News Analysis

Hauppauge, New York,  August 29, 2013 — An affiliate of private equity and investment firm Wasserstein & Co. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Globecomm Systems for US$ 14.15 per share or about US$340 million in cash.

Londong, UK, August 28, 2013--Global TV advertising expenditure will reach US$ 219 billion in 2018 for the 55 countries  covered in the TV Advertising Forecasts report from Digital TV Research, up by 32%  - or US$ 53 billion - from 2012.  TV advertising spend grew by 4.4% in 2012 to US$ 167 billion, but only 2.8% growth is  forecast for 2013 as the recession bites again in several European territories.

Istanbul, August 23, 2013 — The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund of Turkey (TMSF) is considering the initiation of a tender for the sale of pay-television platform Digitürk although the process has not been finalized.

Petah Tikva, Israel, Aug. 19, 2013-- Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Spacenet Inc.  subsidiary to Tulsa, Oklahoma-based SageNet. The aggregate consideration for the sale is approximately US $16 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments and expenses.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, August 19, 2013--Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, and ARABSAT today announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement to promote closer co-operation between the two companies and strengthen the reach and penetration of the 26 degrees East hot spot neighborhood for TV broadcasting.

Petah Tikva, Israel, August 14, 2013 — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. reported on Wednesday lower revenues for the second quarter of 2013 at US$ 80.2 million, compared to US$ 82.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 and $85.3 in the second quarter of 2012.

London, UK, August 6, 2013 — Inmarsat plc. has reported slightly higher revenues and profits in the first half of the year, fuelled by strong growth in demand for broadband communications on ships and aircraft. Inmarsat reported first half 2013 revenues of US$635.2 million, up 1 percent than the US$629.6 million during the same period last year. Its adjusted EBITDA was US$327.2 million for the first half of the year versus $332.1 million last year while profit before tax was US$185.5 million against US$222.8 million last year.

Washington, D.C., August 1, 2013 — Intelsat S.A. reported a slight rise in revenue to US$ 653.8 million but posted a net loss of US$ 408.3 million, or US$ 4.19 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2013.  The loss, however, included US$ 366.8 million for pre-tax charges related to early extinguishment of debt resulting from debt paydowns resulting from the company’s April 2013 initial public offering and debt refinancing activity in the second quarter.

Houston, Tex., August 1, 2013--RigNet, Inc., aprovider of managed remote communications solutions to the oil and gas industry, today announced a strategic deal with Inmarsat plc involving the sale of Inmarsat's Energy Broadband business to RigNet and the appointment of RigNet to become a key distribution partner to deliver Inmarsat's Global Xpress ("GX") and L-band services to the energy sector worldwide.

Paris, France, July 31, 2013--Eutelsat announced it has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. ("Satmex") for an enterprise value of US$1,142 million. This acquisition, together with the recently ordered EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite, will position the group as a major satellite operator in Latin America, reflecting its strategy to expand in high growth markets.