Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT) has reported a drop in quarterly revenues to $69.7 million, compared with $82.7 million in Q4 2017, and a full year 2018 revenues of US$ 266.4 million versus US$ 282.8 million in 2017.

However, Gilat reported continued profitability with quarterly Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP) operating income increasing to US$ 7.5 million, up 33.1% from Q4 2017, and full year GAAP operating income increasing 96.0% to $21.3 million.

A recent study of the online content viewing behaviour of Malaysian  consumers has revealed that 25% of consumers use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content. These TV boxes, also known as Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs), allow users to access hundreds of pirated television channels and video-on-demand content. Such illicit streaming devices often come pre-loaded with pirated applications which are either free or charge low subscription fees, which then provide ‘plug-and-play’ access to pirated content.

NSR’s Emerging Space Markets Analysis, 2nd Edition (ESMA2) report, released today, tracked over US$ 17.8 Billion invested in Emerging Space companies from 2000-2018 for the more than 600 companies founded over that period. The last 2 years (2018 and 2017 combined) saw tremendous growth with more than US$ 7 Billon+ investment in Emerging Space companies.

Merger and acquisition activity in the defence and security domains was valued at USD82 billion during 2018, representing a 36% increase of the 2017 USD60 billion total according to Jane's by IHS Markit. This is the second consecutive record year of the present decade.

The total was pushed to a new high by a series of market-changing transactions during 2018, as the trend for transformational deals continued. The number of ‘transformation deals’ (those valued at USD500 million or more) more than doubled year on year during 2018 to 13, compared to 6 in 2017.

Video delivery platform leader SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC) has announced that it has acquired privately-held Xstream A/S, an over-the-top video and TV cloud platform provider based in Copenhagen, Denmark and Warsaw, Poland. SeaChange paid US$ 4.6 million in cash and 541,738 shares of SeaChange common stock, for a total transaction value as of February 6, 2019 of US$ 5.5 million.

The Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) has named members to a new Succession Planning Committee (SPC) to commence a wide-ranging search for a candidate to take on the leadership of the organization to succeed Seong Joong Kim who will retire in April 2019.

Thaicom Public Company Limited (THCOM), Thailand’s first satellite operator, reported a consolidated net profit of US$7.31 million (Baht 230 million), an improvement from last year’s net loss of US$84.26 million (Baht 2,650 million). Thaicom said the recovery can be attributed to the recognition of gain from sales of shares of CS Loxinfo Public Company Limited (CSL), a decrease in depreciation and amortization after the recognition of satellite assets impairment in 2017, and an improved cost management.

Hughes Network Systems, a leading provider of broadband satellite networks and services, announced that the  IEEE has honored Dr. Lin-Nan Lee, vice president of Advanced Development at Hughes and Life Fellow at IEEE, with its “Distinguished Contributions to Satellite Communications” award.

Spacecom, operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, has announced that its AMOS-7 communication satellite is broadcasting the Ukraine’s first ever 4K TV channel.

Nashe Media Group’s #NASHE HDR channel is being broadcast throughout the entire country by Ukrainian operator UkrKosmos. Following on the new channel’s success, Nashe is planning a Spring 2019 launch of a second 4K channel, ETNO.