The Global VSAT Forum (GVF) and the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) announced they will be jointly hosting a series of sessions, courtesy of SES, at IBC. These sessions are aimed at all those involved with Satellite Transmissions, RF Systems, Uplinking and Satellite News Gathering. With the theme, Safeguarding Your Transmission Operation, these sessions will offer practical advice to broadcasters, operators, and manufacturers alike.

IBC Content Everywhere is a new series of global events that acknowledge that IP-connected smartphones, tablets and personal computers are altering the way that we produce and consume media. The events will cover rich media production, devices, apps, digital marketing, social media, content personalisation, big data, cloud services, second screens, investment and much more. And they are truly global, the initial three events spanning Europe, MENA and LATAM, with the latter two taking place in Dubai in January 2015 and Sao Paulo later the same year.

The 2nd quarter 2014 showed about a 5% growth in set-top box revenues from a key set of major OEMs according to ABI Research. Most manufacturers saw similar sales, with ARRIS a clear winner, growing about 60% year-over-year to US$ 711 million (pro-forma based on the combined ARRIS-Motorola from the start of 2013). Cisco, however, was a clear loser, falling 30% to US$ 332 million, while Humax saw substantial revenue growth of 30%.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.  today reported its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.Revenues for the second quarter increased to US$ 54.1 million compared to US$ 50.9 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Non-GAAP operating income was US$ 1.5 million, compared to operating income of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2014. GAAP operating loss was $0.5 million compared to a loss of US$ 1.5 million in the first quarter of 2014

Gilat reaffirms 2014 objectives for annual revenues of $240-$245 million and EBITDA margin levels of approximately 9%

Intelsat S.A. today reported total revenue of US$ 615.7 million and net income attributable to Intelsat S.A. of US$ 66.8 million, or $0.53 per common share on a diluted basis, for the three months ended June 30, 2014.  The company reported adjusted net income per diluted common share1 of $0.76 for the quarter.

Intelsat S.A. reported EBITDA, or earnings before net interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, of US$ 485.5 million, or 79 percent of revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA of US$ 490.4 million, or 80 percent of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2014.

ITU today announced a call for innovations, a global hunt for the innovators, makers or entrepreneurs who are using technologies such as 3D printing or advanced robotics, or working within fields such as bio-mimicry, which uses technological innovations to imitate nature in order to solve problems – those who can make a real difference in a rapidly evolving and changing world. The call was launched in conjunction with innovation partner Ars Electronica. Selected innovations will be showcased at the upcoming ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha this December.

Eutelsat's  financial results for the year ended 30 June 30, 2014 was in line with revenue growth objectives of the company.  Revenue growth was 2.6%.   EBITDA margin ws 76.7% and backlog reached record levels of €6.4 billion.

The Board of Directors of Eutelsat proposed dividend of €1.03 per share, payout ratio of 75%.  Eutelsat's Board expects topline growth acceleration in next three years and high level of profitability maintained.

Rockwell Collins has completed the sale of its satellite communications business. The business, which designs, manufactures and services ground-based satellite communication systems primarily for military customers, will be renamed DataPath, Inc.

Details of the sale were not immediately released.

The company says in a statement  the sale is part of a strategy to reshape its government systems business to focus on core products that will fuel future growth.

The sale includes operations in Duluth, Georgia, and Stockholm, Sweden, and includes about 365 employees.

BSkyB today announces it has entered into agreements with 21st Century Fox to acquire 21st  Century Fox’s 100% stake in Sky Italia and its 57.4% interest in Sky Deutschland. The enlarged  company will be a multinational pay TV provider that serves 20 million customers and brings together the leading pay TV businesses in three of Europe’s four biggest markets.

Satellite operator SES posted H1 revenues of EUR 938.9 million (2013: EUR 910.5 million) in the first half of 2014-an increase of 6.3% over the prior year period at constant exchange rates. EBITDA for the 1st Half of 2014 was EUR 693.8 million (2013: EUR 662.0 million)-- an increase of 7.4% over the prior year.