies and TV episodes] will climb to $203 billion in 2018, up by $19 billion on 2012. According to the Digital TV World Revenue Forecasts report the fast growth years for the sector are over, with annual growth hovering at below 2% from 2015. Growth in 2013 will be 3.2%.

The organisers of the 9th international conference in the Maritime Insights/Broadband Maritime Series have announced complementary additions to the range of topical perspectives to be presented at ‘Maritime Insights Europe 2013: GVF Broadband Maritime Offshore & Oceanic ~ Networking towards a high throughput space’, to take place on 25th & 26th June at the Strand Palace Hotel, London, United Kingdom.

Euro Media Group, a provider of broadcast services across Europe, has acquired the technical resources of Alfacam, a Belgian firm specializing in the recording and broadcasting of live events worldwide.

The troubled Belgian media company, which faces bankruptcy, owns Europe's largest fleet of outside-broadcast vans.

With the strategic acquisition, Euro Media Group said it is reinforcing its unique position at worldwide level, notably in wireless technologies & services (RF), which are critical for major events.

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today  released its 2013 State of the Satellite Industry Report, showing a 7% growth in  world satellite industry revenues in 2012, up from 5% growth in 2011. Globally, 2012 revenues for the satellite industry totaled $189.5 billion, up from $177.3 billion  the previous year. All four industry sectors grew, led by satellite services, the  traditional driver for the industry. Both satellite manufacturing and launch services  saw significant revenue increases, and satellite ground equipment revenues also  continued to expand.

This week the European Commission updated its Digital Agenda Scoreboard, measuring progress with respect to the targets set out in the Digital Agenda. A new study completed by Point Topic shows that whilst nearly all households in Europe could access basic broadband services at the end of 2012, significant challenges still remain in delivering high-speed broadband to all.

The purpose of the Digital Agenda in Europe is to harness the internet and other digital technologies to drive sustainable economic growth. It includes two targets relating to broadband coverage:

The Greek government announced on Wednesday it was replacing Hellenic Broadcasting Corp. with New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television, shortened to NERIT, which is expected to launch in August.

The Greek government unveiled its plans to open a slimmed down version of the state broadcaster just hours after taking the draconian step of shutting Hellenic Broadcasting Corp. or ERT.

Liberty Global plc has completed its acquisition of British cable operator Virgin Media Inc. in a stock and cash merger valued at approximately US$ 24 billion (€18.26 billion) following shareholder approvals, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Mike Fries, President and CEO of Liberty Global, said the combined company now provides over 47 million video, voice and broadband services to 25 million customers located principally in 12 European countries.

The IBC Conference to be held from September 12-17, 2013 in Amsterdam,  is at the heart of the industry. Over the course of its six days more than 300 high-profile speakers in more than 60 hard-hitting and high-level sessions will discuss in detail the current state of the industry and help draw the roadmap for its development.