News Analysis

Going 4K: Looking Beyond The Hype

London, UK, November 29, 2012--The opportunities for 4K technology - the next step forward in high resolution video - have been much hyped, particularly within the world of broadcast, though beyond digital cinema the appetite for 4K from end users remains limited.  Futuresource expects a number of broadcasters to launch 4K channels as early as 2014 in a webminar held November 28 addressing the realities and the commercial and technological drivers of 4K video technology.

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Half of Consumers in the US and UK are Viewing OTT Video through a Broadband Connection

New York City, NY,  November 28, 2012 – Consumers in the U.S. and U.K. are changing the way they view TV and video content by increasingly taking control of how, when, and where they view it, according to a new survey released by Accenture.  About half (49 percent) of consumers surveyed in Accenture’s Pulse of Media Consumer Survey are viewing over-the-top (OTT) video through a broadband connection on their TVs (50 percent in the U.S. and 48 percent in the U.K.) in addition to the content they traditionally watch via cable or satellite.

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Next Generation Systems: Now’s the Time

by Dan Freyer

Los Angeles, Calif., November 9, 2012-- Next generation high throughput satellites (HTS) and Ka-Band systems in production and coming into service are bringing massive increases in bandwidth to orbit.  Over twenty new HTS and Ka-band satellites are in construction, each carrying from 10 to 100 times the capacity of today’s conventional C–  and Ku-Band  systems.These next-gen and Ka-Band systems could dramatically alter the industry’s landscape. How will they impact satellite markets in the next two years, and what industry players stand to gain from their success?   

Ka-Band: What's All the Fuss About?

 by Elisabeth Tweedie

Los Angeles, Calif., November 8, 2012--Ka-Band is one of the most popular topics at industry conferences, and in trade newsletters and magazines.  What is all the fuss about?  Is Ka really the magic bullet for the satellite industry or are we in danger of once again drinking our own bath water and letting our enthusiasm for new technology override our common sense? 

The Game Change in Satellite Service Provision

by Martin Jarrold

London, UK,  November 7, 2012--Broadband is the hot topic around the world. Demand for spectrum never abates. Profound statements indeed! Over the years, satellite systems have responded to the increasing demand for more-and-more spectrum, at lower-and-lower cost, in order to facilitate expanded broadband access, by developing ever more efficient, powerful, and cost-effective space and ground segments.

World Teleport Association Releases Inside the Top Operators Report

New York City, NY, November 6, 2012--The World Teleport Association has published its annual Inside the Top Operators research report. The eagerly awaited report draws from data submitted to WTA by teleport operating companies around the world for the association’s 2011 Top Operator rankings, and offers a useful “snapshot” of the entire sector from independent operators large and small delivering service around the world.

A Sustained Boom Forecasted for Global Online TV and Video

Middlesex, UK, November 1, 2012--Global online TV and video revenues will reach $28.72 billion in 2017, a massive increase from the $3.79 billion recorded in 2010 and the $11.14 billion expected in 2012, according to a new report from Digital TV Research.

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Worldwide pay-TV market to Notch up $236 billion in Revenue by the End of 2012

Singapore, October 26, 2012--The worldwide pay-TV market is growing on all major TV platforms worldwide, including cable, satellite, and IPTV. Pay-TV service revenue is expected to reach $236 billion by the end of 2012, up from $223 billion in 2011, according to ABI Research’s pay-TV Market Data, which looks at average revenue per user (ARPU) and revenues worldwide. ABI Research expects the pay-TV market to continue to grow 19% over the next five years, generating $281 billion in 2017. Pay terrestrial TV services, however, are losing steam with a small drop in revenue; the French pay-TV platform TV Numeric is in receivership and likely to close at the end of the year.

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2013 Telecoms and Media Industry Survey: Innovation in Services and Partnerships Hold the Key to Future Growth

London, UK, October 23, 2012 –According to the results of Informa Telecoms & Media’s annual industry survey, innovation is a key priority for global telecoms and media players in 2013. Over 500 senior executives from across both these sectors were asked how their businesses and markets would perform in 2013 and the role innovation would play in driving future revenue growth.

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Earth Observation Commercial Data Market Remains Strong Despite Slowdown in 2011

International defense sales and emerging markets to drive growth

Paris, France,  October 16, 2012 – According to Euroconsult’s latest research report Satellite-Based Earth Observation: Market Prospects to 2021, the market for commercial Earth observation (EO) data slowed significantly in 2011 with growth of 6% to $1.4 billion following five years of strong growth of over 20% from 2006 to 2010. The primary factor for this decrease in percentage was the stabilization in U.S. defense data procurement following the awards of the Enhanced View contracts by the NGA to DigitalGlobe and GeoEye.

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