Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today revealed the first results of its new survey on TV reception modes and trends across its global footprint, with a presentation in Rome of the Italian broadcasting landscape. Working in collaboration with Ipsos, Eutelsat announced that 8.2 million homes are now equipped with a Direct-to-Home antenna, consolidating the role of satellites as a core broadcast infrastructure serving one in three TV homes in Italy.

The UK needs to remove its broadband blackspots and increase coverage for the entire country in order to avoid opening another digital divide, warns network access specialist, The Kenton Group. This announcement comes at a time when many UK homes and businesses are still without basic broadband, and ahead of next week’s DSL Acceleration conference and exhibition.

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Ericsson has reached an agreement with Microsoft to acquire its TV solution Mediaroom business. This will make Ericsson the leading provider of IPTV and multi-screen solutions with a market share of over 25%. Closing expected during the second half of 2013. Mediaroom is situated in Mountain View, California and employs more than 400 people worldwide.

German media group Bertelsmann has confirmed plans to cut its stake in RTL Group by selling shares on the stock exchange.Bertelsmann said even if it reduces its shareholding in RTL Group, it will maintain a qualified majority of at least 75 percent.

RTL said it intends to apply for listing of its shares on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, in addition to the existing listings on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Euronext Brussels.

The first day of trading for the offered shares is expected before the summer break.

After months of eager anticipation, Intelsat Global Holdings S.A has finally announced details of its initial public offering this year. Intelsat said it was offering 21.74 million common shares and 3 million Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred shares in its IPO. 

Intelsat has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 3,260,869 common shares and an additional 450,000 preferred shares. 

The TV Connect conference and exhibition took the rapidly converging content and TV market into a new era, as thousands of visitors filled the Olympia in London last week. The stellar speaker line-up and calibre of exhibitors and delegates reflected the evolving nature of the industry, specifically focussing on integrating media to monetise the multiplatform environment.

ITU Telecom World 2013 is continuing the ‘one conversation that matters’ this year in Thailand under the theme ‘Embracing Change in a Digital World’. This is supported by a new website launched today to complement the event’s focus on high quality discussion and debate.

Preparations are underway for ITU Telecom World 2013, which will take place in Bangkok, 19 – 22 November, where we will build on the success and findings of last year’s event in Dubai.

Connected home entertainment solutions provider Netgem's current operating profit for 2012 amounted to €12.3 million (-3% compared to 2011) (US$ 15.75 mil.) or 15% of full-year revenue of €81.2 million (-4% compared to 2011). Gross margin for 2012 amounted to €30.2 million (37% of revenue) as compared to €32.4 million in 2011 (38% of revenue).

Operating expenses decreased 9% to €17.9 million in 2012, compared to €19.8 million in 2011, while the number of active customers increased, reflecting the control over operational costs and risks without any impact on the R&D effort.

SES announced today that it has increased its reach in 2012, driven by strong gains, especially in India and Germany. SES now reaches 276 million TV homes worldwide, over 17 million homes more than in 2011.