News Analysis

Paris, France, May 20, 2014 – Eutelsat Communications today announced the sale to M7A Group S.A., trading under the name of M7 Deutschland, of Eutelsat visAvision GmbH., that operates the KabelKiosk platform of digital channels and interactive services for cable and IPTV networks in Germany.

Washington, D.C. May 19,  2014--The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today released its 2014 State of the Satellite Industry Report, showing a three percent growth rate in world satellite industry revenues in 2013.Globally, 2013 revenues for the satellite industry totaled US$ 195.2 billion, up from US$ 188.8 billion the previous year.

El Segundo, Calif., May 19, 2014--AT&T and DIRECTV announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire DIRECTV in a stock-and-cash transaction for US$ 95 per share based on AT&T’s Friday closing price. AT&T will also assume DIRECTV debt bringing the total transaction cost to US$ 67.1 Billion.

Baikonur, Kazakstan, May 16, 2014--The Proton-M carrier rocket launch of RSCC's Express-AM4R satellite from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan failed to biring the satellite into geostationary orbit. The rocket carrying the satellite went down nine minutes after launch today.

Paris, France, May 15, 2014 – Eutelsat Communications today reported revenues for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 March 31, 2014. Revenues for the first nine months were up by 2.5%, at constant currency excluding non-recurring and Satmex revenues. Third quarter revenues were up by 1.5%, and by 6% including Satmex, which was consolidated from January 1, 2014. The total order backlog stood at the  €5.8 billion.

Washington, D.C., May 14, 2014 - The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today applauded  the publication of new regulations that reform the export controls for satellites and related items.  The U.S. Departments of State and Commerce each published rules that will transfer commercial communications satellites and some remote sensing satellites, along with tens of thousands of  associated parts, components, and ground terminals from the more restrictive U.S. Munitions  List to the Commerce Control List. 

Madrid, Spain, May 13, 2014- HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite telecommunications operator, today announced that is has completed an agreement with Intelsat, the world's lagest satellite operator, to jointly provide satellite services at the 55.5ºW orbital position for the Latin American market.

Hong Kong, May 13, 2014 – Satellite services provider SpeedCast Ltd today announced the buyout of SatComms Australia, a leading satellite solutions provider in Australia. The acquisition will provide SpeedCast with an expanded presence in Australia.

Stockholm, Sweden, May 12, 2014--Ericsson has completed its acquisition of Red Bee Media, a leading media services company headquartered in the UK, from Creative Broadcast Services Holdings - an entity controlled by Macquarie Advanced Investment Partners, L.P.

Covington, LA , May 8, 2014- Mobile satellite services operator Globalstar, Inc. reported a net loss of US$ 250.5 million for the first quarter of 2014, driven almost entirely from non-cash sources, compared to US$25.1 million for the first quarter of 2013.  Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 3.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, an increase of 54%.